eruvsLife

Ever gotten spam email telling you they’ll provide you free access to your credit file? Asking you to sign up for a credit monitoring service? Well, personally, I like to keep track of my own credit file personally.

In Canada, there are two organizations that track and report on your personal credit history – Equifax, TransUnion. If you visit their websites, they encourage you to sign-up and pay for their premium services, where you get instant access to your credit file, as well as added bonuses, like fraud monitoring, calculating your credit score etc.

While some people might find these bonuses useful, others just want to be able to see the information in their files. By law, these organizations are required to disclose to you any and all information they collect about you. Both organizations have tiny links indicating that you can obtain a file disclosure if you send your request in writing, and with proof of identity by Canada Post mail.

I order my credit file once every three months, and after any application for credit, i.e. in January, April, July & October. Also, since I took out an RRSP Loan, I requested a file disclosure in February.

It isn’t too complicated, just fill out the forms below (you can actually use the same form for both organizations), and attach two pieces of id, one of which should include proof of current residence. So for example, your driver’s licence (which includes your most current address) and your health card. If you driver’s licence has an alternate address, not the current one you are requesting they return your file disclosure to, you should also include a utility bill, or some other form of identification that indicates your current residence.

I’ll post later about interpreting the actual report you get in the mail.

Links to the forms:
Equifax Credit File Disclosure Form
TransUnion Credit File Disclosure Form

Links to useful sites:
Equifax Canada
TransUnion Canada Disclosure Page
MBNA Learning Center

I used to be one of those guys who just couldn’t understand why anyone would take a loan to contribute into and Registered Savings Plan (more details). Now, I have quite a few justifications as to why this is a very good option for you as long as you have any contribution room in your RRSP.

The facts are:

• You are less likely to save, unless you have an unavoidable payment you have to make every month. An RSP Loan will have a month amount automatically deducted the same time every month.
• RSP Loans offer very competitive interest rates! See below for a very good example.

Case Study:

Take out an RSP loan from ING Direct. The interest for the loan is 3.0% per year. Payment term is over 12 months

• A $5000 loan will result in a monthly deduction of $423.67, and total cost of borrowing of $81.64.
• A $10000 loan will result in a monthly deduction of $846.94, and total cost of borrowing of $163.28.

The most convenient option for you is to invest their RSP Loan in one of their Investment Accounts. They have several accounts offering varied benefits. One particularly attractive option is the RSP Short-term GIC Account, offering an interest rate of 3.0% with a rollover period of 90days. If you pick this option for the year, you essentially don’t pay a cent as borrowing cost for the RSP Loan.

ING Direct offers so many convenient options for saving money and investment. They are particularly a good choice for people who have problems putting away money, because of their Automatic Withdrawal Program. The money is taken away from your current account (at a schedule you define). While you maintain quick access to your money (via their Debit card or a one-day request deposit into your account), it segregates your savings from your day-to-day activities, thus allowing you the ability to resist temptations.

If you are interested in signing up, I highly recommend you do so via the link below, and enter the Orange Key during you sign-up. This gives you a $25 bonus – and I get one too : ).

http://www.ingdirect.ca/referafriend/
Orange Key: 16236353S1

The new HTC Hero that runs on the Google Android mobile platform is a very impressive device and comes really close and possibly surpasses the iPhone 3Gs. It also has quite a few features to top those of the iPhone 3Gs including:

• 5MB Camera
• An open development platform
• A nice and intuitive system design and layout

However, on very important pitfall when comparing it with the iPhone is it’s response speed. Don’t get me wrong, it isn’t slow all the time, just at certain moments, or when launching certain applications, there is that 1-2 sec pause that annoys most HMI users.

All that being said, I’m loving my new phone and eager to start using it, however, like with most mobile devices a protective enclosure is a must, so I’ve got to wait till I get once, so as to avoid any initial scratches. I have gone through a lot of mobile devices and as such am very picky about my protective case. I always get mine from BestSkinsEver.

While some people enjoy a simple hard case, I can’t stand the bulk it adds to the “mobile” device–it is supposed to be mobile after all. BestSkinsEver has a simple total body skin that envelopes the device with a thin and very durable layer which protects and keeps your device shiny and new. It’s very reasonably prices, effective and easily removed. I can’t wait for my HTC Hero skin to arrive so I can break out my new phone.

I am one of those guys who frequently re-installs their system, and it always involves re-loading some sort of antivirus software. My favorite is AVG Security. It’s effective, updated very frequently and free!

