Americans can easily learn about their state songs and state flowers with a quick search on the Internet, but most will have a harder time checking whether their children's school buses are safe or a local gas station is charging too much.
A 50-state survey of government information accessible online, conducted as part of the annual Sunshine Week campaign, found that while official records are increasingly available on the Internet, some important information is missing.
To conduct the survey, teams of journalists and journalism students scanned government Web sites in every state to look for 20 kinds of public records. The results were released Sunday at the start of Sunshine Week, a national initiative by journalism organizations to focus on open government and access to information.
Surveyors assessed such factors as whether the information was up-to-date and clearly linked, if full reports or only summaries were available, and whether viewing and downloading were free.
"Digital technologies can be a great catalyst for democracy, but the state of access today is quite uneven," said Charles Davis, executive director of the National Freedom of Information Coalition, one of the groups overseeing the survey.
FIND MORE STORIES IN: Internet | Texas | North Carolina | Department of Transportation | Mississippi State University | Society of Newspaper Editors | Society of Professional Journalists | Charles Davis | Sunshine Week | Wisconsin Democracy Campaign | National Freedom of Information Coalition | Freedom of Information Committee | John C. Stennis Institute of Government
"The future of freedom of information is online access, and states have a long way to go to fulfill the promise of electronic self-governance," he said.
Also involved in the project were Sunshine Week, the American Society of Newspaper Editors' Freedom of Information Committee, and the Society of Professional Journalists' FOI Committee.
The surveyed categories included school test scores, financial disclosures, audit reports, transportation projects, fraudulent registration of business names, disciplinary actions against lawyers and physicians, and inspection reports for hospitals, nursing homes, child care centers, bridges, school buildings and school buses.
The information least likely to be found online were death certificates, found on the Web sites of only five states, and gas pump overcharge records, available online in eight. Also infrequently posted online were schools building inspections and safety ratings, which are posted by only nine states, and school bus inspection reports, which 13 states posted.
"People should be able to find inspection records for their schools online," said David Cuillier, FOI Committee chairman for the Society of Professional Journalists. "And the government shouldn't be charging people for death certificates and other records."
Information found most often online were statewide school test scores, available in all states, and Department of Transportation projects, posted in 48 states. Campaign finance data and disciplinary actions against physicians were available in 47 states.
The only state found to provide information online in all 20 categories was Texas. New Jersey was second with 18, North Carolina third with 17.
The state with the sparsest information online was Mississippi. It posted only DOT projects, fictitious business registrations, school test scores and campaign finance data. Though it did post some information about hospitals and nursing homes, surveyors said these were perfunctory lists, not inspection reports.
Mississippi's low ranking is linked both to tight budgets in many state agencies and to the state's relative lack of home computers. It ranks near the bottom in percentage of households with Internet access, providing some agencies with a rationale for not investing more funds in online initiatives.
Marty Wiseman, director of Mississippi State University's John C. Stennis Institute of Government, said any progress that state officials did make toward online access might be limited as long as many Mississippi homes lacked high-speed Internet service.
"It's starting to be assumed that people will have some form of Internet access -- and there are rural areas in Mississippi and other states that don't," he said. "There's going to be a rural-urban gulf as far as access to government is concerned."
North Carolina was rated one of the best states at posting records online, but the survey said they are often hard to find, infrequently updated and available only piecemeal.
For example, the main state government Web site lists hospitals, schools and nursing homes, but details about safety inspection of those institutions aren't posted. A visitor to the site can make an online request for some records, such as safety reports on child care centers, but the records themselves are mailed -- a process that can take weeks.
Mike McCabe, director of the watchdog group Wisconsin Democracy Campaign, credited his state with making more records easily accessible online but cited a financial-disclosure law that might deter some people seeking information.
"If you want to see one of these reports, your name, the requester, is revealed to the public official. That has a chilling effect for many citizens," he said. "A lot of people may not want their state legislator to know they are looking into their financial holdings. An attorney may not want a judge to know he is looking at his financial holdings."
Tennessee was among many states getting mixed reviews -- surveyors said it has no comprehensive database for state spending and doesn't put a variety of inspection reports online, including those for hospitals, child care centers, and school buses and buildings.
