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Just being on vacation in Japan for one day display differences in cultures of the world. Compared to the United States, Japan has a very peaceful and polite society. The Japanese constantly greeting and saying farewells to not only close buddies, but also complete strangers. There is a strong sense of respect that defines Japanese society. Even youngsters are taught to respect others. For example, in the elevator, a young Japanese boy yielded to allow use to exit first. I was utterly amazed. Such an act would never happen in Japan. And because the Japanese are so courteous to one another, there is little need for police action. Police presence on the streets of Tokyo is non-existent, for such a need is unnecessary. I've toured Europe, China, Taiwan, Canada, and have lived in the United States for all of my life. Never in my life have I experienced such an experience. It would be my dream the society Japan has be spread across the globe, from one end to another. The capitalistic world that the United States has created ignored respect. Big fish ruthlessly eat small fish in what is becoming a globalized world.

Most computer lovers in search for deals have heard and visited the computing megastore Fry's Electronics. By buying in bulk, Fry's can offer products to customers at substantially lower price than their competitors. In order to further accommodate their customer needs, Fry's offers a flexible return policy, in which almost any product (even if opened) can be returned for a full refund. Additionally, their omnipresent employees are always available to offer their advice to question-hungry customers. But helpful employees may not be as honest as you think! In certain departments, Fry's employees are paid on commission. Therefore, when customers ask a question, employees may bias their response with hopes of reeling in an easy sale. With that in mind, always take advice from Fry's employees as a grain of salt.

Next, because of their lax return policy, it is possible that returned items are incorrect. Therefore, always check your products before purchase. In the worst case, people have recieved products that were not remotely close to what the box advertised. Specifically, an eighty gig hard drive advertised as new turned out to be a 20 gig hard drive with an 80 gig hard drive label on the drive! That product was definitely returned buy a cheating customer!

The previous two situations are not to discourage shopping at Fry's Electronics. Fry's is still a very well run store that do offer great products and great prices. Just keep in mind the two issues so that you are not fooled by their seemingly friendly employees. So with that, happy shopping!

How would you like to volunteer your desktop to helping the field of medicine? The World Community Grid is free software that utilizes unused CPU from your computer to calculate and measure medical related problems. The beauty of this program is that it only utilizes your unused CPU, which can often times be quite significant. Check your CPU usage in Windows XP by pressing Ctrl + Alt + Delete and selecting the Performance tab. Then simply check your CPU Usage. You will notice that your CPU usage is most likely less than 10%, and probably even lower if you’re only browsing the internet. Now, you can help find a cure without changing your current behavior or spending any money.

I do not recommend running this program on laptops/notebooks because prolong CPU usage will have adverse affects on battery life. However, all computer connected with AC power will work without problems. To download this free program, direct your browser to http://www.worldcommunitygrid.org/, become a member, and begin contributing back to society. Once installed, I recommend setting the program to only run when your screensaver runs (to ensure that the program only uses CPU while you are away). To that, simply open the program from your taskbar (icons by the clock in the bottom right). Hit the Preference button (the checkbox icon), and check the box labeled Run only as Screen Saver. To save this change, hit the apply button. Installation is complete! Now if you want, encourage your friends and family to join this free program and explain to them the good cause it serves!

Wednesday nights at 9/8c, ABC is in the midst of airing season four of Alias. Imagine a wild girl performing intricate fighting moves to subdue her enemies to the benefit of the humanity. Though many regard Alias as an action TV show attempting to gain public popularity and raise television ratings with a female star, in this case Jennifer Garner, such a statement would only half the truth. The twisted and constantly on the edge of your seat storyline combined with a talented cast not only gives the show character, but also brings fans back week after week. And let’s not forget JJ Abrams, creator & executive producer of Alias, who has elaborately written and made this show possible.

Here is a tidbit of the storyline from season one. Sydney Bristow is in college and is recruited by SD-6, a top-secret division of the CIA. After becoming an approved agent, she realizes her father, Jack Bristow, also works for SD-6. She soon realizes SD-6 is not really a division of the CIA and that everyone working was made to believe they were working for the CIA. Instead, SD-6 is an organization sought after by the CIA. With this new-found knowledge, Sydney applies to become a double agent for the CIA only to discover that Jack, her father, is already a double agent. Sydney is now a spy working for the CIA. And the story continues with covert operations on behalf of both the CIA and SD-6.

Find out more about Alias.

In December of 2004, a recent amendment to the federal Fair Credit Reporting Act (FCRA) requires each of the nationwide consumer reporting companies to provide you with one free credit report. This service will be available nationwide by September 2005. Periodically reviewing your credit report is an important practice to protect you against identity theft. Approvals for loans on major purchases can also be affected by credit ratings. With your permission, creditors, insurers, employers, and other businesses are allowed legal access to your credit to evaluate your application for credit, insurance, and even employment to name a few.

