Archive for January, 2010

What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

January 29th, 2010 |

What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

Four new Marvel movies are coming out in 2010 and 2011. All of them are Avengers-related.

First up is Iron Man 2 in May of 2010. Scarlett Johansson stars alongside Mickey Rourke and Robert Downey Jr..

Fans of Marvel movies will have to wait almost a year for another film, but the wait will be worth it. May of 2011 offers The Avengers by Louis Laterrier. Then we’ll see Thor, directed by none other than Kenneth Branagh, hitting theaters in June of 2011.

Just one month after Thor, The First Avenger : Captain America pops up on the big screen.

Rumor has it that other Marvel projects are in the works, including movies involving Black Panther, Cloak & Dagger, Doctor Strange, Hawkeye, Power Pack and Shang-Chi.

Ever since Disney acquired Marvel, people have been wondering if that means that Pixar will be making Marvel movies any time soon. This seems unlikely, as Pixar’s lineup has always been original material. In fact, their next three or four films scheduled are either original or sequels to their originals. I doubt we’ll see Pixar’s involvement in the Marvel movies series any time soon.

What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

If you’ve been looking forward to new Marvel films the next two years will be a great time for you. Sure it is a bummer to have to wait until 2011 and get all three movies within three months of each other, but at least you know the movies are coming down the pipe.

Want to learn more about the Marvel Universe? Take a look at Marvel Encyclopedia, available via Amazon. It’s an affordable way to get caught up on the hundreds of characters that are Marvel’s intellectual property. (And we get a small commission if you buy it using our link, which helps us keep this site live.)

This is part of a series of posts about what movies are coming out in 2010. Some of the other posts include:

Kindle Deals, Discounts, and Best Prices

January 25th, 2010 |

Kindle Deals, Discounts, and Best Prices

Amazon’s eBook reader Kindle features an electronic paper display, a super-thin body, and hundreds of thousands of book titles available for download from the Kindle store. Amazon’s asking price, as of January 2010, is $259 for the Kindle 2. The most popular books cost $9.99 to download too. So who could blame you for searching for Kindle deals, Kindle discounts, and best prices on Kindles?

The Original Kindle

Amazon no longer sells their original Kindle reader, but that doesn’t mean you can’t buy one. The first-generation Kindle was a good device and even featured an SD memory card for easy memory expansion — lots of people still want that capability. Used first-generation Kindles can still be found online at

, and they usually cost around $100. Of course, any time you buy used electronics online, caveat emptor–buyer beware.

Make sure you buy your Kindle from high-rated sellers or people that you trust. If you can find a Kindle with the original box and all the cables you’ll be even better off. Buying a used or still-new-in-the box original Kindle is one of the best ways to get a Kindle deal.

The Kindle 2, US-only version

Discounts and the best prices on the Kindle 2 are rare but they do exist. Amazon released the first Kindle 2 in February 2009. This version was able to download eBook titles using Amazon’s Whispernet Internet service. In October of 2009, Amazon released an international version of the Kindle 2, which was able to access Whispernet in many countries via 3G wireless.

Kindle Deals and Discounts

After the release of the international version, Amazon stopped making new units of the US-only Kindle 2. Just like with the original Kindle, you can still find used or refurbished units at a nice discount. As of January 2010, used models of the US-only Kindle 2 are available for purchase on Amazon.com for as little as $229. Amazon says they will continue to support Whispernet for the US-only Kindle 2, so if you’re in the US this is a good way to get a discount on what is essentially the same device as a new Kindle 2.

Kindle eBooks

Whichever model you decide to buy, once you purchase your used or discounted Kindle device you’ll want to start loading it up with books. While the $9.99 charged by Amazon for new releases and New York Times bestsellers is still cheaper than what you’d pay for a hardback, there are other ways to save cash on eBooks at the Kindle store.

Many of the best books available on Kindle are just a few cents or even completely free, and you can’t get a better deal than that. If you’re an English major, your Kindle will pay for itself in no time. All of Shakespeare’s plays are free on the Kindle. Maybe you’re addicted to romance novels? There are countless titles available for download less than a dollar. Not to mention that it is easy to hide your romance novel habit on a Kindle.

The best way to browse free and cheap titles at the Kindle store is to sort your search results by “Price: Low to High.” You’ll be surprised by what you find.

In today’s bad economy, you might not think you can afford a Kindle, but if you use some smart shopping and common sense it will be easy to find deals, discounts, and low prices on the Kindle tech you crave.

Buy a Kindle via our Amazon link, or via our

link, and you’ll help support the site. (We make a small commission when you use our Amazon or eBay links.)

This is part of a series of blog posts we’re publishing about various ebook readers. The other posts in this series include:

It’s also part of a series of articles we’ve written about the Kindle:

Where Are the Best Places to Propose?

January 25th, 2010 |

Where are the best places to propose?

If you have a little cash saved away you can make your proposal really memorable.

Here are the ten best places to propose, according to me:

1. The Taj Mahal

The Taj Mahal is a monument to love that outlasts life. If you propose in the early morning or late evening hours, you’ll avoid the overcrowded Taj Mahal atmosphere and the white marble of the monument will glow with the sun’s rays.

2. Niagara Falls

Niagara Falls has been synonymous with romance for decades. Niagara Falls offers massive waterfalls and romantic walks. It’s a popular honeymoon hotspot, but doubles easily as a proposal site. The negative ions produced by the roaring water is reputed to be a powerful aphrodisiac. So if you aren’t sure if your partner will say “Yes” — simply take them where the rushing water will get them in the mood.

3. The Eiffel Tower

Is anything more romantic than Paris? Is any spot in Paris more romantic than this soaring tower? Countless lovers, including famous people like Tom Cruise, have used the Eiffel Tower as a proposal site. Time your proposal to match one of the gigantic and impressive light shows that happen every night.

4. Venice

The World's Greatest Proposals

This Italian city is the Paris of the Mediterranean. If you’re proposing in Venice, you should arrange a gondola ride through the narrow canals of Venice, or you could make it a grander adventure by coasting through the Grand Canal. Either way, book one of the city’s serenading gondoliers and enjoy musical accompaniment for your proposal.

5. Isla Mujeres, Mexico

Not many people know about this spectacular spot. If you hike over to the eastern edge of this tiny island you can pop the question at a spot called the Cliff of the Dawn. This is the first bit of Mexican soil to see the sun rise. Look around for another delight, a small Mayan temple built for none other than the Goddess of Fertility. Que romantico.

6. The Grand Canyon

The Grand Canyon is better known as a family vacation spot, but that shouldn’t stop you from enjoying it as a proposal spot. The Grand Canyon offers plenty of spots to choose from for your proposal. Consider a hike to the bottom of the canyon for camping, or consider taking a hot air balloon ride or helicopter ride for the proposal.

7. The Las Vegas Strip

If you and your partner are the active social type, a Las Vegas proposal could be perfect for you. Las Vegas has no end of potential proposal sites, from a gondola ride at the Venetian to helicopter rides over the strip — your imagination is the only limit.

8. A nationally-televised sporting event

How much more romantic can you be? If you and your partner are big sports fans, you can work it out ahead of time to put your proposal on the Jumbotron (for a hefty fee most likely) and have your proposal shared with thousands and thousands of fans. And don’t forget the millions of people watching at home.

9. The site of your first date

No matter how difficult it is to find the location of your first date or how expensive it may be to fly the two of you there, popping the question where the two of you first awkwardly held hands is the most romantic proposal idea you can imagine. If you can somehow get your future spouse to that spot without them knowing, so much the better.

10. Anywhere

Most people can’t jet off to the Taj Mahal or Chichen Itza at a moment’s notice. That’s why the best place to propose to your future spouse is anywhere at all. Get down on one knee in line at McDonald’s or after a church service one Sunday. The point of getting engaged isn’t to do it in a fancy way, just to do it. The fact that the two of you just got engaged will help convince your partner that you’re a true romantic.

For more ideas, take a look at The World’s Greatest Proposals. (If you buy a copy of it via Amazon, then we make a tiny commission, too.)

This is the first in a series of “where are the best places?” articles:

Wal-Mart for President

January 21st, 2010 |

Supreme Court Ends Limits on Corporate Campaign Contributions

A strongly divided Supreme Court voted today to end Federal limits on campaign spending by big corporations. The Court voted 5-4 in favor of ending limits placed on campaign contributions by both big business and worker unions.

Sure, I know the Supreme Court is tilted to the right, but I never thought I’d see a Supreme Court, any Supreme Court, make such a bold decision in opposition to their own past findings.

Remember the McCain-Feingold Law of 2003? Apparently the Supreme Court doesn’t either. That law, also known as the Bipartisan Campaign Reform Act, strictly limited the amount of money that corporations and unions could contribute to political campaigns. The Supreme Court found in 1990 (Austin v. Michigan Chamber of Commerce) that a Michigan law that limits campaign spending funded by corporations should be upheld. For the court to turn around and make a decision in direct opposition to a position not even 20 years old is a disgrace.

