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Home security is important. Crime doesn’t go away, it keeps growing. There are many things you can do to keep yourself, and your home/possessions, safe. Thanks go out to Joe for sending in some tips on how to keep your home safe.

  1. The first and the most important tip is to purchase a homeowner’s insurance. Purchasing separate insurance for your most valuable possessions is a next step. If you have the proper insurance, even if all your security measures fail, you may still be able to recoup a portion of lost valuables. Many of the insurance companies will require you to install some type of the security system before an insurance policy will be issued to you.
  2. Tip number 2 is to store the most expensive and most valuable items (including jewelry, money, etc.) in a safe deposit box in the bank. This step will definitely protect your valuables. The expensive items that are needed in the house can be kept in the safe.
  3. Tips number 3 & 4 are to install an alarm system and sign up for the alarm monitoring service. When you are installing the alarm system, make sure that the fire and smoke detectors are integrated with the system. The alarm monitoring service is also very important. Without the monitoring, you can not be sure what time will pass before someone will notice the fact that the system went off and will call the police. With the alarm monitoring system, the police department is contacted right away.
  4. Tip number 5 is to include motion detectors as a part of your alarm system. Motion detectors can be installed inside the house, near windows and doors. With motion detectors, you will become aware of any movement inside the house. The alarm system will be triggered by the detector and the monitoring company will be notified. It is also a good advice to have a motion sensor light outside your house.
  5. Tip number 6 deals with the situation when you are installing video cameras as a part of your security system. When you are installing video cameras, you should purchase the cameras that provide infrared functionality. There cameras will usually switch to the black and white mode and will turn infrared LEDs when it gets dark.
  6. Tip number 7 deals with the power down situations. You should purchase and charge the back up power supply in advance. In a case of a power down situation, a back up power supply will keep your security system up and running… and your house protected. Without a power supply, you risk a complete stop in the functionality of your security system.
  7. Tip number 8 is to go wireless. If you have wired cameras, you should probably upgrade them to wireless cameras that don’t need a wire connecting them to the VCR. Wireless cameras are easier to install, manage and hide. It will be harder for a criminal to notice a wireless camera than a wired one. If you signed up for the alarm monitoring systems, you should check if the security company has a wireless option (when the system can use cellular link to contact the company if the alarm goes off).
  8. Tip number 9 is to make sure that you lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house. Also, don’t forget to turn your alarm on before you leave and turn it off when you come back. If you don’t do these simple steps, even the most expensive security system may not be able to protect you.
  9. Tip number 10 is to join a neighborhood watch program, if there is one. This is definitely very important. If you are not at home, some of your neighbors may be. If they can keep an eye on your house, this will provide an additional level of security. Talk to your neighbors and see if you can join a program. If there is no neighborhood watch program in place, it might be a good idea to discuss the possibility of creating one with your neighbors.

The above tips, especially the first one, don’t only apply to keep yourself safe from criminals. Please, please make sure you are properly insured, even if you rent. My assistant, Kat, nearly lost her home due to fire recently. She didn’t have renter’s insurance at the time, as she thought it would be too expensive. She called the day after this near-tragedy happened, and is now fully insured. What she went through only goes to show you how quickly something can happen, when you least expect it. Ponzi and I are both very glad that Kat, her family, and her home are ok. I hope to be able to say the same about all of you in the future, as well.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> What Do You Do to Keep Your Home Secure? is a post from Chris Pirillo


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Home security is important. Crime doesn’t go away, it keeps growing. There are many things you can do to keep yourself, and your home/possessions, safe. Thanks go out to Joe for sending in some tips on how to keep your home safe.

