Making PC to Phone VoIP Calls over Dial-Up Internet Connections

There's a lot of hype these days surrounding Internet-based voice communications (VoIP) replacing traditional telephone service. Most of this revolves around companies such as Vonage who coin themselves as the 'Broadband Phone Company'. So what about those of us who don't have a broadband connection? Just because you don't have high speed Internet, doesn't mean that you can't save a fortune by using VoIP for your long-distance calls. Whilst a broadband connection will usually result in more consistent VoIP call quality, comparable results can be achieved using a dial-up connection provided some simple guidelines are followed.

Shop Around

Not all VoIP service providers support dial-up users. Companies such as Vonage bill themselves as alternatives to traditional telephone service and shy away from the dial-up community (who are tied to those 'traditional' networks to access the Internet). Furthermore, some service providers only support dial-up above a certain speed (e.g., 56Kbp). Two companies whose VoIP softphone applications work well over low speed connections include Callserve and Go2Call.

'Free-up' your System Resources

In order to ensure the highest call quality, close programs that are running in the 'background'. For Windows users, these applications can be seen in the taskbar at the bottom right of your screen. 'Right-click' the icons and close those programs that aren't critical to system security (e.g., don't close anti-virus software, firewall applications and the like).

If you're using Windows XP with user switching enabled, log off all users except the one that will be used to make the call. This will prevent the other user identities from running software and/or using your bandwidth while you're making calls.

'Free Up' your Internet Connection

Given the limited data capacity of dial-up connections, it's important that you devote as much of your bandwidth as possible to the VoIP softphone application. To achieve maximum call quality, don't do anything that uses your bandwidth whilst making calls. This includes instant messaging, checking email, using a webcam, browsing the internet, downloading, etc. In Windows, you can look at the two little computers in the bottom right of your taskbar to see whether your connection is being used prior to calling (the little computers illuminate when data is being uploaded and/or downloaded).

Scan your System for Viruses, Spyware, Adware and Malware

Some of these malicious programs can hijack your browser, tie up your internet connection and slow down your system (not to mention seriously invade your privacy!). I recommend AdAware for free scanning and removal of Spyware/Adware. Once you've checked and cleansed your system of these nasty programs, your virus definition files should be updated to minimize the chances of re-infection.

Use a Headset with an Integrated Boom Microphone

Last but not least, using a headset with a boom microphone should eliminate those annoying voice echoes often associated with PC to Phone calls. Echoes are caused by your microphone detecting the voice coming from your computer speakers and re-transmitting that voice signal back to the person you're talking to. By using a headset, the voice signals are limited in volume (due to the headset being directly adjacent to your ears) and thus the chances of your microphone 're-transmitting' those voice signals is greatly reduced.

So there you have it. A Lack of high speed Internet needn't mean a lack of PC to Phone VoIP capability.

Nathan Smith

Nathan is the owner of netphonedirectory.com which deals specifically with PC to Phone and PC to PC VoIP. The site includes a comprehensive directory of PC to Phone service providers as well as information on VoIP and what you need to make inexpensive long-distance telephone calls using your computer

God?s Presence When Troubles Come

Life, no matter how we choose to look at it, is a constant battle. It is the beginning of a struggle that continues until we breathe our last breath.

It is important then that we understand from the outset that one of the first realities we must face in life if we are to survive this pilgrimage of faith is that troubles are a given. We have to fight daily just trying to live in this rapidly changing world. Sometimes the burdens can be so heavy, the criticism so severe, the opposition so great, that we wonder if it is even worth the effort. We know that troubles never take a respite; problems never take a rest; negative challenges never sleep and difficulties never take a vacation. Trials and tribulations tease us by visiting, leaving for a while and then returning once again.

Well, when life takes a turn in the negative direction; when sun filled days turn into stormy nights; when "all is well" turns into "all is hell"; when the inexplicable occurs, we often find ourselves thrown into a state of utter disarray. And even though God is still revealing Himself to each of us in the midst of our suffering and chaos, we have a hard time realizing and recognizing His presence. We do not feel that He is around or that He cares or that He really knows what He is doing. We may begin to question His existence and our relationship to Him.

