Issue Date: September 16, 2007
Ever wish your PC could be pint-sized?
UMPCs let you compute on the go.
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In a landscape long dominated by bulky laptops, Ultra Mobile PCs -- or UMPCs -- are Lilliputian in size but big on features. Designed to run full versions of Windows, these tiny devices generally are the size of a paperback book.
UMPCs aren't for everyone. Their small size means the batteries last only about three hours, and the tiny keyboards may seem awkward. But if you want to combine ultimate portability with the option of running applications such as Microsoft Word and Excel, then these mini-PCs are worth a second look. The OQO 02 (starting at $1,499, oqo.com), weighs about 1 pound and is 1 inch thick. It has a mini-touchpad as well as a slide-out keyboard.
The ASUS R2H ($1,000, usa.asus.com) is a UMPC with a 7-inch screen, a keyboard and a mapping utility with GPS navigation. The R2H has a 60-gigabyte hard drive.
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Tips for flying with pets
If you plan to take your dog or cat on a flight, here's what you need to know:
Consult with your vet to assess your pet's ability to travel, based on his age and health.
All of your pet's vaccinations should be up to date, and you should plan to travel with current health and rabies certificates issued within 10 days of your trip. These documents may be required for air travel and can be useful in the event that your pet needs medical attention on the road.
To fly with your dog or cat, the pet must be at least 8 weeks old and needs a reservation. Be sure to check with your airline about the maximum size carry-on allowed for soft-sided cabin pet carriers. A pet carrier counts as one carry-on bag and must fit under the seat in front of you. The fee for flying with a carry-on animal varies. For example, American Airlines charges $80, and United charges $85.
Larger animals must fly along with checked baggage. Check with the airline about maximum limits on the combined weight of the carrier and your animal. American Airlines, for example, charges $100 per animal, and United charges $100 to $200, based on your pet's size.
Award-winning travel writer Everett Potter's website is everettpotter.com.
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What to do if you get a letter from the IRS
If you did a complete job when you filed, then an audit will be no sweat.
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Starting next month, the IRS will begin doing random audits of about 13,000 individual 2006 tax returns. The audits will continue for the next three years. What should you do if you're chosen for an audit?
Don't panic. A random audit is just that -- random. It's not a signal the IRS has found something wrong. Most likely you'll get asked for documentation on specific areas of your tax return. Send those documents via mail or e-mail, and that may be the end of it. Or, you might have to meet with an agent at a local IRS office.
Answer promptly. Always respond on or before the deadline, even if you're asking for more time to prepare. The IRS almost always grants extensions, but it doesn't respond well to hearing nothing from you. If a tax preparer helped you file, immediately send him or her a copy of the IRS letter you received.
Know audit trouble spots. For example, no documentation for charitable donations, incomplete backup for business expenses and declaring a dependent who doesn't qualify are trouble spots, says Greg Rosica, an Ernst & Young tax partner and contributor to "The Ernst & Young Tax Guide 2007".
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Having a baby? Eat apples
Do you want your child to be free of asthma? If so, you should eat lots of apples while you are pregnant, a new Scottish study suggests.
Researchers at the University of Aberdeen in Scotland found that 5-year-old children whose mothers had eaten the most apples during pregnancy were least likely to experience wheezing episodes or doctor-confirmed asthma.
Eating fish at least one time a week while you are pregnant also can help your young offspring avoid getting eczema.
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