  1. The first and the most important tip is to purchase a homeowner’s insurance. Purchasing separate insurance for your most valuable possessions is a next step. If you have the proper insurance, even if all your security measures fail, you may still be able to recoup a portion of lost valuables. Many of the insurance companies will require you to install some type of the security system before an insurance policy will be issued to you.
  2. Tip number 2 is to store the most expensive and most valuable items (including jewelry, money, etc.) in a safe deposit box in the bank. This step will definitely protect your valuables. The expensive items that are needed in the house can be kept in the safe.
  3. Tips number 3 & 4 are to install an alarm system and sign up for the alarm monitoring service. When you are installing the alarm system, make sure that the fire and smoke detectors are integrated with the system. The alarm monitoring service is also very important. Without the monitoring, you can not be sure what time will pass before someone will notice the fact that the system went off and will call the police. With the alarm monitoring system, the police department is contacted right away.
  4. Tip number 5 is to include motion detectors as a part of your alarm system. Motion detectors can be installed inside the house, near windows and doors. With motion detectors, you will become aware of any movement inside the house. The alarm system will be triggered by the detector and the monitoring company will be notified. It is also a good advice to have a motion sensor light outside your house.
  5. Tip number 6 deals with the situation when you are installing video cameras as a part of your security system. When you are installing video cameras, you should purchase the cameras that provide infrared functionality. There cameras will usually switch to the black and white mode and will turn infrared LEDs when it gets dark.
  6. Tip number 7 deals with the power down situations. You should purchase and charge the back up power supply in advance. In a case of a power down situation, a back up power supply will keep your security system up and running… and your house protected. Without a power supply, you risk a complete stop in the functionality of your security system.
  7. Tip number 8 is to go wireless. If you have wired cameras, you should probably upgrade them to wireless cameras that don’t need a wire connecting them to the VCR. Wireless cameras are easier to install, manage and hide. It will be harder for a criminal to notice a wireless camera than a wired one. If you signed up for the alarm monitoring systems, you should check if the security company has a wireless option (when the system can use cellular link to contact the company if the alarm goes off).
  8. Tip number 9 is to make sure that you lock your doors and windows every time you leave the house. Also, don’t forget to turn your alarm on before you leave and turn it off when you come back. If you don’t do these simple steps, even the most expensive security system may not be able to protect you.
  9. Tip number 10 is to join a neighborhood watch program, if there is one. This is definitely very important. If you are not at home, some of your neighbors may be. If they can keep an eye on your house, this will provide an additional level of security. Talk to your neighbors and see if you can join a program. If there is no neighborhood watch program in place, it might be a good idea to discuss the possibility of creating one with your neighbors.

The above tips, especially the first one, don’t only apply to keep yourself safe from criminals. Please, please make sure you are properly insured, even if you rent. My assistant, Kat, nearly lost her home due to fire recently. She didn’t have renter’s insurance at the time, as she thought it would be too expensive. She called the day after this near-tragedy happened, and is now fully insured. What she went through only goes to show you how quickly something can happen, when you least expect it. Ponzi and I are both very glad that Kat, her family, and her home are ok. I hope to be able to say the same about all of you in the future, as well.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/what-do-you-do-to-keep-your-home-secure/feed/ 16 Is Home Inventory Delicious?http://chris.pirillo.com/is-home-inventory-delicious/ http://chris.pirillo.com/is-home-inventory-delicious/#comments Thu, 29 May 2008 05:22:41 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/?p=7239 Is Home Inventory Delicious? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Ever wish you had an inventory of all your games, software, DVDs, CDs and books? Well, you can easily create one – using a webcam and your computer!

If you have a Mac (and who doesn’t these days), you likely already know that Delicious Library 2 was just released. With it running, you simply hold up a barcode to the camera lens – and seconds later, Delicious Library will scan Amazon for that media and automatically import the information and box shot into a virtual shelf. Use it for books, movies, music, software, toys, tools, electronics, video games, etc. Just about anything with a barcode, really (just about anything in Amazon’s index, really).

You can also easily keep track of which things you lend out to what friends, publish your library to the Web (or view it on your iPod), and… okay, maybe I’m getting a little excited about it.

If it sounds boring, you should try it for yourself. And if you don’t have OS X, then there’s a lousy (but free) knock-off for Windows called Libra. In my opinion, it doesn’t come close to the power and presentation of Delicious Library.

Still, with programs like these, why aren’t you keeping track of your things already?

Post update! I received the following email from Steven:

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this yet, but if you scan anything related to Star Wars, it says “I am your father” in a creepy voice. I did it with the video games, but not the movies. We all know that if you don’t own anything about Star Wars you’re not a geek.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Is Home Inventory Delicious? is a post from Chris Pirillo

Add to iTunes | Add to YouTube | Add to Google | RSS Feed

Ever wish you had an inventory of all your games, software, DVDs, CDs and books? Well, you can easily create one – using a webcam and your computer!

