Choosing a Cell Phone

by: Telefon Wirles

 

Considering the innumerable varieties of cell phones in the market, it is quite a challenging task to choose the best one. However, the basic criterion of selecting the best cell phone is to be absolutely clear about what your needs are. The best cellular phone is the one that is absolutely right for you. And, of course, you can only have the best cellular phone when you pay for what you want.

 

Tons of offers are also available. There are free cellular telephone offers, prepaid cellular, digital, mobile, web enabled and many more. No one can tell you which cell phone is best for you because every one has different needs when it comes to their cellular telephone. Some people want absolutely basic features while others want a lot of totally fantastic features. Some need a cellular telephone for e-mail, faxing and surfing the Internet. Many people want it to be top of the line while others prefer simplicity.

 

The process of buying a cell phone is so confusing. There are simply so many different handsets, networks, deals and call costs to consider that buying the right phone for your usage and budget can be very difficult.

 

Here are a few tips to help you choose the best cell phone. First of all, decide how much you want to spend and be clear on the features you need. Remember that the more the features, the higher the cost.

 

Purchase a battery with a decent battery life and judge the mobile phone by the talk time it gives. The bare minimum should be 2 hours of maximum talk-time plus 90 hours of maximum standby time.

 

Shop and compare for pricing and service. These days, quality phones are very cheap. There is a proliferation of cell phone makers including Nokia, Motorola, Ericson, Siemens, Samsung, Sony, etc. More importantly, cellular plans have come down enormously in overall price with some caveats.

 

Some standard features include caller ID, phone book with fast dial, call waiting, voice mail and auto-answering. Some also have other added features like your first incoming minute free. The high-end cell phones will have voice-a ctivated dialing, SMS, 2-way paging, games, scheduling calendars, digital organizer and all the standard features. The main thing is to see what fits into your life style best and also to be sure when and if the features expire.

 

While making a cell phone and service plan decision, remember that everybody's needs are different. So what's good for your friend may not be the best choice for you. Your best bet would be to search online for websites with good cell phone comparisons in order to get a quality cell phone offer.

 

To make sure that your cell phone comparisons are complete look at Nokia cell phones, Ericsson cell phones, Sprint cell phones, Motorola cell phones and Samsung cell phones. Research the different free cell phone offers, prepaid cell phones and service plans from brand names like AT

 

About The Author

 

Telefon Wirles is the editor and proprietor of IP Electronics which is a premier source for Cell Phone information. For questions or comments, go to: http://www.ipelectronics.com

Cell Phone Antenna May Pose Health Hazards

by: Peter Lenkefi

There is growing consensus that cell phone antennas may be harmful to humans due to the huge volume of electromagnetic waves that get concentrated around it during the receipt and placing of calls. This danger is even further aggravated by cellular manufacturers who place the internal antennas close to the earpiece.

Mobile phones are basically radio sets and therefore emit energy radio signals that can penetrate the body and cause harm.

There have been several commissions on the study of the effect of mobile phone on the human body and the most pronounced has been The Stewart Report which suggested that radio waves indeed penetrate human bodies from mobile phone antennas and specially recommended that children who obviously have softer skulls be extra careful and use the device sparingly. The report further went on to state that the brain cells of children are not as fully developed as those of adults and can therefore be at greater risk as they absorb the radiation more than fully hardened adult skulls.

These hazards may exist but cell phones have become part of everyday living like cars and cannot be dispensed with. In the light of this fact, doing away with our phones may not be a practical approach to solving the health hazards issue. Rather we can adopt some habits to mitigate the effects of the radiation.

Children should not use cell phones for long calls. They should sue land lines instead so as to minimize the length of contact with the radiation emitted by the device.

Consumers should buy phones with low specific absorption rate (SAR). Mobile phones should be kept away from the body as much as possible. They can be put in the purse or bag and only brought into contact with the body when there is the need to make or receive a call.

Users should try to keep their conversations short.

If possible, SMS messages can be sent instead of calls so that there is less contact with the body especially around the skull area.

Keep switching between both ears so that one particular ear does not absorb the full brunt of the radiation all the time.

Radiation emission is at the highest when the phone is trying to connect so keep the phone away from the skull till you see the call fully connected.

Weak signal results in higher radiation so avoid making calls in areas where reception is poor as the device will try to boost its power to get you a connection and resultantly bombard you with more radiation.

We cannot do away with cellular devices looking at the convenience they have ushered consumers in. Nevertheless, we can adopt some helpful attitudes to minimize the harmful effects this technology is bringing to mankind.

About The Author

Peter Lenkefi

For more more information about the hazards that cell phone antenas may pose please visit http://www.cellular-mobile-phones.com

plenkefi@yahoo.com.au

Cell Phone Accessories - Check Them Out

by: Martin Smith

Accessories such a coat, purse, or shoes can either complete or dress up an outfit. Cell phones have almost as many accessories as Barbie does. Accessories can be practical, ornamental, or just available. In the cell phone world there are practical accessories that help you to operate the phone safely and those that allow you to carry it safely.

Some, like downloadable ring tones, are there for you if you want them. I have put accessories into groups to make them easier to describe. There are operational accessories that include battery chargers. Chargers are phone and model specific so that they are not interchangeable.

Hands free kits can be bought that are easily installed in your vehicle. These will let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel. The signal between your phone and cell tower can be strengthened with the use of antenna boosters. Where there are weak cell phone signals these are really good.

There are specific batteries from your cell phone’s manufacturer and for your specific cell phone. Until you can recharge your cell phone battery there is an attachment that will your weak battery a boost. There are speaker phone kits. Rather than drive with one hand and hold the phone with other, these attachments let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel.

Place dashboard mountable holders well within arms reach. There are a number of styles of cases and holders. The eyeglass case and horizontal case are alike. Pocket eyeglass cases are similar to vertical cases. Cell phone holsters can be worn across your shoulder like a policeman or on your belt.

Wear multi-use cases on your arm, your wrist, or your thigh. Not only will these cases hold your cell but they will hold your license and a few dollars. These types of cases will hold your cell, your license, and a few bucks. These cases hold your cell phone, your license, and maybe a few bucks.

Velcro(tm) are generally found on these cases. You can find accessories for your cell that are technical in nature. Internal accessories include downloadable ring tones and games to help you pass the time while you are waiting. These ring tones can include holiday songs, the traditional ring, or The William Tell Overture.

Cell phones are little computers that are internet ready, organizers, calendars, note recorders, and to do lists; they are no longer just phones. They now have phone directories, recordings of missed calls so you can return calls later, and they record the identity of callers.

There are antenna boosters that strengthen signals and radiation shields to reduce radiation exposure. Cell phone accessories include covers and face plates. There are front and back pieces to phone covers.

Face plates, some with designs, go over the keypad and the front of the phone. Cell phone accessories include very cute plush animal covers. They are both functional and cute, and the phone goes in the back of the animal. The animal acts as a cushion for the phone in case its ever dropped.

Prices of cell phone accessories and cell phones can vary. Most accessories are optional and some are simply fun. It is important to remember that not all cell phone accessories are interchangeable. You should learn all about your cell phone and how it operates.

About The Author

Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans and more! His numerous articles are a resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.mobile-n-cell-phone.com. 

Adult Continuing Education and Youthful Living After 40

by: Bill Platt

There are two kinds of people in life: those who continue learning well past the last ringing of the high school class bell, and those who are trudging through life praying for retirement.