After all, when we are attacked by crisis, it is difficult to relate to God as all-loving, all knowing, and in full control. If He is all this, then why is He allowing us to suffer. This, I believe, is why so many of us lose faith, at least for a time. When the seemingly unrelenting storms of life beat down heavily upon us with no end in sight, we look to God who seems remote and unwilling to intervene on our behalf. When we survey the reality of what has happened to us, we do not see ourselves transformed by God's grace and we cannot accept the knowledge that even then, even in the midst of crises, the Spirit of God continues to minister to us and seek more intimate communion with us. It is difficult to feel God's presence when we are tightly clothed in the armor of troubles.

Yet, deep inside of us is the nagging persistent suspicion that there is more to life than what has happened to us. All the meaning which existed prior to the troubles cannot be ignored. We recollect the hours and days when God came especially near to us and how deeply He moved our spirit. Gradually, by God's grace, we recall how God brought us this far. We know that God is not an absent God. He does not just drop in on us every now and then, but He is with us all the time.

It is then that we begin to open ourselves up to the reality of the presence of God. We begin to allow His Spirit to strengthen and empower us against the chilly winds of adversity. God is always with us.

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, D.D., is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries. http://www.clergyservices4u.org. She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow: Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances: Homilies that Teach. Her new book, Out of Deep Waters: A Grief Healing Workbook, will be available soon.

How to Make Sure You Sell More!

Make sure you target women. It's true for almost anything you are selling. According to Women Mean Business: The Secret to Selling to Women, eighty percent of all checks written in the US are written by women and they purchase 80-% of all consumer goods in the U.S. That's not a market segment you can afford to ignore. Even for items traditionally thought of as male dominated, such as consumer electronics, women have significant influence.

The Consumer Electronics Association (CEA) found women actually spent more on technology in 2003 than men, accounting for $55B of the $96B spent on electronics gear. Auto industry research shows that 65% of new vehicle purchases are substantially influenced or directly made by women. A 2005 study by Lucid Marketing found that your business will suffer if your business web site doesn't measure up with women consumers.

How can this help you? Make sure you actively pursue women as customers, even if you don't sell goods or services that you think appeal to women. Make sure your site or facility appeals to women as well as men. Women tend to feel uncomfortable around unhelpful or pushy salespeople. This occurs often in segments such as automotive or consumer electronics, where sales people tend to try to dominate or "sell down" to women. This could give you an advantage if you sell on the web, where this would not be a concern.

According to the Lucid study, women value the following attributes in an e-commerce website.

? Easy navigation
? Maximum product selection
? Product reviews / recommendations
? In-depth product information
? Competitive pricing

Make sure your site provides these things.

According to retail statistics, women tend to make purchase decisions based more on lifestyle and aesthetics. Keep this in mind when formulating your product mix and promotional strategy. Women and men both desire flat panel TVs for example, but for different reasons. Men tend to either want to impress their friends or have them because they are 'cool'. Women want a flat panel more because they intrude minimally on a room's design, space and aesthetics.

Women also tend to be influenced by safety and security more than male customers. Make use of this on your site and in your store.

For all of you that sell in traditionally male dominated segments, explode your sales by making sure you don't neglect women. This strategy will open new horizons to your business and allow you to generate more referrals from satisfied women customers.

Steve Faber has been successfully marketing both on and off line for years. He has been a principal for a bricks n mortar business that grossed almost $2 million a year. He has been involved with several successful websites for both bricks n mortar and online businesses. You can get his free newsletter with great information to really grow your business at: http://site.liveanotherday.com/newsletter.html

Tough Times, Tough Tactics

When times are tough, it's no time to ignore those external audiences whose behaviors matter so much to your organization.

In your own best interest, are you seeing to their care and feeding? I mean, if a certain group of outsiders behaves in ways that really help or hinder your operations, they do rate your attention, right?