So why should you be upset about today’s decision? The conservative wing of the Court determined that these limits were unconstitutional because they violate a corporations right to free speech. I suppose in this context “free speech” means the ability to dump hundreds of millions of dollars into a political candidate’s war chest.

I don’t know about you, but to me “free speech” means the freedom to speak without limitation or censorship. Stuffing Benjamins into a political ally’s hand at a cocktail party doesn’t seem like what the founders of our nation intended when they fought for the First Amendment.

We all know why the right-wing Court found this way. It is politically expedient (even politically necessary) for the GOP to allow corporate money to funnel in their doors as quickly and easily as possible. Big Corporations tend to back right-wing candidates if for no other reason than they want to escape regulation and high taxes. Allowing unlimited corporate contributions will ensure that we may never see a Democrat in the White House, at least until this foolishness gets cleaned up.

Remember this date — January 21st, 2010. Remember it so you can tell your children where you were when democracy curled up into a ball. Remember that date so you never forget the day that corporations were granted the same civil rights as citizens.

What Is an Average MCAT Score?

January 21st, 2010 |

What is an average MCAT score?

The Medical College Admissions Test, or MCAT, is a computer-based standardized test for students applying to medical school. The purpose of the MCAT is to provide applicants to medical schools with a common score on the same test. Students taking the MCAT are tested on problem solving, writing, critical thinking, and basic science concepts.

Why the MCAT?

The MCAT was developed early in the 20th century to combat rising dropout rates at medical schools–estimates suggest that as many as 1 in 5 medical students in the 30s were dropping out because they weren’t prepared for the rigors of medical school. Once the MCAT became standard, medical schools saw that dropout rate drop back to normal levels within ten years.

The MCAT is now used as a tool by medical schools to compare applicants and select them based on their performance in undergraduate school as well as their skill set, recommendations, and MCAT score.

The test itself involves four parts and a total of 144 questions. Test takers have four hours and twenty minutes to complete the test.

MCAT Scoring

What Is an Average MCAT Score?

Those unfamiliar with the MCAT test look at a typical score and wonder what the hell it means. According to testing centers around the country, an average score on the MCAT is about 28.1P. What does that mean?

Three of the sections of the MCAT are given a number score–all three multiple choice sections are scored from 1 to 15, and the writing section is judged by a human and assigned a letter score between J (lowest) and T (highest). Add up the three number scores and tack on your writing score. That’s your MCAT score.

A final note on scoring–when taking the MCAT, you should concern yourself with presenting a “balanced” score. The makers of the MCAT as well as admissions departments at medical schools are more likely to look favorably on three numerical scores that are close together (12, 12, 13) than three that show an obvious over-concentration or under-concentration in one area (12, 19, 11).

So What’s the Average MCAT Score Mean?

I’ve already given you the average — about 28.1P — but how can you use that to your advantage?

The problem is, as with all standardized tests, simply knowing the average isn’t going to help you in the long run. You need to know the averages for the specific medical schools you’re applying to, as well as their applicant’s average GPA. This will help you figure out what score you want on the MCAT.

Here’s a sampling of ten poopular medical schools and their averages. If you want to make a good impression at these schools, meet or beat these averages. The MCAT averages given is the average of all student’s three multiple choice sections, and does not include the writing sample.

UCLA — MCAT 11 GPA 3.6
Stanford — MCAT 14 GPA 3.7
Georgetown — MCAT 11 GPA 3.63
Chicago — MCAT 11 GPA 3.63
Johns Hopkins — MCAT 12 GPA 3.71
Harvard — MCAT 12 GPA 3.8
Boston — MCAT 9.7 GPA 3.6
Ole Miss — MCAT 9 GPA 3.6
Creighton – MCAT 8.8 GPA 3.7
New Mexico — MCAT 9.5 GPA 3.7

If you’re preparing for the MCAT, be sure to order Kaplan’s MCAT Premier Program via Amazon. (We make a tiny commission if you order via our link.)

This is part of our series of posts about average test scores:

What Is an Average DAT Score?

January 20th, 2010 |

What is an average DAT score?

The DAT, or Dental Admissions Test, is a 90 minute test with 100 questions that determines your aptitude and the likelihood that you will succeed in dental school.

Dental programs use the DAT as a guide when considering your application for admission. There is no “cut off” score on the DAT, nor does your score on the DAT indicate whether or not you’ll get into a program.

The DAT tests your proficiency in basic biology and both organic and inorganic chemistry as well as problem solving and higher math.

Is the DAT a difficult test? Yes, anytime you’re testing on subjects that diverse, the test is going to be tough.

But just how well do you need to do to secure a place in a top dental school?

C’mon, Just Tell Me The Average DAT Score

As with any academic test, the concept of an ‘average score’ is a misnomer. Rather than worrying about a national average, you should look into the schools you’re applying to and find out what their averages are and try to beat that. After all, if you’re not applying to Harvard for a dental program, you don’t need to have a ridiculously high GPA and DAT score. Something a bit lower will do.

What Is an Average DAT Score?

Scores on the DAT range from 1 to 30, 30 being the highest.

Nationwide, the average DAT score for incoming dental students is about 17. The average DAT score for students who are accepted in programs is just above 19.

However, average DAT scores for individual programs in dentistry range from as low as 16 to as high as 24.

The stats for dental schools vary greatly, with average GPAs ranging from 3.1 up to nearly 4.0, while the DAT scores range from 16 to 24. The average GPA and DAT statistics change every year, and because of better teaching methods and competition, the scores have been steadily increasing over the last decade.

Just ten years ago, the average dental school had entrance statistics of about a 3.2 or 3.3 with a 17 DAT score, the averages have now climbed to a 3.5 GPA with a DAT average of slightly above 19.

The following are average GPA and DAT scores for some of the more popular dentistry programs.

Alabama — GPA 3.58 DAT 19.2
Baylor — GPA 3.51 DAT 19.5
Florida — GPA 3.6 DAT 19
Harvard – GPA 3.8 DAT 24.4
Houston — GPA 3.6 DAT 20
LSU — GPA 3.51 DAT 19.1
Nebraska — GPA 3.8 DAT 18.6
Oklahoma — GPA 3.63 DAT 19.51
San Antonio — GPA 3.74 DAT 19
Stony Brook — GPA 3.71 DAT 21

One of the best ways to prepare for the DAT is to use a Kaplan DAT test prep guide. (And if you buy one via our Amazon link, we make a tiny commission too.)

This is part of our “average test scores” series of articles:

The Kindle Pricing Strategy & The Kindle Pricing History

January 20th, 2010 |

The Kindle Pricing Strategy & The Kindle Pricing History

Some people criticized the original price of the Kindle 2 after accusations surfaced about the device’s production cost. More questions have come up about the feasibility of Amazon’s business model concerning their Kindle store and the selling of eBooks online, especially when many of the titles are completely free. Amazon has since decreased the price of the Kindle 2 device and refined the pricing strategy of their Kindle store.

The Kindle Pricing History

The original Kindle, which was so hotly anticipated it sold out online in a matter of hours, was first released in November of 2007. The device remained sold out on Amazon.com until April 2008, although many used devices were available online at eBay and Craigslist. Amazon initially priced the Kindle at $399, a price they soon lowered to $359.

In February 2009, Amazon began selling the Kindle 2 for the same price of $359. In April of that year, PC World released an article revealing each individual Kindle 2 only cost $185.49 to build, giving Amazon a supposed $173.51 in profit on each sale. This seemed exorbitant, but that estimate failed to take into account the cost of the Kindle 2’s software.

Nevertheless, in July of 2009 Amazon lowered the price of the Kindle 2 to $299. This price reduction was related to the release of the much larger (in terms of physical size and storage capacity) Kindle DX, which sells for $489, in June of 2009. Amazon further reduced the price of the Kindle 2 to $259, where it stands now (as of January 2010), in October of 2009, just in time for the start of the holiday shopping season.

The Kindle Pricing Strategy and Business Model

The Kindle Pricing Strategy

The business model behind Amazon’s sale of eBooks and other materials via their Kindle store has also received criticism. The Kindle 2, released during a major economic recession in the US and elsewhere, was seen as a luxury product beyond the reach of most Americans.

Many felt the initial price of the device, combined with the average $9.99 price of New York Times bestseller titles, was out-of-touch with American spending habits. At a time when avid readers may be forgoing purchasing new books in favor of checking books out of the library or buying books used in order to keep up with their reading habit, people wondered how Amazon planned to make money from the Kindle 2.

But by the end of 2009 Amazon had sold 1.5 million of their Kindle, Kindle 2, and Kindle DX devices. As of Christmas day of the same year, eBook sales to Kindle owners as well as users of the Kindle app for iPhone and iPod Touch, and the Kindle for PC software, overtook printed book sales.

Amazon stated that the Kindle is its most popular gift purchased that holiday season, and as these new Kindle owners strive to fill their readers with e-books, they will only fuel more sales and fill Amazon’s coffers. Despite some controversy, it seems the Kindle device and the Kindle e-book store are here to stay.

You can buy a Kindle via our Amazon link, and we’ll make a tiny commission, which will help keep the doors to this site open.