In my own life, 40 has finally arrived. Am I old? No. Should I feel old? Why?

School is twenty years in the past for myself, and yet, everyday is a learning experience for me. I am still learning astronomy and engineering from The Science Channel, and I am engaged in a daily pursuit of learning to be a better computer programmer.

I was one of those unlucky soles in that I graduated from high school in 1983. My choice career since 1979 was that of a computer programmer. In 1983, when I entered college, I was stoked. I was going after my dream to be a computer programmer.

Unfortunately, I was relegated to gaining my education from a two-year college, whose computer science teacher chose to live in the past. The college that was close to my home was my starting point in my college career, and they were stuck in the technologies of the 1960's and 1970's.

While in high school, I had been privileged enough to be able to have Personal Computers in the classroom. I was able to be schooled in computer programming on TRS-80's (fondly called Trash 80's by those who used them) and on the first Apple Computers to enter the marketplace.

The writing was on the wall. The future of computer programming was in the personal computer market. Yet, our instructor would only teach us Fortran, an already dying language. (By the mid- to late-1980's, nearly every major business had done away with those massive mainframe computers that relied upon the Fortran operating system.)

It was a very frustrating time in my life. I left college, disillusioned in the fact that I could not learn the kind of programming that I wanted to do in my life.

Move forward eleven years into the future. It was 1994 and Windows 3.11 was the computer operating system of choice. Now, that was a long time ago.

In 1994, I hooked myself up with my first personal computer, and then began the self-teaching process. In 2001, I began teaching computer programming to students who were paying for Adult Continuing Education courses as our local vo-tech.

For me, programming is an everyday learning experience. This past weekend, I was finally able to break through in my understanding of a concept that I had previously had a lot of problems in comprehending.

It was two days past my 40th birthday, and I had a major learning breakthrough. Even at 40, I am still young in heart and mind.

If I were to contribute only one thing to my youthful feelings that would be the fact that even at 40, I find time in my day to learn new things.

Are you continuing your education, or are you among the poor folks who are praying for time to race by so that you may enter into retirement? (the average person lives only 3 years past retirement. why should you be racing to the grave? instead, contemplate the possibility of racing to a life worth living...)

Adult Continuing Education is a worthwhile endeavor, whether you are 25, 40 or 85. Please endeavor yourself to learn something new today. You will feel much better once you have done so.

About the author:
Bill Platt is a contributing writer at http://InvisibleMBA.com. The Invisible MBA is a website concerned only with any and all information that will help you to get an education and to turn that education into a viable career. Bill has been involved with Article Marketing since 1999. Let him put his experience to work for you at: http://thePhantomWriters.com

10 Great Online Degree Programs

by: Donna Monday

Contemplating earning a degree online?

Depending on the course of study and field of specialization you’re interested in, there are lots of accredited degree programs that offer an excellent and convenient educational experience.

There are over a hundred undergraduate and graduate online degree programs. Too many to list here, so I’ll just give you a small sampling of some popular educational programs to get you started:

AIU Online – Earn your degree online in record time. Degrees in: business administration, criminal justice, information technology, visual communications.

DeVry University – Students have the ability to interact with faculty and other students while they earn their degree. Degrees in: business technology, information systems, human resources, business administration.

University of Phoenix – A superb national reputation for providing working professionals with quality education. Degrees in: business technology, education, nursing.

ITT Tech – ITT Technical Institute offers accredited online programs that can help you develop the knowledge and skills that can be used to enhance your technical career.

Kaplan University – Earn your degree, advance your career, and do it all without missing a day of work. Degrees in: business, criminal justice, technology and design, paralegal. Certificates in: forensic nursing, legal nurse consulting, financial planning.

Walden University – For 30 years, Walden has helped adult learners balance their personal and professional commitments while earning a respected degree. Convenient online Ph.D., masters, and bachelor degree programs.

The Art Institute Online – Start your career in design with distance learning programs that focus on multimedia, web, game art, graphic and interior design.

Clayton College of Natural Health (CCNH) – CCNH can prepare you for a rewarding career in natural health, holistic nutrition, naturopathy, and herbology.

University of Liverpool – Earn a masters degree from the university for business professionals worldwide. Liverpool has earned an international reputation for high quality.

Concord Law School – Nationally recognized Concord Law School offers a Juris Doctor (JD) degree and an Executive JD degree that can be earned 100% online.


As you can see, there’s a large variety of educational opportunities awaiting you online. Whatever your goals, whatever your dreams, you can now more easily achieve them at your own pace, and in the comfort of your own home.


About the author:
Copyright 2005
Donna Monday
Earn a degree online in your own home
http://www.online-distance-learning-careers.com

7 Strategies for success with Distance Learning

Distance learning has opened doors for many students, especially for those who cannot afford to pay for the high fees of full-time courses. Although online distance learning courses have many advantages over on-campus degree courses, many factors come into play in order to make this a success for students. Due to the differences in the way that education is being delivered and acquired, adjustments and changes in approaches need to be undertaken.

Selecting the right distance learning school.

The first element for success is to choose the right distance learning school. There are many unscrupulous “degree mills” around in the market that are only keen to sell their degrees without providing good education and ample student support. As a result, the degrees offered by these institutions may not be recognized, or may sometimes even be regarded as bogus degrees. In order to prevent this, do the proper background check on the institution you are considering with the relevant authorities to verify on their accreditation and authenticity before registering.

Cost-benefit analysis
Some students enroll in an online distance learning course without doing a cost benefit analysis of taking the course in the first place. It is a known fact that obtaining an education requires a hefty sum of investment. However, this should be compared with the potential additional income that can be generated from the degree that is earned. Only then can the full rewards be reaped from gaining an online degree.

Degree positioning to employers.

There have been many cases where employers were wary of the validity of online degrees. With so many online institutions selling degrees, it is justified for employers to exercise caution. Although a distance learning degree may be 100% legitimate, it would help if you provide adequate explanation on the accreditation of the degree in order to avoid misunderstanding. By stressing that the accreditation body which accredited your institution or your program is recognized by the US Department of Education as well as CHEA, you can then eliminate any doubts that employers about the validity of your degree.

Exercise discipline, determination and time management.

In the actual course of study, many students lack discipline and focus and therefore are unable to keep up with online lessons and assignments. It is very important for distance learning students to have great determination to succeed, as it is very easy to get de-motivated and distracted when you are alone with no peers. Good time management along with communication with other students would make excellent measures for success.

Make full use of facilities provided.

Many distance learning online courses offer online lectures and email correspondence to facilitate communication with lecturers, tutors and other students. These facilities should be utilized as much as possible as it provides a link back to the education institution. Furthermore, this would be a great source of motivation in order to keep progressing through the course of study.

Utilize credit transfers.

Most distance learning institutions allow students to transfer their credits from other courses that they had taken from other universities or colleges. This way, students will not have to repeat what they have already learnt. In order to do this, it is important for distance learning students to obtain transcripts and results from their previous schools and send them to their distance learning online university to obtain credit transfers.

Good utilization of technology for education.

The final element for distance learning success it the ability to make full use of the conveniences that technology has to offer. Many online universities provide students with online research resources that are valuable for completing assignments or producing research papers. The cost of facilities such as virtual libraries and online books has probably been factored into the fees paid and therefore it makes good sense to utilize these facilities to the fullest.