"Tennessee has made some improvements on fiscal transparency," said Frank Gibson, executive director of the Tennessee Coalition for Open Government. "But it is still in the horse-and-buggy days in providing information that the public needs on health and safety."
The surveys were conducted by newspaper and broadcast journalists, journalism students, state press associations, and reporters and editors from The Associated Press.
"This is the first comprehensive survey of its kind," said ASNE FOI Committee co-chair Andy Alexander. "It tells us that many states understand that digitizing public records is key to open government in the 21st century. But it also tells us that, with a few exceptions, states have a long way to go before they become truly transparent.
While acknowledging that states are under fiscal stress, Alexander said providing public records online is "the smart thing to do" -- saving money because no civil servant is needed to process each information request.
Associated Press writers Chris Talbott in Jackson, Miss.; Robert Imrie in Wausau, Wis.; Barbara Rodriguez in Raleigh, N.C.; and Kristin Hall in Nashville, Tenn., contributed to this report.
By David Crary, AP National Writer
Repaired space shuttle ready for launch try Sunday
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CAPE CANAVERAL, Fla., March 15 (Reuters) -- NASA will try again on Sunday to launch space shuttle Discovery on a construction mission to the International Space Station after fixing a fuel leak that triggered a delay last week.
Blastoff is set for 7:43 p.m. (2343 GMT) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Engineers installed new seals in a fuel vent line, hoping that will solve the problem that postponed NASA's first launch attempt on Wednesday when hydrogen gas leaked from the shuttle's fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.
Technicians were unable to find the exact cause of the leak.
"I was a little surprised that we didn't find something more obvious because it was a healthy leak," shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach told reporters on Saturday.
Still, if the shuttle does not leak when it is fueled for flight on Sunday, it will be safe to fly, he added.
NASA plans to start filling the shuttle's tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen at about 10:30 a.m. (1430 GMT) on Sunday.
NASA has until Tuesday to launch the shuttle or face a delay until April 7 to avoid a schedule conflict with a Russia-led Soyuz mission to replace the station's prime crew.
Discovery will be carrying the fourth and final solar power module for the U.S. part of the station, a $100 billion project of 16 nations. The crew includes Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will be left behind to serve as a station flight engineer and the first Japanese to live on the outpost. (Editing by Alan Elsner)
By Irene Klotz
Blastoff is set for 7:43 p.m. (2343 GMT) from Kennedy Space Center in Florida.
Engineers installed new seals in a fuel vent line, hoping that will solve the problem that postponed NASA's first launch attempt on Wednesday when hydrogen gas leaked from the shuttle's fuel tank, posing a fire hazard.
Technicians were unable to find the exact cause of the leak.
"I was a little surprised that we didn't find something more obvious because it was a healthy leak," shuttle launch director Mike Leinbach told reporters on Saturday.
Still, if the shuttle does not leak when it is fueled for flight on Sunday, it will be safe to fly, he added.
NASA plans to start filling the shuttle's tank with 500,000 gallons of liquid oxygen and liquid hydrogen at about 10:30 a.m. (1430 GMT) on Sunday.
NASA has until Tuesday to launch the shuttle or face a delay until April 7 to avoid a schedule conflict with a Russia-led Soyuz mission to replace the station's prime crew.
Discovery will be carrying the fourth and final solar power module for the U.S. part of the station, a $100 billion project of 16 nations. The crew includes Japanese astronaut Koichi Wakata, who will be left behind to serve as a station flight engineer and the first Japanese to live on the outpost. (Editing by Alan Elsner)
By Irene Klotz
AOL taps Google executive Armstrong as CEO (AP)
|
SAN FRANCISCO - An executive from Google Inc. is becoming the latest CEO of AOL, raising hopes that he will be able to turn around Time Warner Inc.'s struggling Internet unit.
Tim Armstrong, who had been a senior vice president at Google and head of the company's North and South American advertising operations, replaces AOL CEO Randy Falco, a veteran TV executive who took the job in November 2006. Falco, along with Ron Grant, AOL's president and chief operating officer, are leaving AOL.
Armstrong, 38, also will take over from Falco as chairman.
