I dont know whats worse: Dealing with airline hassles or struggling to carry around enough cash to fill up my car. Despite it all, Im spending more time on the road. So thats this weeks focus--finding out how much you spend on gasoline, a look at Californias new cell phone law, and an irritating scam from Travelodges Web site. Plus: A shocker from the TSA.
Estimate The Fuel Hit Before You Travel (Ouch)
Heading across the country in your RV? Or maybe youre just planning a trip this summer. Heres a quick way to figure out how much itll cost you in fuel. (Hint: Lots. No, make that lots and lots.)
Start with Geobytes City Distance Tool to determine the distance to wherever it is youre going. I looked at Pasadena, California to Cambria, California. (The site will calculate locations in Europe and South America as well.) Unless youre a crow, the mileage wont be on-the-money accurate, because the site uses latitude and longitude to measure the distance. A better idea, as my buddy Mike K. suggested, is to use Google Maps to get exact driving distance by plugging in the start and destination locations.
Now enter the distance into Cost of Gas Taking a Road Trip (or if youre commuting, Cost of Commuting by Car) on the DollarTimes site. Youll also need to supply the cost of fuel and the number of miles per gallon your vehicle gets. If youre going from one big city to another, try the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. [Thanks, Zachary.]
BTW, if youre wondering if its worth junking your old clunker, DollarTimes "How much can you save with a more fuel efficient car?" can help.
Driving Aside: The advice youre always hearing about slowing down makes a difference in gas mileage? Its true. Bass International Testing Labs took the 2005 Subaru on that Pasadena-to-Cambria trip. We moved to the right lane and, hard as it was, drove 60 miles per hour. We sometimes got stuck between trucks and slowed to 55. At my usual 65-to-75 miles per hour, our highway average was 22 miles per gallon. But with the speed decrease, we got 27 mpg. Amazing...
Driving In California? Save $20--Use A Headset
The July 1 California law is in effect: Wear a headset while blabbing in the car, or face a $20 fine. I think thats a remarkably low price to pay for not having to fiddle with a headset.
Is it really safer to use a headset? Nope, its not going to make driving any safer. Dont take my word for it; read "Hands-free cell phone use while driving wont make the roads safer, studies show. Why? Brain overload" in the Los Angeles Times. Stopping people from talking on cell phones altogether would do the trick, but that would be about as impossible to legislate as making hands-free makeup application mandatory.
I think its absurd that the legislature skirted the dialing-the-phone issue, something I believe is far more dangerous. The law doesnt stop drivers from dialing, just strongly urges them not to. LOL--sure, thatll stop em.
A while ago I mentioned that you could get a free headset and just pay for shipping; read "On the Web: Free Headsets and Rebates" for info on the free-headset site, plus some higher-end options.
And heres an off-the-wall suggestion. If youre a fan of CB radios (I am; I have one in my Roadtrek), take a look at Cobras latest--a CB radio with Bluetooth. The radio gives you a way to receive, end, and re-dial your cell calls through the radios noise-canceling microphone.
Booking A Motel? Heres One To Avoid
A buddy (and my former editor), Randy R., told me about the hassle he recently went through when he made a room reservation online.
"I entered my credit card number," he said, "and thought I was all set."
Nope. Randy was in for a whirlwind of marketing sleaze when a chat window popped up and "Jessica" made him an offer. Randy was tricked into signing up for an $11-per-month service, proving he isnt nearly as bright as he looks.
Whats amazing to me is the site was Travelodge, a pretty well-known brand name. Read Randys story and let me know if youve had similar problems.
If Youre Flying...
Here are a few articles that might make your life at the airport a little more pleasant.
* "Tips and Strategies for Last-Minute Travel Planning Online"
* "Summer Travel Tips"
* "Packing Tips for Painless Trips"
* "In-Flight Broadband Imminent"
Shocking News For Airline Travelers
Youre not going to believe this one: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is "has expressed great interest in a so-called safety bracelet" that could stun you if airline personnel think youre a threat. The bracelet acts as a boarding pass, a luggage and carry-on identifier, and a way of immobilizing you.
I thought it was a joke, but the Washington Times has details about the EMD Safety Bracelet.
This Weeks Roundup Of Time Wasters
This "ball girl" makes an incredible catch. Or does she? Watch the video, then read the back story.
The Vilcus plug dactyloadapter could probably be a cheap substitute for electroshock therapy--and unlike the bracelet you may soon be wearing on airplanes, this is optional.
Have a stereo system and about $500 in disposable income? Grab a pair of Denons Cat-5 AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cables. Once you read the description, check out some creative customer comments. And listen--before you plunk down any money, read about the Consumerists experiment: "Do Coat Hangers Sound as Good as Monster Cables?"
Take a sec a to look at these absolutely delicious photos taken from the sky by photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The guy sure has an eye for composition. [Thanks, Brad.]
Steve Bass writes PC Worlds monthly "Hassle-Free PC" column and is the author of "PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer," available from OReilly. He also writes PC Worlds daily Tips & Tweaks blog, Sign up to have Steves newsletter e-mailed to you each week. Comments or questions? Send Steve e-mail.