About the author:
Rose Musyoka is the editor of http://www.distance-learning-college-guide.com where you find answers, information and advice on distance learning colleges, accredited online degrees and online courses. See more related information on distance learning colleges and online education 

6 Common Misconceptions about Study Abroad Programs

by: Lee Frankel

With over 100,000 college students studying abroad every year, there’s bound to be all kinds of tall tales, urban legends, and misinformation swirling around. While there may be grains of truth in some of these stories, below are some common misconceptions about study abroad.

Misconception #1: Studying abroad is very expensive.

Truth: In most cases, it is actually cheaper to study abroad. Let’s say the tuition at your school is $5,000 per semester and room and board is another $4,000. Now add in the additional fees you have such as health insurance, books, and laundry. You are now well over $10,000 for the semester. Well, all but one of our programs in Spain is under $10,000 per semester and that includes everything except your airfare and spending money.


Misconception #2: I can’t use my financial aid to study abroad.

Truth: In almost all cases, your federal aid (Stafford loans, Pell grants, etc.) can be used to study abroad and in some states, you can use your state aid as well. It is also not uncommon for your federal aid to increase when you study abroad since some of your school scholarships may not transfer.


Misconception #3: Host families are all poor and just do it for the money.

Truth: The last thing any study abroad company wants to do is have an unhappy student on their program. The goal is for the students to be happy so that they will tell their friends what a great time they had. If we were putting students in bad families, in dangerous neighborhoods, then no one would ever recommend us to their friends. Since the number of universities that endorse our program doubled over the last year, it’s a pretty sure bet that students are happy with our choice of families.



Misconception #4: I’ll be so busy with schoolwork that I won’t get time to see the country I’m in.


Truth: This one is hysterically funny since your average study abroad student comes home with about 400+ photos from a long list of countries. Students have plenty of opportunities to travel and we even take our students on trips to give them a better feel for the country they are in.


Misconception #5: I might not graduate on time if I go abroad.

Truth: If you have already used up all of your elective or general education courses, then it’s true that you might need to bulk up on courses before or after you go abroad. If you plan ahead, however, and leave some electives open to you, then you should be fine. The clear majority of students who study abroad still graduate in four years, despite being away from their home campus for a semester or two.


Misconception #6: Most of the world hates Americans, so I won’t be safe.

Truth: There’s no doubt that there are a lot of people who don’t like the American government, but that has nothing to do with the American people. If you compare the violent crime rate in the United States to that of European, Australian, or Asian countries, you will see that the United States is actually far more dangerous. There are some areas of South America and Africa that are not especially safe, but there are also many countries on those continents that are incredibly safe. Go to the U.S. State Department website and check out the crime statistics on the country you are interested in to see how safe it is.

Studying abroad is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that every college student should take advantage of. Before dismissing it due to the bad experience of one friend or rumors you have had heard, speak with your study abroad advisor and get the facts. I guarantee that once you look at all that studying abroad can offer you, you’ll be hopping the first flight abroad.

One organization that help ensure that you have safest, unforgettable yet affordable study abroad experience is Academic Studies Abroad. Here are some of our very popular study abroad programs in the following countries:

-Study Abroad in Spain - Academic Studies offers study abroad programs in Barcelona, Madrid, Salamanca and Sevilla. Check out our program information at http://www.academicstudies.com/What.html

-Study Abroad England- Academic Studies offers study abroad programs in London. Check out program information at http://www.academicstudies.com/What_london.html.

-Study Abroad Italy - Academic Studies offers study abroad programs in Florence. Find information about our programs at http://www.academicstudies.com/What_florence.html.

-Study Abroad in France - Academic Studies offer study abroad programs in Aix-en-Provence and Avignon. Check out our study abroad programs at http://www.academicstudies.com/What_florence.html

-Study Abroad Ireland - Academic Studies offers study abroad programs in Dublin. Interested in going to Ireland? Check out http://www.academicstudies.com/What_ireland.html


About the author:
Lee Frankel is Director of Academic Studies Abroad, a study abroad provider with programs in five different countries. He has traveled to over 25 countries and travels across the U.S. speaking with college students interested in studying abroad. Do you have questions about study abroad programs? Visit www.academicstudies.comto learn about our various programs or email us at lee@academicstudies.com 

5 Questions To Ask Yourself Before Taking Your First Online Class

by: Kris Bickell

Just a few short years ago, the idea of taking a college course through the Internet was something online “techies” considered. Now that people realize how convenience it is to take a class without leaving home, more and more people are taking advantage of using their computer to learn.

But while the technology used for online classes is so simple just about anyone can become an online student, you should ask yourself the following 5 questions first – and save yourself a lot of stress!

1) Do you have the time?
Many people think – mistakenly – that online courses are “easier” than traditional campus classes. But most online classes require regular participation. So, you must have the time to “log on” to your course several times each week, complete the assignments and do your homework, and interact with the other students.

All of this takes time…and, you have to account for the time you would normally have spent in the classroom. If you have the time, you will find taking an online class to be very convenient!

2) Do you have the discipline?
Sure, most online classes don’t require you to be on the computer at a specific time (although some do). So it is up to you to make sure you check in on your class several times each week. With a busy work schedule, sports, hobbies, housework, kids, it’s easy to put your class low on your priority list. And that could mean big trouble when it comes time to get your grade.

It’s not the teacher’s job to remind you to keep up with your work – that’s your responsibility. A simple way to make this work is to create your own schedule, so each week you know exactly when it’s time to “go to class”!

3) Do you have the money?
While there are many free or low-cost online “self help” courses available, college courses almost always cost the same whether you take them on-campus, or online. Colleges have to buy the software, train their faculty, and offer student services after hours – so expecting online courses to be less expensive is not reasonable.

On the other hand, the same financial aid is often available for online classes, just as with campus classes. So, money should not stop any student from furthering their education!

4) Do you have the right technical skills?
Fortunately, you don’t have to be a computer “genius” to take an online class. The technology has become very simple for students and teachers to use, so that students who can “surf the Internet” and use email usually have the necessary technical skills.

Before getting started, the school offering the course should have a sample course, tutorial, or other training to help you determine if there are any skills you need to learn, so you can become a successful online student!

5) Do you have the right computer equipment?
Since most online classes are taught through the Internet, students usually don’t need any special computer equipment. However, most online classes require students to have reliable access to the Internet, an email account (and the knowledge to use it), a word processor (such as Microsoft Word), and antivirus software. Check with your school to see if there are any other requirements.

A high speed internet connection is usually not required, but if instructors use graphics, videos, audio lectures, or other big files, a high speed connection (such as DSL or cable) will help you open the files, and do you work, more efficiently!

Are you ready now to take your first online class? Then it’s time to contact your local college, or search the internet for an online class directory, and see what online courses you can take!

About the author:
Kris Bickell is the owner of Hi-Speed-Internet.com, a helpful site for consumers comparing high speed internet services. For information on high speed DSL, Cable, and Wireless Internet, visit: http://www.Hi-Speed-Internet.com,and sign up for the free email course “5 Simple Ways To Increase Your Computer Speed”. © 2005 Hi-Speed-Internet.com 

3 Alternatives For Investing For Your Child’s Higher Education Costs

by: Jay Fran

With higher education tuition increasing at double digit year over year percentages an effective saving plan for your kid’s education is becoming much more important than it has been before. Most families will discover that their future higher education costs will be much more than they have saved for their kid’s education. This leaves many kids to be faced with obtaining financial aid to pay for a portion of their college education. The goal of this article is to explore the pros and cons of 4 common investment options when saving for college. This article will also explore why some of these options are better than other when considering a portion of your kid’s education may be funded by financial aid.