This shake-up — one of several the company has experienced lately — could mean a spin-off of AOL is more likely. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes has said he's open to a merger or sale of AOL, and in a statement Bewkes said Armstrong would help Time Warner "determine the optimal structure for AOL."
"Tim is the right executive to move AOL into the next phase of its evolution," Bewkes said. "At Google, Armstrong helped build one of the most successful media teams in the history of the Internet."
Armstrong worked at Google for 8 1/2 years. As the company's first employee outside of Mountain View, he started its New York office.
The transition is another sign of turmoil in Time Warner's decade-long attempts to salvage its 2001 acquisition by AOL, once known as America Online. The $147 billion AOL-Time Warner deal symbolized the astonishing wealth created by the dot-com boom and quickly became one of the most disastrous marriages in U.S. corporate history.
During the past few years, AOL has been realigning itself around three core businesses — its Platform A advertising unit, MediaGlow publishing unit and People Networks social media unit. These businesses are meant to bring in revenue through online advertising, as a way to offset losses from its fading dial-up Internet access service.
Besides realigning AOL, Time Warner has made moves to separate the dial-up operations from these ad-focused businesses, which would make it easier for Time Warner to sell one or both.
Problems have persisted, though. In early February, Time Warner reported that AOL's fourth-quarter revenue dropped 23 percent to $968 million, hurt by falling subscription revenue and ad sales.
There have been numerous management changes as well. A day before its parent company's quarterly report, AOL named former a Yahoo Inc. executive, Gregory Coleman, to head Platform A. Coleman replaced Lynda Clarizio, who had come on just last March.
Another reminder of the ongoing troubles came the day of Time Warner's report, when Google — which paid $1 billion in 2006 for a 5 percent stake in AOL and is its largest shareholder aside from Time Warner — triggered an escape clause in its contract with AOL. The clause forces Time Warner to spin off Google's holdings through an initial public offering or repurchase the stake at current market value.
This came after Google wrote off $726 million of its investment in the fourth quarter because of AOL's falling value. Google had made the investment in an effort to increase its advertising partnership with AOL and prevent rival Microsoft Corp. from trying to get involved with the company.
Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Research, called the management change "a huge positive all around" for Time Warner investors. With Armstrong at the helm, he thinks it's more likely that Time Warner will eventually separate the AOL unit from its main business.
Kevin Lee, chief executive of search marketing firm Didit, feels the same. If the economy and stock market improve, and Armstrong is able to shape up AOL, Lee thinks it is possible that Time Warner would spin the business off as a public company or sell it.
Regardless, he's certain Armstrong has plenty of work ahead of him.
"If he wanted challenges, he picked a great place for challenges," Lee said.
Tim Armstrong, who had been a senior vice president at Google and head of the company's North and South American advertising operations, replaces AOL CEO Randy Falco, a veteran TV executive who took the job in November 2006. Falco, along with Ron Grant, AOL's president and chief operating officer, are leaving AOL.
Armstrong, 38, also will take over from Falco as chairman.
This shake-up — one of several the company has experienced lately — could mean a spin-off of AOL is more likely. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes has said he's open to a merger or sale of AOL, and in a statement Bewkes said Armstrong would help Time Warner "determine the optimal structure for AOL."
"Tim is the right executive to move AOL into the next phase of its evolution," Bewkes said. "At Google, Armstrong helped build one of the most successful media teams in the history of the Internet."
Armstrong worked at Google for 8 1/2 years. As the company's first employee outside of Mountain View, he started its New York office.
The transition is another sign of turmoil in Time Warner's decade-long attempts to salvage its 2001 acquisition by AOL, once known as America Online. The $147 billion AOL-Time Warner deal symbolized the astonishing wealth created by the dot-com boom and quickly became one of the most disastrous marriages in U.S. corporate history.
During the past few years, AOL has been realigning itself around three core businesses — its Platform A advertising unit, MediaGlow publishing unit and People Networks social media unit. These businesses are meant to bring in revenue through online advertising, as a way to offset losses from its fading dial-up Internet access service.
Besides realigning AOL, Time Warner has made moves to separate the dial-up operations from these ad-focused businesses, which would make it easier for Time Warner to sell one or both.
Problems have persisted, though. In early February, Time Warner reported that AOL's fourth-quarter revenue dropped 23 percent to $968 million, hurt by falling subscription revenue and ad sales.