Estimate The Fuel Hit Before You Travel (Ouch)
Heading across the country in your RV? Or maybe youre just planning a trip this summer. Heres a quick way to figure out how much itll cost you in fuel. (Hint: Lots. No, make that lots and lots.)
Start with Geobytes City Distance Tool to determine the distance to wherever it is youre going. I looked at Pasadena, California to Cambria, California. (The site will calculate locations in Europe and South America as well.) Unless youre a crow, the mileage wont be on-the-money accurate, because the site uses latitude and longitude to measure the distance. A better idea, as my buddy Mike K. suggested, is to use Google Maps to get exact driving distance by plugging in the start and destination locations.
Now enter the distance into Cost of Gas Taking a Road Trip (or if youre commuting, Cost of Commuting by Car) on the DollarTimes site. Youll also need to supply the cost of fuel and the number of miles per gallon your vehicle gets. If youre going from one big city to another, try the AAA Fuel Cost Calculator. [Thanks, Zachary.]
BTW, if youre wondering if its worth junking your old clunker, DollarTimes "How much can you save with a more fuel efficient car?" can help.
Driving Aside: The advice youre always hearing about slowing down makes a difference in gas mileage? Its true. Bass International Testing Labs took the 2005 Subaru on that Pasadena-to-Cambria trip. We moved to the right lane and, hard as it was, drove 60 miles per hour. We sometimes got stuck between trucks and slowed to 55. At my usual 65-to-75 miles per hour, our highway average was 22 miles per gallon. But with the speed decrease, we got 27 mpg. Amazing...
Driving In California? Save $20--Use A Headset
The July 1 California law is in effect: Wear a headset while blabbing in the car, or face a $20 fine. I think thats a remarkably low price to pay for not having to fiddle with a headset.
Is it really safer to use a headset? Nope, its not going to make driving any safer. Dont take my word for it; read "Hands-free cell phone use while driving wont make the roads safer, studies show. Why? Brain overload" in the Los Angeles Times. Stopping people from talking on cell phones altogether would do the trick, but that would be about as impossible to legislate as making hands-free makeup application mandatory.
I think its absurd that the legislature skirted the dialing-the-phone issue, something I believe is far more dangerous. The law doesnt stop drivers from dialing, just strongly urges them not to. LOL--sure, thatll stop em.
A while ago I mentioned that you could get a free headset and just pay for shipping; read "On the Web: Free Headsets and Rebates" for info on the free-headset site, plus some higher-end options.
And heres an off-the-wall suggestion. If youre a fan of CB radios (I am; I have one in my Roadtrek), take a look at Cobras latest--a CB radio with Bluetooth. The radio gives you a way to receive, end, and re-dial your cell calls through the radios noise-canceling microphone.
Booking A Motel? Heres One To Avoid
A buddy (and my former editor), Randy R., told me about the hassle he recently went through when he made a room reservation online.
"I entered my credit card number," he said, "and thought I was all set."
Nope. Randy was in for a whirlwind of marketing sleaze when a chat window popped up and "Jessica" made him an offer. Randy was tricked into signing up for an $11-per-month service, proving he isnt nearly as bright as he looks.
Whats amazing to me is the site was Travelodge, a pretty well-known brand name. Read Randys story and let me know if youve had similar problems.
If Youre Flying...
Here are a few articles that might make your life at the airport a little more pleasant.
* "Tips and Strategies for Last-Minute Travel Planning Online"
* "Summer Travel Tips"
* "Packing Tips for Painless Trips"
* "In-Flight Broadband Imminent"
Shocking News For Airline Travelers
Youre not going to believe this one: The U.S. Department of Homeland Security is "has expressed great interest in a so-called safety bracelet" that could stun you if airline personnel think youre a threat. The bracelet acts as a boarding pass, a luggage and carry-on identifier, and a way of immobilizing you.
I thought it was a joke, but the Washington Times has details about the EMD Safety Bracelet.
This Weeks Roundup Of Time Wasters
This "ball girl" makes an incredible catch. Or does she? Watch the video, then read the back story.
The Vilcus plug dactyloadapter could probably be a cheap substitute for electroshock therapy--and unlike the bracelet you may soon be wearing on airplanes, this is optional.
Have a stereo system and about $500 in disposable income? Grab a pair of Denons Cat-5 AKDL1 Dedicated Link Cables. Once you read the description, check out some creative customer comments. And listen--before you plunk down any money, read about the Consumerists experiment: "Do Coat Hangers Sound as Good as Monster Cables?"
Take a sec a to look at these absolutely delicious photos taken from the sky by photographer Yann Arthus-Bertrand. The guy sure has an eye for composition. [Thanks, Brad.]
Steve Bass writes PC Worlds monthly "Hassle-Free PC" column and is the author of "PC Annoyances, 2nd Edition: How to Fix the Most Annoying Things About Your Personal Computer," available from OReilly. He also writes PC Worlds daily Tips & Tweaks blog, Sign up to have Steves newsletter e-mailed to you each week. Comments or questions? Send Steve e-mail.
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