Weird Al Yankovich wrote a song about having a bit of an obsession with purchasing from the hot online auction site Ebay. During the song, he mentions a lyric I’d never quite understood, so I had to do more research. The part goes: I am the type, who…. is liable to snipe you…. with two seconds left to go-o-o.” Sniping on Ebay is the practice of positioning yourself online in a way that you are the highest bidder within the last few possible seconds. Previously, this has only been possible with fast reflexes and a little bit of luck. During my research, however, I came upon several sites that offer this service and a few other tricks to allow you to win the auction of your dreams. Some are just downright sneaky.

According to Wikipedia, sniping is not illegal at auction sites, but is understandably frowned upon by many of the customers that shop there. It takes some of the competition out of winning the auction, thereby limiting the amount of money that a sale could take in. Some of the auction sites have set up counter-measures or deterrents. One such deterrent requires members to enter a randomized code when placing their bids, which unfortunately limits bids from members with visual impairments as well. Other deterrents are in place; still sniping is considered a social transgression, rather than an illegal act.

Auctionsniper.com is one of these sites. You likely are bidding against someone using a tool like this.

Another nifty auction-helper is the eBay Toolbar (www.lowcostbid.co.uk) that allows you to check all auctions for misspelled or badly-worded titles. The toolbar searches for the terms on eBay, allowing you to bid on items other haven’t searched for. For example, let’s say you’re looking to win an auction for a Wii bundle with everything. You type in “Wii” and the toolbar looks for everything from “iWi” to “Wiii.” Typos are the bidder’s friend here, and there are plenty of them to go around. You can even enter the word, no downloads required at www.fatfingers.com to find all the typos listed. There will be few, if any, bids on these items because general searches don’t return the misspelled auctions.

For a complete guide on making money and winning auctions with eBay and other auction sites, visit Amazon.com. The tips and tricks you pick up there and at the websites mentioned here are bound to make you a pro bid-winner in no time! And just think: you didn’t even have to listen to Weird Al!

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A student has a project on life in a poverty-stricken country, so what do they do for more information? They go to the computer. Stop and think for just a moment what the children do for information in that poverty-stricken country. Nicholas Negroponte and a group of veterans at Media Lab did think about it. In fact, they began a group that would soon be joined by exceptionally talented people in the open-source community to work towards the goal of providing One Laptop Per Child.

While the project has been a long time coming, from ideas originated while computers were still mammoth-like objects that took up a whole room, no one can say the project comes too late. The goal of OLPC is a timely one: to provide children around the world with new opportunities to explore, experiment, and express themselves. The project features a $200 laptop with a bright screen for easy readability in direct sunlight and pencil-sharpener inspired crank to recharge its high efficiency battery. As far as software, although Microsoft and Apple both tried to provide versions of their operating systems to OLPC, ultimately they required too many resources and a “lite” version of the open-source system Linux was used.

One of the coolest features of this laptop, called the XO, is that despite its miniscule power requirements, it includes a networking technology that “meshes” each computer together, connecting every child in a village to each other, as well as to any Internet connection that might be available, such as a satellite link or cellular connection. This link can connect XOs up to a third of a mile away! The camera also has a video camera and built-in speakers and can be run in black-and-white or color modes.

Since its inception, OLPC has seen its fair share of supporters and critics. Many say: Why develop countries of foreign nations when children here at home are without technology? A Birmingham, AL mayoral advisor, Bob McKenna, announced recently they were providing every K-8 student in the city with an XO for use in schools. With instances like this, a gray line is being drawn about who can have one, where they can have them, and what they can do with them (some laptops have been reportedly used to access pornographic websites. To make matters worse, a Nigerian firm’s recent patent infringement lawsuit of $20M puts the kibosh on the units being sold there. It seems that what began as a “Good Samaritan” project to spread education to parts of the world with little or no technology might wind up being tangled up in the almighty dollar. You’re going to want to stay tuned to the development of this project. In the meantime, check out Ebay where you can buy them for yourself or your own children… just don’t ask where they came from!

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Why leave kids out of the gadgets craze? I mean, today’s youngsters know more about technology than a lot of adult consumers. They are using computers at younger ages, learning to operate more complex toys and equipment, and their demands for gadget goodness have opened up a new world for entrepreneurs who have responded skillfully to the new market. As a result, lots of adult gadgets now have kid-friendly counterparts.

Take the media realm, for example. Personal cassette players are a thing of the past. Youngsters use a wide variety of mp3 players and radio headphones to listen to their tunes. In the seeming quest of today’s youth to never be farther than a few feet away from a television screen, personal DVD players have erupted onto the scene, becoming more and more affordable each year. Handheld electronics are also gaining steadily in consumer popularity among the 18-and-under set. Every major video game console manufacturer has developed a portable counterpart.

