Know eXcellence in Personal Computing http://www.kxpc.com Wed, 16 May 2012 21:28:47 +0000 en hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 How Thinner MacBook Pro Coming Soon http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-thinner-macbook-pro-coming-soon.html http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-thinner-macbook-pro-coming-soon.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 21:28:47 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3974 Apple Inc. will introduce a new line of 15-inch MacBook Pro running on more powerful chips made by Intel Corp., according to reports.

MacBook Pros are expected to include Intel’s powerful Ivy Bridge processing chips and will be unveiled at next month’s Worldwide Developers Conference starting June 11, also will feature high- definition screens like those on the iPhone and iPad, as well as flash memory to cut startup times and extend battery life.

The new laptop is described as being an ultra-thin version of the current MacBook Pro.It will be a 15.4-inch panel with a resolution of 2,880 by 1,800 pixels, or 220 pixels per inch, and a 13.3-inch screen with a resolution of 2,560 by 1,600 pixels, or 227 pixels per inch, according to reports.

Tags:

Related posts

]]> http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-thinner-macbook-pro-coming-soon.html/feed 0 How to Lower Your Bank Fees http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-to-lower-your-bank-fees.html http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-to-lower-your-bank-fees.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 19:36:26 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3964 Many people would be interested in lowering their bank fees. Here are some strategies that would let you do just that.

If you’re looking for strategies to lower your bank fees, you’re not alone. With certain banks announcing that they would be increasing the fees they charge account holders, many clients have been left dissatisfied. But there are some concrete steps that you can take to minimize the fees that you pay to the bank. Here are some of them:

- Choose the banking package that’s right for you

When you open a free checking account at a Massachusetts bank or anywhere else, you would be offered several different banking packages to choose from. These different packages have different limits on the quantity of transactions that you can make each month. Some packages may also offer unlimited transactions, such as deposits and withdrawals. You would want to evaluate your banking needs, then choose a package that suits your needs based on the amount and type of transactions you make most often.

- Know what the bank charges you for and how much 

When you open an account, the bank gives you a document detailing fees that they charge for certain kinds of operations. It would be in your best interest to examine this document and learn about the different charges, some which you may not have been aware of. For example, certain banks may charge fees to receive wire transfers, clear a check drawn on a foreign bank, or charge you relatively high fees for each transaction if you use your debit card in another country, such as Canada or Mexico. Being aware of these fees is the first step that you can take in order to avoid or minimize them.

- Be aware of overdraft charges

Many banks would still honor a transaction up to a certain amount even if you overdraw your checking account. But they would then charge you a high fee, up to $40 in some cases. This means you should keep an eye on your balance to avoid overdrawing your account. Alternatively, you may sign up for your bank’s overdraft facilities, where for a certain monthly fee, you get an overdraft limit that you can use, although you would also pay some interest charges if your balance goes below zero.

- Contact your bank and negotiate

If you were charged a fee that you genuinely weren’t aware of, or if you notice that the packages offered by your bank don’t really suit your needs to well, don’t hesitate to contact your bank, either in person or by phone. Depending on the relationship you have with your current bank, such as the amount of funds you keep in your account and the length of time you’ve done business with them, they may be willing to waive a certain fee on a one time basis, or provide you with banking options and packages that may not be advertised or available to all customers. There is no guarantee, of course, but it never hurts to try.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-to-lower-your-bank-fees.html/feed 0 How to Choose the Right Accounting Software For Non Profits http://www.kxpc.com/bankingfinance/how-to-choose-the-right-accounting-software-for-non-profits.html http://www.kxpc.com/bankingfinance/how-to-choose-the-right-accounting-software-for-non-profits.html#comments Wed, 16 May 2012 16:55:05 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3960 Do you need accounting software for your nonprofit organization? Here are some ways to make the right choice.

When it comes to accounting systems, you need to know that there are two basic categories: commercial (also called business or for profit) and fund (or non profit) accounting software packages. It is true that both types of systems have a common goal, which is to provide you with a complete accounting package and they also have certain features in common. But there is a large difference between for profit and nonprofit accounting software. Software for nonprofit organizations has features that help track funds that are based on certain restrictions or limitations. For example, certain funds could be allocated to a specific relief project that a charity is working on.

Here are some ways to select a good fund accounting system for your organization:

- Check to make sure that it is really a fund accounting system

Some software packages that are sold as fund accounting systems are actually modified versions of commercial programs.
While they may suit the needs of some users, larger organizations would benefit from getting an application that has been designed from the ground up to be a nonprofit accounting system.