There have been numerous management changes as well. A day before its parent company's quarterly report, AOL named former a Yahoo Inc. executive, Gregory Coleman, to head Platform A. Coleman replaced Lynda Clarizio, who had come on just last March.
Another reminder of the ongoing troubles came the day of Time Warner's report, when Google — which paid $1 billion in 2006 for a 5 percent stake in AOL and is its largest shareholder aside from Time Warner — triggered an escape clause in its contract with AOL. The clause forces Time Warner to spin off Google's holdings through an initial public offering or repurchase the stake at current market value.
This came after Google wrote off $726 million of its investment in the fourth quarter because of AOL's falling value. Google had made the investment in an effort to increase its advertising partnership with AOL and prevent rival Microsoft Corp. from trying to get involved with the company.
Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Research, called the management change "a huge positive all around" for Time Warner investors. With Armstrong at the helm, he thinks it's more likely that Time Warner will eventually separate the AOL unit from its main business.
Kevin Lee, chief executive of search marketing firm Didit, feels the same. If the economy and stock market improve, and Armstrong is able to shape up AOL, Lee thinks it is possible that Time Warner would spin the business off as a public company or sell it.
Regardless, he's certain Armstrong has plenty of work ahead of him.
"If he wanted challenges, he picked a great place for challenges," Lee said.
AOL taps Google executive Armstrong as CEO (AP)
|
SAN FRANCISCO - An executive from Google Inc. is becoming the latest CEO of AOL, raising hopes that he will be able to turn around Time Warner Inc.'s struggling Internet unit.
Tim Armstrong, who had been a senior vice president at Google and head of the company's North and South American advertising operations, replaces AOL CEO Randy Falco, a veteran TV executive who took the job in November 2006. Falco, along with Ron Grant, AOL's president and chief operating officer, are leaving AOL.
Armstrong, 38, also will take over from Falco as chairman.
This shake-up — one of several the company has experienced lately — could mean a spin-off of AOL is more likely. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes has said he's open to a merger or sale of AOL, and in a statement Bewkes said Armstrong would help Time Warner "determine the optimal structure for AOL."
"Tim is the right executive to move AOL into the next phase of its evolution," Bewkes said. "At Google, Armstrong helped build one of the most successful media teams in the history of the Internet."
Armstrong worked at Google for 8 1/2 years. As the company's first employee outside of Mountain View, he started its New York office.
The transition is another sign of turmoil in Time Warner's decade-long attempts to salvage its 2001 acquisition by AOL, once known as America Online. The $147 billion AOL-Time Warner deal symbolized the astonishing wealth created by the dot-com boom and quickly became one of the most disastrous marriages in U.S. corporate history.
During the past few years, AOL has been realigning itself around three core businesses — its Platform A advertising unit, MediaGlow publishing unit and People Networks social media unit. These businesses are meant to bring in revenue through online advertising, as a way to offset losses from its fading dial-up Internet access service.
Besides realigning AOL, Time Warner has made moves to separate the dial-up operations from these ad-focused businesses, which would make it easier for Time Warner to sell one or both.
Problems have persisted, though. In early February, Time Warner reported that AOL's fourth-quarter revenue dropped 23 percent to $968 million, hurt by falling subscription revenue and ad sales.
There have been numerous management changes as well. A day before its parent company's quarterly report, AOL named former a Yahoo Inc. executive, Gregory Coleman, to head Platform A. Coleman replaced Lynda Clarizio, who had come on just last March.
Another reminder of the ongoing troubles came the day of Time Warner's report, when Google — which paid $1 billion in 2006 for a 5 percent stake in AOL and is its largest shareholder aside from Time Warner — triggered an escape clause in its contract with AOL. The clause forces Time Warner to spin off Google's holdings through an initial public offering or repurchase the stake at current market value.
This came after Google wrote off $726 million of its investment in the fourth quarter because of AOL's falling value. Google had made the investment in an effort to increase its advertising partnership with AOL and prevent rival Microsoft Corp. from trying to get involved with the company.
Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Research, called the management change "a huge positive all around" for Time Warner investors. With Armstrong at the helm, he thinks it's more likely that Time Warner will eventually separate the AOL unit from its main business.
