services — Talk Local Blog

Archive for the ‘services’ Category

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

If you have ever lost your cell phone in a taxi, you know how incredibly difficult it is to get back. Most of the time, it depends on the taxi driver and whether he/she is kind enough to track you down. Unfortunately, there aren’t a lot of things you can do other than hope the taxi driver turns in your phone to the local police station or the garage (these are places you should call if possible).

The following tips will help prevent you from losing your phone again, and facilitate the return process if you do. In Philadelphia, for instance, you can call 215-683-9440 to retrieve lost items.

Check your belongings before you leave

While this may be the obvious thing to do, you should always check the back seat and floor before you exit the taxi, as well as check your own belongings. Make sure that all your devices are there and you haven’t left anything behind. Try to avoid being distracted by talking on the cell phone or otherwise preoccupied so you don’t forget to check.

Get a receipt

Make sure to get a taxi receipt for your fare every single time. This receipt will contain both the taxi driver’s name and the cab number, which will make it much easier to track down your cell phone or device if you do leave it behind.

Offer a reward

You’ll get much better response rates if you offer a monetary reward. Keep in mind that in order to return your phone, taxi drivers would be giving up potential fares, so you’ll definitely want to tip and reward them accordingly.

Communicate with the phone

Constantly sending text messages to the phone and calling it periodically will force whoever currently has the phone to take notice. If all goes well, they may even answer the phone and potentially offer to return it, so being in constant communication will raise your chances of finding your phone.

Check the cab websites

If you lost your phone is a larger metro area such as New York City, they’ll often has online postings of lost/found properties, which may lead to greater success than going to the local police precinct or garage. Check their websites and see whether or not they have property listings and a claim process as well.

If you’re ever looking for a taxi service, you should use TalkLocal to find the highest quality taxi services near you. The higher the quality, the more likely they’ll be willing to go the extra mile to return your phone to you if you ever lose it. You’ll be in good hands!

Posted in Taxicabs | No Comments »

Is My Web Cam Working

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

Have you ever felt like your webcam is watching you when you aren’t using it? You are not alone. There are many people who feel uncomfortable about the fact that a webcam could possibly be broadcasting you without you knowing it. If your webcam is giving you the creeps, it never hurts to simply unplug it when you are not using it. But if you do actually need to use it and are wondering, “is my web cam working?”, here are some tips that can help you figure this out.

We hate to add to your uneasiness, but the truth is, if you feel like your webcam is watching you, you may be right! While webcams will never broadcast you without your permission by themselves, there are programs out there that can. Camfrog and AnyCam are the names of a couple of these type of programs. In order to make sure your webcam is NOT broadcasting you without you knowing it, make sure no suspicious programs or unfamiliar programs are starting up when you turn on your computer. You can view your running processes by:

– Pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL if you are a PC user

– Pressing COMMAND+OPT+ESC if you are a MAC

If you notice suspicious programs running on your computer, or if you have reason to believe that somebody has hacked into your computer and has control of your webcam, you may have a very serious problem on your hands. You may need to try the following approaches:

– Reset your IP Address — You can do this by simply unplugging your internet modem for the night and plugging it in again in the morning.

– Wipe your Hard Drive — This is a last resort. Any files that you do not backup will be lost forever. Only do this in case of a real emergency.

If you have found suspicious programs—webcam related or not—running on your computer, need help with wiping your hard drive, or have any other computer problems, visit TalkLocal. This free service will find you local computer repair professionals and have them call you back within minutes.

Posted in Computer Repair | 1 Comment »

What Do Professional Movers Do

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

What Do Professional Movers Do

There is always a time in our lives when we have to move. All the planning, packaging, and moving can be frustrating and time consuming. Without the manpower needed to move, it can be a horrible experience. With professional movers, moving can be a lot easier on you and your family.

Professional movers are just how they sound. They are in a business that deals with moving a person’s belonging from one location to another. They can help you pack the belongings as well. There are national chains and locally independent moving companies. These companies have insurance for items that get unforeseen damages from the move. Their prices vary depending on distance, location, hours, number of items, and the size and weight of the items.

