Getting Out Of Debt

Most Xbox 360 owners would have heard of the dreaded "Red Ring Of Death", a glowing light which appears on the front of the console. According to some sources, one third of all Xbox 360 consoles suffer from general hardware failures which cause the red warning light to displayed. However, what many 360 owners are not aware of is the fact that different types of red flashing lights actually mean different things, some more serious than others. Today I am going to tell you exactly what each specific red light configuration means for you and your Xbox, what the causes of each are and what can be done to fix the problems.

Before we can begin you need to inspect the front of your Xbox 360 console and get accustomed with the light display circle. Look carefully and you'll notice that its broken up into four sections, all of which glow green when the console is functioning correctly. For the purposes of this article section one is the top right hand corner section of the circle, section two is the bottom right hand corner, section three is the bottom left hand corner and section four is the top left hand corner.

If section two of the light circle is the only one glowing red then the console has simply overheated. As many gamers are aware the Xbox 360 is notorious for overheating due to a somewhat inefficient heat removal system. Using the 360 for extended periods of time can cause the console to overheat and the only solution is to power the console down for an hour or so until it has cooled down. To help prevent overheating from occurring in the first place it is advisable to move the console to an area where it receives plenty of air flow and is raised off the ground.

If all four sections of the light circle are glowing red then the problem is even easier to fix. All that has occurred is that the AV cable has become disconnected from the back of the console. Completely remove the Xbox 360 AV cable and plug it back in until a clicking noise is heard. Restart the console and all should be working as normal. However, if the console still displays the four red lights then you should ring the Xbox 360 technical helpline (1-800-4MY-XBOX for American gamers, 425-635-7180 for international gamers) between 6am to 10pm Pacific time.

The real problems start when either section three, or all sections but number one of the light ring are glowing red. This means that your Xbox 360 console has experienced a genera hardware failure and is basically unusable. One of the most common causes of general hardware failure in the Xbox 360 is the malfunction of the Nyoko intercooler. Another common cause is the fracturing of the lead-free solder used during the construction of the console.

No amount of rebooting or cursing will fix the problem, and there are only three options to get yourself gaming again. The first is to purchase a new 360 console. However, this will be an expensive option and there is no guarantee that the new console you purchase will suffer the same problem as the old one. If you do choose to buy a new Xbox 360 then it would be wise to get an additional warranty to cover you in case you once again suffer the "Red Ring Of Death".

Another option would be to send your faulty Xbox 360 back to Microsoft for repair. To do this you need to call the technical helpline (1-800-4MY-XBOX for American gamers, 425-635-7180 for international gamers) and explain exactly what the problem with your console is. A box will then be shipped to the address that you gave to the technical specialist that contains the instructions for shipping. Pack the console only (remove the hard-drive and all cables, controllers and discs from the drive) into the box unless otherwise stated in the instructions. Ship the box to the address provided and get yourself ready for the wait. It will take a few weeks to receive the refurbished console, and far longer if you live overseas. Some gamers have been unfortunate enough to have shipped their console for repair, only to have the replacement break down on them as well. Still, if you're the patient kind of person then it's worth giving it a shot!

However, if you're the sort of person who wants to get back to gaming as soon and for as little money as possible then the best option would be to attempt a home repair job. Now you're probably thinking that it can't be possible to fix an Xbox 360 from home. I'm not gonna lie, it's not as easy as it should be, but there are a number of excellent guides to DIY 360 repair that can be purchased online for a reasonable price. Of course there is some risk involved - opening your console will automatically void the warranty so the cautious Xbox 360 gamer would be wise to send their console back to Microsoft. For those who wish to get back to gaming quickly and cheaply home repair is a truly viable option and in most cases requires no special technical skills.

James Philipson has been a keen gamer for over 15 years and has also worked in the electronics industry as a technician and product developer. Over the years he has repaired thousands of electronic devices and has designed a number of new products. He became interested in the technical aspects of the Xbox 360 after a number of his friends' consoles experienced hardware problems.

Visit his information page at http://www.squidoo.com/xbox-360-central to learn more about the Xbox 360 and how it can be fixed from home.

AP - Tickets to balls and other events related to the Jan. 20 presidential inauguration will be hard to come by, but you can always join the crowds along the parade route, and Washington tourism officials say it's not impossible to find a place to stay.

What exactly is HD radio and how does it compare to Satellite Radio?

You have probably noticed an increasing amount of advertisements promoting this new thing you've never heard of before: HD Radio. They say you can hear "undiscovered content" and digital quality audio. You probably even heard the best part of the entire advertisement, "No subscription fee!"

Let me help you learn a little bit about HD Radio. I will try to keep it simple so as to giving you all the information you need with as little technical lingo as possible.