Of course they do! That's why we call them key target audiences, or publics. Either way, what they think about you, then how they behave, can support or derail the best laid plans.

Why take any chances?

Make a list of those important external audiences and put them in priority order. Then pick #1 and let's go to work.

Since it's their perceptions that lead to behaviors, you must get inside their heads. That means monitoring members of that key audience and asking lots of questions to determine what they think about you and your operation.

Watch for rumors. And for negativity. Misconceptions and misunderstandings involving your products, services and pricing should be pursued in those conversations.

With that kind of data in hand, you are able to establish the public relations goal. Namely, correct that misconception, or neutralize that rumor, or clarify that fuzziness about your services.

Goals are certainly necessary, but they need a strategy that shows HOW you will alter those worrisome perceptions. In this business, we have just three possible strategies: create opinion (perceptions) where none exist, change existing opinion, or reinforce it.

Obviously, you will select the strategy that leads directly to achieving your public relations goal.

Now the tough part. What will you communicate to members of your #1 target audience? Your message is key to the success of your public relations effort.

It must be clear as crystal as to what needs to be clarified or neutralized. It must be obvious that the message is truthful, authoritative and compelling. In short, it must deliver a specific message about what is being corrected.

What do you do with the message? As with a bullet in a rifle, you pull the trigger. Or, to mix metaphors, you call in the "beasts of burden," communications tactics, to carry your message directly to members of that key target audience.

You're fortunate that there are piles of communications tactics just waiting for you - the Internet, broadcast appearances, press releases, brochures, seminars, personal meetings, special events, emailings, and on and on.

Sooner rather than later, you're going to want some signs that your public relations program is working. And that means Remonitoring that target audience, again asking lots of questions and seeking evidence that a misconception has been corrected, an inaccuracy cleared up, or a rumor explained away.

If that is the result of your REmonitoring drill, your public relations program has succeeded.

Should your remonitoring not yield those results, you will need to adjust your communications tactics to produce a broader mix of "weapons" going against that audience. You may also decide to increase the frequencies of your tactics. Your message, of course, must be reevaluated for clarity, emphases and factual support.

Handling public relations this way, you're moving in the right direction because you're mobilizing your most important external audiences in support of YOUR goals and objectives.

Please feel free to publish this article and resource box in your ezine, newsletter, offline publication or website. A copy would be appreciated at bobkelly@TNI.net.

Robert A. Kelly ? 2005.

Bob Kelly counsels, writes and speaks to business, non-profit and association managers about using the fundamental premise of public relations to achieve their operating objectives. He has been DPR, Pepsi-Cola Co.; AGM-PR, Texaco Inc.; VP-PR, Olin Corp.; VP-PR, Newport News Shipbuilding & Drydock Co.; director of communications, U.S. Department of the Interior, and deputy assistant press secretary, The White House. He holds a bachelor of science degree from Columbia University, major in public relations.

Visit: http://www.prcommentary.com; bobkelly@TNI.net

You Make Me Sick And Other Things Parents Say in Anger

Maryann is so focused she's blind. She's slipped over the edge of responsibility and forgot the real reason she is working so hard. It's for her daughter.

Being a single parent isn't easy. Between working, grocery shopping, cooking, cleaning and homework, there isn't much time left in the day. It's a heavy burden to be the sole supporter of a young child. But when pressures and tensions are so great that harmful words spill out like bitter pills, isn't it time to stop and take inventory?

"Clean your room or I'm gonna kill you!" "If you don't do your homework right now, I'll break your neck!" "Just leave me alone, I've had a rough day."

These statements came from a woman who loves her daughter and she's working hard to provide for her. If you asked Maryann, she'd say she would do anything in the world for her child. But why can't she see that respectful communication conveys love more than a new pair of shoes ever will? And why does she have to be reminded to treat her child with respect?