When to Hire a Mover

When moving one bedroom full of stuff or less, you should consider using a self-service company. Self-service is a type of moving business that provides the customer with just the equipment to move stuff easily and not the movers. Equipment can include trucks, dollies, and packaging. If you have to move two bedrooms of stuff or more, you should hire a mover. The planning and coordination needed to move a whole house may be too challenging to tackle on your own. Your friends and family may not have the strength to lift bigger items or the time of day to dedicate to that much moving. Items such as a piano would be difficult to move without professional help.

What to Consider When Hiring a Mover

1. What insurance policy do they have for damaging belongings when moving?

2. What were past customer experience with the movers? Ask for references and check online reviews.

3. How many years of experience does the moving business have?

4. How many movers would be available for you?

5. Are there any specialty items that need extra care or coordination to get out of the house? There are companies that specialized in moving certain items, such as a piano.

Moving does not have to be a tiring chore. Professional movers have the expertise and experience to handle the move, while you relax and concentrate on the new experience ahead. TalkLocal can connect to with the best of movers in your area for free and remove the hassle of company research.

Posted in Moving and Storage | No Comments »

How to Remove Food Stains from Carpet

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

Accidents happen, so if you have a food or drink stain on your carpet, don’t fret. More often than not, you can remove food stains from carpet if you’re quick enough. And if you’re worried about spending hours cleaning up the mess, don’t be. By following these tips, you will learn how to remove food stains from carpet.

First thing’s first, you will want to act quickly because the sooner you act, the less you will have to clean. If it’s a food stain you want to clean, make sure to start by removing any solid food particles you’re able to reach. Next, use a clean and damp cloth or sponge to dab at the stain until all the food particles within the carpet have been cleaned. Do not to rub the stain, as this will only cause it to spread around.

At this point, all food particles should be cleaned up and only the stain should remain. The next step entails choosing between common household items such as vinegar, baking soda, dishwashing liquid, detergent, etc. All these do a great job at getting rid of stains if used properly.

Vinegar can be poured directly onto deep stains and vinegar diluted in warm water can be poured on less severe stains. After letting it soak for a minute, use a cloth or sponge to blot the stain. When the stain can’t be lifted any further, use another damp sponge to rinse the carpet; the smell should leave in a couple days.

If you prefer to use baking soda, then the first step is to make a paste out of baking soda and water. Apply this paste directly on the stain and wait roughly twenty minutes. Remove the paste and blot anything remaining with a damp cloth or sponge.

Other household items like dishwashing liquid, household detergent, and club soda all work the same way. To prevent the stain from returning, it’s important to keep a thick, dry towel over the stain and weight it with a heavy object such as a book. This step absorbs any excess liquid that may remain under the carpet where you can’t see.

By following these steps, the majority of stains can be eradicated. But for those few stains that don’t come out no matter how much product and elbow grease is used, you may need to hire a professional carpet cleaner to take care of them.

If your carpet has reached this point, consider using TalkLocal, a FREE service that connects you with the best professionals in just a few minutes. All you need to do is enter in your specific issue, location and availability, and TalkLocal will contact multiple carpet cleaners who will then call YOU directly, ready to help.

Posted in Carpet Cleaners | 1 Comment »

Divorce Without a Lawyer

Thursday, July 19th, 2012

If you’re looking to get a divorce without a lawyer, that means you represent yourself in your divorce case. Pro Se divorce means that you will have to go through the legal process yourself, including filling out any and all forms necessary for the court process. Before you continue though, you should seriously consider both the local and state laws governing divorce. You will also need to keep the legal and emotional aspects separate, which can be challenging; if you are unable to do so, you should hire an attorney.

If you’re determined to continue forward with pro se litigation, then you’ll first want to do some research at the state law library and the local county court. Familiarize yourself with the ins and outs of the local divorce process and check whether you qualify for no-fault divorce. Then you should pick up the necessary forms at the local courthouse or clerk’s office and fill them out (which should be simple if you’ve already determined how the assets will be split).

You and your spouse must sign the form (and have them notarized as required), and then deliver them to the local court clerk. Make sure you have enough to cover the filing fee which will be due immediately and will vary by court. You then need to notify the respondent about the divorce. After setting the final divorce hearings, begin the discovery phase. During this phase, you’ll be gathering information pertaining to the divorce and send a list of questions (interrogatories) to ask the respondent.