Kevin Lee, chief executive of search marketing firm Didit, feels the same. If the economy and stock market improve, and Armstrong is able to shape up AOL, Lee thinks it is possible that Time Warner would spin the business off as a public company or sell it.
Regardless, he's certain Armstrong has plenty of work ahead of him.
"If he wanted challenges, he picked a great place for challenges," Lee said.
Tim Armstrong, who had been a senior vice president at Google and head of the company's North and South American advertising operations, replaces AOL CEO Randy Falco, a veteran TV executive who took the job in November 2006. Falco, along with Ron Grant, AOL's president and chief operating officer, are leaving AOL.
Armstrong, 38, also will take over from Falco as chairman.
This shake-up — one of several the company has experienced lately — could mean a spin-off of AOL is more likely. Time Warner CEO Jeff Bewkes has said he's open to a merger or sale of AOL, and in a statement Bewkes said Armstrong would help Time Warner "determine the optimal structure for AOL."
"Tim is the right executive to move AOL into the next phase of its evolution," Bewkes said. "At Google, Armstrong helped build one of the most successful media teams in the history of the Internet."
Armstrong worked at Google for 8 1/2 years. As the company's first employee outside of Mountain View, he started its New York office.
The transition is another sign of turmoil in Time Warner's decade-long attempts to salvage its 2001 acquisition by AOL, once known as America Online. The $147 billion AOL-Time Warner deal symbolized the astonishing wealth created by the dot-com boom and quickly became one of the most disastrous marriages in U.S. corporate history.
During the past few years, AOL has been realigning itself around three core businesses — its Platform A advertising unit, MediaGlow publishing unit and People Networks social media unit. These businesses are meant to bring in revenue through online advertising, as a way to offset losses from its fading dial-up Internet access service.
Besides realigning AOL, Time Warner has made moves to separate the dial-up operations from these ad-focused businesses, which would make it easier for Time Warner to sell one or both.
Problems have persisted, though. In early February, Time Warner reported that AOL's fourth-quarter revenue dropped 23 percent to $968 million, hurt by falling subscription revenue and ad sales.
There have been numerous management changes as well. A day before its parent company's quarterly report, AOL named former a Yahoo Inc. executive, Gregory Coleman, to head Platform A. Coleman replaced Lynda Clarizio, who had come on just last March.
Another reminder of the ongoing troubles came the day of Time Warner's report, when Google — which paid $1 billion in 2006 for a 5 percent stake in AOL and is its largest shareholder aside from Time Warner — triggered an escape clause in its contract with AOL. The clause forces Time Warner to spin off Google's holdings through an initial public offering or repurchase the stake at current market value.
This came after Google wrote off $726 million of its investment in the fourth quarter because of AOL's falling value. Google had made the investment in an effort to increase its advertising partnership with AOL and prevent rival Microsoft Corp. from trying to get involved with the company.
Richard Greenfield, an analyst with Pali Research, called the management change "a huge positive all around" for Time Warner investors. With Armstrong at the helm, he thinks it's more likely that Time Warner will eventually separate the AOL unit from its main business.
Kevin Lee, chief executive of search marketing firm Didit, feels the same. If the economy and stock market improve, and Armstrong is able to shape up AOL, Lee thinks it is possible that Time Warner would spin the business off as a public company or sell it.
Regardless, he's certain Armstrong has plenty of work ahead of him.
"If he wanted challenges, he picked a great place for challenges," Lee said.
Use technology to save money
|
The economic downturn has touched everyone. Many are facing unemployment and dwindling home values and stock portfolios. But you still need to buy things and care for your family.
Thanks to technology and the Internet, you can save money practically wherever you shop. There are websites that collect coupons. Other sites help you find the best price. You can even use your cellphone to get instant discounts. Visit www.komando.com/news for links to sites mentioned
Start by visiting ValPack's site. It lists coupons for local stores. Just print them out. WOW-Coupons and CoolSavings are two other sites to visit. And don't forget to check manufacturers' and retailers' sites.
Of course, you can't use paper coupons at online retailers. But you can use coupon or promo codes. Enter a code when you check out for an instant discount. It may be 10% or more.