This is part of a series of blog posts we’re publishing about various ebook readers. The other posts in this series include:

More appropriately, this is part of our series about the Amazon Kindle,which includes some of the following posts:

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

January 19th, 2010 |

What is an average GMAT score?

The Graduate Management Admissions Test, or GMAT, is a required exam for entrance into business school.

If you’ve decided to apply to business school, you know that you will need to take the GMAT and that you’ll want to earn as high a score as possible.

Your overall GMAT score will range from 200 – 800, with 800 being a “perfect score”.

Why Use the GMAT?

GMAT scores are used to help business schools figure out how well you will perform academically in a business or management program. Think of the GMAT as the MCAT or GRE of business school. GMAT scores estimate your abilities verbally and mathematically. Most business schools consider GMAT scores an “assessment” tool for comparing different business school applicants. Why can’t these schools just use GPA or class rank? The GMAT is a standard test for everyone who takes it, so the scores reflect a genuine comparison of abilities.

How Your School Will Use Your GMAT Score

Your GMAT score will be transmitted to the schools you indicate so that those schools can look at a picture of your academic abilities. The GMAT is not a replacement for a good application, interview, and letters from professors because the GMAT test does not measure lots of intangible qualities of a student that are so vital for academic success. Remember that admissions decisions are not based on GMAT scores alone, but a complete picture of a student gained through the admissions process.

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

The other factors that go into a business school’s decision are undergraduate GPA, work experience, essays, and recommendations.

The GMAT test itself only recommends that schools use the GMAT scores as an aid to the selection process for grad school applications or to help select students for financial aid programs. Some schools also use GMAT scores to determine a student’s need for course leveling or to enroll a student in an automatic guidance program for academics.

If you really want to know what an average GMAT score is after all that, I can give you the following information from the makers of the GMAT test:

A score of 720 or better would put you in the 96 – 99th percentile
A score of 630 up to 720 would put you in the 79-90th percentile
A score of 570 to 630 would put you in the 61-75th percentile
A score of 500 to 570 would put you in the 37-50th percentile

And here’s a list of some popular MBA programs and their average GMAT scores in 2008:

Stanford — 730
Harvard — 707
Cornell — 670
Georgetown — 655
Pittsburgh — 620

For the top ten business schools, you should shoot for a score of over 700, as they all average at least that.

A good way to prepare for taking the GMAT is to study The Official Guide for GMAT Review, which is available via Amazon. (And if you buy it via our link, we make a small commission, which helps pay for the hosting for our site, among other things.)

This is part of our “average test scores” series of posts:

What Movie Sequels Are Coming Out in 2010?

January 18th, 2010 |

What movie sequels are coming out in 2010?

Lots of movie sequels are coming out in 2010. It’s going to be another year of Hollywood churning out sequels and reboots.

People complain about the lack of originality and repetitive nature of Hollywood movies, but some films demand sequels. Sequels can be great–think of The Godfather Part Two, The Wrath of Khan, or The Empire Strikes Back? Those series wouldn’t be nearly as rich without their sequels.

Some great movie sequels are set to appear in 2010. Here’s the sequels to look out for at your local box office.

Tyler Perry’s Why Did I Get Married Too – Yes, another Tyler Perry movie. I’d say the world was sick of these things if they’d just quit making money at the box office.
Scream 4
Spy Kids IV
Sex and the City 2 – Surprised that another one is coming out? You shouldn’t be. The first was a huge hit in its demographic. The original was a real critical flop, so don’t expect too much from the sequel.
Little Fockers
Tron: Legacy
The Descent: Part 2
Iron Man 2 -
The Wrath of Khan

Gwyneth Paltrow, Don Cheadle, and Robert Downey Jr. hit the silver screen for this superhero sequel. Expect lots of flash and little substance, typical of comic book sequels.
Wanted 2
Mortal Kombat: Devastation
The Haunting in Georgia
Toy Story 3
Austin Powers 4
Shrek Forever After – I’m looking forward to this sequle mostly because of the plot. Expect Shrek to be cast into a “dark world” where Rumpelstiltskin is King, and Ogres are the prime target of huntsmen.
XXX: The Return of Xander Cage
Super Troopers 2 – Nine years after the original appeared, Super Troopers 2 has a lot to live up to. The original is a cult classic, and comedy sequels are not known for their awesomeness.
Hairspray 2
The Twilight Saga: Eclipse
Kung Fu Hustle 2
Stomp the Yard 2: Homecoming
Step Up 3-D
Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I
Resident Evil: Afterlife 3-D
Rambo V: The Savage Hunt – The verdict is split on when this film will actually premiere — let’s be optimistic and say this film about Sly Stone’s most famous character busting up a prostitution ring will make it out this year.
Untitled Tintin Sequel Project
Conan
The Thomas Crown Affair 2
Predators
The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader
Beverly Hills Cop IV
Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps – The plot sounds like the new Wall Street will be an action movie. Gordon Gekko, fresh from prison, helps a young investor find the killer of his mentor.
Hoodwinked Too! Hood vs. Evil
Hostel: Part III
Naked Gun 4

You might also be interested in some of the following:

This post is part of a series of posts we’re making about 2010 movies. Other posts in the series include:

What New Horror Movies Are Coming out in 2010?

Kindle Covers and Cases

January 18th, 2010 |

Kindle Covers and Cases

Amazon’s Kindle is popular. If you got your hands on one, the first thing you’ll probably want to do is get a good Kindle case, or cover. You want to protect your investment, and a cover is the best way to keep the dings and scratches at bay. (Please note that all of the Kindle covers and cases mentioned in this post were available at these prices as of January, 2010, but those prices and availability could have changed since then.)

Not only are Kindle covers and cases important for protecting the device, you can express your sense of style. When considering which of the many Kindle covers and cases are available, think about where and for what you’ll be using it. This will help you decide between a case with a beautiful form and one with a little more function.

The following are five of the most popular Kindle covers and cases on the market. All are available online, some right at Amazon.com.

Amazon Kindle 2 Leather Cover: $29.99

This is the official leather case created especially for the Kindle 2 by Amazon, and if you don’t mind having another big, obvious logo for the online bookseller on your device, it’s well worth the price. The case is stylish without being cute or flashy, and it will give your Kindle the discreet look of a leather journal or Moleskine notebook.

This case is secure, keeping your device in place with several small hinges that are designed to fit the Kindle 2. You won’t have to worry about your Kindle sliding out as might happen with a similar case that just used elastic straps for this purpose. The soft interior protects the Kindle from scratches while leaving all buttons and ports accessible, so you don’t have to take the device out of the case to charge it.

Amazon’s Kindle 2 Leather Cover is available for purchase at Amazon.com. You can order one when you get your Kindle, to be certain they arrive together.

ProTec Neoprene Sport Covers: $24.95

The ProTec line of sporty covers for the Kindle are made of a ballistic nylon to protect your device from the types of scratches and dings it might get while banging about inside a backpack or large purse. This is the perfect case for the person who likes to use the Kindle’s text-to-speech function while jogging, or for someone who likes to take their device for reading at the beach.

Available in black, gray, and a sporty lime green, the ProTec covers offer cushioned protection and include a deep inner pocket for bringing along a charging cable. The case zips closed, keeping out lint and dust. The nylon exterior is strong enough to take scrapes without marking the surface of your Kindle as a leather cover might.

The ProTec covers are also available for purchase at Amazon.com

Bobarra Covers: $45 – $54

Bobarra is a small business specializing in fabric and leather covers for the Kindle 2 and Kindle DX (as well as some adorable laptop bags). They offer fabric covers in a variety of prints, as well as luxe and upscale-looking leather covers.

The leather covers come with the option of choosing several different closures, from a simple book-like encasing, to a magnetic closure, to a stylish tab closure. The fabric covers feature Bobarra’s signature scalloped flap design for a touch of romance. Each design is named after a historic writer.

These covers are beautiful and handcrafted, and if you’re really looking to lavish some attention on your Kindle, this might be the way to indulge yourself.

Waterfield Cases for the Kindle 2 and Kindle DX: $27 – $49

Waterfield makes three types of cases designed to fit Kindle devices. Each is well crafted and offers excellent protection for your device, and while they aren’t as pretty or stylish as the Bobarra covers, they do offer a rugged degree of protection.

The Slip Case is a slim, padded sheath, and it contains an inner plastic sheet that protects the Kindle’s screen in case of impact. This would be excellent for protecting your Kindle if you carry it within another bag, like a briefcase or laptop bag. The Sleeve Case is more protective, and includes some inner pockets as well as an outer flap and a carrying strap.

The Travel Case is perfect if you’re going to be taking your Kindle on longer trips. Thin and easy to pack, the Travel Case keeps your device safe while still allowing space for chargers, headphones, and other Kindle accessories in one place.

Kindle Chaos Ultra VU Shells: $19.95

Kindle Chaos makes a selection of cases, but their Ultra VU shells are the colorful standouts. The hard, clear plastic design makes the colors pop against the Kindle’s white exterior. The two-piece construction (similar to your average cell phone case) promises to protect your Kindle from drops and dings, and each case comes with a bonus screen protector.