Afterwards, you’ll enter a phase called mediation, during which you and the respondent will meet to try to negotiate any outstanding issues, such as distribution of assets and alimony. However, if all issues cannot be solved in this phase, then both parties will have an opportunity to argue their case in front of a judge in divorce court. The judge will then evaluate the evidence and distribute the assets accordingly.

Once again, since divorce is a complex and highly complicated legal process, it is much easier to hire an attorney. You can always use TalkLocal to instantly find a high rated local attorney to represent you.

Posted in Lawyers - Family | 1 Comment »

How to Ice the Driveway Before a Snow Storm

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Removing snow or ice from your driveway is a labor-intensive process in cold, wet conditions. Putting off snow removal can lead to a dangerous and slippery driveway. You can get a head start by pre-treating your driveway with a de-icing agent to prevent snow from freezing immediately when it hits the ground. Anti-icing materials lower the freezing point of snow and sleet, which will make it easier for you to clear out your driveway before the heavy snow freezes. Learn how to ice the driveway before a snow storm with the simple steps provided below.

De-icing

You can make your own de-icing solution by dissolving de-icing salts in warm water. Some examples of de-icing salts include rock salt and urea salt. Urea can also be used as a natural fertilizer; it melts ice in temperatures over 15 degrees Fahrenheit. Some other deicing agents include sodium chloride, potassium chloride and magnesium chloride. These work in temperatures above 12 to 25 degrees Fahrenheit and are available as liquid solutions, or you can mix them with warm water yourself. Calcium chloride works down to -25 degrees Fahrenheit, but it is more expensive than the other agents.

Application

Creating and applying de-icing agents to a driveway before it snows is relatively simple. Wait to dissolve the agent in warm water until about two hours before the projected snowfall. Pour your solution into a spray bottle or canister. Start at the garage end of your driveway and spray the solution over the entire surface, adding an extra coat at the street end of the driveway. The liquid will dry on the pavement and remain there until you start shoveling.

If you still need help de-icing your driveway before it snows, or you need someone to plow your driveway for you, use TalkLocal to get in contact with local professionals immediately. Simply give a brief description of your service needs along with your location and availability to be connected with up to three snow removal companies within minutes.

Posted in Snow Removal | No Comments »

How Much does a Taxi Cost in Baltimore

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Taxi cabs can be a pain to deal with, especially when you’re worried about having enough cash to cover the fare. Each city and cab service has different rates, so read up on the specifics when choosing the right cab service.

Cabs in Baltimore:

How much does a taxi cost in Baltimore? This depends on a number of things. As for every taxi fare, it varies depending on where you are, how far you are going, and how long the trip lasts. Additional factors come into play, such as inclement weather or particularly bad traffic conditions.

Tip percentages:

The expected tip percentage also varies depending on the city, and in some countries tipping might even offend the taxi driver. It’s hard to give a fixed estimate for a taxi ride, but as a general estimate, the initial cost of a taxi in Baltimore is $1.80 and each additional mile is $2.20 extra. For more accurate estimates of taxi fares, use TaxiFareFinder to get a fare estimate that takes into account characteristics of individual cities.

If you’re tired of calling numerous taxi companies and ended up still stranded, try using TalkLocal for free to find a reliable taxi company that will also give you their specific rates.

Posted in Taxicabs | 1 Comment »

Who Can I Talk to About Divorce

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

A divorce is a difficult decision to make, and the process is lengthy and complicated. You might be wondering, “who can I talk to about divorce?” Simplify your divorce by knowing the facts and contacting the right professionals.

Marriage Counselor

Before turning to an attorney, consider seeing a marriage counselor to see if the marriage can be saved. Contemplating a divorce is a very daunting thing to handle on your own. A marriage counselor will help you cope with the issues and possibly address and fix the problems. Talking to a professional third party can help clear your mind to decide whether divorce is what is best for you and your spouse. You can contact a marriage counselor from this directory.

Consult an Attorney

If you have decided that a divorce is the best option, divorce attorneys can inform you of the divorce process because they specialize in family law. They will advise you on your legal rights and responsibilities, as well as the best way to proceed. A divorce is never easy, but an attorney will be able to guide you through the process and answer any questions you may have.

