When you have a debit card you are out the money during the dispute. You are at the mercy of your bank.

When you have a credit card your bank is out the money during the dispute. They notify the vendor and the burden of proof lies on the vendor to provide documentation.

…

2 days!

I currently use BibleDesktop (open source) but I’m considering the purchase of some proprietary Bible Study software. So I’ve done some preliminary research. An asterisk means I consider it would rank better than half (top 5) of the ten title’s at which I’ve looked.

* Accordance Bible Software. Mac. This is probably the best paid Bible Study software currently available for OSX. The prices are reasonable. I downloaded the demo and found the interface to be a little clunky, they could use a UI designer. But it is very fast and they have a lot of libraries and resources that can be purchased for it. Price ranges from $50 to $2800. The $50 package just comes with public domain resources so it’s not worth it unless you buy the next version up.

* BibleDesktop. Mac, Windows, and Linux. The best free Bible Study software for the OSX and what I currently use. Includes ESV for free. In seconds, from within the program, you can automatically download and install any translation, commentary, dictionary, book, etc. from The CrossWire Bible Society or bible.org. This is better than a lot of the paid titles.

* BibleWorks. Windows. Probably one of the top three, from the videos the UI could use a little improvement, but it sure looks like it’s fast! I wonder if they’re using a database to power it? Most of the resources demoed look to advanced for me. Runs $350.00.

MacSword. Mac. Same functionality as BibleDesktop. I tried this but it seemed very slow. I like BibleDesktop better. Free.

* Logos Bible Software. Windows. Mac version coming soon. This is probably one of the top three options with software prices ranging from $150-$1400, and probably will be the best one for Mac in the future. I added the Scholar’s Library to my Amazon wishlist. (hint, hint).

* PC Study Bible. Windows. This looks pretty promising for Windows users. They put some thought into the UI. The price range is from $50 to $600, but the two lowest priced libraries look like a rip off–they’re mostly public domain works so you would be better off getting something like BibleDesktop or The Sword Project which has the same stuff for free.

PowerBibleCD. Windows. This is a rip off. It looks like it just includes public works. Runs $20. Get the same thing with BibleDesktop or The Sword Project for free.

QuickVerse. Windows. Mac. I wasn’t too impressed with the libraries (even on the most expensive one). From what I understand a lot of people like the Windows versions, but the Mac versions aren’t that great. $60-$800.

The Sword Project. Windows. I haven’t tried this (since I don’t have Windows) but it should have all the same functionality as BibleDesktop. Free.

WordSearch. Windows. I watched the overview video and wasn’t too impressed with it’s features. Aside from getting extra material I didn’t see any features that would help with a Bible study that free software such as BibleDesktop or The Sword Project couldn’t do for free. Price ranges $50-$500.

That’s all that I really found. There are a lot of options for Windows. For OSX there’s really only two options to get more than public domain works: Accordance and Logos. Accordance is available now, but from the videos I’ve watched Logos seems to be the best option. I would run it in Parallels or use the Mac alpha software for now.

ING Direct. High Yield Savings/Online Checking. Great website. Excellent security. Uses rotating forms of identity verification, as well as protection from keystroke logging by forcing you to enter letters (which randomly change) that correspond to your pin. Allows access to certain ATMs for free. Allows opening multiple accounts. Online checking limited (you can’t write a physical check, or make check deposits). This /should/ be the way banking is done, but the United States isn’t ready yet. Does not support OFX but does sync with Quicken. Strengths: Customer service, security, great website. What it lacks: Reimbursing all ATM Fees, interest rate could be higher, paper checks, online check deposit.

Charles Schwab. High Yield Checking. The sent me a notification to my old address when I give them my new address (this is excellent security practice!). But their online passwords don’t allow special characters and are limited in length making them easier to crack. Excellent customer service, always getting a human right away and the first human is able to resolve the issue. Online support is a little weak, the website needs to be redesigned but is functional. Free checks for life, ATM fees are reimbursed no matter which bank you use, and deposits are made through pre-paid envelopes. Where it excels: High Yield Checking, Customer service, OFX, depositing checks by mail. What it lacks. A savings account, a redesigned website, upgraded security and scanning checks in to deposit would make this bank perfect. Does support OFX (which is rare for free checking accounts) and syncs with Quicken (of course).

                       Wamu      ING Direct  Scwhab
Free Checks for life    yes        no         yes
Free Billpay            yes        yes        yes
High Yield Checking     no         yes        yes
High Yield Savings      yes        yes        no
Website usability       4          5          3
Website Security        4          5          3
General Security        3          5          5
Customer Service        3          4          5
OFX Sync                no         no         yes
Quicken Sync            yes*       yes        yes
Free ATM anywhere       no         no         yes
Deposit Checks by mail  no         no**       yes
Deposit at branch       yes        n/a        n/a
Margin Account          no         yes        yes
Scan checks to deposit  no         no         no

* Quicken sync is spotty.  I think it only works at certain times.
** This is possible with ING Direct, but not easy.

It’s pretty easy to use.

Suppose I have nothing in my savings account which is making 4.75% APR, and I put in $100/week for the next 4 years, I can enter this (this is in reverse polish notation):

52 [enter] 4 x n (sets n to 280)
4.75 [enter] 52 / i (sets interest to .09 …assuming they compound weekly).
0 pv (sets present value to 0)
100 pmt (sets payment to 100)
fv (computes future value at 22895.84)


So I would make $2,095.84 in interest.