Maryann isn't alone. Life is frustrating. We've all heard parents, married, single or otherwise, speak to their children in anger. As adults, we've all rolled our eyes at the dramatic threats, knowing full well they have no intention of being carried out. But does a child know these are simply dumb words spoken in frustration? Does a child know that the violent threats of bodily harm are hollow?

Whether over the top displays of drama are blurted in anger, or merely used to snap a child to attention, the results are unhealthy and damaging.

When little Billy tells a classmate he is going to kill him over a broken crayon, where do you think he learned that response from? And in today's climate, do you think anyone would consider it just an innocent statement from an innocent child? Billy would be sent to the principal's office on the spot. And if not, he would certainty be called down after the victim of his harsh words went home and told his parents and they reported it to the school.

What happens when your child gets a little older and has a real problem? What if he needs to talk about drugs or alcohol? Or she has a problem in school, or a question about boys? Repeatedly belittling your child with angry words and intimidation will break down the barriers of communication long before you even reach this point. If you threaten to "kill" your child over a messy room, what would you do if she told you she was having sex?

Anger has a way of creating very colorful and exaggerated statements. Parents and caregivers need to make a concerted effort to remove these damaging phrases from their vocabulary by controlling anger. Save the drama for a time when it is really needed. On occasion, shocking statements do have a place in parenting, but used on a daily basis, they will only sever to create fear or simply numb your child to your words.

Search your vocabulary; are you unintentionally damaging the relationship you have with your child? Here are some steps to help you take control when you feel frustration and anger rise.

• Take a deep breath, not from your chest, but pulling from your diaphragm. Slowly exhale. As you do this, picture your words evaporate into the air.

• Lift your hand, palm out, in a stopping motion. This will indicate to your child that you need a moment and serve to remind you that you are stopping yourself from anger.

• Calmly tell yourself to relax as you continue to breathe deeply.

• Wait until you feel in control. When you speak, intentionally bring your voice down, not to a whisper, but to a soft, paced level.

• Then logically explain the reason for your anger to your child, voiding threats and harsh criticism.

• It's okay to say you are disappointed or upset about a messy room or a bad grade, but focus on the problem and offer a solution or deliver a fair ultimatum.

• If punishment is necessary, make it realistic. I don't know of a single parent that took away television privileges from their child for the rest of their life.

• Follow through on your words.

• If you do get angry, offer your child an apology, not an excuse. Take blame for your actions.

• Closely examine the situation that triggered your anger. Was it really your child? Is there an underlying factor? If so, what can you do to correct the situation or avoid it in the future?

Anger is a natural emotion. It can't be completely controlled or removed from our lives, but you can change the way you handle things. In doing so, you gain an invaluable gift, a respectful relationship with your child. Healthy communication is a parent's weapon against the outside world. A child should turn to his parent in times of trouble, not run away in fear.

About The Author

Patricia Gatto and John De Angelis are the authors of MILTON'S DILEMMA, the tale of a lonely boy's magical journey to friendship and self-acceptance. As advocates for literacy and children's rights, the authors speak at schools and community events to foster awareness and provide children with a safe and healthy learning environment. For more information, please visit Joyful Productions at http://www.joyfulproductions.com

pgatto@ptd.net

Free Cell Phones All Around - Cashing in on Consumerism

There's no greater way to win the hearts of consumers than to give them something for nothing. In our society of advanced communications devices and state-of-the-art technology, one of the best commodities to target for these give-away tactics is the cell phone. From simple port-to-port communication to comprehensive electronic office features, these hand-held units have become a rather luxurious necessity in these "need-to-know" times in which we live.

Of course, no legitimate business can expect to thrive by giving away its merchandise. Since cell phone companies actually make their money through the purchase of calling plan contracts, the phones themselves aren't really an issue. From the carriers' perspective, then, the "free cell phone" strategy offers the best of both worlds: consumers are happy, thinking that they're being given a substantial gift, and businesses are making money by selling phone service or specific calling contracts, which are necessary in order to use those shiny, new phones. In order to ensure their victory in the race to gain more customers, some cellular phone companies offer packages that even include a rebate. In other words, they'll give you a free cell phone and then offer a substantial mail-in rebate (usually $25 or more) so that it appears as though they're paying you to take the device. Kudos to the marketing people who conceptualized that strategy!