So when I go to their site to look for the install file, I always have to do a little dance around all their prompts to find the damn link to download the installer, so I decided to put it up here so I have a one-stop shot at getting the software.

Direct download for AVG anti-virus from AVG Site

If you have a list of urls in a field, how do you get only the domain in excel, strippin goff the “http” as well? Assuming you have a list like this:

=mid(FIELD, 8, FIND("/", FIELD, 8)-8)
should do the trick! Make sure you have a trailing "/"at the end


[COMPARE WITH OTHER HOSTS]

Prices & Features:

• Business Plus: $8.95/mo for 12mo or $7.95/mo for 24mo, Free 2 domain registration, host unlimited domain and free 8 dedicated IP, Unlimited Disk Space,Unlimited Bandwidth
• Expert Plan: $4.95/mo for 12mo or $3.95/mo for 24mo, Free 1 domain registration, host unlimited domain and free 4 dedicated IP, Unlimited Disk Space,Unlimited Bandwidth

Click here to visit IXWebHosting and find their latest promotion.

Click here for control panel demo

A few websites hosted by IXWebhosting.com

• Eyeball Design
• CVML Designs

Overview

IXWebHosting is reputable host since 2002, with BBBOnline Reliability Participation Confirmed For ECommerce Corporation seal. IXWebHosting is well known by their quality support and hosting account features.

IXWebHosting has a few plans:

Expert Plan :- $3.95/month with Unlimited Disk Space and Unlimited Badwidth + 1 free domain name. Hosting unlimited domain. 50 MySQL D
A typical one year plan is at $59.4
A typical two years plan is at $94.80

Business Plus :- $7.95/month with Unlimited Disk Space and Unlimited Badwidth + 15 free dedicated IP + 3 free domain name. Hosting unlimited domain.
Plan comes with MySQL databases.
A typical one year plan is at $107.4
A typical two years plan is at $190.80
Special Highlight

1. 1. Host unlimited Domains under 1 account. – You can host unlimited domains with resources allocated to you (Space + Bandwidth) to you. Each websites comes with it’s own www, ftp and mail.
2. Free Domain – Order for at least one year and get your new domain for free.
3. HSpere - IXWebHosting useds HSpere, one of the best web hosting control panel. Control panel comes with SiteBuilder.
4. Anonymous FTP – You can setup anonymous FTP accounts with this plan. Most hosting plan doesn’t allow this feature.
5. PHP and MySQL – You can use PHP to create dynamic website. Or you may use MySQL database to create a database driven application with this hosting plan.
6. 30 days money back guarantee
7. New! Each account comes with 15 dedicated IP, no other host offering this at price of $7.95/month.
8. 8 . New! Add 2.50 per month and you can host in on Windows server. (Business plus plan and above)
9. Great support service.

How to order

You will be first prompt to choose for transfer domain to use new domain, select new domain if you do not have one else choose transfer domain. Domain name is FREE when you choose yearly plan. This user friendly sign-up pages will check for availability of the domain you requested. Do provide a valid credit card during registration and once completed your account will be created usually the same day. They will send you an email telling you your account information, do print it out for easy reference.

Advice

Order 2 year and reduce hosting fee to $7.95/month. Read view of Hostmonster , BlueHost , StartLogic and if you have not read it.

Summary

They offer reliable internet service at an affordable cost. They earn your money through unparalleled service and their 30-day, unconditional money-back guarantee. They also have real operators in the USA that are ready to answer your questions 24×7 with little to no wait time.

Unlike many hosts out there, they actually own their own data centers, providing you peace of mind that your data is somewhere safe.

IXWebHosting Website

[COMPARE WITH OTHER HOSTS]

Prices & Features: Price: $7.95 $4.95/month for 12 months or $6.95$3.95/month for 24 months Size: Unlimited Disk Space, Unlimited Bandwidth Bandwidth Offer: Free domain name and host multiple domain under 1 account. Click here to visit BlueHost and find their latest promotion.

