Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Feb 7, 2012, 7:56 pm
As I write this, I’m in the midst of preparing myself for The Mother of All Golf Trips: 8 guys from around the country, Fort Lauderdale/Miami area courses, 10 rounds in 6 days. Preparation includes getting the clubs and travel bag ready, doing a little stretching, and mostly engaging in e-TrashT... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Feb 5, 2012, 8:58 am
I have three Gmail accounts: one that’s associated with this blog, my “standard,” everyday Gmail account, and one that I use solely for online ordering and signing up for offers. Switching between them has always been a pain: I’d have to log out of one, then log into another,- until I disc... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Feb 1, 2012, 8:26 pm
My old friend Chris Guillebeau has just launched a site that’s a handy reference for travelers who want to leverage credit card programs and bonuses for free (or reduced cost) travel, Cards for Travel. One of the best features is a list of the best credit cards for airline mileage bonuses (note ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jan 31, 2012, 9:48 pm
Kayak has pulled together a handy reference chart which recaps the various and sundry fees charged by U.S. airlines. Click on the excerpt below for a close-up view:
See the entire chart here: Airline Fees – Kayak Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jan 25, 2012, 8:41 pm
A few days ago a coworker and I went through Security Checkpoint 2 at O’Hare. Dave was immediately behind me as we approached the conveyer belt for the magnetometer, but after I exited the checkpoint, he took about 2-3 minutes to catch up with me as I waited on the concourse. I’ve written abou... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jan 16, 2012, 8:29 pm
A morbid subject no doubt, but I stumbled across a couple of references to air disasters recently, and a remarkable symmetry existed between the two. First, a passage from Malcolm Gladwell’s excellent Outliers.
In a typical crash, for example, the weather is poor—not terrible, necessarily, bu... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Dec 31, 2011, 2:28 pm
If you worry about losing your digital camera – or perhaps worse, the images on its memory card – you might want to check out CameraTrace.
For an annual fee of $10, CameraTrace provides a metalized, adhesive tag for your camera which enables someone who’s found it to return it to you. The tag... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Dec 28, 2011, 7:35 am
A wonderful Vanity Fair article by Charles C. Mann neatly summarizes the absurdity of airport security; a brief excerpt:
From an airplane-hijacking point of view, Schneier said, al-Qaeda had used up its luck. Passengers on the first three 9/11 flights didn’t resist their captors, because in the p... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Dec 25, 2011, 7:16 am
I hope you all able to spend your holidays with loved ones, and that your travels are trouble free and safe. This YouTube video captures Christmas celebrations from around the world in 1950; I hope you enjoy it… Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Dec 22, 2011, 3:25 pm
One worry you don’t need while traveling is whether newspapers piling up on your front porch or an overstuffed mailbox is signaling to all the neighborhood burglars that you’re out of town. A couple of things to keep in mind as your next trip approaches:
You can now suspend delivery of your m... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Oct 26, 2011, 6:00 am
What would an Apple developer do if he or she had the chance to totally revamp the lowly home HVAC thermostat? One answer is provided by the new Nest “learning thermostat.”
Developed by two former Apple iPod execs (Tony Fadell and Matt Rogers), the Nest programs itself based upon your actions... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Oct 11, 2011, 7:55 am
... on an excellent article on the subject topic at FareCompare, and ... largest) and pinpointed the cheapest day to fly is Wednesday for ... and Saturday (Friday and Sunday the most expensive days to travel ... excruciatingly well that shopping in the morning for your trip yields ... how airl... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Oct 10, 2011, 6:00 am
You’ve probably seen QR (Quick Response) codes on magazine ads and elsewhere. Essentially a square barcode composed of varying sizes of black squares, QR codes were originally developed for the automotive industry, but have become increasingly popular for in-store and print advertising, commercial... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Oct 5, 2011, 7:56 am
The Highs: Reliable, compact, simple to use, 2 year warranty, less than $20
The Lows: Slight variations (~1-3 ounces) in readings
The Verdict: Solid product; highest rated luggage scale @ Amazon
This may be the first review of a luggage scale written by someone who heretofore regarded luggage sca... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 28, 2011, 6:41 pm
As mentioned in a post a few weeks ago, at Amazon, luggage is considered part of the firm’s “Clothing and Accessories” category.