Verizon Wireless

As one of the leading cell phone carriers, Verizon offers free devices when consumers purchase one of a variety of calling plans. These cell phone deals include your choice of model (several of which are offered) and, in some cases, a mail-in rebate. Other perks may include:

• Free Long Distance
• Unlimited In-Network Calling
• Unlimited Night and Weekend Minutes
• Free Roaming
• Up to $250 in Mail-In Rebates (allowing for free cell phones plus cash back)

Of the various calling plans which are offered, you may expect to find:

• Discounts on personal plans
• Discounts on family plans (shared minutes)
• Free long distance
• Unlimited nights and weekends (most plans)
• Free long distance plus unlimited nights and weekends (some plans)

Cingular Wireless

Another strong competitor in the area of cellular phone systems, Cingular has also cashed in on the "free cell phones" marketing strategy, offering consumers a variety of perks and calling plan benefits, in addition to state-of-the-art devices and rebates. Among the many "extras" that this company offers are:

• Roll-Over Minutes (i.e., you don't lose any unused "any time" minutes)
• Free Nationwide Long Distance
• Free Roaming
• Largest Mobile Digital Network
• Free Voice Mail
• Free Call Waiting
• Free Caller ID
• Free Call Forwarding
• Free 3-Way Calling
• Up to $225 in Mail-In Rebates (allowing for free cell phones plus cash back)

Available calling plans may include:

• Discounts on personal plans
• Discounts on family plans (shared minutes)
• Unlimited night and weekend minutes
• Unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes
• Unlimited night, weekend and mobile-to-mobile minutes (some plans)
• Primary and secondary line deals
• Multiple phones for family members

Sprint

While the plans that are offered by Sprint aren't as lofty as those of more competitive cell phone carriers, they do offer some benefits to the consumer, including free cell phones and a small variety of perks in order to entice potential customers to commit to one of their calling plans. Some of the specials that may be included in their packages are:

• Free Nationwide Long Distance
• Free Roaming (only with phones that are also on the Sprint PCS Network)
• Unlimited Night and Weekend Minutes

In addition, special calling plans are also provided, which may include:

• Personal calling plans
• Family (shared) calling plans
• Wide-Area calling plans
• Unlimited PC-to-PC calling
• Multiple phones with family calling plan
• Two lines of service on one bill
• Up to $200 in Mail-In Rebates (allowing for free cell phones plus cash back)

T-Mobile

The benefits that are offered by this carrier are similar to those which are offered by Sprint although ? when compared ? T-Mobile seems to do a bit better in the area of the numbers of benefits that are offered, translating to more perks for the consumer. Of the standard benefits that are offered, you can expect to find:

• No Roaming Charges
• Free Long Distance
• Free Voice Mail
• Free Caller ID
• Free Call Waiting

Their variety of calling packages may include:

• Personal calling plans
• Family calling plans
• Unlimited weekend minutes
• Unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes
• Two lines of service on one bill
• Unlimited mobile-to-mobile minutes plus unlimited weekend minutes (for some plans)
• Up to $250 in Mail-In Rebates (allowing for free cell phones plus cash back)

Nextel

Of the many cell phone carriers, Nextel doesn't appear ? at first ? to have as much to offer as most of the others, but the options that they do offer are rather impressive in some areas, which would make up for the lack of some of the more standard benefits that their competitors offer to the consumer. Although they don't actually list any specific "standard benefits," they do offer special calling plan packages, which may include:

• Personal calling plans
• Family calling plans
• Multiple phones for family plan packages
• Unlimited night and weekend minutes
• Free roaming (within their network)
• Free long distance (within their network)
• 250 direct connect minutes (most plans)
• Unlimited direct connect minutes (certain plans only)
• Up to 25 cell phones ($15 each additional line)
• Up to $300 in Mail-In Rebates (allowing for free cell phones plus cash back)

While each of these carriers offers a specific amount of benefits to their consumers ? some far more than others ? the calling plans differ according to whether you're opting for a personal or family package, and the number of minutes that are included in each package for a set fee each month will vary, as well. To see the latest special offers, simply log on to a major internet search engine and type the name of the carrier in the keyword area.