An attorney will help settle the custody battle, help you take inventory of your household and family possessions, help you assess the best way to manage the family budget, and assist you in safeguarding what is yours. Divorce financial planning and protecting your assets can all be settled with the assistance of a divorce attorney. Finances can be overwhelming to handle, so some people choose to consult a financial planner for additional help. However, a divorce attorney is perfectly capable of handling these affairs on their own. To contact the best attorney’s in your local area, use TalkLocal’s free concierge service. You will be able to find a reliable attorney that can meet around your schedule.

Posted in Lawyers - Family | 3 Comments »

Deleting Cookies on a Mac

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

Computer cookies, unlike real cookies, are not something you want to have. Computer cookies can be annoying to deal with and harmful to your computer. These cookies are supposed to tailor your Internet experience based on previous sessions, however they are not always helpful. Here is some information and steps on deleting cookies on a Mac.

What is a cookie and why is it used?

Cookies are small files that are stored on your computer. They are designed to allow the server to deliver pages that are tailored to you personally. These cookies are a convenient way to carry information between Internet sessions. However, some cookies will retain information that you might not want them to such as usernames, passwords and other personal identifiers. A tracking cookie will trace what you do during your online session as well as view your browsing history. This particular cookie is seen as an invasion of privacy because it allows the advertisers who sent the tracking cookies to build profiles of the users without consent or knowledge.

Types of Cookies

Generally, there are two types: first party cookies and third party cookies. First party cookies are from the websites you ask your browser to fetch. These cookies are helpful and harmless, and are required to interact with the site. Third party cookies, however, are not beneficial to your computer. These are usually sent by advertisers and have the “tracking” ability. They can also have malware, which can be detrimental to your computer. Regardless of the type of cookie, you should always clean your computer every once in a while.

Deleting Cookies

When using a Mac, the process of deleting cookies depends on what Internet browser you use. If you’re using Safari, go to the menu, pull down preferences and click on “show cookies” under security. Clicking on this will allow you to see all of the currently active cookies and clear them as needed. If your browser of choice is Internet Explorer, go to preferences, select “receiving files options”, hit “cookies,” and highlight the cookies you want to delete.

If the problem persists, you may need to seek the help of a professional. Go to TalkLocal to find someone to help you with your exact issue in a fast and easy manner. Simply type in your problem along with your availability, and TalkLocal will do the rest. You’ll be connected to a reliable local IT professional within minutes.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

Could Sharing Your Netflix Password Result in Jail Time?

Wednesday, July 18th, 2012

So is sharing your Netflix password allowed? On June 2nd, 2011, Tennessee Governor Bill Haslam signed a bill that banned sharing passwords for Netflix, Hulu, Rhapsody, and any other subscription-based website. The bill, which was in effect on July 1st, 2011, was primarily targeted at hackers who steal usernames and password to subscription sites and sell them in bulk. However, ordinary subscribers who share their passwords with friends and family could also be subject to legal action. In a statement to the Associated Press, Rep. Gerald McCormick explained, “what becomes not legal is if you send your user name and password to all your friends so they can get free subscriptions.”

Violations involving less than $500 worth of entertainment are classified as misdemeanors; they are punishable by fines of $2,500 and up to one year in jail. The penalty for second offenses and violation involving entertainment valued above $500 is even steeper — and may involve a felony charge.

Many have said the new law is unnecessary. Jared Newman of PCworld even went so far as to say the law went against the nature of subscription-based websites. He also pointed out that websites like Netflix already have measures in place to keep many people from using the same password, including limiting the number of devices that can stream content from one subscription at once. Netflix agreed with him saying in a statement reported by Tom Cheredar of MediaBeat that “Netflix already has provisions in its Terms of Use that restrict passwords to the member’s household.”

But Tennessee lawmakers maintain that the bill is an important step in stopping piracy. Cheredar speculates that they were especially concerned with protecting the music industry because it has a sizeable presence in the state and has much to lose from pirating. But only time will tell what effect— if any — the law will have on the industry and consumer.

Posted in Computer Repair | No Comments »

« Older Entries

Newer Entries »