529 College Savings Plan: - A 529 college savings plan is a fairly new investment option for college saving. It allows just about anyone to save for college. There is a long list of benefits of a 529 college savings plan, but perhaps the most important is that your earnings grow tax free if you use it for qualified education expenses. Additionally, the maximum amount you can contribute to a 529 plan can go as high as several hundred thousand dollars depending on your State. In the event you do not use the funds for college, you can still withdrawal your earnings, but you will have to pay taxes and a 10% penalty. The penalty will be waived if your child receives a scholarship, or your child becomes disable or dies.

529 plans can typically be purchased through a broker or mutual fund company, but a disadvantage is that investment choices can sometimes be limited. Since qualifying for financial aid is based on a calculation that considers your kids assets, another big benefit of a 529 college savings plan is that the money in the plan is classified as a parents assets so less that 6% of the value counts against your kid’s financial aid eligibility.

Uniform Gifts to Minors Act/Uniform Transfers to Minors Act

(UGMA/UTA Custodial Account): - The benefit of a UMGA/UTA Custodial Account is that there is no limit on the contribution and it is easy to set up at most financial institutions. However, the limitations far outweigh the benefits. The first limitation of a UMGA/UTA Custodial Account is that these types of accounts offer very little tax advantage. If your child is under 14, only the first $800 of income is tax free, the next $800 is taxed at your child’s tax rate and after that there is no tax benefit at all. The other big limitation is that the account has to be set up in your child’s name. As a result, if your child needs financial aid all of the assets will be reviewed at a 35% rate. Therefore, this type of account is not advisable for those who may need financial aid.

Coverdell Education Savings Account (CESA): - A Coverdell Education Savings Account is very similar to a 529 college savings plan. The main difference is that with a Coverdell Education Savings Account you can only contribute $2000 per child and to qualify your adjusted gross income must be less than $110,000 if single and less than $220,000 if married filing jointly. The account is classified as a parent’s asset so less that 6% of the value counts against your kid’s financial aid eligibility.

In the end, parents should consider planning for college to be a highly important process. The above 3 alternatives can make this process much more easy and financially sound.

Copyright (c) 2005, by Jay Fran. This article may be freely distributed as long as the copyright, author's information and the below active live link is published with the article.

About the author:
http://www.motorcycle-financing-guide.com/directory/directory.phpJay Fran is a successful author and publisher at Motorcycle-Financing-Guide.com, a website that offers a wide selection of online motorcycle lenders providing online application facilities for motorbike - motorcycle loans or motorcycle refinancing. 

Cell Phone Bugs

by: Shawn Davis

There are a couple of different ways that cell phone bugs can be used. There are fairly inexpensive low-tech cell phone bugs, and there are more expensive and much more rewarding, devices that can be used to hear what you need to hear, but that others might try to keep from you.

The first category of cell phone bugs is not really a cell phone at all. It merely looks like a cell phone. It can receive calls, and it will call you automatically, but this phone is not meant to be carried with you. This bug is meant to be “forgotten” or “charging” at the home or office. It plugs into a splitter that shares a phone jack with a regular phone. When a call is made, you can listen in to both ends of the conversation by use of your bug. The bug will even call you when the subject places a call so that you can listen in.

One of the cell phone bugs that require you to take a more active role in listening is a cell phone that is equipped to pick up transmissions by cell phones around it. Cell phone calls are among the easiest to intercept, as the sound is carried on frequencies right through the air. All you have to do is be in the vicinity of your subject and then dial in to your cell phone bug. It looks as though you are talking on your cell phone, but really you are listening in on a conversation.

Finally, the most advanced of cell phone bugs let you listen in, even if you are on the other side of the country — or even the other side of the world. This type of bug works like a regular cell phone. Give it to your subject, and then you can listen in to what she or he is doing whenever you want. The phone has a standard number, that anyone can call, and a secret number that only you know. When you call the secret number, a microphone is activated and you can listen in, not only to conversations held on the phone, but also to what is going on in the same room as the cell phone.

These devices are innocuous and common. They look like what everyone today has and seems to need. You cannot go wrong when you get the information you need using cell phone bugs.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Cell Phone Bugs.

About The Author Shawn Davis To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com. Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Cell Phone Antenna May Pose Health Hazards

by: Peter Lenkefi

There is growing consensus that cell phone antennas may be harmful to humans due to the huge volume of electromagnetic waves that get concentrated around it during the receipt and placing of calls. This danger is even further aggravated by cellular manufacturers who place the internal antennas close to the earpiece.

Mobile phones are basically radio sets and therefore emit energy radio signals that can penetrate the body and cause harm.

There have been several commissions on the study of the effect of mobile phone on the human body and the most pronounced has been The Stewart Report which suggested that radio waves indeed penetrate human bodies from mobile phone antennas and specially recommended that children who obviously have softer skulls be extra careful and use the device sparingly. The report further went on to state that the brain cells of children are not as fully developed as those of adults and can therefore be at greater risk as they absorb the radiation more than fully hardened adult skulls.

These hazards may exist but cell phones have become part of everyday living like cars and cannot be dispensed with. In the light of this fact, doing away with our phones may not be a practical approach to solving the health hazards issue. Rather we can adopt some habits to mitigate the effects of the radiation.

Children should not use cell phones for long calls. They should sue land lines instead so as to minimize the length of contact with the radiation emitted by the device.

Consumers should buy phones with low specific absorption rate (SAR). Mobile phones should be kept away from the body as much as possible. They can be put in the purse or bag and only brought into contact with the body when there is the need to make or receive a call.

Users should try to keep their conversations short.

If possible, SMS messages can be sent instead of calls so that there is less contact with the body especially around the skull area.

Keep switching between both ears so that one particular ear does not absorb the full brunt of the radiation all the time.

Radiation emission is at the highest when the phone is trying to connect so keep the phone away from the skull till you see the call fully connected.

Weak signal results in higher radiation so avoid making calls in areas where reception is poor as the device will try to boost its power to get you a connection and resultantly bombard you with more radiation.

We cannot do away with cellular devices looking at the convenience they have ushered consumers in. Nevertheless, we can adopt some helpful attitudes to minimize the harmful effects this technology is bringing to mankind.

About The Author Peter Lenkefi For more more information about the hazards that cell phone antenas may pose please visit http://www.cellular-mobile-phones.com plenkefi@yahoo.com.au

Cell Phone Accessories - Check Them Out

by: Martin Smith

Accessories such a coat, purse, or shoes can either complete or dress up an outfit. Cell phones have almost as many accessories as Barbie does. Accessories can be practical, ornamental, or just available. In the cell phone world there are practical accessories that help you to operate the phone safely and those that allow you to carry it safely.

Some, like downloadable ring tones, are there for you if you want them. I have put accessories into groups to make them easier to describe. There are operational accessories that include battery chargers. Chargers are phone and model specific so that they are not interchangeable.

Hands free kits can be bought that are easily installed in your vehicle. These will let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel. The signal between your phone and cell tower can be strengthened with the use of antenna boosters. Where there are weak cell phone signals these are really good.