If you have a Mac (and who doesn’t these days), you likely already know that Delicious Library 2 was just released. With it running, you simply hold up a barcode to the camera lens – and seconds later, Delicious Library will scan Amazon for that media and automatically import the information and box shot into a virtual shelf. Use it for books, movies, music, software, toys, tools, electronics, video games, etc. Just about anything with a barcode, really (just about anything in Amazon’s index, really).

You can also easily keep track of which things you lend out to what friends, publish your library to the Web (or view it on your iPod), and… okay, maybe I’m getting a little excited about it.

If it sounds boring, you should try it for yourself. And if you don’t have OS X, then there’s a lousy (but free) knock-off for Windows called Libra. In my opinion, it doesn’t come close to the power and presentation of Delicious Library.

Still, with programs like these, why aren’t you keeping track of your things already?

Post update! I received the following email from Steven:

I’m not sure if you’ve noticed this yet, but if you scan anything related to Star Wars, it says “I am your father” in a creepy voice. I did it with the video games, but not the movies. We all know that if you don’t own anything about Star Wars you’re not a geek.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/is-home-inventory-delicious/feed/ 248 Is There such a Thing as Internet Insurance?http://chris.pirillo.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-internet-insurance/ http://chris.pirillo.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-internet-insurance/#comments Wed, 09 Apr 2008 19:46:24 +0000 Chris http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/04/09/is-there-such-a-thing-as-internet-insurance/ Is There such a Thing as Internet Insurance? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Sam writes: “My question that I wanted to ask is for someone like yourself who has a real identity online… do you insure yourself against things like Defamation as you are being broadcast live? I mean if you were talking to your wife in another room about how you thought the snack food you were eating tasted icky you would be then open to a lawsuit for Defamation.”
If there was any kind of insurance, it would likely be tied into an Errors and Omissions policy. Since I am streaming live, anything can and will happen. It’s live! I’m much more cognizant now of things I am doing and saying. There are times I can be a little more human that what people expect of me. Could I be sued for saying that something tastes like junk? Well, I’m sure I could.. but it’s unlikely. Unless I state it is fact that something tastes nasty, then yes. A company could try to sue me for damages. However, if I just tell you that my opinion is that it’s yucky… then there’s nothing a company can do. As long as what I’m saying isn’t presented as fact, I’m ok. I’m no lawyer, certainly… but that’s the way I understand it.

There are times when I wish I had muted before something was said or done. In fact, just the other day, I had Showtime playing on my desktop while I was out of the office. Granted, it was postage stamp sized… but something came on that was extremely NOT appropriate. Thankfully, Kat called me right away, and I went up to shut it off. I wasn’t intentionally trying to broadcast something offensive, it just happened. I know people get upset with me when I can’t interact with you all as much as you’d like. Please understand that I am exceedingly busy right now, with many projects. I appreciate the support from all of you.
But as far as I know, no. There is no “internet insurance” available. I do my best to live life so that I have no regrets. Broadcasting live is no different.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> Is There such a Thing as Internet Insurance? is a post from Chris Pirillo

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Sam writes: “My question that I wanted to ask is for someone like yourself who has a real identity online… do you insure yourself against things like Defamation as you are being broadcast live? I mean if you were talking to your wife in another room about how you thought the snack food you were eating tasted icky you would be then open to a lawsuit for Defamation.”
If there was any kind of insurance, it would likely be tied into an Errors and Omissions policy. Since I am streaming live, anything can and will happen. It’s live! I’m much more cognizant now of things I am doing and saying. There are times I can be a little more human that what people expect of me. Could I be sued for saying that something tastes like junk? Well, I’m sure I could.. but it’s unlikely. Unless I state it is fact that something tastes nasty, then yes. A company could try to sue me for damages. However, if I just tell you that my opinion is that it’s yucky… then there’s nothing a company can do. As long as what I’m saying isn’t presented as fact, I’m ok. I’m no lawyer, certainly… but that’s the way I understand it.