However, the “kickstand” feature makes this case unique. Each Kindle Chaos shell has a small piece of plastic that flips outwards from the back, allowing you to prop up your device for hands-free reading. This allows you to do everything from reading recipes from a cookbook while preparing food to reading from a textbook while typing a research paper.

If you buy a Kindle cover or a Kindle case from Amazon via our links, you’ll be supporting our site. (We get a small commission if you do.)

This is part of a series of blog posts we’re publishing about various ebook readers. The other posts in this series include:

How Do You Make the Kindle Read Aloud Function Work?

January 16th, 2010 |

How Do You Make the Kindle Read Aloud Function Work?

Amazon’s Kindle 2 eBook reader promises to revolutionize the act of reading. Amazon hopes the Kindle will do for books what the iPod did for music. To this end, the Kindle and Kindle 2 devices boast features to entice users to use the Kindle for all their reading, kind of like how iPods became everyone’s “default” music player a few years ago.

The Kindle 2′s dictionary function allows users to look up unfamiliar words without interrupting the reading time, and with the bookmark function, you can mark a page for easy return.

What is the Kindle Read Aloud Function?

One intriguing feature of the Kindle is the read-aloud function, a piece of text-to-speech software that reads the text of your eBook aloud to you.

The read-aloud function is easy to switch back and forth from while you’re reading, so you can read from your Kindle while enjoying your morning coffee and then switch to read-aloud mode on the treadmill.

The read-aloud function is useful for Kindle users who have difficulty reading due to disability–the software is the same as other TTS software that has been available for blind users since the 1980s.

How Do You Make the Kindle Read Aloud Function Work?

The existence of the read-aloud feature is controversial because some publishers say the feature raises copyright issues by creating what is basically an unlicensed audio book. Advocacy groups for the blind say removing the read-aloud feature would unfairly hinder the ability of the disabled to use the Kindle to their advantage.

Amazon has decided to leave it up to publishers to enable the Kindle’s read-aloud function on a title-by-title basis.

Activating the Kindle Read-Aloud Feature

To make the Kindle “read aloud” function work, follow these steps:

1. Press the “text” key. This is the key marked with the symbol “Aa.”

2. Use the 5-way controller to highlight the “Text-to-Speech” option.

3. Press down on the 5-way controller to select “turn on.” You should begin to hear the text of your book spoken aloud through the Kindle’s external speakers. If you wish, you can plug in headphones to listen privately.

Kindle Text-to-Speech Settings

The Kindle’s default voice is male. You can use the 5-way controller to select a female speaking voice instead. The voice’s rate of speech can be increased or decreased as well as paused — all using the 5-way controller. While Text-to-Speech is playing the screen will update to the corresponding page of text.

The Kindle begins to read at the start of the page by default. To start at a particular spot on the page, simply move the cursor to the place on the page you’d like to begin before turning on the feature. If, when you attempt to select “Text-to-Speech” only to find it grayed-out, then your title’s publisher has deactivated the Kindle’s ability to read aloud from this e-book.

You can also activate the Kindle’s read-aloud function by holding down the “Shift” key (marked by an upward-pointing arrow) and the “Symbol” key (SYM) at the same time for a few seconds. You can also pause and resume the feature using the Spacebar.

If you don’t already have a Kindle, buy one from Amazon now using our link. (We’ll get a small commission when you do so.)

This is part of a series of blog posts we’re publishing about various ebook readers. The other posts in this series include:

It’s also part of a series of Kindle articles:

Where Are the Best Places to SCUBA Dive?

January 16th, 2010 |

Where are the best places to SCUBA dive?

Choosing the right spot for your SCUBA experience means considering the quality of diving as well as the quality of “topside”. After all, you can’t spend all your time underwater. (Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die offers a lot more information about the best places to SCUBA dive, but we’re going to tackle the subject a little more briefly here ourselves.)

To pick a diving spot, first decide what type of sights you want to see and how hard you’re willing to work to get to a solid dive experience. Looking for coral reefs to explore, or deep sea ship wrecks to dive near? Every great SCUBA destination has its specific appeal; you just need to figure out what you’re looking for.

The best places to SCUBA dive include the Bay Islands, Jamaica, Costa Rica, Dominican Republic, Mexico, Aruba, Belize, Cayman Islands,St. Kits and Nevis, Tobago, the Turks and Caicos, and Antiqua.

Here’s some specifics on what many people think are the best places to SCUBA dive in the world.

Bay Islands

The Bay Islands are located 12 and 40 miles off the coast of the country of Honduras. The Bay Islands, known in the native tongue as Las Islas de la Bahia, are like a remote tourist outpost in the center of the world’s second largest barrier reef system outside the Great Barrier Reef.

Where Are the Best Places to SCUBA Dive

The islands are the visible portion of something called the Bonacca Ridge–an underwater mountain range formed by volcanic activity in the ocean hundreds of years ago. These islands’ jungle mountains slope steeply down to ideal white sand beaches studded with coconut palms, like something out of a movie. The under-ocean mountain ridge means there’s plenty of natural beauty and marine life, so your diving experience will be memorable.

Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands

The diving here is fantastic, and the famous Seven Mile Beach really is as gorgeous as it is purported to be. There’s plenty to do on Grand Cayman after a dive too. Grand Cayman is a favorite stop for cruise ships and other tourist ventures, but you can avoid town for the most part when cruise season is in full swing. If you can deal with a few lousy tourists, the best beaches in the world await you on Grand Cayman.

Little Cayman

The best feature of diving near Little Cayman is the Bloody Bay Wall. This feature was discovered by accident by amateur divers and was proclaimed a wonder of the diving world. The Bloody Bay Wall is often called “the greatest SCUBA destination in the world”. It is a giant, nearly-completely-vertical wall with clear views out to the ocean and some of the greatest marine life in the world. The Cayman Islands are some of the top attractions for SCUBA enthusiasts the whole world over.

Jamaica

If you’re looking for a dive site with a great topside experience, Jamaica has it all. Jamaican diving spots offer incredible views of underwater life and intricate undersea formations. The hospitality of the people of Jamaica and the beauty and slow pace of life on the island will keep you satisfied in your time above water. Speaking of water, the ocean around Jamaica is perfect for diving, maintaining a temperature between 78 and 80 degrees year round.

Mexico

Mexican SCUBA diving is famous for providing multiple water colors, from clear and crystal to jewel-tones of blue. Schools of fish will greet you on your many dives in this varied country, and with so many miles of coastline, you can have the SCUBA experience of your choice. Like diving with dolphins? Diving in Mexico is the perfect place to find them.

Bonaire

A SCUBA diver’s paradise, this diving spot is consistently rated the top diving destination in the Caribbean. Bonaire offers much more and much closer shore diving than any other spot, and that shore diving offers plenty of looks at gorgeous marine life, healthy and thriving reefs, simple diving, year-round warm water, crystal visibility, and all that you could want from a dive spot.

Bimini, Bahamas

Diving in the Bahamas is like diving anywhere else in the Caribbean–good water, good marine life. One upside is the lack of tourist traffic during the off-season, and this dive spot’s proximity to the States which makes for an easy roundtrip. The best part of Bimini? The topside life is great–plenty of local flavor to soak up when you arent diving. For an exotic diving experience close to home, the Bahamas are hard to beat.

For more ideas, we recommend the book Fifty Places to Dive Before You Die, available at Amazon. We make a small commission if you buy it via our link, too.

This is part of a series of “where are the best places” posts:

Which Diet Aids Work?

January 15th, 2010 |

Which diet aids work?

The only FDA approved diet aid that works is Alli. This used to be a prescription medication, but it’s now available over the counter. Alli works by blocking the body’s absorption of up to 25% of the fat ingested at meals. Unlike some other diet aids, prescription or not, Alli doesn’t work on the mind or the metabolism. The weight loss help is provided by Alli’s effect on the digestive system. Alli has some uncomfortable digestive side effects, especially in users who don’t reduce their fat intake. (Think loose, greasy stools.)

Other over the counter diet ads are tempting, but most of these diet aids don’t work. And even if they do work, sometimes they’re unsafe.

Drug stores and big box retail pharmacies carry so many diet aids it seems like you could take your pick of your favorite product and be on your way to quick and easy weight loss.

Unfortunately, many of these OTC diet aids have yet to be proven as effective for weight loss, and many of them carry health warnings that would scare away even the riskiest customer. Most of these products are not regulated or inspected, meaning that you have no idea what you’re putting into your body.

Let’s take a look at some common diet aids, their efficacy, and their possible side effects.

Common Diet Aids & Side Effects

1. Guar gum

Guar gum is said to block the absorption of dietary fat and increase the feeling of fullness, which leads to a naturally decreased caloric intake.

But guar gum can be dangerous, causing intestinal obstruction if not used properly. And doctors doubt its efficacy as a weight loss aid.

Guar gum is known to cause diarrhea, flatulence, and other gastrointestinal problems even when used properly.

2. Hoodia

Hoodia is said to decrease appetite by producing a chemical that convinces your body you are full.

But no conclusive studies to support the weight-loss claim.

One big danger with Hoodia is that the market is unregulated.

3. Bitter orange

Bitter orange refers to the extract from a specific citrus tree.