HD is NOT High Definition

First off, you probably have heard of HDTV and if you haven't heard of it, I'm guessing you live in a cave. HD Radio is not the same thing as HDTV. The HD in HDTV stands for High Definition. Do not mistake this as the same in HD Radio because HD in this context means Hybrid Digital.

However, it delivers much better radio transmission than standard radio signals. Some HD radio stations transmit 5.1 Surround Sound digital audio signals, allowing you to enjoy true concert-like experience. You can be sure that more stations will opt for this mode of transmission in the future.

Digital and Sub-Channels

HD Radio allows various radio stations to broadcast digital information through the FM or AM frequencies. Additionally, these digital transmissions could be sent on numerous sub-channels, allowing about three stations per frequency. This would triple the amount of stations you could potentially listen to on HD Radio. What would it look like on the display, you ask?

Generally, standard AM/FM radios would display the following: FM 104.7

On HD Radios, it would display as: FM 104.7 HD-1 or 104.7 HD-2 (with each HD-X indicating a sub-channel)

As of 2007, the signal quality is reported to be close to CD-quality audio on the FM channels, which is a huge leap in the radio industry. However, it is highly unlikely for AM frequencies to experience this improvement since the AM operates on a much smaller band. Think of it as a hose. A smaller garden hose could not deliver as much water as the fire department's hose; and unfortunately, AM is that smaller garden hose.

Advancements in Digital Technology

There were reports and complaints in the early stages of HD Radio (2006) of static and interference when tuning in to these HD channels. However, the technology has advanced significantly within the last two years and has improved signal quality and isolation. Don't worry about quality-loss so much unless you're on the AM channels.

You may also have heard that the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) begun the process of making obsolete analog radio and television transmissions. What does this mean to you? Well, you can be sure that only improvements will be made. Unfortunately this would mean that most standard AM/FM radios would become obsolete within the next couple of years, possibly forcing you to purchasing a new HD Radio for your vehicle or home.

Comparison to Satellite Radio

Price

Satellite requires a monthly subscription fee ($10-$15/month), activation fee, and cancellation fees if you cancel before your contract is over (if you sign up for the "reduced" contract subscription). To receive Satellite Radio signal (whether Sirius or XM), you would need a special antenna and a satellite-radio that either has a built-in satellite tuner or just plain satellite ready without the built-in tuner (tuner still required and sold separately). Expect to spend anywhere between $150-$300 on equipment alone, depending on what you need (additional tuner or antenna, etc.)*

HD Radio is completely free. You only need to spend money on the receiver itself. Just like Satellite Radio, you could either get a built-in HD Tuner in the in-dash receiver or you could get them separately (in the case where you already own an HD Ready head unit). They're much more affordable, either way, costing you anywhere between $100-$200 total*.

*Note that these are generalizations of the bare minimum and does not take into consideration additional features you may want with your radio (i.e. Bluetooth, USB support, 3.5mm Aux input, navigation, etc.). They also do not take into consideration labor and parts as each vehicle varies.

Quality and Coverage

The advantage of Satellite Radio is the coverage. You could drive from Los Angeles to New York City listening to the same exact station the whole entire length of the trip. Satellite Radio tends to also specialize in their stations more than HD stations. For instance, there are specific channels for comedy or sports. Satellite Radio is also commercial free since you are after all paying for it.

HD Radio is locally-focused. You tune-in on local metropolitan stations and would not have the same coverage as Satellite as exemplified above. Though HD stations are much more like any typical non-specialized radio stations, it is possible that they may do something similar to Satellite Radio in the future.

Both HD and Satellite Radio do broadcast in digital quality audio. At this point, one does not hold a significant advantage over the other because as with radio-type transmission and reception, it is susceptible to interference and static. Don't be fooled with the word 'Satellite' because of this fact.

If you're trying to keep up with the current technology but also want to save money, then upgrading to HD Radio isn't so bad. Most of the well known brands out there like JVC, Eclipse, and Kenwood are producing HD Radio Ready in-dash receivers, forcing you to get additional accessories. Only a handful of companies like Dual and JVC (again) are marketing built-in HD radio tuners.

If you're pickier with your listening selection, and not too concern about the fees associated with the Satellite Radio, then perhaps you should opt for Sirius or XM Radios. Plenty of popular brands such as Sony, Alpine and Pioneer sell both SAT Ready and built-in Satellite tuner receivers, so you shouldn't have a problem looking for these.

The choice is yours to make of course. One thing is for certain, however. Digital technology is rapidly advancing and becoming the standard for both audio and video entertainment. Analog (or non-digital) technology will be obsolete. You will have to upgrade to digital eventually. Find out what you like and test them both out. Sometimes the best in the market may not be the best for you. Good luck on your digital revolution!