Cutting edge toys like Robosapien, a robot that can interact with its environment, make Barbie dolls look like a pet rock. Helicopters and hovercraft can now be powered by remote control. Even kids shoes have gotten a gadget upgrade with the addition of wheels in the soles.

Some adult gadgets have gotten a kid makeover as children continue to increase in number as consumers of technology. Take Firefly Mobile, for example, the company that first made the cell phone accessible to young children. And I mean young. These phones don’t even have keypads that might not be able to be used by children too young to read. Instead, they have keys with pictures of a woman for calling Mom and a man for calling Dad. Green means call and red means hang up. Typical black, white, or gray memory sticks have been revamped to appeal to kids, now available in bright colors, and shapes like soccer balls and VW Beetles. Perhaps one of the most outrageous kid-adaptations is the Blueberry. Modeled after RIM’s wildly successful Blackberry, this PDA marketed for children comes in colors like blueberry, gooseberry, and grapeberry and is suggested for use by children ages five and up. No more hassle trying to remember when nap time is, or what time to meet at the sandbox for your play date!

Other technology meant for kids is helpful to the adults that care for them. The Verichip is one of several chips the size of a grain of rice that can be planted in a child’s backpack, or more controversially, just under the skin, to give the exact location of a child at any time. Programs like Net Nanny install internet parental controls that monitor children’s use of the internet, including what sites they may visit and how long they are allowed to spend online. There is also software that will send parents copies of all email sent and received by their children. To put it simply, Big Brother is watching little brother and sister.

In these days of high-tech gadgets, there are plenty of companies clamoring for a piece the growing market of underage consumers. They may still “oooh” and “ahhh” over your average toy store spread, but today, children are asking “Can I have that?” just as often in your local gadget store.

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Alright readers, get ready to have your minds proverbially blown! Imagine you are shopping in a grocery store, strolling through the aisles, when all of a sudden the cereal begins talking to you. You step back, and look around. No one else seems to notice. You move forward again and hear the commercial persuading you to select and purchase Lucky Charms. Have you finally lost the last little hold you had on sanity? Or is it a hypersonic sound beam, intended for your ears only?

Chances are, in the near future, supermarket shelves will be lined with these sneaky sound systems, but they aren’t just for use in advertising. This ultra-cool technology remotely transfers sound waves in tightly focused “columns” of sound. Once directed to and landing on any surface, (ie. ceilings, floors, walls, paintings, sculptures, advertisements, or even people!) they instantly become a source of sound. The sound waves can then be processed and heard by only people in the direct path of the audio. Surprisingly, the sound seems to come from inside the head, as it acts like a speaker while transmitting the sounds to the brain.

Imagine the implications this could have for a trip to the zoo or museum! A person standing in front of an exhibit might be able to listen to an informative lecture on the subject without disturbing those around them. The need for headphones and bulky “audio guide” systems could be completely eliminated. Automobile manufacturers could use the technology for hands-free cell phone conversations which would reduce the possibility of accidents while driving.

So how does it all work? Well, I’m not an audio expert, but a little Googling revealed the science behind the innovation. Normal sound travels on small pressure waves in the air. Changing the sound wave changes the frequencies that “pop up” within the wave. If you add some high-frequency sounds into the mix (sounds human ears can’t detect,) they generate new low-frequency sounds that we can hear. With a product like this, you can step into the beam and hear the information, or step out and not be bothered by it. The genius that invented a working model for this concept, Woody Norris, received the Lemelson-MIT prize of $500,000 a few years back. The father of 11 has over 50 patents, including a personal helicopter! With 11 children, no wonder he felt it necessary to divert unwanted sounds… It would certainly make airplane rides more enjoyable if we could direct children’s screaming through Hypersonic Sound Beams!

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February 14^th is just around the corner, and I know what you are thinking. Guys, you plan to give a special lady (whether it’s your significant other, your mom, or your secretary) the same tired V-day gifts you give every year. Girls, are you really looking forward with Christmas Day anticipation to a dozen roses that will be dead in a week, or a box of chocolates that will be gone by sundown? Sure, you can excuse your lack of creativity with the “It’s tradition” philosophy, but really, don’t you think that Valentine’s Day would be more special with a thoughtful and trendy gift that says “Look what I have and you don’t!” Consider bringing Casanova into the 21^st century with these gadget-lovers’ gems.

