Also "The number one reason for laptop sound to fail is for the speaker volume to be turned down or muted." "If your sound card fails on your laptop and it's not a daughter card, it certainly isn't worth putting in a new motherboard, even if you can find one used. It's way too much work and you're likely to break something else, and there are plenty of work-arounds to a dead sound card." "You can buy a USB sound card or a PC (PCMCIA) sound card, either of which will probably do a better job than the original integrated sound." Here is a link that might be useful: Information

To install the reader you'll have to put the CD in your computer if you computer has a CD slot, or the disks if your computer is older and has a disk slot instead. After you put in the CD or disc you'l need to run them. Usually the computer will automatically run them, if not you'l have to open your computers "my computer icon" and select the CD or disc if you have a PC (Dell, HP, or other computer.) If ou have an Apple computer (Mac) the disc just appear on the main screen and you can run it that way. The reader-writer can be a little annoying. Don't pug it in until AFTER you run the CD or discs. Once the discs are installed, then you can plug in the reader-writer. he hardest part, really, is using the software to copy the designs to the card, but if you take your time exploring the software and reading the help information in the program, it's not too bad.

I'm also a big advocate for credit cards. There is probably less paperwork involved, since everything is done electronically and practically instantly. And I doubt that the shopowner has to wait to get paid. And less money goes missing. When I worked retail, there was usually a discrepancy between what is actually in the till at the end of the day, and what should be in the till. And no, I wasn't skimming. Human error happens. And yes, the shopowner does have to pay a fee for credit/debit card purchases, which is then passed on to the customer (even the cash customer). But guess what ... using cash isn't free either. Imagine how much money is spent to replace destroyed, worn out, or lost bills and coins. And how much money is spent on trying to come up with new anti-counterfeit techniques. All paid for by the government, which is then passed on to the public through taxes. So by using cash you are costing me money! :) I wouldn't be surprised if during my lifetime, cash is fazed out almost completely. And in the next few years, I'm sure the signature on credit cards will be obsolete. It's pretty much useless now.

I used to be one of those people who didn't know what to say to people who lost someone close to them. I was afraid I'd put my foot in it, or trigger something emotional. I missed many opportunities to express my sympathy to others. Until my dear husband died. People came from considerable distance to attend his funeral. People sent cards, most containing a heartfelt message. It was very meaningful and comforting to me and a manifestation of how much he was loved. It's been almost 12 years (!!!) and I still have all those cards. I wrote thank-you notes to those who'd sent flowers or made donations in his name. Originally I thought, surely no for cards...so I checked some online etiquette site. Oh yes, thank-you cards for sympathy cards. Still in a daze, a week after I buried my husband, I went out and bought thank-you cards and stamps. I wrote to each person and it made me feel so much better, connected with them, and him, expressing deep gratitude. When I finished all the card-senders, I wrote to doctors, funeral homes, colleagues from work, everyone I could think of who loved him and supported me through their expressions of loss and love. I'm grateful that I've always been able to talk about my loss with others. To deny it, to shut it down, would be to deny him. I know we all deal with grief in our own ways. But I would encourage everyone to not worry overmuch about how to address a note. When in doubt, err on the side of being inclusive. It's okay.