The claim is that bitter orange oils increase the number of calories burned naturally by the body.

Bitter orange is used as an “ephedra substitute” because ephedra has been banned, but doctors say bitter orange may cause the same health problems as ephedra.

The long-term effects of using bitter orange as a diet aid are unknown, and no weight loss claims have been proven.

4. Chitosan

Chitosan is said to block the absorption of dietary fat.

Doctors say Chitosan is relatively safe, but they are quick to point out that it is “unlikely to cause weight loss”.

Chitosan is known to cause constipation, bloating, vomiting, and other gastrointestinal problems.

As with most diet aids, the long-term effects are unknown.

5. Chromium

According to users, Chromium reduces body fat and helps to build muscle.

While Chromium is considered “safe”, its ability to cause weight loss has been disproved by study after study. Some doctors claim regular intake of chromium can cause behavioral problems.

6. Conjugated linoleic acid (CLA)

Supposedly, CLA reduces body fat, decreases appetite and builds muscle. Sounds perfect, right?

Doctors agree that CLA decreases body fat, but say it isn’t likely to reduce total body weight due to the addition of muscle mass.

CLA is good in the short term to boost weight loss, but it will probably cause you to have some diarrhea, indigestion and other gastrointestinal problems.

7. Country mallow (heartleaf)

Users of country mallow swear that it decreases their appetite while the packaging usually claims it increases the number of calories burned.

Unfortunately, country mallow contains ephedra, which is a dangerous banned substance.

Doctors point out country mallow as a perfect example of a dangerous diet aid and reccommend you avoid it completely.

8. Green tea extract

Green tea extract is said to increase calorie and fat metabolism and decrease appetite.

A shred of evidence supports these, but repeat studies have been unable to back up the original.

Green tea extract is known to cause vomiting, bloating, indigestion and diarrhea.

These extracts are known to contain large or even dangerous amounts of caffeine.

So if you’re looking for a diet aid that works and is safe, the only recommendation that we can make is Alli. But our recommendation is not the same as a doctor’s recommendation, so be sure to seek real medical advice if you have a real medical problem. (We do get a small commission if you buy Alli via our Amazon link too, which we use to pay our writers and researchers, as well as the hosting for our site.)

See also:

Where Are the Best Places to Study Abroad?

January 15th, 2010 |

Where are the best places to study abroad?

Avoiding the Groucho Marx joke I could make about “studying a broad”, choosing a location outside of America to go to for a semester or two of college could mean the difference between an exciting educational experience and a run of the mill one.

More people are studying abroad these days, most likely due to more university participation in study abroad programs.

Studying abroad is an opportunity to learn about another culture, to learn a new subject, to experience life outside the US, and to expand your mind in all sorts of other ways. Try not to think of your time abroad as a vacation, though there’s no doubt that you’ll enjoy yourself if you pick the right spot.

Here are the five best places to study abroad. These are locations where there is plenty to learn in terms of book knowledge and night life. All work and no play makes Jack a dull boy, right?

India

Studying abroad in India is great if you’re looking to study “outside the box”. While your friends head to London or Scotland to study among people who share a common language, you’ll be plunking yourself down in the middle of a culture that is 180 degrees different from your own. India is an exotic study abroad destination because almost no students study there.

Where Are the Best Places to Study Abroad

Looking for a unique study abroad experience? Pick India.

Many people in India speak English–not everyone, but enough so that you’ll be able to converse. India has a growing influence in the global business market, probably due to the fact that their population is massive and has massive buying power. India offers easy access to other exotic locations like the Maldives, Thailand, Singapore, China. All of Southeast Asia is a short trip away.

Don’t forget the serious purchasing power of the American dollar or that the country itself has plenty to offer in the way of tourist diversion. Visit the Taj Mahal on your weekend break, or take in amazing street theater between classes.

Hong Kong

If you’re a business or marketing student, Hong Kong is a perfect study abroad spot. Hong Kong is one of the busiest financial centers in Asia (right up there with Tokyo and Singapore) and as Asian countries become the dominant force in global politics and finance, an understanding of Cantonese (the other official language of Hong Kong) could benefit you as a student and future employee.

Hong Kong is the gateway to China and to all that China offers. You can experience Chinese culture in miniature in Hong Kong–a condensed form of Chinese history and tradition that may be easier to chew than a massive bite of China.

Most people don’t realize that Hong Kong’s physical beauty is a major draw. 70% of Hong Kong is covered in national parks, and the high population of Hong Kong needs something to do on weekends too, right? Experience the hustle and bustle of the Chinese economy without feeling like you’re lost in a sea of people and places.

Semester At Sea

Semester At Sea is a unique study abroad program because it allows you to study in multiple locations around the world all from the comfort of a giant cruise ship.

The ship has classrooms and carries 1000 students to venues like Puerto Rico, Brazil, South Africa, India, Singapore, Malayasia, Vietnam, China, and Japan.

Semester At Sea is designed to expose students to as many different cultures and educational opportunities as people while providing them a safe “home” to come back to. This program is known for having special guests like Desmond Tutu or Bill Clinton come speak to students and try to condense their global perspective into something the students can understand.

This program allows you to meet people from all over the USA while experiencing a slice of culture from just about every part of the world. If you’re worried about the accreditation of this program, don’t; the University of Virginia is the sponsoring university for the courses you take at sea. Courses vary from course to course, so check out Semester At Sea to find out if they’re planning to study something you’re interested in soon.

Spain

Studying abroad in Spain means learning Spanish in a country rich with culture and heritage. The Spanish people have diverse regional identities. In Catalonia, for instance, you can be exposed to a completely different language, food, and culture than in the rest of the country.

If you’re looking for an experience with variety, Spain is the place for it. Barcelona is a cosmopolitan city, officially multi-lingual, and offering everything from the arts to sport. Salamanca has some of the most spectacular Renaissance architecture in Europe, while Granada, in Andalucia, is celebrated for its Moorish and medieval architecture.

Spending a summer, semester, or even an academic year studying abroad in Spain means exposing yourself to Spanish culture and hopefully learning Spanish, a language that is becoming more important to Americans as our Spanish-speaking population increases year after year.

Medellin, Colombia

I know what you’re thinking: isn’t Medellin dangerous?

Yes, there are some issues in Colombia involving drug cartels and other unsavory groups, but these problems are confined to the people participating in drug crime, not to tourists or students. When you think about it, you are in just as much danger walking down a major street in America as you are anywhere else.

Besides, President Uribe (for all the negative talk about him) cleaned up the guerrillas and crime levels. Colombia is a beautiful and exotic location in which to study. Colombia is known for its amazing weather, meaning your time between classes can be spent soaking up the sun or relaxing by the beach.

The people of Colombia are called the friendliest people of the Americas. If you’re lost on the street there will be three or four Colombians willing to help you find your way.

Your family may worry about you while you study abroad in Medellin, but these kinds of worries are what keep Americans blind to the rest of the world. Want to get out and see a part of the world that most Americans never will? Study in Medellin, and prepare for the greatest semester of your scholastic life.

And those are my picks for the best places to study abroad. To get the most out of your experience studying abroad, have a look at this book: Study Abroad: How to Get the Most Out of Your Experience. (If you buy a copy via our Amazon link, we’ll make a small commission, too!)

This post is part of our “where are the best places” series:

Where Are the Best Places to Honeymoon?

January 13th, 2010 |

What are the best places to honeymoon?

Modern Bride magazine published the results of a poll about the best honeymoon vacation spots.

Here are the 10 best places to honeymoon and a few notes about each destination.

Hawaii

It’s a cliche to say you’re going to Hawaii for your honeymoon. But stereotypes exist for a reason. This is the number one Honeymoon destination because the word Hawaii is synonymous with luxury, beauty, and relaxation. Whether you want long walks on the beach, thrilling watersports and activities, or great food and drink, Hawaii’s the perfect spot for a honeymoon.

Italy

Romantic but affordable, and European without the snobbery, Italy is a great place for a honeymoon much like Hawaii is. You can have such a wide range of experiences. Italy is full of great destinations for travel, from historic Rome and Vatican City to the Italian Alps and nearby Switzerland.

Tahiti

The Modern Bride Survival Guide

Spas, cruises, crystal clear water, and perfect temperatures year round? Who wouldn’t want to spend their honeymoon in such a place. Tahiti is all about activities, from diving and fishing to golf and even taking in a show at the Hippodrome. If you’re looking for an active and sun-filled Honeymoon, check out Tahiti.

Anguilla

Named for its long eel-like shape, Anguilla is a new hot spot for honeymoons. Located in the Caribbean southeast of the Virgin Islands, Anguilla is known for its unspoiled natural beauty and wide variety of outdoor and romantic opportunities. Fantastic duty-free shopping accompanies the standard island watersports to create a dream honeymoon spot.

Fiji

Fiji is a country made up of 322 smaller islands. Honeymooning in Fiji means staying in one of the most romantic locations in all of the South Pacific. Few tourists visit Fiji compared to the tourist levels on other tropical islands, so that means your honeymoon will be unique. Also, you won’t be bumping into Americans around every corner.