Join your favorite merchants' e-mail lists. These are a great source for coupons and coupon codes. CurrentCodes, CouponCabin and RetailMeNot also list coupon codes.
Saving with your phone
Cellfire delivers local coupons directly to your cellphone. It works with virtually any Internet-connected phone.
You can browse and save coupons. Then, show your phone at checkout to claim your discount. Some coupons can be redeemed online or via phone.
Cellfire recently signed a deal with Kroger's grocery store. Coupons can be linked to your loyalty card. Discounts are applied automatically when you check out.
Other grocery stores offer similar programs. Check their sites for more details.
Speaking of phones, you can put an end to directory assistance charges. Call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) for Google's 411 service powered by voice-recognition software. Or call 1-800-411-SAVE (1-800-411-7283) if you prefer speaking to a person. Both services are free.
Look for discounts
You may qualify for certain discounts and not realize it.
Students get hefty discounts on software and computers. For example, students can save up to $800 on Adobe Photoshop. Some manufacturers offer deals directly or offer discounts through the school bookstore. In addition, sites such as JourneyEd, Academic Superstore or Gradware offer students discounts.
Military personnel also get discounts. You can purchase discounted products through Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange.
Some companies offer discounts directly, often through employee discount partnership programs. You can learn more at Military.com.
Incidentally, many employers have employee discount partnership programs. Check with your company's HR department for more information.
If you don't qualify for these discounts, save by buying refurbished electronics. Manufacturers' stores often list refurbished products. Or, try Buy.com. Just make sure you get a full warranty.
Find the best price
Price comparison sites NexTag, PriceGrabber and Shopping.com help you find low prices online. The sites check an item's price on various sites. It's fast and easy. Remember to research merchants with which you're unfamiliar to avoid scams.
If an item's prices don't suit you, don't despair. You can sign up for price drop notifications from Price!pinx or ZingSale. These sites are also handy for low-price guarantees.
Finally, visit WishRadar to be notified of price drops on Amazon. You'll be notified when items hit the prices you specify.
Get some freebies
Of course, there are plenty of freebies to be had online. You'll find free samples on some stores' and manufacturers' sites. Or, search Google for "free samples." Just make sure shipping is free. DealTaker's site also lists free items.
FreeShippingOn offers free shipping coupons for more than 500 stores. Or, search for items with free shipping on eBay or Amazon.
You'll also find free software online. But, you need to be careful. Many free programs include malware. Avoid those dangers by downloading through my site. All programs are tested for malware.
You'll find programs and tools to help you save money. For example, save on printing costs by using a special font, the Ecofont. Or, print select parts of Web pages with HP Smart Web Printing.
Finally, a reminder to always watch out for scams. Watch out for sites and clubs that charge you money so that you can save money. And remember that offers that seem too good to be true usually are.
Thanks to technology and the Internet, you can save money practically wherever you shop. There are websites that collect coupons. Other sites help you find the best price. You can even use your cellphone to get instant discounts. Visit www.komando.com/news for links to sites mentioned
Start by visiting ValPack's site. It lists coupons for local stores. Just print them out. WOW-Coupons and CoolSavings are two other sites to visit. And don't forget to check manufacturers' and retailers' sites.
Of course, you can't use paper coupons at online retailers. But you can use coupon or promo codes. Enter a code when you check out for an instant discount. It may be 10% or more.
Join your favorite merchants' e-mail lists. These are a great source for coupons and coupon codes. CurrentCodes, CouponCabin and RetailMeNot also list coupon codes.
Saving with your phone
Cellfire delivers local coupons directly to your cellphone. It works with virtually any Internet-connected phone.
You can browse and save coupons. Then, show your phone at checkout to claim your discount. Some coupons can be redeemed online or via phone.
Cellfire recently signed a deal with Kroger's grocery store. Coupons can be linked to your loyalty card. Discounts are applied automatically when you check out.
Other grocery stores offer similar programs. Check their sites for more details.
Speaking of phones, you can put an end to directory assistance charges. Call 1-800-GOOG-411 (1-800-466-4411) for Google's 411 service powered by voice-recognition software. Or call 1-800-411-SAVE (1-800-411-7283) if you prefer speaking to a person. Both services are free.
Look for discounts
You may qualify for certain discounts and not realize it.