There are specific batteries from your cell phone’s manufacturer and for your specific cell phone. Until you can recharge your cell phone battery there is an attachment that will your weak battery a boost. There are speaker phone kits. Rather than drive with one hand and hold the phone with other, these attachments let you talk on the phone and keep your hands on the wheel.

Place dashboard mountable holders well within arms reach. There are a number of styles of cases and holders. The eyeglass case and horizontal case are alike. Pocket eyeglass cases are similar to vertical cases. Cell phone holsters can be worn across your shoulder like a policeman or on your belt.

Wear multi-use cases on your arm, your wrist, or your thigh. Not only will these cases hold your cell but they will hold your license and a few dollars. These types of cases will hold your cell, your license, and a few bucks. These cases hold your cell phone, your license, and maybe a few bucks.

Velcro(tm) are generally found on these cases. You can find accessories for your cell that are technical in nature. Internal accessories include downloadable ring tones and games to help you pass the time while you are waiting. These ring tones can include holiday songs, the traditional ring, or The William Tell Overture.

Cell phones are little computers that are internet ready, organizers, calendars, note recorders, and to do lists; they are no longer just phones. They now have phone directories, recordings of missed calls so you can return calls later, and they record the identity of callers.

There are antenna boosters that strengthen signals and radiation shields to reduce radiation exposure. Cell phone accessories include covers and face plates. There are front and back pieces to phone covers.

Face plates, some with designs, go over the keypad and the front of the phone. Cell phone accessories include very cute plush animal covers. They are both functional and cute, and the phone goes in the back of the animal. The animal acts as a cushion for the phone in case its ever dropped.

Prices of cell phone accessories and cell phones can vary. Most accessories are optional and some are simply fun. It is important to remember that not all cell phone accessories are interchangeable. You should learn all about your cell phone and how it operates.

About The Author Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans and more! His numerous articles are a resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.mobile-n-cell-phone.com.

Buy Cell Phones, Best Mobile Phone

by: John Lim

Discover The Best Way To Buy Cell Phones. Here Are Tips On Where To Look For The Best Mobile Phone For You.

You might think it’s easy to shop for the best mobile phone out there. Before waltzing into any cell phone shop at random, there are a few things you might want to know when you buy cell phones.

Right from the start, you need to know that there are so many mobile phones out there. Some of them will be feature-rich, others stylish, and sometimes these cell phones are just plain ol’ practical. What you should look out for is a cell phone that has a good blend of design, features and performance.

If you’re shopping or buying a cell phone from the store, don’t just take the sales person’s word that the ones they are selling is the best mobile phone. Have a look at the models on display and check them out for features and functions that might be important to you. If they have a working model for you to test, that’s even better.

In reality, the best way to buy cell phones is to go online and do some research to see what you like. On the Internet, you’ll get nice choices of the latest cell phones as well as some previous models. When it comes to choices, the best option is to head to a cell phone site. There you can really run through some of the best mobile phones in the market before deciding what you want to buy.

I’d really recommend going online to browse for the best mobile phones not just because its selection, but also because you can get some great deals when shopping online. Whether it’s a new cell phone or something used, you’ll be able to buy some really good stuff at cheap prices if you take the time to scout around. So if you’re serious about getting a mobile phone, get online because there’s no better place to buy cell phones.

About The Author John Lim Free cell phone reviews at http://www.cool-cell-phones.com ! Find out more before you buy new or used cell phones online.

Be An Effective Mobile Phone Spy

by: Kingston Amadan

There are many ways to listen for important information that you can use in the future. Because most people own mobile phones, and because they are on the rise as a primary phone, it can be worth your while to learn to be a mobile phone spy. Private investigators and bounty hunters can use the techniques of a mobile phone spy in order to learn information for their clients and gather evidence. People can be quite unguarded while speaking on a cell phone; it can be the perfect way to hone your spying skills.

The effective mobile phone spy has the right equipment. Luckily, it is usually easier to get the right spy equipment in the cell phone department than it is in many other ways. Additionally, cell phone spy equipment is often less expensive than other equipment. If you are just getting your PI or bounty hunter business off the ground, starting out with some good cell phone bugging devices is a good way to start. It will help you get your feet wet and prove to clients that you have good equipment.

Another thing needed is to ensure that you do not miss important phone calls. For many a mobile phone spy, this ties right into having the right equipment. There are two different cell phone bugs that call you when a phone call is made. The Spy Matrix Cell Phone will give you a rig whenever a call is made, allowing you to listen in on the conversation without constantly checking to see if a call is being made. Likewise, basic cell phone bugs that share with the home phone can also call you whenever the phone line becomes active. This allows you to do more than one thing while waiting for the call.

Finally, the effective mobile phone spy has a means of recording the conversations she or he hears. This can be recording equipment attached to your end of the device, or it can be transmitted to a recording assembly (if you are using a phone that picks up signals near someone using a cell phone). It is always good to have the conversations available as evidence when you are a mobile phone spy.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Mobile Phone Spy

About The Author Kingston Amadan To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com . Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Avoiding Phone Taps

by: Shawn Davis

When you want to avoid phone taps on your line, one of the things you need to do is get a bug sweeper. These devices can help you find phone taps in your home that may be allowing others to get information that you do not want them to have. Regular bug sweeping with devices that you can easily find and buy over the Internet are key to ensuring that your confidential phone conversations remain confidential.

It is important to note, however, that there are other ways to avoid phone taps. Most telecommunications companies have had to make it easier for law enforcement to tap phones since 1994 and the passing of the law known as CALEA. Getting VoIP service over the Internet will protect you to a certain extent for the time being, although a recent FCC ruling demands that VoIP provides start building in easier third party access.

So, while you can probably detect phone bugs from the likes of amateur spies, bounty hunters, and some private investigators, detecting phone taps from law enforcement is a little trickier. Part of this problem is that they use hardwired solutions for their surveillance. This means that they tap into the phone line and create a physical bridge to their location. They can listen in without being near your house.

Cell phones might be able to help you avoid phone taps, if you use them to make the important and confidential calls out of your area. However, when in the vicinity of your cell phone, these are actually the easiest calls to intercept. You should always be careful when using a cell phone to discuss sensitive information, as it is possible for nearly anyone to hear it in the right conditions, inadvertently or on purpose. In any case, it is very difficult to avoid phone taps by law enforcement or military personnel because of the nature of how they tap a phone.

But even though you may not detect bugs from law enforcement, it is still worth your while to invest in some counter surveillance bug sweepers. This way you can still avoid revealing information when someone else is trying to nail you by using phone taps.

(c) 2005 Copyright www.spyassociates.com. This article is about: Phone Taps

About The Author Shawn Davis To learn more about Spy and Surveillance Products visit http://www.spyassociates.com . Read other related articles at http://spyassociates.blogspot.com/.

Audiovox Cell Phone Accessories - Cheap Online

by: Martin Smith

Our phones already have lots of features built in, like integrated digital cameras, color display, even PDA's. Audiovox phones also have lots of accessories. With Audiovox cell phone accessories we can gain greater access to the world around us and have fun at the same time.

Audiovox offers a full range of accessories including hands free car kits (required by law in some areas for using you cell phone while driving), desktop speaker phones, cell phone antennas and antenna boosters, holders, and cases. Spare or replacement batteries are also available, as are keypads, some of which flash.

