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What Is Your House Worth?
Are you worried about the value of your house in today's economy? Despite a few bright spots, the economy continues to wreak havoc on property values. Here are some online tools you can use to help determine the value of your home.
Continue reading "What Is Your House Worth?"...Twenty Questions - Part Deux
Last week I announced the results of the Ebook Survey, and I've already started work on the next title: Everything You Need to Know About Internet Security and Privacy. And as promised, I've got another list of twenty questions that you asked in the write-in section of the survey. I found it interesting that many of them deal with ways to save money, or free online services. Read on to see how many YOU can answer...
Continue reading "Twenty Questions - Part Deux"...Survey Results and Twenty Questions
I want to thank everyone who took the Ebook Survey last week -- we had over 1200 responses! I've tallied up the results, and have compiled some of the most interesting write-in comments. Read on to see the ebook survey results, and find out if you know the answers to my Twenty Questions...
Continue reading "Survey Results and Twenty Questions"...AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part Two
Here's the second half of my Best of 2011, the most popular AskBobRankin articles fom the past year. I scoured my logs to find the ones that generated the most interest from YOU -- based on your views, clicks, comments and recommendations. Here's another batch of ten top articles for you to review. I hope you'll read each one, leave your own comments, and use the Share buttons to smarten up your Email, Facebook and Twitter friends. :-)
Continue reading "AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part Two"...AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part One
The AskBob website was a busy place in 2011 -- over 340 new articles were published this year, pushing the total number to over 1100! Readers streamed in from all over the world, and since I'm a numbers guy, I scanned the server logs to find the most popular articles, based on your clicks, views and recommendations. Here are ten of the top articles for you to review. I hope you'll read each one and leave your own comments...
Continue reading "AskBob's Best of 2011 - Part One"...Have You Made These Five Computing Mistakes?
I hate to sound unsympathetic, but most computer problems are caused by careless users. There are a few basic steps you can take to avoid malware infections, data loss, and performance issues. But too many people try to save time or money by cutting corners, and they end up paying the price...
Continue reading "Have You Made These Five Computing Mistakes?"...Fun With Words
Everyone knows that Nail-Biting Refreshes The Feet. Oops! I meant to say that The Best Things In Life Are Free. How did that come out so wrong? I must have had my brain hooked up to that anagram generator too long...
Continue reading "Fun With Words"...Work at Home Online
Many people dream of working at home online, and today many people are enticed by economic misfortune to do so. A few find new, rewarding, relaxed careers working at home online. But all too many fall victim to numerous make $1000 a week working at home online scams. Be careful that you don't fall for one of these...
Continue reading "Work at Home Online"...Online Converters
How many acres are there in 124 hectares of land? The answer might not have mattered often in the past, but today's global economy often requires conversion of measurement units from one country, culture or discpline into another's. Here's the scoop on the best online conversion tools...
Continue reading "Online Converters"...Is Stamps.com a Scam?
I hear radio ads for Stamps.com, promising the ability to print postage stamps at home, and $100 in bonuses. Is Stamps.com internet postage legit, or a scam?
Continue reading "Is Stamps.com a Scam?"...What is Google Books?
You may have heard that Google is trying to steal all the books ever written. You may also have heard that Google is going to give away all the books ever written. Is there any truth to either one of these rumors? Read on to find out...
Continue reading "What is Google Books?"...Free Online Research Tools
The Internet is at once a gold mine and a cesspool, so how can you find the helpful, authoritative information you need? Check out my list of the best free online reference and research tools...
Continue reading "Free Online Research Tools"...Is Internet Speedway a Scam?
I've heard those radio commercials for Internet Speedway saying 'Make thousands of dollars a week with your own Internet business.' It sounds too good to be true... so is Internet Speedway a scam?
Continue reading "Is Internet Speedway a Scam?"...The Lexicon of Online Evil
Hackers, black hats, cyber-criminals, identity thieves, and spam kings -- these are some of the Bad Guys in the online world. And because of them, we've had to invent a whole new vocabulary to describe the dastardly deeds they do. Here are plain English definitions of twenty one words you should know that deal with the darker side of the Internet...