The few times I’ve been traveling for business or a missions trip and spend a week in a hotel room I’m perfectly content with clothes, a few books, a computer, internet, and a few restaurants and local grocery mart instead of stocking a fridge. It just feels like I have less to worry about and more time to pray, think, and do if I’m not maintaining things. Even though I’ve thrown a lot away I think my stuff still takes too much of my time and thoughts.

Your thoughts and advice?

High build quality leaves out all HP’s laserprinters (except the expensive ones). No toner counter leaves out Brother’s laser printers. I finally came across a fairly new printer. The Samsung ML-2851ND

The good: duplex printing (this is really a very cool feature that saves paper), network printing, web-based interface, inexpensive (< $0.02/page) toner.

The bad:

• The DHCP client on the printer doesn’t work. It took me awhile to figure out the default IP address is 192.0.0.192, I had to put my computer on the same network to set it to a static IP on my network. This is huge oversight. I wouldn’t expect most people to know how to do this.
• Bad default mac drivers. The OSX driver that it defaults to is Generic Postscript. This driver does not support duplexing. The Generic Postscript 1.3 driver supports duplex (but only if duplex is unchecked in the printer setup) but it starts printing blank pages on jobs with more than 10 pages (even if it’s copies of the same pages). I ended up having to use the Generic PCL Laser printer 1.3 driver (and check the duplex option in the printer setup). I would expect this in Linux or Windows, but I’m using a Mac! I shouldn’t have to mess with drivers.
• Toner starting leaking (read below)

A few issues:
One day while printing out a Sunday School lesson I got black smears all over! When I submitted a repair request online I had to upload a copy of my receipt, and fill out a troubleshooting guide (or get charged $50) which most of the pages said, “file not found.” The good news is I called Samsung and said I needed it fixed in two days. They promptly sent me a replacement unit in two days (great service)…but only after I gave them a credit card number in case I didn’t send the old one back (bad, bad, bad service). But the problem ended up being a leak in the toner cartridge so I just replaced that to fix the problem. Now, the problem I’m having is Samsung will charge my credit card for the replacement printer unless I send the old printer back, but I can’t print the return label because the link for it in the email is broken. I don’t really like calling them because they are only open while I’m at work.

All in all, it’s a good printer, just not a great experience. I think if Samsung did more QA testing of their products, hired a usability designer for their website and tested their email system they could offer strong competition. They already have the basics down. Good and fast support service, and printers that don’t try to rip you off on ink.

Would I buy it again? Yes, even with the bad experiences I’ve had worse with most companies, and Samsung /did/ get a replacement printer to me the next day.

• The Boxcar Children by Gertrude Chandler Warner (recommended by Noelle)
• Nancy Drew (recommended by Noelle)
• Anything by Dr. Seuss
• Merle the High Flying Squirrel and The Whingdingdilly by Bill Peet
• Go Dog Go and Are You My Mother? by P.D. Eastman
• The Digging-Est Dog by Al Perkins
• Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis
• Katy and the Big Snow, Mike Mulligan and His Steam Shovel and The Little House by Virginia Lee Burton
• Harry Potter by J.K. Rowling
• A Wrinkle in Time (Highschool) by Madeleine L’Engle
• Bridge to Terabithia by Katherine Paterson (Jr. High) …this one is too sad for me.
• The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien
• The Giver (Highschool) by Lois Lowry
• King Bidgood’s in the Bathtub and The Napping House by Don and Audrey Wood

My sister gave me J.P. Moreland’s Love Your God With All Your Mind which is a must read for any Christian. Moreland explains the loss of reason and lack of substance with which our faith should be based. The first part of the book is historical and informational. The second part is practical explaining how to cultivate your mind. The last chapter lists suggestions for the local church.

No one person has enough gifts, perspective, and maturity to be given the opportunity disproportionately to shape the personality and texture of a local church. If Christ is actually the head of the church, our church structures ought to reflect that fact and a group of undershepherds, not a senior pastor, should collectively seek His guideance in leading the congregation.

Who should read it? All Christians so they will learn to cultivate their mind and become intellectual in their faith. It should probably be a requirement for those in pastoral positions since it offers suggestions for challenging the congregation. Young adults, college, and youth (and especially their teachers) should read it so they can be challenged in choosing their vocation.

Boolean rating: 1 out of 1.

I finished reading The Giver by Lois Lowry. It was thought provoking and weird.

I’ve also decided to rate books with a Boolean rating system since I don’t really know how to rate them on a scale. 0 is not worth reading. 1 is worth reading. The Giver gets a 1 out of 1.

To see what I mean, look at JP Power’s Heathcare ratings. The only one that got a good rating is Kaiser which isn’t an option for us. The next best rating is 3 out of 5 dots, and the rest are lower! I certainly wouldn’t buy a car, nor would I invest in a mutual fund if it was rated only 3 out of 5 dots. Why would I want to have a 3 out of 5 dot health care plan? Of course, I’ll probably just stick with my employer’s 2 out of 5 dot health plan so I can take advantage of not paying tax on it (which is another rant). Is there a lack of competition or too much regulation here? What other options are there?