Other accessories for your Audiovox cell phone are: USB data cables and connectivity kits. An over the ear car headset will keep your hands free for other things like driving, working at your keyboard, or even fixing dinner. Earphones and a microphone are great for those not comfortable with speaker phones. Cases and pouches will keep your cell phone safe from grime and impact and some are even waterproof.

The popular changeable faceplates and covers are also offered by Audiovox, as are a wide collection of downloadable ring tones. You can get an MP3 player for your phone, rapid chargers, they even have a double battery charger so that you can charge a spare battery as well as your primary battery.

A holster or belt clip can be a useful alternative to the pocket or purse when you are out and about.

Audiovox has a whole line of cell phones for you to choose from, some of which are the Audiovox pre-paid cell phones that can help you avoid the excesses of provider calling plans.

Cellular joysticks for gaming, an FM stereo headset and an AC/DC wall adaptor for a car charger, all of these accessories are designed to make your Audiovox cell phone even more useful and adapted to your needs.

About The Author Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans and more! His numerous articles are a resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.mobile-n-cell-phone.com.

At&T Wireless - What Have They To Offer

by: Martin Smith

In the confusing world of cell phone carriers, finding the right carrier and the right plan to fill your needs can be a daunting task. One carrier that stands out, and has nationwide name recognition is AT&T Wireless. A major problem for cell phone users is poor coverage outside of major urban areas like Atlanta, Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, New Orleans or Washington D.C. However AT&T uses a new Technology Time Division Access (TDMA is also used by Cingular). Analog roaming services are available almost everywhere in the U.S.

Calling plans with AT&T start as low as $39.95 s month. This plan allows 450 daytime minutes and unlimited night and weekend minutes. What AT&T customers really seem to enjoy are such features as the AT&T Connect or Teleconcierge. Operators quickly find numbers for anyplace, anywhere in the U.S., make reservations for you, get local movie times, and call back to confirm your dinner reservations. Other unique services include stock quotes, event listings, weather reports, and daily horoscopes.

One increasingly popular type of cell phone plan is pre-paid calling plans. AT&T offers the Go Phone with pre-paid plans, free unlimited night and weekend minutes, no contracts to sign, no credit check or activation fee, or deposit. They also offer Free 2 Go Wireless Solutions, also pre-paid with no contracts or credit checks. However the Go Phone plan gives you the unlimited free off prime minutes, lower per minute prices, wider choice of AT&T cell phones, and more choices of AT&T ring tones, and choices in payment options. For instance you can even set up a plan to have your credit or debit card to automatically add to your account when the minutes get low. The AT&T Go Phone plan also offers lower international dialing rates to its Go Phone customers.

Recently AT&T began to offer a new type of digital phone service known as GSM/GPRS, which provides a true 56 kilobyte per second internet connection speed for lap top computers hooked up to the GSM phone line or that use a GSM plug in cord. Remember though that the rates for this service is high with 400 voice minutes and one megabyte of data transmission can add $50.00 to your regular monthly bill. AT&T's numerous plans, versatile payment options and TDMA and GSM technology have helped placed AT&T near the top of successful cellular phone carriers.

About The Author Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans and more! His numerous articles are a resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.mobile-n-cell-phone.com.

All You Ever Wanted To Know About Cell Phone Batteries

by: Peter Lenkefi

Cell phones run on various kinds of batteries depending on the manufacturer, phone size or shape and features. There are basically four types of cell phone batteries: Lithium Polymer, Lithium Ion, Nickel Metal Hydride and Nickel Cadmium.

Lithium Polymer is the most recent type and applies the latest technology in DC power. This type of battery is light in weight and will not explode even if pierced. The battery elements are enclosed in platic pouches and do not have memory defects. They last about 50 times longer than Nickel Metal Hydride batteries.

Lithium Ion is also memory efficient and longer lasting than Nickel Metal Hydride batteries but they are quite lighter. They tend to be expensive and would only fit new models of phones. Most Lithium-ion batteries apply a fast charge technique to quickly charge up your cell phone up to 80% capacity and then slowly bring it up to full power in about two hours.

Nickel Metal Hydride is also memory efficient and lasts longer than the NIM type about 40 times. This type of battery is good for people who need rapid charging and if used with a car charger can be fully charged under 1 hour. The special formula permits the concentration of energy in a single pack – sometimes about twice the power of Nickel Cadmium. This type is preferred by a lot of mobile phone users because it lasts long and is cheap. Again, they are non-toxic and appeals to environmentalists.

Nickel Cadmium are the oldest type and has a lot of memory defects. Another severe disadvantage is that they will have to be totally discharged before you can charge them again otherwise you may irreversibly damage them. Again this type is highly toxic due to the presence of Nickel Cadmium and is gradually being phased out by cell phone manufacturers.

Batteries typically have 300 to 400 charge cycles in their life span. It is so because anytime you charge your battery, the battery loses away some of its potency and thus become diminished in power.

Cell phone batteries can be pretty expensive items if you consider the fact that a Nokia 3310 battery can cost up to $24.95. Here are a few tips to prolong the life of your battery:

Dont allow materials to get stuck on the terminals as that causes the battery to lose contact with the terminals resulting in improper connection.

Keep the batteries in a cool place and allow them to adjust to room temperature before charging as the sharp rise in temperature upon charging can damage them.

The life of your cell phone depends on the potency of your battery. Knowing how they operate and how to care for them can ensure that your cellular device runs and runs well for years.

About The Author Peter Lenkefi For more more information about cell phone batteries please visit http://www.cell-phone-battery-search.com plenkefi@yahoo.com.au

Alltel Wireless Cell Phones - At The Cutting Edge

by: Martin Smith

Unlike many other cell phone companies that have several calling plans, Alltel Wireless offers only three plans. The Total Freedom Plan is ideal for those who travel extensively on business and need to keep in touch with clients and the home office, as well as family. It provides coast to coast coverage within the United States with no long distance or roaming charges.

You can get between 200 and 3000 anytime minutes, 1000 night and weekend minutes and 1000 mobile to mobile home minutes. The cost for this Alltel plan ranges between $39.99 and $299.99 a month depending on the amount of anytime minutes you choose. The cost per minute for calls over your plan minutes is between $.40 and $.20, again depending on the level of anytime minutes chosen.

Alltel relies on its National Freedom Plan to provide subscribers in most medium to large cities with coverage. However subscribers in smaller cities and rural areas or making calls to these places may incur unexpected charges. The benefit, however, is more anytime minutes in the same price range as in the Total Freedom Plan. For instance the National Freedom Plan gives 450 minutes for $39.95, while “Total Freedom” gives only 200 for the same amount.

The “Greater Freedom” plan is Alltel's offering to the casual user who doesn't do a lot of traveling or who is considering replacing their standard home phone with an Alltel cell phone. For under $30.00 a month you can get 300 anytime minutes. At $39.99 a month you get 700 anytime minutes, 1000 night and weekend minutes and 1000 mobile to mobile home minutes. Alltel's mobile to mobile home minutes refers to calls placed from one Alltel cell phone to another Alltel user.

Alltel cell phone plans all offer the same basic features such as voice mail, caller ID, 3-way calling, call waiting, call forwarding and 411 information. Be cautious about these features, some of them are not covered by all levels of the plans and these charges can add up quickly. Recent research by Consumer Reports show that these seemingly minor add ons can add significant charges to your monthly bill. You need to make sure you know what your coverage area is, what is considered roaming and what the charges for these services are.