About the Author: Samantha Goode is a freelance technology writer who loves to provide tips to consumers shopping for free cell phones, prepaid cell phones, and cell phone service.

Applying For a Student Loan

Studying at college can be an expensive business and you are likely to
be considering taking out a Student Loan to help you meet all our costs.
Before you make a decision on which of the thousands of Student Loans
that are available is right for you it is important to weigh up all your
options.

It is important that you apply for all possible Government Financial Aid.
Your school's financial aid office can supply you with the forms and all
deadlines for federal and state applications. The Free Application for
Federal Student Aid (FAFSA form) is the only form you must file with the
Federal Government.

You will receive your Student Aid Report (SAR) around four-six weeks
after completing your FAFSA. It will provide you with details on your
federal and state aid eligibility and give you your Expected Family
Contribution (EFC). Financial Aid offices will use the information contained
in the SAR to determine your total aid package, including loan eligibility
and federal work study qualification. You can then use this information to
help determine how much you need to borrow with a Student Loan.

Many Student Loans dont require you to start repayments until you have been working for six months after graduation. This gives you a chance to start earning some money before your monthly committments start regarding your loan.

Lorna Mclaren has an information website http://www.123-debt-consolidation-loans.com where you can get information regarding Student Loans and where to apply.

Night of the Living Dead

For many people, life has become as dull and despairing as death. We suffer from spiritual inertia. We have allowed ourselves to be paralyzed by shallow beliefs and shackled by the strong chains of discouragement. We have permitted the sacred and holy to be eclipsed by the secular and profane. Hearts that were once gay have suddenly become heavy. Men who were once optimistic have become pessimistic. Many who were once willing to greet tomorrow with a cheer, now regard the future with nervous anxiety.

What we have here are powerless people who live in the night of spiritual darkness. It is a spiritual calamity- a dead situation. It is people whose spirit and life has dried up and the artesian springs of their souls has ceased to flow. They are, in essence, like a desert without a living stream of water. They are spiritual carcasses roaming around in the night-ness of their wretched existence.

Not only have they lost confidence in our world, but they have also lost faith in themselves and in God. They have become like zombies-carcasses with no life, dry bones in the valley, the walking dead. Dead, but not dead dead, if you will. The body is alive, but void of spirituality; form without substance. They are like thousands of folks today who have allowed prosperity and privilege to destroy their spirit; destroy their lives ? people with everything to live on and nothing to live for; the living dead; people with the stint of death on them ready for the open grave.

Well, the question is, can the spiritually dead be made alive? Can the spiritually bankrupt live again?

If you want life, you must come to the awareness that in order to cope with life's many complexities, life itself demands you draw meaning for your life from something greater within and beyond yourself-a higher source. That source of power that satisfies and enables victorious living is known as God. When the breath of Almighty God moves in upon you, new life is restored to dry bones. When He blows, we are enabled to keep going even when we feel we cannot take another step. When the wind of God's Spirit blows-bones move. Are you living or are you among the dead?

Rev. Saundra L. Washington, is an ordained clergywoman, social worker, and Founder of AMEN Ministries She is also the author of two coffee table books: Room Beneath the Snow, Poems that Preach and Negative Disturbances, Homilies that Teach.

Fishing Charter Need To Know

There are several elements that go into creating the ideal charter fishing experience. The most important of these elements are not within the control of the charter service, captain, or the customers:

THE WEATHER: By weather, I am not just talking about rain, hail, sleet, snow, fog and other forms of precipitation. I'm talking about wind, and its effect on the water. Depending on the boat, the size of the waves will determine if and how far out you can go. This is actually one of the huge advantages of hiring a charter - an experienced captain will save the whole group a lot of grief by knowing when NOT to depart, or setting the proper expectations for the most probable outcome of the trip.