• Chair Care Products – Ecommerce site
• Fusion of Ideas – Website with Flash
• Amandabills Photography/Album

Overview

BlueHost is a popular brand name on hosting service. Quality service and generous hosting plan is the key to their success. Bluehost has been on our top ranking for more than 2 years and I have never receive any complaints from our visitors/webmaster. Bluehost is also one of the hosting company using Cpanel. Cpanel is very user friendly and most can start using without any tutorial. Try out their control panel from their homepage. BlueHost has only one hosting plan :- $6.95/month with Unlimited Disk Space and Unlimited Badwidth + unlimited Add-on domain + unlimited Park domain A typical one year plan is at $59.4 A typical two years plan is at $94.8

Special Highlight

1. Host unlimited Domain under 1 account: You can host unlimited domain under 1 account. All your domains will share resources allocated to you. That’s means you will Unlimited space for all websites. Each websites comes with it’s own www, ftp and mail.
2. Free Domain for life: Order for at least one year and get your new domain for free.
3. CPanel: BlueHost uses latest CPanel 11, one of the best web hosting control panel.
4. Anonymous FTP: You can setup anonymous FTP accounts with this plan. Most hosting plan doesn’t allow this feature.
5. PHP 4+ and 5 ready: You have the option to use PHP 4 or 5, just request this feature from support and they will move your account to the appropriate server. Remember, their support are very friendly.
6. 30 days money back guarantee: Get 30 days money back guarantee and 100% full refund.
7. Anytime cancellation and refund: All accounts canceled after 30 Days of service qualify for a prorated refund at the monthly rate
8. New! Free Website Builder: This new feature is available from control panel.
9. New! Support Ruby on Rail.
10. New! Free Domain Privacy: This option is available to customer for FREE.

How to order

You will be first prompt to choose for transfer domain to use new domain, select new domain if you do not have one else choose transfer domain. This user friendly sign-up pages will check for availability of the domain you requested. Do provide a valid credit card during registration and once completed your account will be created usually the same day. They will send you an email telling you your account information, do print it out for easy reference.

Advice

Order 1 year and get 1 free domain. This plan is the same as Hostmonster, read view of HostMonster if you have not.

BlueHost Website

[COMPARE WITH OTHER HOSTS]

Prices & Features:

Price: $3.95/month
Size: Unlimited Disk Space, Unlimited Bandwidth
Offer: Free domain name and host unlimited domain under 1 account.

Click here to visit IXWebHosting and find their latest promotion.

Recent Update :-
PHP 5 : Php 4 is deprecate soon, Hostmonster is now using Php 5 as default engine. Users can choose between Version 4+ and 5+ from control panel.
Apache : Hostmonster has upgraded all servers to use Apache 2.2.x

Overview

• Hostmonster has been rated #1 on Top10WebHosting.com for more than 10 months continuosly. This is the first hosting company that offers UNLIMITED domain hosting as low as $3.95/month. I have more than 20 happy client hosted on their servers.
• With the use of award winning CPanel control Panel, most of the task can be done from control panel directly, e.g. Adding additional domain, Installing scripts, setting up email address and etc.
• HostMonster is another company by another reputable host, BlueHost. BlueHost is well known by their quality support, you can expect the same from Hostmonster.
• HostMonster has only one hosting plan :- $3.95/month with Unlimited Disk Space and Unlimited Badwidth + unlimited Add-on domain

A typical one year plan is at $71.40 ($5.95/month)

A typical two years plan is at $118.80($4.95/month)

A typical three years plan is at $178.2($4.95/month)

Note: You can cancel anytime and get prorated refund.

Automation

CPanel is always my favourite control panel compare other control panel like vDeck (used by StartLogic,IPowerWeb,Dot5Hosting). The main strength of Cpanel over any other control panel is it’s ability to add-remove domains by yourself and it’s auto script installation and upgrade via Fantastico. Most control panel, e.g. vDeck doesn’t allow you to add-on domain via vDeck, you have to write in to support to get it done. Other automation includes PGP key creation, email address , ftp logins can be created from this interface too.

Fantastico script installer

The famous Fantastico script installer is part of Hostmonster’s cpanel control panel. It helps you to install over 50 freeware/commercial scripts in just a few clicks. Blogs, Portal/CMS, Customer Support scripts, forum/discussion board like phpBB2, Shopping cart, Moodle,Drupal, Wordpress are supported.