Continue reading "The Lexicon of Online Evil"...The Top Twenty
Every night a friendly robot looks through the Ask Bob logs to see which articles were the most popular over the past week. Here are the current Top Twenty, ranked by readership volume. If you missed any of these, take a few minutes to read and comment!
Continue reading "The Top Twenty"...Online Health Records
Recently, a few organizations have begun offering an alternative to paper documentation of health records. Would you trust your personal health records to an online company?
Continue reading "Online Health Records"...Free Online Translations
I have a site that attracts visitors from all over the world, so I often get emails in Spanish, French, and German language. Sometimes even Russian and Japanese! Is there a tool that will help me translate to English? I also want to write back in their own language, so I'd need to translate from English to Spanish, and other languages.
Continue reading "Free Online Translations"...Maps and Driving Directions
Thanks to online maps, there's no excuse for getting lost on the Internet. These excellent online mapping tools will get you from one place to another, and some are interactive. The new breed of online maps are aware of businesses, attractions, topography, and even traffic conditions along the way. Other online maps combine geography with fun, learning and social networking. Check out some of the best new online mapping tools here...
Continue reading "Maps and Driving Directions"...Peek You
Peekyou is a new website that pulls together information about people from a variety of sources. You can use PeekYou to help other people find your website, blog, profile, photos or other info. And oddly, you may already have a PeekYou profile, even if you've never visited the site...
Continue reading "Peek You"...Online Shopping
Have you experienced the frustration of making a purchase, only to find that very same item offered somewhere else at a lower price? Smart shoppers can eliminate this problem by using online comparison shopping tools and coupon finders before the purchase. Here's how...
Continue reading "Online Shopping"...Medical Advice Online
There's a lot of medical information online, but I'm not sure what to trust. Where can I go to learn more about various drugs and medical conditions? I want information from real doctors, not some guy selling miracle cures.
Continue reading "Medical Advice Online"...Senior Citizens Online
I'm a long-time computer user, almost 80 years young, but I'm no expert at Internet searching. Can you point me to some sites that are especially useful to senior citizens?
Continue reading "Senior Citizens Online"...Cancel Your Credit Card
My wallet was feeling a little too heavy, and it wasn't because of all the money stuffed in there. So I decided to lighten my load and cancel a credit card that I hadn't been using. Here's a great little shortcut I learned that might help you, too...
Continue reading "Cancel Your Credit Card"...Passports Online
If you are a U.S. citizen and plan to travel outside the United States, you'll most likely need a passport. Recently I found this out the hard way. I arrived at Newark airport bound for Jamaica, and ended up in Phoenix Arizona the next day...
Continue reading "Passports Online"...Eat Your Cookies
I often get mail from people who misunderstand or fear browser cookies, so I've written a a guide that tells you everything need to know about these tasty little critters. Read on for a closer look at the good, the bad, and the crumbly aspects of web browser cookies.
Continue reading "Eat Your Cookies"...House Values
Ever wonder what your house is worth? Getting a property valuation from a realtor or appraiser can be a hassle, and might cost several hundred dollars. Now in just a few clicks, you can learn the estimated value of your house and the other homes in your neighborhood. For free!
Continue reading "House Values"...Internet History
The history of computing and the story of how the Internet came to be are fascinating subjects to me. After doing some reading and research on early computers and Internet history, I've put together some excellent links that you can explore to learn more at your leisure.
Continue reading "Internet History"...Dictionary of Computer Terms?
I'm wondering if there is a 'definitions' website that provides free definitions for people who do not know what every little computer term means. I consider myself something of a computer geek and I am the basic 'go to' in my company, but I have almost no knowledge of the technical aspects of computerdom. I just want a site where I can find a simple definition of a computer terms and how it pertains to what I am doing right now.
Continue reading "Dictionary of Computer Terms?"...