THE FISH: Another element that is not in the control of the participants is the condition and location of THE FISH. This is part of the charm and allure of fishing, but it can lead to disappointment, frustration and perceptions of incompetence. Again, an experienced captain can do much to set expectations based on weather, time of day, and permitted types of fish most likely to bite for the conditions, but ultimately you must realize it's the fish that control this part of the equation, and have been known at times to be somewhat unreliable.

Now, on to variables we can control, and the more you know about them, the better decision you can make about your prospective captain and accommodations.

THE BOAT: This is more than a hull displacing enough water to keep you from swimming. The size, power and hull design of the boat combine to determine the limits of the trip. For example, a 32 ft Sport Fisher will carry 6 guests, will cruise at about 20 MPH, and often cannot proceed because the sea conditions seem to frequently exceed its capabilities by 1-2 feet. That means the happy party met at the dock for no good reason. Contrast this with a 27-ft Catamaran, which can also carry up to 6 guests, cruises at about 35 MPH, and slices comfortably and safely through much heavier seas than the standard "V" hull craft can handle. The huge bonus here is the speed - you spend much less time shuttling out to and back from the fishing spots, and much more time actually fishing. If you look at this whole proposition in terms of fishing time per charter dollar spent, you quickly realize that for twice the fishing time, the type of boat makes all the difference. One other advantage - on those days when it is just not possible to get offshore, the shallow draft of the catamaran gives you the opportunity to fish in the bay system. A word about safety - again the newer catamarans have all the advantages with unsinkable foam-filled hulls and twin outboard motor redundancy - much safer than the bigger inboard boats that try to convince people that size equals safety (which can sink in seconds), and much safer than the boats with inboard gasoline engines that have earned a bad safety reputation for blowing up.

THE CAPTAIN: Experience, intelligence, personality and certification are the keys to success. It's difficult for you to assess a potential captain's experience and intelligence, but you can get some clues. Have him talk to you about trips he has cancelled and why. Have him talk to you about the kinds of fishing locations he will be taking you to. Ask him how many years he has been doing this. With these simple questions, you can get a pretty good idea about experience and horse sense, and you will have talked with him enough to find out if his personality is the kind that will knit a group together for a good time. You will also ask about Coast Guard certification, which is required of any charter captain.

Now I'll rate some of the other amenities:

AIR CONDITIONING: While we are all used to this convenience, in practical terms, it is pretty useless in the fishing charter context. First, you are on the water, and there will usually be a breeze. It's a lot more tolerable than being on the land. Second, you can only air condition a closed space, and closed spaces generally make people sick in an ocean environment, no matter how cool they are. Also, most air conditioned areas of fishing boats don't give you a view. You have to ask yourself why you wanted to go on this trip, and then decide if this is really important to you.

SHADE: This is important, even if you bring SPF 3000 sunscreen and wear a hat, you need a place to get out of direct sunlight.

TOILET (Head) - Unless this is a total frat party, this is usually a good idea.

Things you need to be aware of:

SIZE OF PARTY: Generally, more intimate groups have more fun than larger groups. Think about it: You stay more connected to a smaller crowd, and the captain has more of his personal time to share with fewer people.

CAPACITY: This is usually expressed in terms of "average sized people". Weight is of primary importance for the comfort and safety of everyone, especially on the smaller boats. If the people in your party are exceptionally husky, you might want to drop the count by one. Consult with the captain if you have any concerns. NOTE: Often, you'll see the boat rated by the manufacturer for 10 people, but the limit imposed by Coast Guard regulations on the same boat for charters may be 6.

WHAT'S INCLUDED? - Usually everything needed to fish is included - rods, reels, bait, ice chest (for fish), instruction (if you want/need it).