- What kind of security is offered by the software?

Security is important in any accounting application, especially so for a nonprofit organization. Take a look at how access to the application is controlled and what security features the software offers you.

- Is the system able to handle accrual basis and cash funds at the same time?

There are various organizations that would need use of this feature. While the general fund might be on a cash basis, a gift shop that is run by a nonprofit group may be on an accrual basis. If you need this functionality, make sure that your accounting software has it.

- Check the reputation of the software vendor

When you select nonprofit accounting software, you should look not only at the software itself, but at the reputation of the vendor. Is it a company that has been in business for a long time? Is their nonprofit accounting product a new creation, or is it a product that they have been selling for a long time that they’ve updated on a regular basis. When you’re choosing a software product that will be crucial to the operations of your organization, you should be certain that you’re not only getting a good software package, but that the company that is behind the product is a solid one as well

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/bankingfinance/how-to-choose-the-right-accounting-software-for-non-profits.html/feed 0 How U.S. Mortgage Rate Declined Last Week http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-u-s-mortgage-rate-declined-last-week.html http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-u-s-mortgage-rate-declined-last-week.html#comments Mon, 07 May 2012 20:26:10 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3951 Mortgage buyer Freddy Mac announced that average rate on 30 years loan fell to 3.84 percent last week.

According to Freddy Mac survey, the rate on the 30-year loan dropped to 3.84 percent, compared with 3.88 percent two weeks ago and 4.71 percent a year ago.

That is below the previous record rate of 3.87 percent reached in February.

The average 15-year rate dropped to 3.07 percent from 3.12 percent, compared with 3.12 percent two weeks ago and 3.89 percent a year ago.

Rates on 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgages averaged 2.85percent, unchanged from two weeks ago and down from 3.47 percent a year ago.

One-year Treasury-indexed ARMs also hit a record low at 2.7 percent, compared with 2.7 percent two weeks ago and 3.14 percent a year ago.

According to the National Association of Realtors, home sales declined 2.6 percent in March to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 4.48 million.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-u-s-mortgage-rate-declined-last-week.html/feed 0 How Could Flashback Authors Make $10.000 a Day? http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-could-flashback-authors-make-10-000-a-day.html http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-could-flashback-authors-make-10-000-a-day.html#comments Tue, 01 May 2012 21:42:29 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3948 Symantec, the largest maker of security software for computer, announced on Tuesday that the Flashback Trojan, which is infecting hundreds of thousands of Mac computers, could make at least $10,000 a day from click fraud.

Click fraud is a common component of Windows malware. Symantec said each click generates 0.08 cents for the attackers.

Security software company said the Flashback authors could be making up $10,000 a day from click fraud.

According to the Russian antivirus company Dr. Web, a modified version of the “BackDoor.Flashback.39″ variant of the Flashback Trojan infected at least 600,000 Mac computers, forming a botnet that includes 274 bots located in Cupertino, California, the location of the headquarters of Apple Inc.

Tags:

Related posts

]]> http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-could-flashback-authors-make-10-000-a-day.html/feed 0 How Pending Home Sales Increased in March http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-pending-home-sales-increased-in-march.html http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-pending-home-sales-increased-in-march.html#comments Mon, 30 Apr 2012 19:38:38 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3945 On Thursday, National Association of Realtors said its Pending Home Sales Index rose 4.1 percent from February and is now 12.8 percent higher than March of 2011.

“The housing market has clearly turned the corner,” said Lawrence Yun, NAR chief economist.

“Rising sales are bringing down inventory and creating much more balanced conditions around the country, which means home prices will be rising in more areas as the year progresses.

The number of signed contracts to buy previously owned homes increased to its highest level in nearly two years last month.

According to the Realtors’ report, pending sales increased in two out of four U.S. regions in March compared with a month earlier. They rose 8.7% in the West, 5.9% in the South and fell 0.9% in the Midwest and 0.8% in the Northeast.

The S&P/Case-Shiller home price index showed that prices fell 3.5% in February in 16 of the 20 cities.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-pending-home-sales-increased-in-march.html/feed 0 How Pepsi Co Profit Dropped in First Quarter http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-pepsi-co-profit-dropped-in-first-quarter.html http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-pepsi-co-profit-dropped-in-first-quarter.html#comments Thu, 26 Apr 2012 19:34:11 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3942 PepsiCo Inc., the world’s largest food and beverage business, said on Thursday that its first-quarter profit dropped slightly from a year ago, as the food and beverage giant hiked prices to try and keep up with rising ingredient costs.