If you go prepared, know what type of service you need, make sure you understand all of the features you want and the associated charges, you will be sure to get an Alltel plan that is right for you. Alltel's corporate philosophy is that simplicity or ease of understanding, means sales. This has allowed them to become and remain a viable contender in the confusing world of cell phone carriers.

With approximately 12 million customers and an estimated 8 billion dollars in annual revenues, Alltel has fine tuned their calling plans to insure that they are easy to understand. This simplicity has been a strong catalyst for the sales and longevity of this company.

Phones offered by Alltel are among the best on the market. Alltel cell phones are made by Nokia, Kyocera, and Audiovox. They have one of the largest selections of cell phones available today. You can get all the new “bells and whistles.” Do you want web access while on the road? Alltel can provide you with a phone that has that capability. Interested in voice dialing? They can give you that. You can also get speaker phones, color displays, stock reports, picture phones, cell phones that can be used as walkie talkies, advanced graphics and a collection of Alltel ring tones including hip hop, country, classical, movie theme songs, and fight songs. Before signing any cell phone contract you should investigate the available plans thoroughly to make sure that the Alltel cell phone plan you choose will suit your needs.

About The Author Martin Smith is a successful freelance writer providing advice on purchasing a variety of Cell phone plans and more! His numerous articles are a resource of interesting and relevant information. http://www.mobile-n-cell-phone.com.

12 Practical Uses of GPS for Everyday People

by: Simon Wyryzowski

GPS or Global Positioning Systems is a term that most commonly conjures up images of vehicle navigation systems, space-age satellite technology, and interactive maps for outdoors-types and sportsmen. But the reality is that there are far more applications of Global Positioning Systems beyond GPS vehicle tracking or map navigation that everyday people like us can benefit from. All it takes is a bit of creativity, and some trial and error. Here are a few of the many possibilities that can benefit you right now in your busy and hectic life.

1. Know where your children are using services from companies like uLocate Communications.

2. Keep track of elderly members of your family, so that they don’t wander off alone.

3. Plan a road trip around interesting points of interests, landmarks, campsites, diners, etc, and hear fewer "Are we there yets?"- and of course get the most out of that expensive gas.

4. Get emergency road side assistance at a touch of a button from your vehicle, so you can get help exactly where and when you need it.

5. Keep a visual journal and bookmark collection of your favorite hot spots, sceneries, and points of interests, that may not be listed in any travel guide (You can create your own mini travel guides and memories).

6. Find lost pets easily using collars with built-in GPS, better than running around in your pajamas hollering like a maniac.

7. Feel safer with cellular phone 911 calls, so emergency personnel can pinpoint your location once you make an emergency call. Please double check your carrier service to see that it has GPS features and get a primer on how it works if possible.

8. Get to your interview, or any important time sensitive destination or engagement, faster by finding shortcuts and correct directions.

9. Find a good Italian restaurant near your movie theatre on the fly.

10. Track your luggage, laptops, and anything of importance while traveling.

11. Track and find family, friends in a crowded concert, graduation, or any social gathering.

12. When going on a vacation, feel free to separate from group for a while to venture on your own based on your own interests and find them later on with your GPS enabled device- even in an unfamiliar place.

Our ability to use GPS so far is limited by the relatively poor connection to the satellite feeds when we are indoors in buildings, homes, or behind anything that could obstruct the GPS connection. However with the investment and development in a new satellite network called Galileo which should be completed in the near future, these problems should be eliminated drastically. Despite these problems, GPS still offers a world of benefits as mentioned earlier, and with any technology, it will only get better.

In addition to more practical usage applications, GPS will make a great educational and fun gift for your loved one’s and friends as well. Consider just two of the many creative and educational uses of GPS:

1. Stay physically active and fit by playing RayGun! A locational based cell phone game based on GPS technology.

2. Become more cultured, make global friends, and learn about the world playing GeoCache, a global GPS based treasure hunt.

With many affordable feature-rich models to satisfy anyone’s preferences and budgets, now is as good a time as any to learn more about GPS technologies, which are surely to become more assimilated into the mainstream within the decade. One day we will take these things for granted just like we do now for the internet and cell phones. The key is to dive in, without paralyzing yourself with the overwhelming array of choices in the GPS market, and enjoying some truly amazing technology.

About The Author Simon Wyryzowski is a GPS enthusiast and regular contributor to GPSZoom.com. For even more practical, creative, and common uses including GPS tracking services for people, please visit http://www.gpszoom.com/. Copyright 2005 GPSZoom. This article may be reprinted as long as it's contents are not modified and the author's credits and live link are left intact.

10 Questions About Cellular Phones Answered

by: Alex Fit

1. What's the difference between analog and digital phones?

Analog phones operate on an older and less effective technology. This technology doesn't scale well and is more costly. Analog service is not compatible with numerous new features. Digital phones are lighter and more compact and have a longer battery life. When you are inside of a calling area the quality is better than analog. Digital phones support new features like caller ID, text messaging or wireless internet services.

2. What is a Dual Band Phone?

A Dual band phone is a phone that can operate on an analog and digital service.

3. What type of battery has the longest life?

Lithium-Ion or Li-Ion batteries have the longest life. They also happen to be the lightest in weight. The two pluses means there is minus attached, which is price. A li-ion battery will always be the most expensive type of battery available.

4. What's the difference between the Stand-by time and Talk time?

Your phone is in standby mode when your phone is on but you aren't talking. The power consumption is minimal and the phone can stay in this mode for a longer period of time. When you are using the phone you are using talk time. This consumes battery power at a much quicker rate. Your battery life will be somewhere between talk time and standby time

5. What is a roaming charge?

A roaming charge is when you make a call from outside of your calling area. Your calling area is defined by plan local, regional or national.

6. What are peak and off peak hours?

Peak hours are during the day when the cellular networks are very busy. These minutes are at premium and your plan will typically include the smallest amount of these. If you use more than your allotted peak minutes they will be billed at a much higher rate than off peak minutes. Off peak is the exact opposite of peak time. Each cellular provider has their own definition of off peak.

7. What are anytime minutes?

Anytime minutes are simply put minutes you can use anytime, peak or off peak. On most plans you will use anytime minutes first.

8. Do I pay for the call when someone calls me?

Usually yes. You are billed for the airtime when you receive a call. However some service providers are offering unlimited in network calls.

9. Should I buy a cell phone or look for a free cellular phone?

Free phones generally speaking don't have the latest features, they are anywhere from 6 to 12 months behind. Also, free cell phones generally come with longer contracts. But, it is still possible to get a great deal on a free cell phone.

10. What to do if you want to upgrade/downgrade or cancel your service plan?

You can usually upgrade to higher plan without any cost. Some may force you to extend your contract for 1 to 2 years from that point. Downgrading your plan is often times not an option and when it is there is usually a penalty or fine.

About The Author Alex Fit If you are planning to buy cellular phone visit Wireless Cell Phone Center for the latest news and information. http://www.wirelesscellphonecenter.info/

6 Amazing Secrets To Work At Home Success

by: Vernette Carbon

Are you a stay at home mom or dad who would like to work from home? Maybe you
have a job outside the home, but you're tired of juggling your job and your kids,
especially when your child is sick and needs you.

