Recent Comments
Comment by Norman Rosen on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 13, 2025 11:00 PM)
I certainly agree with you about electronic warranties. However, the last two refrigerators I have bought have failed big time and I was certainly hap...
Comment by Dana Lynch on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 13, 2025 05:35 PM)
I live on Social Security so I only get extended warranty if the item cost hundreds of dollars and the extension is not charging and arm and leg. If I...
Comment by Wolf on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 13, 2025 05:24 PM)
Although all of your articles are important, this article is especially essential. What is also true is that those companies can be very sneaky in how...
Comment by William Simmons on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 13, 2025 11:57 AM)
10 years ago I purchased the warranty on a 75 inch TV from Best Buy. I only renewed it once. The TV broke before this warranty was up. Best Buy se...
Comment by Simon on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 12, 2025 10:46 PM)
A Correction: I have the Costco Visa card. I used it for everything, because of the cash-rebate benefits, and extended warranty benefit. However, on ...
Comment by Nigel Appleby on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 12, 2025 10:37 PM)
I used to buy extended warranties before the prices got crazy years ago. But I only used 1 and that was a refurbished VCR and it was worth it then. No...
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Comment by XLBjOlIBMirlvyrRvpnBAZPN on Send Free Text Messages, With or Without a Phone! (December 12, 2025 10:29 PM)
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Comment by XLBjOlIBMirlvyrRvpnBAZPN on Send Free Text Messages, With or Without a Phone! (December 12, 2025 10:29 PM)
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Comment by Roger Martindill on [ALERT] Gadget Insurance and Extended Warranty Scams (December 12, 2025 09:38 PM)
Thank you for the excellent information. Your always on top of every. Roger...
Personal Articles
Your Electrons Needed (and a favor...)
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Doctor, My Eyes!
Hi All! Today I’m taking a break from my usual job as Translator for the Technology Impaired, to share an “eye opening” story with my AskBob readers. If you’ve noticed I haven’t been publishing as regularly as usual lately, read on to see the reason for that. I think you’ll be glad you did...
...Can You Spare a Few Electrons?
I love my job. Every day, I help people use computers and the Internet, answering their questions and pointing them to resources that will save them time, trouble, or money. I especially love it when readers become friends and people tell me that they're using what they've learned here to help others. It's very satisfying, but there is one favor I'd like to ask of you. Please read on...
...Hey, It's My (digital) Birthday!
Today I'm celebrating a birthday. It was 24 years ago, in July 1995, that The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace. And ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on, with my continuing guaranteed to make you better looking and 146% smarter. Read on!
...A Big Milestone + Geekly Update
Today I'm celebrating an anniversary -- 20 years of online publishing! The Internet Tourbus first rolled out into cyberspace in July 1995, and ten years later, AskBobRankin.com was born. With thanks to awesome readers like you, I'll keep on keeping on. Today's Geekly Update is an expanded version, with twenty items that are guaranteed to make you 146% smarter. Read, think and comment!
...Announcing... The Rankin File!
I've started a new website, and what better day to officially announce it than on my birthday? The Rankin File offers 'small business tech and tips' for those who run their own business. If you have a home-based business, a small business with employees, or you're even thinking about starting your own business, The Rankin File is for you! And as the name suggests, it's not just for business owners. If you're a secretary, office manager, or wannabe techie, my tips will help you score points with the boss. Read on to learn more about what you'll find in the Rankin File...
...Tourbus - The Final Bus Stop
In case you haven't heard, The Internet Tourbus is rolling up to its final stop. After 16 years of online publishing, Tourbus is one of the longest-running email newsletters. But two things have happened this year, prompting me to hit the brakes. Here's the full story...
...Who is Bob Rankin?
Every so often, people ask about my background, and how I got started with computers and the Internet. I've published bits and pieces of my bio before, but never a detailed account of my professional life. So here it is, with a few interesting personal asides...
...My Cholesterol Level is Too High!
After a routine physical, I got the news from my doctor that my cholesterol is too high. My diet is pretty healthy, and I'm not in bad shape for a 48-year-old guy. But this LDL and HDL stuff is a wakeup call for me. Clearly I need to exercise more and be aware of foods to avoid high cholesterol. So here's my 4-month plan to knock 40 or 50 points off that cholesterol number, without using any prescription drugs...
...Bonzai - It's a New Puppy!
I know I'm supposed to write about computers, the Internet and nifty gadgets, but life is more than all that electronic stuff. I'm so happy with my new puppy that I've just got to show him off...
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