St Lucia

Located northwest of Barbados, St. Lucia is an island that has equal cultural influence from the British, the French, and native peoples. This means the island is a kind of melting pot of food, fashion, and languages. You can enjoy swimming in the beautiful waters of the eastern Caribbean during the day and have romantic meals for two at night. St. Lucia is one of the great under-hyped Caribbean islands.

Mexico

Honeymoons in Mexico are fun because of the incredible value of the American Dollar versus the Mexican Peso. You can still have amazing meals, fancy drinks, and all the tourist trappings that come with a warm climate and lots of beaches . . . but you do it spending a lot less money in the process.

St Bart’s

This is the shortened name of Saint Barthélemy, an island with a distinct French influence from food to culture. St. Bart’s is unique because it also has a Swedish influence, having been a protectorate of Sweden for some time. St. Bart’s is a playground for the wealthy, featuring lots of fancy restaurants and high-end shopping.

Jamaica

It isn’t all reggae and tropical drinks in Jamaica (though reggae and tropical drinks do usually make for an amazing Honeymoon) — this large island country is a commonwealth of England and has all the charm of a colonial Caribbean island. 1.3 million tourists visit Jamaica each year, so you know the island knows how to cater to visitors.

France

When you think of love, passion, and romance, you think of France. French is the language of love, after all. Your French Honeymoon can be so many things, from wine tours and museum visits to walks in the countryside and lots of great home cooking. If you are looking for a romantic European Honeymoon, it is hard to do better than France.

For more ideas, take a look at The Modern Bride Survival Guide. We make a small commission from Amazon if you buy via our link, which we’ll use to keep this site operating.

This is part of a series of blog posts we’ve made about “the best places to.” Some of the other posts in this series include:

How Does the Kindle Work in Australia?

January 12th, 2010 |

How Does the Kindle Work in Australia?

The first Kindle device released by Amazon was not compatible for use in Australia. In fact, the Kindle 1 was for Americans and Americans only.

Late last year Amazon released the Kindle 2 which works with multiple wireless networks like 3G and others. The Kindle is now available to people in over 100 countries, including Australia.

But how does the Kindle work in Australia? Before you rush out and buy a Kindle down under, consider the following..

How To Find the Australian Kindle

In order to purchase a Kindle for shipment to Australia you simply head to the main product page for the Kindle 2 and click on the link that reads “Live outside the U.S.?” Select “Australia” from the drop-down menu and you’ll be directed to the right place.

Pros

Australian Kindle customers enjoy the 60 second download time available to Americans and others, and Amazon’s Whispernet is available all over Australia via 3G wireless, so you won’t have to hunting down a Wi-Fi hotspot anymore.

Remember that publishing law prohibits Amazon from simply granting access to their entire eBook library to people outside of the US — but Australian customers have access to over 310,000 eBooks to choose from in the Kindle store. As expected, Amazon is working with publishers to grant greater access to their download library.

The pricing system differs slightly in Australia — expect New York Times Bestsellers and New Releases to cost $11.99 American ($13.03 Australian) while 125,000 other titles will run you just $5.99 American ($6.51 Australian). Remember that all prices you see on the Kindle store are given in US dollars.

Cons

There is one big problem for Australian Kindle customers — the Kindle does not ship with a power adapter for charging the device. American power outlets are different from those in Australia, and Amazon is not currently producing an Australian power cord. In Australia you will have to use your computer to charge your device via USB. The big downside here is that you’ll have to have a home computer to use the Kindle. On the bright side, The Kindle 2 has an long battery life making the device capable of going as long as a week without a recharge.

You will have the option of transferring your files wirelessly to your device rather than plugging it into a computer and transferring the data that way — but the downside is that Amazon’s Whispernet service will cost you $.99 per megabyte.

Access to blogs and other websites is not yet available in Australia over the Kindle but you will have free access to Wikipedia.

The Kindle 2 is an innovative toy and educational tool. How does the Kindle work in Australia? Just fine, if you’re willing to make a few concessions.

Order a Kindle via this Amazon link, and you’ll help the owners of this site stay in business. (We make a small commission.)

This post is part of a series of posts we’ve made about Amazon’s Kindle technology. Other posts include:

How Does the Amazon Kindle 2 Work?

January 11th, 2010 |

Amazon Kindle 2 Review

Amazon’s Kindle, released in 2007, was a hardware device designed for the purchasing, reading, and storage of e-books through the online bookseller’s retail store. The device proved so popular that Amazon released the Kindle 2 in late February 2009. Like it’s predecessor (which is no longer available, although you can still get a great deal on one at places such as eBay or Craigslist), the Kindle 2 uses the E ink brand electronic paper display to mimic the look of text on regular paper rather than a screen.

Users purchase e-book files over Amazon’s Whispernet Internet service and download them to the Kindle device.

The Kindle 2, however, makes a few improvements over the original Kindle which should add to the user’s experience. The Kindle 2 makes buying and reading e-books easier than its predecessor, so even those who aren’t naturally proficient with 21st century electronic devices should be able to use the Kindle Two.

Like the original Amazon Kindle, book lovers and readers will find that the Kindle 2 eliminates the headaches and eye problems which many people have reading from the computer screen. That’s because you are reading ink letters instead of pixelated letters, while the Kindle background is a great deal easier on the eyes than the brightly-lit computer screen you’re using right now.

So how does the Amazon Kindle 2 work? Here’s how.

Downloading e-Books

In order to get an e-book onto your Kindle 2 device, you have to search for and find them on Amazon’s Kindle store first. If you’ve ever shopped online using Amazon.com, shopping for the Kindle 2 is the same experience. Navigate with the same search features, study the Kindle 2 with the usual customer reviews and browse for additional reading material from the recommendations on the Kindle page. Or if you prefer, you can browse Amazon.com and purchase books from there.

To access the Kindle store from your Kindle 2 device, just press the “Menu” button. Then type in the title of the book or name of the author you are looking for. Search through titles just as you would at Amazon.com. When you’ve found the book you want, you can either purchase it right away or sample a chapter for free. Like Amazon, there is a “saved” list you can store book purchase ideas for later.

Your selection will download to your Kindle 2 device over Amazon’s Whispernet service, which uses the same GSM wireless technology as most modern cell phone providers. The Whispernet does not require the use of a Wi-Fi connection. It shouldn’t take more than 60 seconds to fully download an e-book.

Kindle 2 Book Purchases

Most titles, including New Releases and New York Times Bestsellers, are only $9.99. Some, including many classics of literature, are completely free. Many periodicals are also available on the Kindle 2, with newspapers charging between $5.99 and $14.99 per month, and magazines charging between $1.25 and $3.49 per month.

One of the better features of the Kindle 2 is that all of your purchases are stored not only in your device, but also backed up on the Amazon servers. So if you already owned a Kindle and purchased a Kindle 2, or if you purchase a newer Kindle model in the future, just keep your account the same and all of your e-books can be easily re-downloaded back into your device.

Reading on the Kindle 2

The Kindle 2’s controls are intuitive and easy to use. One complaint I have with so many electronic devices sold on the market today is the proliferation of buttons and features, which mostly just confuse the user. I’m sure I’m not the only one who’s been confused by the latest tv remote controls and mp3 devices. The Kindle 2 doesn’t suffer from that defect. Besides the keyboard, there are just a few basic buttons.

Below are the only buttons you’ll have to deal with on the Amazon Kindle 2.

On/Off Switch
Book Selection Controller
Home Button/Stored Content
Next Page & Previous Page
Font Selection
Text-To-Speech (Same button as Font Selection)

Holding down the power switch turns the device on and off, while pressing it lightly will place the device in sleep mode.

The 5-way controller button moves the onscreen cursor when moved side to side or up and down, and selects an item when pressed.

The Home button will display the content stored on your Kindle 2 as well as on Amazon’s servers.

The Next Page and Previous Page buttons “turn” the pages of text you are reading.

The Text Key changes font size, and allows you to toggle the screen orientation and activate the Kindle’s Text-to-Speech function, which will read your e-book aloud to you.

Once you’ve mastered the easy controls, reading on your Kindle 2 is just like reading a regular book. There is not the kind of eyestrain or glare that you get when you read from the screen of your laptop or smartphone. This is because of the Kindle’s use of E ink brand electronic paper, a type of screen that mimics the reflectivity of real paper without backlighting. This technology allows the Kindle’s screen to be legible in all light conditions and to use less battery power than your average handheld data device.

What’s New about the Kindle 2?

When wondering how does the Amazon Kindle 2 work, you might want to know what differences exist over the original Kindle model. Amazon made several improvements over the initial device.

The original Kindle had a 4-level grayscale display, and the Kindle 2 has a 16-level grayscale display, allowing it to display images with improved clarity. The Kindle 2 is overall faster and sleeker than its predecessor, with improved battery life, faster page refreshing and an increased thinness and lightness.

The Kindle 2 also has more memory than the first Kindle, storing approximately 1500 titles over the original’s 250. As of November 2009, the Kindle 2 also offers the ability to read and display PDF files. Unlike the original Kindle, the newest version of the Kindle 2 is also fully functional outside the United States, with the ability to roam on 3G, EDGE, and GSM cellular networks to download content.