There are times when I wish I had muted before something was said or done. In fact, just the other day, I had Showtime playing on my desktop while I was out of the office. Granted, it was postage stamp sized… but something came on that was extremely NOT appropriate. Thankfully, Kat called me right away, and I went up to shut it off. I wasn’t intentionally trying to broadcast something offensive, it just happened. I know people get upset with me when I can’t interact with you all as much as you’d like. Please understand that I am exceedingly busy right now, with many projects. I appreciate the support from all of you.
But as far as I know, no. There is no “internet insurance” available. I do my best to live life so that I have no regrets. Broadcasting live is no different.

Want to embed this video on your own site, blog, or forum? Use this code or download the video:

]]> http://chris.pirillo.com/is-there-such-a-thing-as-internet-insurance/feed/ 32 How to Handle Remote Tech Support <em>Using <a href="http://www.gotoassist.com/chris">GoToAssist</a> is the easiest way to view and control another person's computer online. Use it to provide instant technical support to family, friends and customers. Start a session with just one click, and instantly connect with the other party. </em> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 13 Jul 2009 06:30:00 GMThttp://gotoassist.com/chris/ http://gotoassist.com/chris/ Network Tools for Windows You need these network tools, no matter which operating systems and networks you have to support. <a href="http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome">SolarWinds ipMonitor</a>: Affordable Network Monitoring for SMBs. Get turnkey network, server and application availability monitoring with SolarWinds ipMonitor v9.0. This easy-to-use, reliable solution for SMBs delivers out-of-the-box availability monitoring so you always know exactly what's up with Active Directory, DNS, Exchange, FTP, Web, IMAP, MS SQL Server, and SMTP. <a href="http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome">Download your free trial today</a>. Or, try their <a href="http://www.solarwinds.com/products/freetools/">totally free tools</a>! And, through 2/29, save 20% when you purchase <a href="http://store.solarwinds.com/s.nl/sc.16/.f">ipMonitor 9.0</a>. chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome http://support.solarwinds.com/updates/New-Customer.cfm?ProdID=568&campaign=ipmon_DL_lockergnome&CMP=BAC-ipmonDL_lockergnome Get Your Own Web Site Starting at just $3.99/month, web hosting from <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp2">GoDaddy</a> includes 99.9% uptime, 24/7 support and free access to GoDaddy Hosting Connection, THE place to install over 30 FREE applications sure to help you get the most from your hosting plan and Web site. Enter <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp2">code CP2</a> at checkout, and save an additional 10% on any order. <p>Plus, as a friend of Chris Pirillo, enter code <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=chris7">CHRIS7</a>, that's C-H-R-I-S and the number 7, when you check out, and save an additional 10% on any order. Get your piece of the internet at <a href="http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=chris7">GoDaddy.com</a>.</p> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp1 http://www.godaddy.com/gdshop/default.asp?isc=cp1 VMware and Parallels for Virtual Machines It doesn't matter if you're running on Windows or Mac OS X - every power user needs either <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/13766/rn_a32755/">Parallels</a> or <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/17081/rn_a32755/">VMware</a> (or both). There's never been an easier way to test software without destroying your primary operating system's stability. Think of how many times you wish you could press a 'reverse' button on your computer. Plus, there's no easier way to try new Linux distributions - see what all the fuss is about. Run Windows in OS X, run Linux in Windows, but the best way to do either is with <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/17081/rn_a32755/">VMware</a> and/or <a href="http://send.onenetworkdirect.net/z/13766/rn_a32755/">Parallels</a>. chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Mon, 25 Feb 2008 06:30:00 GMThttp://chris.pirillo.com/2008/02/19/parallels-or-vmware/ http://chris.pirillo.com/2008/02/19/parallels-or-vmware/ Coupons for Online Shopping <p style="color: red">This feed is fueled by Lockergnome <a href="http://www.lockergnome.com/buy/">Online Shopping and Coupon Codes</a></p> <p> Before you shop next time, see if we have <a href="http://coupons.lockergnome.com/">a coupon</a> first. </p> chris@lockergnome.com (Chris Pirillo) Partner Sat, 12 Jul 2008 07:56:13 GMThttp://coupons.lockergnome.com/ http://coupons.lockergnome.com/