Special Highlights

1. Best service host: I always choose the best service hosting company, not the largest space nor bandwidth. Their online chat support is owesome. Whenever my client is having problem, I will usually head to their online chat support and usually problem solved within minutes !. Keep up the good work, hostmonster support team.
2. Host unlimited Domains under 1 account: You can host All your domains will share resources allocated to you. That’s means you will Unlimited space for all your websites. Each websites comes with it’s own www, ftp and mail. As I have mentioned ealier, the adding/removing of additional domain can be done from the control panel directly without contacting support.
3. Free Domain: Order for at least one year and get your new domain FREE FOR LIFE
4. CPanel: HostMonster useds CPanel, one of the best web hosting control panel. Check out the Control Panel tab for more information.
5. PHP 4 or 5 ready: You have the option to use PHP 4, 5 or PHP 5 with FastCGI. There is a link on the control which allows you to swap between these 3 mode. If you are not sure which to change, contact support. Remember, their support are very friendly.
6. PHP 5 and MySQL 5 ready: You can use PHP to create dynamic website. Or you may use MySQL database to create a database driven application with this hosting plan. The plan comes with 100 MySQL database, it is more than enough.
7. 30 days money back guarantee: Get 30 days money back guarantee or cancel anytime to get a prorated refund.
8. New! Free Website Builder: This new feature is available from control panel.
9. New! Support Ruby on Rail.
10. New! Free Domain Privacy: This option is available to customer for FREE.

How to host multiple domains ?

You can have multiple domains point to the same site or to a directory on your site. When you sign up, just choose the main domain you want to use, and later you can login to the control panel and add the other domains through the addon domains section of the control panel.

Also, before adding on the extra domains, make sure that you have pointed them to the appropriate name servers (ns1.hostmonster.com, and ns2.hostmonster.com) with your registrar, and allow them sufficient time to propogate across the internet.

Example 1. Abc.com is your main domain. You also own xyz.com, and you would like it pointed to abc.com. This is called a ‘parked domain’, and can be set up through the ‘parked domains’ manager in your control panel.

Example 2. Abc.com is your main domain. You also own xyz.com, and rst.com. You would like xyz.com forwarded to rst.com. These two domains would be set up as ‘addon domains’ through the ‘addon domain manager’ in your control panel. Finally, you would set up a ‘redirect’ through the control panel, to point xyz.com to rst.com

FAQ

Q: How much is it to add an additional domain? OK. They say “unlimited domains,” but I assume it is not free. So when i open an account with hostmomster, and want to add 2 more domains to the same account, how much will I pay for each?

A: If you need domain registration, it is $10 per domain per year. If you already have your domain registerred, it is FREE, just point your domain to Hostmonster DNS.

Q: What version of MySQL hostmonster is running?

A: Hostmonster currently runs the latest MySQL version 5.0.45.

Q: Am I stuck in a contract with you if I sign up for a year? What if I cancel early?

A: Hostmonster.com does not stick you to a contract. If you are unhappy at any time, you can cancel and get a prorated refund.

However, if you get a free domain from hostmonster during signup and leave before your 1 or 2 year agreement is up they will charge you $10 from the remainder of the prorated funds to pay for that domain. The rest will be credited back to the original credit card that you paid with. If you paid via check or paypal, your funds will be sent back to you using that method.

Advice

I always recommends hostmonster to my customer as first choice because of their GOOD CUSTOMER SERVICE and GOOD CONTROL PANEL.

Their control panel is very easy to use, even for first time user.

Order a two years plan instead of one year. You can save $2/month with 2 years plan.

They may have promotions from time to time, check out this link

HostMonster Website

[COMPARE WITH OTHER HOSTS]

Prices & Features:

• Price: USD 5.95 /month + FREE Setup
• Size: Unlimited Disk Space, Unlimited Bandwidth
• Offer: Prepay 24 months at $4.95/mo + Free Domain

Click here to visit StartLogic and find their latest promotion.

Overview

StartLogic is one of the best iPowerWeb reseller. They are using the same control panel as iPowerWeb but offer more disk space and bandwidth. StartLogic has recently upgraded their plan to allow hosting unlimited domains under 1 account.

StartLogic provides better customer service compare to iPowerWeb or iPower.

Customer Service

Toll free phone support
Knowledge base
Ticket based email support
Live Chat

StartLogic Website

If you are a Canadian Citizen (i.e. have a Canadian Passport) you don’t need to apply for a US Visa to visit, but just need to appear at the port-of-entry to get your passport stamped. However, if you are in Canada for any other reason (Visitor, Worker, Student or Permanent Resident), you need to obtain a Visa.

Visa’s have to be processed in person at a Consulate in one of these cities: Toronto, Montreal, Ottawa, Calgary, Halifax orVancouver.

You have a 6-week window to book for an appointment and a Consulate in one of the above cities. The fee for booking is $8.55CAD.

More details and up-to-date information can be found at NVars.