If you sign up to receive Amazon emails regarding clothing offers & deals (you can easily unsubscribe later), you can get a one time 20% OFF discount on anything in... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 28, 2011, 6:00 am
The Highs: Really grips your foot; provides extra cushioning where needed; no more confusing your left from your right sock ;-)
The Lows: Price unfazed by The Great Recession, potential Greece default, or anything else
The Verdict: The best golf socks I’ve ever worn
You may have never seen ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 22, 2011, 7:27 am
Another “Friends & Family” promo – 25% Off (including luggage), free shipment on orders of $50 and higher: Lands’ End 25% Off Ends Tuesday, September 27th; online only. Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 21, 2011, 6:00 am
Late last week I downloaded Chad Harbach’s The Art of Fielding, and spent the weekend doing little other than devouring its 528 pages. A first novel with a wonderful mix of fully realized and in cases, marvelously flawed characters, The Art of Fielding centers about a shortstop phenom from South D... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 14, 2011, 6:00 am
Google just launched Google Flight Search, and although the service is promising, there are a few issues to be worked out. Embedded within Google Maps, the service returns flight search results instantly. You can easily set search parameters, and navigating the interface is fairly intuitive.
That... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Sep 13, 2011, 6:00 am
The Highs: Modular design affords maximum flexibility; Rickshaw’s green philosophy; hip colors, good looks; low cost of entry
The Lows: No grab handle; bag by itself feels a bit flimsy
The Verdict: A modular, flexible alternative to conventional messenger bags at a compelling price
If you... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Aug 23, 2011, 9:00 pm
American Express occasionally offers a 50K rewards bonus point promo, and it’s back right now via a co-branded deal with Mercedes Benz. Spend $1000 during your first 3 months with your Platinum MB card, and you’ll receive 50,000 Membership Rewards points plus free access to Delta Sky Club and US... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Aug 2, 2011, 6:00 am
The Highs: Bihn quality; light weight; pockets for charger and a phone; shoulder strap included
The Lows: No grab handle; quality isn’t free; linguistic confusion is a no-cost extra
The Verdict: Much goodness in a small package
The iPad covers available from Apple are great for use around... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jul 29, 2011, 7:41 am
Amazon offers a broad range of luggage – bags from Hartman, Briggs & Riley, Tumi, Travelpro, Samsonite, Rick Steves, and others – and there’s an easy way you can get 20% off any luggage purchase on the site.
Click here to receive (via email) a promo code offering you 20% off any apparel purch... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jul 28, 2011, 7:39 am
Today only at Daily Steals – $2.99 + $4.99 shipping. Click on the image for more details:
(I have no connection with Daily Steals, by the way.) Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jul 27, 2011, 7:47 am
This offer has been available for a while, but only with a referral; now Starwood and American Express have opened it up to the public.
The deal is straightforward – get 10,000 miles at the outset, and another 20,000 when you spend $4500 in the first 3 months with the card. Although the spend req... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jul 11, 2011, 6:00 am
Ya gotta love this: ever want to leave someone a voicemail without any chance you’ll actually have to speak to them?
You know the kind of message I’m referring to… “Gee, boss, really sorry I missed you – I’d love to discuss that (subject you don’t want to talk to him/her about), –... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jul 7, 2011, 6:00 am
I’ve mentioned Travelzoo in the past – for example, in my Ultimate List of Top Travel Sites – but I don’t believe I’ve mentioned their weekly Top 20 List.
The concept is simple: every Wednesday, the publisher of travel and entertainment deals emails a list of twenty of the most outstandin... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 29, 2011, 6:00 am
Regular readers may have taken note of this year’s installment of a Practical Hacks phenomenon – with the advent of warm weather, my posting frequency drops dramatically. Adding to my regular summer activities (read: golf obsession), work has been particularly busy lately, leaving me with litt... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 27, 2011, 6:00 am
If you haven’t established a reliable system for saving your receipts for key purchases, consider utilizing your cell phone. There’s no need for a scanner or paper filing system, and it only takes a few seconds to ensure that you have an easy to locate receipt for all your important purchases. H... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 23, 2011, 7:51 am
From Mint.com, a handy infographic which covers the custom of tipping for a number of nations around the world; see the full size original by visiting: Tipping Etiquette Around the World Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 21, 2011, 7:28 am
I recently received an invitation to Google’s Music Beta – its cloud-based music storage service that lets you store up to 20,000 songs, regardless of origin, for free. Once uploaded, you can listen to your music on any
Setting up Music Beta couldn’t be much simpler; if you wish, you can opt ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 16, 2011, 8:01 am
As a card carrying, officially certified old fart, I sleep like a baby at night – about once a year. Most nights, I wake up several times, look at the clock, and go back to sleep. On some occasions, whether I’m preoccupied with something at work or for reasons which are inexplicable, I’ll lie ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 13, 2011, 6:00 am
Access your home computer from anywhere in the world!