The only three nationwide consumer reporting companies (Equifax, Experian, and Trans Union) have collectively set up a website at http://www.annualcreditreport.com/. To confirm your identity for your free credit report, you must provide your name, address, social security number, and date of birth. If ordered online, you can receive your free credit report instantly. Information provided by the three nationwide companies may vary slightly because of differing sources. You can request all three credit reports at the same time or at staggered intervals. Requesting your credit report regularly is one important method to combat identity theft.

Visit AnnualCreditReport for more information.

With the spread of high speed internet access into homes and the workplace, the accumulation of adware and spyware on PCs has become commonplace. As people rant about computer annoyances, it is not be unusual to hear the terms adware and spyware. Unfortunately, the majority of people neither know exactly the true definition of spyware or adware. How well do you think you know the definition? Read on to see the difference!

Adware is considered legitimate software, legally installed onto your computer by free software (known as freeware) available online. Software development and future product updates must be paid for somehow, so adware is bundled into freeware to offset costs of development. It is legal for companies to install adware with their software because it is listed in the Terms and Conditions during the installation process (it's just that nobody reads it).

Spyware is adware that contains additional features that track internet habits to serve related advertisements. Spyware, unlike adware is considered malicious software that can read files, monitor keystrokes, change your default home page, and even install more malicious spyware! Spyware easily and effectively spreads via peer-to-peer applications.

Fujitsu, a company often times overlooked by laptop consumers, offers very well-built laptops offered at a reasonable price. Though Fujitsu laptops are still not as good as IBM's Thinkpad series, it is better than Dell or HP. However, the noticeable difference between an IBM and Fujitsu laptop is that IBM is all about the build whereas Fujitsu has a well defined balance between looks and build. True that Fujitsu is cheaper than IBM, unfortunately Dell and HP carry less expensive models with simliar specification.

In particular, the S6231 is a good laptop with a reasonably sized monitor (13") and weight (3.63 lbs). Though widescreen would have been a nice feature, widescreen is most effective with larger monitors when two windows can be viewed side by side. This laptop also features a fullsized keyboard that spans from one edge to the other. A decently equipped Fujitsu S6231 costs about $1500.

Every laptop doesn't come with various hardware defects. Many people who have previously owned the Fujitsu S6000 series have reported issues with flex on the right hand side of the keyboard (Flex is when a key is pressed and it simultaneously feels like the surrounding keys are also being depressed). Though many would consider this a personal preference, it is a concern nonetheless. Additionally, even though it has a great monitor display, the max resolution is only 1042x768 which may be a deterrent for purchase.

Overall, the Fujitsu S6000 has a great balance which would make it a reasonable purchase. For those looking to purchase a Fujitsu, Frys Electronics carries the S6000 so that you can check out the laptop in person. When ready to purchase, direct your browser to http://www.portableone.com/ where they offer exclusive deals including a free upgrade from a 1 year to 3 year manufacture warrenty!

At the sad end of every quarter when there's nothing to look forward to except for finals, the pace of life always seems to change. When before, waking up at sunrise was mandatory because of obligations to attend class. But during finals week, there are no classes and therefore no more waking up early. And even better, if your finals don't begin till the end of the week, there is no motivation to wake up early and study. So the big question is, what to do with all this freetime?

Unfortunately, some if not most of this time is wasted doing often times meaningless tasks. For instance, I've managed to do so many things that I would not otherwise have done during the regular school year ranging from reinstalling all my games to heading out to Southcoast for a bit of shopping. So why can't for the last week of the quarter just push through and finish strong? For that should be everyones main concern in the final days... to FINISH STRONG!

Brothers in Arms Road to Hill 30 is a first person tactical shooter game, one of the first in it's class. If you've never played such a game, just imagine any first person shooter (ie Counter-Strike or Halo), with the added feature of commanding additional units. You are allowed control of other units and vehicles that can be used to set up cross and cover fire as you pin the enemy and advance up the battlefield to effectively flank enemy units. This game shares the same personalities as the TV show Band of Brothers, in that before each chapter, the main character has a short speech on how and what he is thinking at that moment in his life.

Personally, I enjoy this innovative new concept of commanding units. In a way, it is so much more realistic than just who has the best reflexes and control with point and shoot. Instead, Brothers in Arms allows you to set up units to crucial checkpoints. The main goal is to flank the enemy units, but at the same time not to get flanked yourself. Control of the game is surprisingly not complicated, though some of the visual aspects of which unit you are currently controlling is difficult to manage in the heat of battle. Overall, Brothers In Arms Road to Hill 30 is a great hit!

Available for: Xbox, PC, PS2
For more information, visit the Official Brothers in Arms website.

Just for your information, in case anybody cares, I'll most likely be going to Japan this year for Spring Break with a tour group. Japan is somewhere I've always wanted to visit, and I figured that now is a better time than ever to make that trip. Part of the reason why I'm so interested in Japan is because I'm utterly amazed at the way they do business. The way the Japanese perfect product they manufacture. Things I'm not looking forward to is how expensive it will be and the meager meals I'll be eating. But other than that, I'm looking forward to this adventure.