The company’s net income in the quarter declined 1.4% to $1.13 billion, or 71 cents a share, compared with $1.14 billion, or 71 cents a share, in the period a year earlier.

Chief executive Officer Indra Nooyi said that the company introduced new flavors in emerging markets to boost sales.

“We’ve made good progress in Q1,” said Ms. Nooyi, referring to the first quarter. “We expect momentum to continue building throughout the year.”

PepsiCo’s product mix consists of 63 percent foods, and 37 percent beverages. On a worldwide basis, the company’s current products lines include several hundred brands: Tropicana, 7Up, Doritos, Lipton Teas, Quaker Foods, Cheetos, Mirinda, Ruffles, Aquafina, Pepsi Max, Tostitos, etc.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/finance/how-pepsi-co-profit-dropped-in-first-quarter.html/feed 0 How Could Apple Lose iPad Trademark http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-could-apple-lose-ipad-trademark.html http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-could-apple-lose-ipad-trademark.html#comments Tue, 24 Apr 2012 20:05:33 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3937 Apple Inc., the world’s most valuable company, could actually lose the right to use the iPad name in China, a senior Chinese official said on Tuesday.

“According to the … provisions of the China Trademark Law, currently Shenzhen Proview is the legal registrant of the iPad trademark,” said Fu Shuangjian, a deputy director of China’s State Administration for Industry and Commerce, at a news conference today.

“This case has a huge impact and the final court ruling would directly influence who owns the iPad trademark. The commerce department will (take the matter) very seriously.”

According to Xie Xianghui, who represents Proview Technology Shenzhen Co., a Chinese court started mediating the dispute between Apple and Chinese company over the rights in the country to the iPad trademark.

Apple said that it bought rights to the name from Shenzhen Proview as part of an agreement in 2009.

Tags:

Related posts

]]> http://www.kxpc.com/gadgets/how-could-apple-lose-ipad-trademark.html/feed 0 How the U.S. 30-year Mortgage Rate Increased this week http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-the-u-s-30-year-mortgage-rate-increased-this-week.html http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-the-u-s-30-year-mortgage-rate-increased-this-week.html#comments Fri, 20 Apr 2012 18:53:53 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3934 On Thursday, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac said that the 30-year mortgage rate increased slightly to 3.90 percent this week from 3.88 percent last week.

The 30-year loan was 4.80 percent last year at this time, according to Freddie Mac.

The 15-year mortgage rose to 3.13 percent from 3.11 percent, compared with 4.02 percent a year ago.

Meanwhile, the average rate on the 5-year Treasury-indexed hybrid adjustable-rate mortgage dropped to 2.78 percent from 2.85 percent last week.

Also, mortgage buyer Freddie Mac reported that the 1-year Treasury-indexed ARM increased to 2.81 percent from last week’s 2.80 percent, but it fell from 3.16 percent a year ago.

The average rate on the 30-year fixed mortgage stayed near its lowest level on record, keeping home-buying and refinancing affordable.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/real-estate/how-the-u-s-30-year-mortgage-rate-increased-this-week.html/feed 0 How Verizon Plans to Sell 700MHz Spectrum http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-verizon-plans-to-sell-700mhz-spectrum.html http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-verizon-plans-to-sell-700mhz-spectrum.html#comments Wed, 18 Apr 2012 20:36:50 +0000 Edward Burke http://www.kxpc.com/?p=3931 Verizon Wireless, one of the largest U.S. mobile network operators, announced Wednesday that it plans to conduct an open sale process for all of its 700 megahertz A and B spectrum licenses, covering dozens of major cities across the U.S. and smaller markets, according to a statement.

The 700MHz spectrum licenses that Verizon plans to offer for sale are in the A and B block in locations across the country, including in major metropolitan areas like New York, Philadelphia, Miami, Austin, Los Angeles, and San Francisco.

Verizon Wireless said that this sale of 700MHz spectrum is contingent upon it gaining approval to purchase the airwaves spectrum from a group including Comcast, the largest U.S. cable provider, Time Warner Cable, Bright House Networks, Cox, and Leap Wireless.

No tags for this post.

Related posts

  • No related posts.
]]> http://www.kxpc.com/technology/how-verizon-plans-to-sell-700mhz-spectrum.html/feed 0