For more information about HD Radio, please visit: HD Radio Receiver - HD Car Radio

AP - A luxurious gold, pearl and emerald earring provides a new visual clue about the life of the elite in Jerusalem some 2,000 years ago.

If you have been doing any searches on the internet for World of Warcraft Gold Guides, I'd be willing to bet you have heard of Warcraft Riches by Derek Beachler before. Warcraft Riches is one the hottest guides on the market, and it has been for a while now.

Warcraft Riches covers all of the correct strategies and concepts that are the most efficient for getting you out there and making tons of WoW Gold. I really enjoyed the way Derek Beachler had set up Warcraft Riches. It is in PDF format, like most of the World of Warcraft Gold Guides, but it has a separate PDF for every single section. When you have as much information as is needed for one of these guides, organization becomes very important.

A couple of pretty cool bonuses are included in Warcraft Riches as well. The Bonus Fishing Guide is actually one of the best sections of the whole guide. This is because there were actually many diagrams and maps included, which always helps a lot. The other bonus is a Profession Leveling Guide, which you could honestly do without.

The main thing that I felt was a let down about the guide is that it was not very detailed. It was packed full of information and had all the right concepts, but they were not explained as thorough as they truly need to be. There was also a heavy emphasis on grinding. I know a lot of people spend a heck of a lot of time grinding, but I hate to waste my time doing that. It is good to occasionally go out and just kill stuff, but it never lasts long for me. I prefer going to the Auction House and actually using my brain and doing something that believe it or not, takes a little skill to do good at. Not saying I am great at the Auction House, but after using the techniques I learned from all the guides I read, I got pretty darn good and can make a quick profit whenever I feel like it.

Overall, Warcraft Riches just doesn't have what it takes to be number one. I loved that all the right concepts were there, but I was just disappointed that the details were not there to get you out and making tons of gold quick. The emphasis on grinding was also a definite negative aspect also. It is in no way a bad World of Warcraft Gold Guide; with a little bit more knowledge you can figure out the methods that are mentioned by Warcraft Riches, but who wants to spend money on something that gets them halfway there?

To read more information and see how Ultimate Gold Guide stacks up in a side by side comparison rest of the competition, check out the WoW Gold Guide Comparison Chart. You can also read more WoW Gold Guide reviews like this one of Ultimate Gold Guide at Reviewica.com.

AP - Rescuers vowed to go on with their search for survivors at a collapsed Haitian school at least through early Monday, despite shrinking hopes amid the growing stench of dead bodies trapped beneath the rubble.

Most families will own at least one board game, possibly Monopoly, Candyland, or another traditional board games such as Bingo, or Yahtzee. There are a variety of others available as well, and some of them are new and others have stood the test of time allowing for family fun, as well as an educational experience for all ages.

Scrabble is an educational game board, which helps introduce new words and spelling to young and old. Introduced in 1938, besides having a few variations developed through the years, it has stayed the same and stood the test of time.

Up words, another educational vocabulary and spelling game is well known for not only family fun, but it's educational use as well. You'll use tiles, similar to Scrabble, but can stack letters on top of others in order to make new words.

The old standard of Monopoly is owned by almost 75 million people around the world. Monopoly not only helps with math skills, but is a bit of strategic game that the whole family can play no matter how young or old. Besides helping with math, it also has been known to improve reading and comprehension skills, as well as give a chance for team playing, real estate education, as well as money comprehension skills.

Yahtzee is an old-time favorite of many, as it is a small board game type that only requires a pad designating dice throws, and a pencil for each player. Five dice and a cup to shake them in and math skills begin in proving immediately as you have to add up the dice in each throw. The nice thing about Yahtzee is that you do not have to have the traditional score sheets, but just need to remember poker hands and you can make your own.

Most of these types of games have been around for a very long time, because not only are they fun but educational as well. You'll find math skills improve, spelling and vocabulary can improve, as well as money comprehension, team playing, and many other sportsmanship skills. One of the best things about most of these traditional board games is the time spent with family. You'll be amazed at the conversations that go around the table during a long Monopoly game, or the fun that can be had with Yahtzee.

Boardgames can be educational and fun and that's what is so attractive about them. Even simple games like Candyland, and Chutes and Ladders can help a child learn to count, learn sportsmanship, and enjoy time playing with friends and family. Board games have been around for a very long time, and every family usually has one of these games tucked in a closet somewhere.

Ed Tupniak
For more information on board games, visit The Game Crypt

AP - Miriam Makeba, the South African singer who wooed the world with her sultry voice but was banned from her own country for more than 30 years under apartheid, died after collapsing on stage in Italy. She was 76.