If you’ve ever wanted to control your home computer from the road, viewing or sharing files, or looking up a piece of key data, it’s easy and free, thanks to Hamachi2 and Pro2, from LogMeIn.
Hamachi2 and Pro2 are free desktop apps which ena... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 8, 2011, 6:00 am
The Highs: Light weight; heavily padded laptop sleeve; understated styling; price; can access front pockets when flap is buckled
The Lows: Limited organization/widget pockets, e.g., not much room for power brick & cord; grab handle is of little use
The Verdict: Great value, albeit with limitation... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Jun 1, 2011, 6:00 am
Yikes. What a spring! It’s been cold, cloudy, and windy in The Middle of Nowhere for the last couple of months, but it finally seems to getting downright summer-like. Of course, I really shouldn’t complain; when I look at Joplin, and other areas which have been devastated by horrific storms, I r... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 31, 2011, 6:00 am
I’ve hesitated posting about this topic for weeks, as I’m more than a bit ambivalent about showing readers how to bypass the NYT’s new paywall. I really enjoy The New York Times, and would hate to see it fail, so I encourage you to support the paper, particularly if you are a frequent online r... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 26, 2011, 6:00 am
The Firefox 5.0 Beta release is now available for use. Promising faster, more stable performance than 4.0, this Beta release doesn’t on the surface appear at all different from the current release. One of the more notable changes is channel switching (below) which enables users to switch between... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 25, 2011, 6:00 am
Have you ever forgotten where you saved a file on your computer or network drive? When you’ve tried to locate such a file, have you been completely underwhelmed by the Windows search feature?
Google Desktop harnesses the power of Google’s indexing and applies it to your documents, music, im... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 23, 2011, 6:00 am
Love quickly switching between websites by using tabs with Firefox, Chrome, or Safari? Wish you could use tabs with MS Office? Now you can, thanks to a freeware utility called Office Tabs.
Office Tabs installs in seconds, is readily customizable, and will make your use of Office easier, faster, ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 19, 2011, 6:00 am
If you’re looking for a unique, modestly priced automatic with a simple, military look, check out the Made in Japan/Japan market Seiko SNZG15J1. Normally not available in the U.S., the Japan-made SNZG15J1 features a 23 jewel automatic movement in a stainless steel housing with a brushed metallic... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 16, 2011, 6:00 am
Regular readers know that I’m mildly obsessed about leaving my garage door open overnight; that concern lead me to devise a garage door open indicator last year. That approach works great – if we leave the garage door open, a small red LED mounted to the ceiling light in our master bedroom is il... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 12, 2011, 8:14 am
A quick story about how it’s rarely a good idea to abandon proven routines & tactics. We were in Kansas City over the weekend, visiting friends. Saturday evening’s dinner choices had been narrowed to going somewhere nice in the Plaza section, or getting barbeque. We settled on barbeque, and our ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 11, 2011, 6:00 am
We’ve got our eyes on several pieces of gear and other products which will be the subjects of upcoming reviews:
Tom Bihn ID messenger bag
STM Scout messenger bag
Timbuk2 Custom Classic Messenger – small
Apple MacBook Air (11.6″, ultimate)
Favorite apps for the MB Air
Icebreaker merino wool Bo... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 10, 2011, 6:00 am
Timbuk2′s made in San Francisco small Classic Messenger bag has been in my arsenal for the last week or so. This post won’t be a review, but rather a quick tour via several quick, handheld shots. This is the Timbuk2 “Classic” Messenger, size small, in black/black/black (1680 denier ballistic... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
May 2, 2011, 6:00 am
If you’ve gotten a new or replacement U.S. passport since August, 2007, you are in fact carrying an e-passport; your passport includes an RFID (Radio-Frequency Identification) chip which contains:
The same data visually displayed on the data page of the passport;
A biometric identifier in the fo... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Apr 29, 2011, 5:47 pm
Readers who’ve visited this blog over the long term have probably noticed – I hope! – a dramatic improvement in the photos used in my gear reviews. Early on, I used a 3.2 megapixel Sony Cybershot that dated from, I believe, Richard Nixon’s second term. The thing was state of the art at some ... Comment - Like
Kevin C. posted an article on
PracticalHacks
-
Apr 27, 2011, 6:00 am
Let’s face it, the MacBook Air is a beautiful thing. And, it’s expensive. These things had me quickly thinking about protecting my new investment. That’s why I picked up a Brenthaven Prostyle Sleeve. Specs Fits MacBook Air 11″ High Density Foam Protection System External shell features water... Comment - Like
Veteran marketer, traveler, blogger; blog features practical tips for busy people plus the internet's most detailed reviews of travel bags and accessories.
Recent Discussions