You'd like to work from home, but it seems as though there are no legitimate jobs out
there. You don't really want to start a home-based business from scratch, but would love
to work from home.

Well let me tell you a little secret, knowledge is power. And there are 15 strategies you
must apply if you want to be successful in landing a work at home job or contract
These 15 strategies will definitely help you beat out your competition.

Let me share with you 6 of the 15 strategies I've used and continue to use to increase my
chances of obtaining home-based jobs and contracts over and over again.

.1. You Must Acquire A Specialized Skill
The secret to landing a home-based job or independent contract and keeping it
forever is to acquire a specialized skill, or start a career in a field that is
completely recession proof and in high demand but has a low supply of skilled
workers.

For instance, people will always get sick. So therefore doctors will always need
Medical transcriptionists. Another example; companies will always have
quarterly meetings and will always need general transcriptionists to transcribe
reports, minutes, etc.

If you lose your home-based job today, you can apply for another one tomorrow
and land another job within a week or two. How am I so sure about this? Well
I've done it over and over again as a general transcriptionist, and Cyber Agent
(Call Center Customer Service Rep) for the past five and a half years. The jobs
and independent contracts in these fields are in abundance.

As an example, let's look at Medical Transcriptionist. Just go to your search engine and type in the keywords, "Medical Transcription Companies." You will see hundreds of medical transcription companies listed. Just visit a few of the
web sites and check to see if there's an "employment," "Career," "Join us,"
"Contact," etc., tab on the web site. I'm sure you'll find several job openings.

.2. Don't work at home for the wrong reasons.

Too many people want to work at home for the wrong reasons. Never tell an
employer that you want to work at home because you need to spend more time
with your children. That will certainly seem selfish to an employer, and you
would never get hired. Most employers don't care whether you want to stay at home with your children or not. Wanting to work from home to spend more time with your children is not really a wrong reason, but in an employer's mind it is.

Why not look at it this way; working from home would enable you to be more
productive in the sense that you would not miss work when your children are sick.
Also if some other family issues arise you can take care of it without calling in
sick. Wouldn't this be more beneficial to the employer instead of saying you
want to work at home to spend more time with the kids?

.3. Be Professional At All Times

When applying for a home-based job, never respond to an ad via email stating,
"I'm interested in the work-at-home (data entry) position." This is quite
unprofessional. Once you find a home-based job vacancy, apply by sending your cover letter and resume, or fill out an online application.

If the employer didn't ask for a cover letter in the job vacancy ad, please send one
anyway. Never send a resume without a cover letter. It will get thrown in the
trash. Please customize each cover letter with information tailored to that specific
job advertisement.

.4. Never Send Your Resume As An Attachment Unless The ad States That You
Can Do So

The hiring manager might never open the attachment. Also, never copy and paste
your resume into the body of your email and send it to an employer. It will
change format by the time it reaches to the employer, and will look like a jumbled
mess. You must create an ASCII/Plain Text resume and cover letter. For more
information on how to do this please visit the following web sites,
http://resume.monster.com/dosanddonts/email/Index.asp or
http://www.eresumeiq.com/ABC.html.

.5. Follow Instructions

When responding to a job vacancy announcement please make sure you follow the ad instructions. If the ad asks for specific information please do exactly as it says. For instance, if the ad says, please describe home office equipment, make sure you mention in your cover letter exactly what equipment you have in your home office.

I was once commended by an employer for being the only job applicant, out of
hundreds to actually follow the specific instructions in the job ad. I was hired for this home-based job mainly because I followed instructions, not because I was more qualified than all the other applicants.

.6. Reduce Your Job Search Time
Finding a job using the Internet can be a frustrating, time-consuming endeavor
because there are literally 1000's of job boards and work at home resources. And
don't forget the Job newsgroups and the regional newspapers.

To be current on this information is essential. Let YourJobSearcher do the work
for you. This software is not only for 9-5 job searches. You can use it to find
telecommuting jobs also. All you have to do is download and install your Job
Search Program, enter your job description (home-based job title you desire),
click and begin the search. It's that easy.

About the Author

Vernette Carbon is the owner-publisher of AmazingWorkatHomeSecrets.com, and a
work at home mom with two children. Discover how you can work at home for Fortune-
500 companies like Office Depot, Sears, etc. To obtain a free report sent to your email
immediately visit: www.AmazingWorkathomeSecrets.com/intro_new.html or send a blank email to mailto:carbonv@getresponse.com 

5 Ways to Work More Effectively With Your Administrative Ass

by: Karen Fritscher-Porter

(Stop hiring new administrative support staff. And learn how to retain your existing administrative staff.)

Are you a manager, director or other senior-level personnel who wants to work more effectively with your administrative support professional? Did you know that partnering with your administrative assistants and executive assistants can actually help you to meet your professional goals at work? Would you like to know how to improve morale among your administrative support professionals and retain them as long-term employees? After all, isn't it a lot more profitable to retain existing staff than to constantly hire, train and get along with new staff? Here are five ways to work more effectively with your current administrative support professionals starting now:

1. Assume that your administrative support professional doesn't know what's on your mind until you tell him. That's the one assumption it's okay to make in the office environment. Always remember that your administrative support professional is not a mind reader--no matter how in tune with your thoughts she or he may seem to be sometimes. It's that one time that you "assume" when things will go awry in your work relationship.

2. Discuss your personal and professional goals. In order to be your partner, your administrative support professional needs to know who you want to be when. What do you personally want in your career? And what are you striving for on behalf of the company? These answers will affect your administrative professional's duties. She wants to help you achieve your plans. Knowing these answers helps her to clarify the prioritization of tasks and situations that arise daily. She'll focus on projects relevant to your goals first when possible. And she'll know and pass along pieces of information she happens upon throughout the year that would be useful or of interest to you.

3. Discuss project expectations. When you're giving an assignment, make sure your administrative professional precisely understands the expected project outcome. This means you will need to clarify the outcome in your head first and then clearly relay that expected outcome to your administrative professional. Clearly voicing the precise (or nearly precise) expected project outcome before it happens means no surprises upon project completion and efficient use of your time and that of your administrative professional. Precise communication prevents misinterpretation by both parties which can cause bad relationships and inappropriate work results. If the results aren't what you asked for then maybe in actuality you didn't quite ask for the results you wanted.

4. Have a daily briefing with your administrative support person. Meet daily whether either of you want to do so or not. This meeting forces communication to flow daily between you both, which is a good thing. And comfort levels with each other will rise. It could be a five minute meeting while standing. Or it could be a 10 minute meeting while seated that's officially posted on the calendar to happen every day that you're in the office at 9:00 a.m. Do what works best for you both. And make sure you're uninterrupted during this time.

5. Support opportunities for your administrative professional to achieve certifications. For example, your administrative professional can become a Certified Administrative Professional (CAP) and a Certified Professional Secretary (CPS), both elite designations by administrative professional criteria. Encourage her or him to train and test for these titles as well as have your company pay the registration costs.

(c) 2005 Karen Fritscher-Porter

About the Author

Karen Fritscher-Porter is the author of the eBooklet: 87 Ways You Can Work More Effectively With Your Administrative Support Professional. Order your copy at http://www.admin-ezine.com/employertips.htm . Fritscher-Porter publishes The Effective Admin newsletter (www.admin-ezine.com). The monthly e-zine is distributed to 800+ administrative assistants and executive assistants globally to help them excel on the job and in their careers.