For four thousand years, humankind has been reading literature on a single medium – paper. The Kindle and the Kindle 2 attempt to improve on the simplicity of paperbound texts with high technology. Both devices have been very popular, but only time will tell if this popularity will last. Armed with the above information on how the Amazon Kindle 2 works, you should be able to make an informed decision as a consumer as to whether or not this device is right for you.

Order a Kindle via this Amazon link, and you’ll help the owners of this site stay in business. (We make a small commission.)

This post is part of a series of posts we’ve made about Amazon’s Kindle technology. Other posts include:

Where Are the Best Places to Retire?

January 11th, 2010 |

Where are the best places to retire?

Choosing a spot to live out your life after retirement is no small task. Yes you want to live somewhere nice, but you want to spend your golden years in a location that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Also, while you are retired you aren’t dead yet. You need a spot that offers plenty of recreation and other perks while still saving you a little money in the process.

Here in the United States, there are plenty of retirement options that fit the bill. Here’s a breakdown of the top ten retirement locations that fit the above criteria.

Lake St. Louis, Missouri

In this planned community recreation is the name of the game. Built right alongside not one but two lakes (St. Louis and St. Louise), about 40% of the town’s population are over the age of 50 . . . a good indication of a solid retirement spot. With house prices ranging from about $60,000 for waterside condos to well over $1 million for the higher-end homes, the median home price is $200,000. State income tax is a friendly 6%. Lake St. Louis is a great spot for waterside recreation and keeping some money in your wallet.

Holland, Michigan

Not just for snowbirds, Holland Michigan is a town of 34,000, of which 40% is over the age of 50. While Holland is known as a big summer town (with a nearby lake for watersports and fishing) it is also active in the winter — case in point, the town features heated sidewalks and streets which melt snow and ice in the winter. The most attractive feature of Holland for retirees? Average cost of a large 3-bedroom home is just about $100,000.

Louisville, Kentucky

While the over-50 population is not out of this world (33% of a population of 240,000) this town is known for cheap real estate with median home prices in the low 100s. A series of recent updates have turned this once sleepy town into a green-friendly and biker-friendly mecca for outdoor enthusiasts with 100 miles of interconnected cycling and walking trails known as the Louisville Loop.

Bangor, Maine

Don’t sleep on this sleepy town of 32,000 people — Bangor is fast becoming an oasis for culture and the arts in a state not known for supporting them. Bangor boasts a symphony orchestra and lots of city-funded arts events. Bangor is also known for having four distinct seasons, meaning you can ski and take out your snowmobile in winter and hike, play golf, and even fish when the weather turns. Median house cost is just $165,000.

Broken Arrow, Oklahoma

If you are looking to retire someplace quiet but still want big city amenities, Broken Arrow may be the town for you. Just 90,000 people live here (a quarter of them over 50) but the town is a fifteen minute drive to Tulsa and not too far from Oklahoma City and Dallas, TX. Golf is big in Broken Arrow — there are seven courses in town, meaning there’s a golf course for every 11,000 citizens or so. Broken Arrow is benefitting from a population boom after median home prices fell into the low 100s.

Traverse City, Michigan

Fully half of this town’s tiny population (14,300) are of retirement age. Sure, this is Michigan so there will be four distinct seasons. The winters in Traverse City are not hard, and access to beautiful Lake Michigan (this town is on the northwest shore) means a near constant opportunity for activity. The area’s hospital is one of the top 100 in the country, and the town’s proximity to the Interlochen School for the Arts means Traverse City is a hotbed for arts and culture.

Surprise, Arizona

Named after the hometown of one of the city’s founders, Surprise is made up of about 45,000 retirees and another 45,000 unfortunate working souls. With a huge aquatic center in town to help beat the Arizona heat and an active sports and outdoors community (including playing fields for two Major League Baseball spring training teams) Surprise is a great place to go for an active retirement. With beautiful 2-bedroom homes available for less than $100,000, Surprise AZ is just that.

Boulder City, Nevada

When you think Nevada, don’t think Las Vegas. Boulder City, located just a short drive from Sin City, is a gambling-free mecca for active retirees in the middle of a state full of wild activity. There’s no state income tax in Nevada, a boon for your budget, and the small population of this town is over half 50+. Hiking, mountain activities, golf, and music festivals are the name of the game in Boulder City.

Fredericksburg, Texas

This is country living at its finest. Nestled in the middle of the Texas Hill County, this small town of 11,000 is just about 50% of retirement age. You can easily drive to the bigger cities of Austin or San Antonio or stick around the Hill County to enjoy some of the finest weather in the world. What’s there to do in Fredericksburg? Sure, there’s gold and outdoor activities, but most of all there is cheap land, cheap real estate, and the income tax-free government of Texas to enjoy.

Miami, Florida

It wouldn’t be a list of retirement cities if Miami weren’t on it. The fact is — retirees have been flocking here for years for the warm weather and low cost of living. Sure, homes are rather expensive, with median 2-bedroom homes going for around $200,000 or more, but the state has no income tax and the sun feels so good. The local arts and culture is top notch, and falling home prices in the state mean you might be able to find a great deal on your new retirement.

This post is part of a series of posts focusing on the questions related to “where are the best places to…”. Other posts include:

What Movies Are Coming Out in 2010?

January 7th, 2010 |

What movies are coming out in 2010?

Looking at the year ahead, 2010 should be an excellent year for films.

Fans of fantasy have The Sorceror’s Apprentice as well as the new Harry Potter film to look forward to, while those of you who love 3-D movies can get excited for Step Up, Alpha and Omega, and Piranha.

If you like reboots, 2010 will be right up your alley. Look for new versions of classics like Wall Street, Robin Hood, Tron, Rapunzel, and Alice in Wonderland, as well as new takes on Repo Man, The A-Team, and Red Dawn.

Here’s a breakdown of the most anticipated films of the year listed by the month they’re scheduled to appear.

Remember that films often change their release schedule, and every movie on this list is subject to the whims of the production company.

It is going to be an awesome year.

January 2010

Fri, Jan. 8 Youth in Revolt

Fri, Jan. 15 The Spy Next Door

Fri, Jan. 22 Tooth Fairy

Fri, Jan. 29 When in Rome

February 2010

Fri, Feb. 5 Dear John

Fri, Feb. 12 The Butchering Ghost

Fri, Feb. 19 Shutter Island

Fri, Feb. 26 The Crazies

March 2010

Fri, Mar. 5 Alice in Wonderland

Fri, Mar. 12 Green Zone

Tue, Mar. 16 The Back-Up Plan

Fri, Mar. 19 Season of the Witch

Fri, Mar. 26 How to Train Your Dragon

April 2010

Fri, Apr. 2 Repo Men

Fri, Apr. 9 The Losers

Fri, Apr. 16 Piranha 3-D

Thu, Apr. 22 Oceans

Fri, Apr. 23 Wall Street 2: Money Never Sleeps

Fri, Apr. 30 A Nightmare On Elm Street

May 2010

Fri, May. 7 Iron Man 2

Fri, May. 14 Robin Hood

Fri, May. 21 Shrek Forever After

Fri, May. 28 Prince of Persia: The Sands of Time

June 2010

Fri, Jun. 4 Killers

Fri, Jun. 11 The A-Team

Fri, Jun. 18 Toy Story 3

Fri, Jun. 25 Grown Ups

Wed, Jun. 30 The Twilight Saga: Eclipse

July 2010

Fri, Jul. 2 The Last Airbender

Fri, Jul. 9 Despicable Me

Fri, Jul. 16 The Sorcerer’s Apprentice

Fri, Jul. 23 Salt

Fri, Jul. 30 Cats & Dogs: The Revenge of Kitty Galore

August 2010

Fri, Aug. 6 Step Up 3-D

Fri, Aug. 13 Ramona and Beezus

Fri, Aug. 20 Priest

Fri, Aug. 27 The Lottery Ticket

September 2010

Fri, Sep. 3 Born to Be a Star

Fri, Sep. 10 The Town

Fri, Sep. 17 Warrior

Fri, Sep. 24 Guardians of Ga’Hoole

October 2010

Fri, Oct. 1 Alpha and Omega 3-D

Fri, Oct. 8 The Zookeeper

Fri, Oct. 15 The Social Network

Fri, Oct. 22 Red

November 2010

Fri, Nov. 5 Megamind

Fri, Nov. 12 Rapunzel

Fri, Nov. 19 Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows: Part I

Wed, Nov. 24 Red Dawn

December 2010

Fri, Dec. 10 The Chronicles of Narnia: The Voyage of the Dawn Treader

Fri, Dec. 17 Tron: Legacy

Wed, Dec. 22 The Green Hornet
Visit the following pages for more information about 2010 blockbuster movies.

What Is an Average PSAT Score?

January 6th, 2010 |

What is an average PSAT score?

The PSAT is the Preliminary Scholastic Aptitude Test, or the Pre-SAT. It is also known as the NMSQT or National Merit Scholar Qualifying Test — scores on the PSAT can earn high school students accolades and scholarships as part of the National Merit Scholars program. The PSAT is a good barometer for a student’s performance on the SAT and their ability to earn admission at colleges around the country.