Students get hefty discounts on software and computers. For example, students can save up to $800 on Adobe Photoshop. Some manufacturers offer deals directly or offer discounts through the school bookstore. In addition, sites such as JourneyEd, Academic Superstore or Gradware offer students discounts.
Military personnel also get discounts. You can purchase discounted products through Army and Air Force Exchange Service and Navy Exchange.
Some companies offer discounts directly, often through employee discount partnership programs. You can learn more at Military.com.
Incidentally, many employers have employee discount partnership programs. Check with your company's HR department for more information.
If you don't qualify for these discounts, save by buying refurbished electronics. Manufacturers' stores often list refurbished products. Or, try Buy.com. Just make sure you get a full warranty.
Find the best price
Price comparison sites NexTag, PriceGrabber and Shopping.com help you find low prices online. The sites check an item's price on various sites. It's fast and easy. Remember to research merchants with which you're unfamiliar to avoid scams.
If an item's prices don't suit you, don't despair. You can sign up for price drop notifications from Price!pinx or ZingSale. These sites are also handy for low-price guarantees.
Finally, visit WishRadar to be notified of price drops on Amazon. You'll be notified when items hit the prices you specify.
Get some freebies
Of course, there are plenty of freebies to be had online. You'll find free samples on some stores' and manufacturers' sites. Or, search Google for "free samples." Just make sure shipping is free. DealTaker's site also lists free items.
FreeShippingOn offers free shipping coupons for more than 500 stores. Or, search for items with free shipping on eBay or Amazon.
You'll also find free software online. But, you need to be careful. Many free programs include malware. Avoid those dangers by downloading through my site. All programs are tested for malware.
You'll find programs and tools to help you save money. For example, save on printing costs by using a special font, the Ecofont. Or, print select parts of Web pages with HP Smart Web Printing.
Finally, a reminder to always watch out for scams. Watch out for sites and clubs that charge you money so that you can save money. And remember that offers that seem too good to be true usually are.
Insurance giant AIG to pay $165 million in bonuses
|
WASHINGTON – American International Group is giving its executives tens of millions of dollars in new bonuses even though it received a taxpayer bailout of more than $170 billion dollars.
AIG is paying out the executive bonuses to meet a Sunday deadline, but the troubled insurance giant has agreed to administration requests to restrain future payments.
The Treasury Department determined that the government did not have the legal authority to block the current payments by the company. AIG declared earlier this month that it had suffered a loss of $61.7 billion for the fourth quarter of last year, the largest corporate loss in history.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has asked that the company scale back future bonus payments where legally possible, an administration official said Saturday.
This official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that Geithner had called AIG Chairman Edward Liddy on Wednesday to demand that Liddy renegotiate AIG's current bonus structure.
Geithner termed the current bonus structure unacceptable in view of the billions of dollars of taxpayer support the company is receiving, this official said.
In a letter to Geithner dated Saturday, Liddy informed Treasury that outside lawyers had informed the company that AIG had contractual obligations to make the bonus payments and could face lawsuits if it did not do so.
Liddy said in his letter that "quite frankly, AIG's hands are tied" although he said that in light of the company's current situation he found it "distasteful and difficult" to recommend going forward with the payments.
Liddy said the company had entered into the bonus agreements in early 2008 before AIG got into severe financial straits and was forced to obtain a government bailout last fall.
The large bulk of the payments at issue cover AIG Financial Products, the unit of the company that sold credit default swaps, the risky contracts that caused massive losses for the insurer.
A white paper prepared by the company says that AIG is contractually obligated to pay a total of about $165 million of previously awarded "retention pay" to employees in this unit by Sunday, March 15. The document says that another $55 million in retention pay has already been distributed to about 400 AIG Financial Products employees.
The company says in the paper it will work to reduce the amounts paid for 2009 and believes it can trim those payments by at least 30 percent.
Bonus programs at financial companies have come under harsh scrutiny after the government began loaning them billions of dollars to keep the institutions afloat. AIG is the largest recipient of government support in the current financial crisis.
AIG also pledged to Geithner that it would also restructure $9.6 million in bonuses scheduled to go a group that covers the top 50 executives. Liddy and six other executives have agreed to forgo bonuses.