Mailbug email

It is said that St. Valentine wrote the very first Valentine’s Day letter, but I bet he would have sent an email if he’d had the chance. Go for a gadget that will help make it easier for her to access email no matter where she is. It’s time to bring Valentine’s Day gift ideas from antique to chic.

Noise-eliminating earbuds

These sleek, sexy gadgets by Etymotic Research are perfect for the woman who has everything. They are super comfortable and deliver mind-blowing quality (this is my second pair…alas I left the others in the seat pocket on a flight last year

. They work with almost every electronic listening device including iPod, mp3 players, CD, portable DVD, PSP, and PCs. Another thing she’ll really like is they cancel out noise so well she won’t be able to hear you talking!

Unlocked Quad Band RAZR

With more than 2 billion of Earth’s residents toting cell phones, chances are that your Valentine has your digits stored in one. Smarten up and get your Valentine a cell phone she can use while you two are soaking up the rays in Barbados or strolling through the cobblestone streets of Venice, hand in hand. That’s right – with an unlocked quad band phone, you can travel the world with your sweetie and stay connected. You just have to buy her a SIM chip when you land…a “Welcome to Italy gift.” You’re just full of surprises!

Several companies have branched out with beautiful and feature-packed luxury phones that would make any gabber gadget-crazy. Vertu, a British-based manufacturer, is one of the best-known companies pioneering the luxury cell phone phenomenon. Vertu is the Rolls Royce of cell phones. Some models use gold accents or pavé diamonds.

An amazing screen protector is made by Vertu, a great gift for keeping your girl’s makeup off the screen and on her pretty face where it belongs!

Another such company from Russia, Gresso, doesn’t just turn out fantastic cell phones but also crafts mp3 players and USB flash drives made to please the eye. Using unique designs and never-before-seen textures and layouts, Gresso is a major player in the race to make functional electronics hip and trendy. Think of it as electronics aesthetics.

Biometric Password Manager/Mouse

If you’re looking for a gadget that’s easier on your wallet, take a look at this trick little hi-tech gadget. For a little less than $55 you can give your loved one a gift that’s sure to be useful; an electronic password manager so secure that it has the US military’s seal of approval. This little device can manage 50 passwords and generates password strings guaranteed to be the most secure, AND it’s a mouse! Tamper-resistant design and lockout features requiring a fingerprint make sure that those private love letters will stay private.

Need an even cheaper V-Day idea? There are some jewelry solutions on the market that will make your gadget-freak give you a kiss. Try a ring that doubles as a bottle opener or…and you’re not gonna believe this…jewelry made from computer parts (zellestyle.com)!

Whatever your choice, know that you are contributing to the Valentine’s Day revolution, where chocolate and flowers are the 8-track of romantic gifts. I mean think about it, by now, doesn’t Cupid need a burning laser gun?

…alright, so you’re afraid you’ll be in the doghouse for giving her a fingerprint scanner (because she knows it’s REALLY for you), well go ahead, then, give her the roses.

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Unless you are living under a rock, you know that losing weight is all the rage these days. Statistics say that you are either getting in shape yourself or you know someone who is trying to. In some countries, a fourth of all men, and a full third of the women are considered obese. The sedentary nature of our modern work environment and transportation methods is fueling a trend toward obesity and weight problems. This is a serious problem. Research places the financial cost of poor fitness-related illness to 24 billion dollars, while obesity alone costs around 70 million dollars. Is it possible that transportation improvements could contribute to this dilemma?

Children are certainly not exempt from this frightening trend. Skateboards, bicycles and roller blades are replaced by go-carts and Segways. Traditional children’s toys requiring self-propulsion like the pogo stick and the bicycle now have motorized counterparts. Pocket bikes and mini-bikes take the leg work out of riding a bicycle. A little bit less than watered down motorcycles, these bikes require no more caloric expenditure than it takes to turn the wheel to park in front of your favorite ice cream shop.

A team of Harvard economists blames technological advances for obesity, but not in the way that you might think. They proposed a theory that new and varied convenience foods are the culprit. It’s no longer necessary to dig up a few potatoes to make mashed potatoes, just open the box of flakes and stir with some water. Fewer calories are spent to make the meal. Along the same lines, advances in commercial transportation allow these items to make it to our grocery store shelf faster than ever.

The popularity of the Segway shows that Americans are more than comfortable letting machines move them around. Sales of Segways reportedly increase 50% year over year.

Do all advances in personal transportation make us fatter? Some improvements are keeping the physical activity in, like the Trikke for example, a 3-wheeled cambering vehicle that relies on good old-fashioned leg power. It works much like a scooter or bicycle, with better balance and control, and can be propelled without touching the ground.

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