Students take the PSAT / NMSQT in either tenth or eleventh grade as a way of preparing them for the actual SAT, qualifying for academic awards, and getting an idea of whether they should apply to college or not.

PSAT Scoring and Average Scores

PSAT scores are reported on a scale that runs from 20 to 80, 20 being the lowest and 80 the highest. This is a parallel to the SAT, which scores between 200 and 800 on each test part. If you want an idea of how you’ll do on an SAT test, simply add a 0 to your score. There are three test parts (critical reading, mathematics, and writing skills) which are each scored from 20 – 80 for a total between 60 and 240.

In 2008, the average score for eleventh graders was 142 — this broke down as an average of 47 in Critical Reading, 49 in Mathematics, and 46 in Writing Skills.

That same year, the average score for tenth graders was 127 — this average broke down as 42 in Critical Reading, 44 in Mathematics, and 41 in Writing Skills.

Selection Index and Averages

When you get your PSAT / NMSQT score report you’ll also see something called the Selection Index which is the score used to determine a student’s eligibility in the National Merit Scholarship Corporation programs.

This Index is the sum of the three scores in each test section (critical reading + mathematics + writing skills) and this Index obviously ranges from 60 to 240. The average Selection Index for students in eleventh grade was 142 in 2008. Please note that only eleventh graders qualify for the NMSQT programs.

PSAT / NMSQT National Percentiles

The last thing on a PSAT / NMSQT score report is your national percentiles. These numbers let you compare your own scores and testing abilities with the scores and abilities of other students of your grade level who took the same test you took.

If you take the PSAT in the eleventh grade, you receive what are called “junior percentiles”. If you take the PSAT in tenth grade or younger, you will be given “sophomore percentiles”. The number you see is the percentage of students of your grade whose scores you bested.

For example, a student in eleventh grade with a percentile of 65 did better on the test than 65 percent of all eleventh graders.

Think of it this way — imagine 100 students lined up from the lowest (or 1st) percentile at the end of the line to the highest (or 99th) percentile at the front of the line. If you are at the 65th percentile, you would be the 66th person in line, ahead of 65 people in the line and behind 34.

Don’t try to “hit the average” when you take the PSAT. Remember that this is a preliminary test and doesn’t really give you a good idea of how you’ll do on that big bad SAT test. The tests are different, the test parts are different, and you don’t want to stress yourself out any more than is necessary. The SAT is hard enough without worrying about averages.

This post is part of a series of college prep posts focused on various college entrance exams. Other posts in the series include:

What Is an Average GRE Score?

January 5th, 2010 |

What is an average GRE score?

The GRE, or Graduate Record Exam, is a required test for people wishing to enter Graduate School. The GRE is made up of two distinct tests — the General Test and any Subject Tests you wish to take. Many people won’t need to take any Subject Tests, but some areas of study will require it.

The General Test is made up of three parts — verbal, quantitative, and analytical writing. The verbal and the quantitative tests will produce a separate score between 200 – 800. Scores on the analytical writing test are reported in 0.5 point increments on a scale from 0 to 6.

The Subject Tests measure knowledge of specific concepts related to graduate study in a given field — these tests also produce a score of between 200 – 800.

Different Grad Schools will require different minimum scores and will have different requirements in terms of Subject Tests and the like.

In truth, the most important part of your GRE in terms of admission to Grad School is your scores on the verbal and quantitative sections of the GRE and not the Subject Test you’re asked to take. In order to do well on the verbal and quantitative sections, you should score 550 or above on each test. This will almsot guarantee your score is acceptable for many PhD programs, not to mention Master’s programs. As Master’s degree programs are less competitive than Doctoral, lower scores (let’s call it 450 – 500 on each of the tests) is often acceptable. Scores of less than 450 on either one of the tests will cause trouble when it comes time to apply for Grad School.

Average GRE Score

Depending on what school you’re looking for, average GRE scores fluctuate. Let’s look at an up and coming University like the University of North Texas. This school’s average quantitative GRE scores have gone from 417 just four years ago to 565 this past term. This shows that a smarter and more qualified pool of applicants is applying to UNT and that your score should be somewhere around that new average of 565 quantitatove in order to be competitive. Look at the GRE scores for the specific schools you’re applying to an aim for something near that.

What Is a Good GRE Score?

According to experts on GRE testing, there is no official “good score” or “minimum score” for acceptance into Grad School or a PhD program.

In theory, any score you make above 550 for verbal and 700 for Quantitative is way more than acceptable — so shooting for these big numbers should be your goal.

However, if you earn a lower score on any part of the test but the rest of your Grad School application contains killer accomplishments like experience in the professional world or awesome grades in your undergraduate program, the GRE score simply won’t matter.

Putting together your Grad School application is an arduous process, so you need to manage your time as best you can. If you make a decent score on your GRE (say around 1000 total) there is no point wasting time studying and re-taking the GRE. At this point, you should improve your references, your personal statements, and any extra information your school requires such as a portfolio or body of work.

You should only ever re-take the GRE test if you made a big mistake and your score was significantly lower than you can manage or will keep you from your top school.

This is part of a series of articles about college prep and entrance exam scores. The other posts in this series include:

What Is an Aztak EZ Reader, and How Does It Work?

January 1st, 2010 |

What is an Aztak EZ Reader, and how does it work?

The Aztak EZ Reader is an eBook reader device that is relatively low-cost and very user friendly. These devices stand in contrast to Amazon’s Kindle (the EZ Reader is over $100 cheaper) which throws in a lot of features that many people don’t mind sacrificing for a lower price.

The EZ Reader is known for being the energy efficient and affordable version of popular eBook readers.

Aztak EZ Reader Pluses

There’s a lot to love about the Aztak, especially considering it is a piece of “budget technology”.

The EZ Reader supports multiple file formats, some that the Kindle doesn’t support. With the EZ Reader, you can use DOC, PDF, JPG, MP3, TXT, HTML, and plenty of other formats that you won’t get with Amazon’s flashy machine.

The built-in anti-glare feature of the screen is not very hard on the eyes, even if the color display is limited.

Not only is the EZ Reader thinner than you may expect for the price (about$200), it is lightweight, at far less than 200 grams, meaning it is easy to use on the go.

Aztak has provided an embedded NAND flash memory so you can store hundreds of your favorite books. There’s also an expansion SD card slot to increase your storage capacity by 4 GB

Don’t say the EZ Reader is a power lightweight — you can read up to 8,000 pages on a single battery charge. That means you have a longer battery life than the Kindle, and a much longer life than similar off-brand eBook readers.

Many web freaks are excited about the native PDF support, so you can read documents created in the super popular PDF format right on your eReader, instead of sending them off to customer service to have them converted for you, as you must do with the Kindle.

Aztak EZ Reader Minuses

I hate the EZ Reader’s display. It is only 5 inches in size (an inch less than Amazon’s model of eBook reader) and displays in lame four-color grayscale. To get an idea of what you’re missing with 4-color gray, the Kindle 2 displays in 16 color gray scale, and the newest Kindle shows off even more colors than that.

The EZ Reader is also a chunkier machine — both in weight and in speed. It clunks along at 200 mHz while the Kindle 2 displays a muscular 532 mHz.

The EZ Reader also llmits your display options to a great degree, with only 3 font and zoom sizes — one of which must be read in landscape format.

Not everyone will benefit from the features that the EZ reader has that are cool. If you don’t read for long chunks of time,you may never need the super long battery. If you don’t ever use .PDF files, you won’t find the pdf file format compatability useful, but this device is a real oddity in the world of new tech — it is cheaper, and contains some upgrades from the industry leading tech.

The bottom line — if you’re looking for an affordable alternative to the latest Kindle eBook reader, go for the Aztak EZ Reader.

This is part of a series of blog posts we’re publishing about various ebook readers. The other posts in this series include:

You are currently browsing the Ask Deb Blog blog archives for January, 2010.

Archive for January, 2010

What New Marvel Movies Are Coming Out?

Kindle Deals, Discounts, and Best Prices

Where Are the Best Places to Propose?

Wal-Mart for President

What Is an Average MCAT Score?

What Is an Average DAT Score?

The Kindle Pricing Strategy & The Kindle Pricing History

What Is an Average GMAT Score?

What Movie Sequels Are Coming Out in 2010?

Kindle Covers and Cases

How Do You Make the Kindle Read Aloud Function Work?

Where Are the Best Places to SCUBA Dive?

Which Diet Aids Work?

Where Are the Best Places to Study Abroad?

Where Are the Best Places to Honeymoon?

How Does the Kindle Work in Australia?

How Does the Amazon Kindle 2 Work?

Amazon Kindle 2 Review

Downloading e-Books

Kindle 2 Book Purchases

Reading on the Kindle 2

What’s New about the Kindle 2?

Related Posts

Where Are the Best Places to Retire?

What Movies Are Coming Out in 2010?

What Is an Average PSAT Score?

What Is an Average GRE Score?

What Is an Aztak EZ Reader, and How Does It Work?

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