WHAT'S NOT INCLUDED? - food, drinks, fish cleaning (often offered as an extra option for "tips").

REFUND POLICY: You need to know what this consists of, because of the uncontrollable variables listed above. If you are happy to keep the outing going when seas are too rough to go offshore, and you want to be able to convert to bay fishing, make sure that's an option.

DEPOSIT: Most fishing charters will require a non-refundable deposit of some kind, because the company or captain has already committed resources to you that have to be taken off the market. This is a part of the deal. You need to get comfortable with it.

GRATUITIES: Your captain will provide you with the best time he knows how to deliver. If you think he did a good job, an appropriate tip is customary and is always appreciated.

I hope this outline of what goes into a successful fishing charter trip has been of some use and interest to you.

Kent Walters is loosely affiliated (as a customer) with Captain Anthony's Fishing Charters in Freeport, TX, a fishing charter service that has been in operation in the Freeport/Galveston area for over 7 years. Captain Anthony Blewitt hails originally from England, and has a delightful "Crocodile Dundee" style of relaxed competence - Coast Guard certified and passionate about fishing. If you are in his area, there's no need to look any further. If you are not in his area, look over his website, and look for someone playing the same general tune.

See http://www.freeportfishingcharters.com. For additional resources, articles and a web directory, see http://www.fishingcharterinfo.com

Warning: Free Credit Report Imposter Websites Springing Up on the Web

A recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer credit reporting companies to provide consumers with a free copy of their credit report, upon request, once every 12 months.

Access to the free credit reports has been phased in beginning last December in the West and will finally be nationwide by 1 September. This is good news to consumers.

However, a new form of phishing, is manifesting itself even before access to free credit reports is available for all Americans.

The new law that requires the three national credit bureaus to provide a free annual credit report to consumers, has met with the law of unintended consequences. Although the law was initially created to help thwart identity theft, the process for requesting the free credit reports may in fact contribute to further identity theft or loss of privacy.

While the intent of the law was to make it easier for consumers to check for errors and possible evidence of identity theft in their credit reports, according to a new report by the World Privacy Forum, more than 200 imposter websites have sprung up trying to exploit one of the methods made available for consumers to apply for their free credit reports.

One of the methods by which consumers can apply for their free credit reports is through a website that was established jointly by the three credit bureaus. The official website for applying for the free credit reports is at http://www.annualcreditreport.com

But, if the identity thieves and other unscrupulous internet swindlers have their way, part of the very process sent up in an attempt to curtail identity theft, will leave consumers vulnerable to further loss of privacy.

The online pilferers create websites with domain names that are very close to the official website www.annualcreditreport.com. By registering similar names or close misspellings, such as wwwannualcreditreport.com (note the missing dot), creditannualreport.com and www.freeannualcreditreports.com they hope to entice consumers to unwittingly enter their private information into online web forms, thinking that they are on the official website.

Depending upon the level of personal information detail captured from the imposter websites, the swindlers can then use the garnered information for illegal purposes, sell the information to purveyors of personal information databases, or they can simply send the unsuspecting consumer to commercial websites.

While the majority of imposter websites, simply gather names, addresses, and email addresses and then send the consumer on to advertising sites, some sites attempt to gather social security numbers, birth dates, and other sensitive information.

To guard against the possibility of entering personal information on an imposter site, consumers can go to the official website from a link off from the www.ftc.gov website or call the official toll free number (877-322-8228) to get the free copy of their credit report.

Note: Strange as it may seem, your free annual credit report does not contain your credit score. For more information on your credit score, what it is, how it is used, and why it is important, see the resource box below.

Copyright 2005 George Dodge

George Dodge has been developing on the Web since 1994 and is owner of http://www.The-Credit-Repair-Center.com a source of information on personal finance management. For information on how you can also get a free copy of your credit score (which is NOT included with your annual free credit report), click here -> http://www.The-Credit-Repair-Center.com/scores/credit-scores.html Your Credit Score - Do You Know What It Is?