The group of top executives getting bonuses will receive half of the $9.6 million now, with the average payment around $112,000.
This group will get another 25 percent on July 14 and the final 25 percent on September 15. But these payments will be contingent on the AIG board determining that the company is meeting the goals the government has set for dealing with the company's financial troubles.
The Obama administration has vowed to put in place reforms in the $700 billion financial rescue program in an effort to deal with growing public anger over how the program was operated during the Bush administration.
That anger has focused in part on payouts of millions of dollars in bonuses by financial firms getting taxpayer support.
In his letter, Liddy told Geithner, "We believe there will be considerably greater flexibility to reduce contractual payments in respect of 2009 and AIG intends to use its best efforts to do so."
But he also told Geithner that he felt it could be harmful to the company if the government continued to press for reductions in executive compensation.
"We cannot attract and retain the best and brightest talent to lead and staff the AIG businesses, which are now being operated principally on behalf of the American taxpayers — if employees believe their compensation is subject to continued and arbitrary adjustment by the U.S. Treasury," Liddy said.
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics
AIG is paying out the executive bonuses to meet a Sunday deadline, but the troubled insurance giant has agreed to administration requests to restrain future payments.
The Treasury Department determined that the government did not have the legal authority to block the current payments by the company. AIG declared earlier this month that it had suffered a loss of $61.7 billion for the fourth quarter of last year, the largest corporate loss in history.
Treasury Secretary Timothy Geithner has asked that the company scale back future bonus payments where legally possible, an administration official said Saturday.
This official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the issue, said that Geithner had called AIG Chairman Edward Liddy on Wednesday to demand that Liddy renegotiate AIG's current bonus structure.
Geithner termed the current bonus structure unacceptable in view of the billions of dollars of taxpayer support the company is receiving, this official said.
In a letter to Geithner dated Saturday, Liddy informed Treasury that outside lawyers had informed the company that AIG had contractual obligations to make the bonus payments and could face lawsuits if it did not do so.
Liddy said in his letter that "quite frankly, AIG's hands are tied" although he said that in light of the company's current situation he found it "distasteful and difficult" to recommend going forward with the payments.
Liddy said the company had entered into the bonus agreements in early 2008 before AIG got into severe financial straits and was forced to obtain a government bailout last fall.
The large bulk of the payments at issue cover AIG Financial Products, the unit of the company that sold credit default swaps, the risky contracts that caused massive losses for the insurer.
A white paper prepared by the company says that AIG is contractually obligated to pay a total of about $165 million of previously awarded "retention pay" to employees in this unit by Sunday, March 15. The document says that another $55 million in retention pay has already been distributed to about 400 AIG Financial Products employees.
The company says in the paper it will work to reduce the amounts paid for 2009 and believes it can trim those payments by at least 30 percent.
Bonus programs at financial companies have come under harsh scrutiny after the government began loaning them billions of dollars to keep the institutions afloat. AIG is the largest recipient of government support in the current financial crisis.
AIG also pledged to Geithner that it would also restructure $9.6 million in bonuses scheduled to go a group that covers the top 50 executives. Liddy and six other executives have agreed to forgo bonuses.
The group of top executives getting bonuses will receive half of the $9.6 million now, with the average payment around $112,000.
This group will get another 25 percent on July 14 and the final 25 percent on September 15. But these payments will be contingent on the AIG board determining that the company is meeting the goals the government has set for dealing with the company's financial troubles.
The Obama administration has vowed to put in place reforms in the $700 billion financial rescue program in an effort to deal with growing public anger over how the program was operated during the Bush administration.
That anger has focused in part on payouts of millions of dollars in bonuses by financial firms getting taxpayer support.
In his letter, Liddy told Geithner, "We believe there will be considerably greater flexibility to reduce contractual payments in respect of 2009 and AIG intends to use its best efforts to do so."
But he also told Geithner that he felt it could be harmful to the company if the government continued to press for reductions in executive compensation.
"We cannot attract and retain the best and brightest talent to lead and staff the AIG businesses, which are now being operated principally on behalf of the American taxpayers — if employees believe their compensation is subject to continued and arbitrary adjustment by the U.S. Treasury," Liddy said.
By MARTIN CRUTSINGER, AP Economics
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