Pennies for thought

Email scams are everywhere but we can generally use the theory of ‘if it sounds to go to be true then it is’ unfortunately this is not always the case. You may notice at some point that a friend will email you with a link to some kind of electronics site. Most people will spot that the email is written strangely and just email the person about it but not everyone will pick up on it.

MSN have become especially susceptible to spam emails and mining mailshots. In short, your passwords are being cracked by scripts that enter your accounts and filter out all your contact email addresses. Then all the contacts are emailed an email similar to this one below -

‘hey,
how are you ?
Just received  my iphone 3gs 32gb from this website.  www.faonyt.com much cheaper than others and genuine . if you would like to get one,you can check it out.
all the best for 2010
Regards’

If you ever come across an email like this then make sure inform the sender as they will need to change their password details on there email account. There are plenty of great deals online but always verify the sources before jumping in and getting your card out.

When you are out taking pictures you do not want to be restricted by rain. This is just a cheap solution to keeping your camera dry and working.

This is really aimed at cameras without a fixed lens as a camera of that type should ideally be watertight already. All cameras have a degree of water resistance but it is always better to be safe than sorry. Water damage will almost never be covered under the warantee of a general purpose camera.

If you just get a pack of ziplock freezer bags (size depends on camera type, flash etc). Cut the bottom of the bag open, put the camera inside and secure the end of the lens gently with the ziplock. This gives you a decent budget water shield for only a couple of pounds and a few seconds of your time.

Always be careful with the lens on your camera as it is a delicate piece of the camera.

A lot of people are unsure whether this is actually fact or myth and it is kind of both. Things tend to get too generalised and this often leds to misconceptions that people will overlook and just assume it worked.

Most common household batteries are NiMH (nickel-metal hydride), NiCd (nickel-cadmium) and alkaline. The facts are that unless alkaline batteries are being held at a very high storage temperature to begin with then chilling them will make very little difference.

NiMH and NiCd batteries on the otherhand will discharge alot quicker. This is often apparant in recharable batteries that have gone on charge but not been used straight away. Freezing the batteries will retain a substancially larger amount of the overall battery life.

Always make sure to store batteries safely and to only use batteries in electronics at room temperature.

There is nothing more frustrating that the few seconds after being caught by a speed camera. It is over, you are caught and there is no point slowing too late or thinking of an elaborate way to get out of it.

The fine alone is not the problem, its the points and rise in insurance that comes along with it that is the real issue.

People are caught everyday speeding past gatso and mobile cameras. There is no elaborate undercover money-making scheme going here it is common sense. All speed cameras (including mobile cameras are documented online for each county). Most gatso cameras are easy to spot and with mobile cameras covered why are we still getting caught?

I do not encourage speeding but I do insist that people take the time to read what is right in front of them. Take 5 minutes before your next trip out of town or a new area and check the camera spots.

Many people rely on GPS systems to keep them from getting fines. But the reality is the software needs to be totally up to date each journey and the information completely accurate. 99% of the time this will not be the case so you need to take the initiative and do it yourself.

Due to the high numbers of us being caught softer penalties are being introduced. You can in some cases take a driving awareness course now to stop from getting the points and just pay the fine. This is good when it comes to insurance renewal.  

People have been hiding reg plates, claiming cars are stolen and even burning cameras. We can prevent things from escalating to this so easily yet we don’t seem to bother.