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Christmas Tale of Five Web Host Providers
Consumer Help
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| Consumer Warning!
Be wary of web sites that recommend another
company's products and/or services. If for example the recommender
is an affiliate, it may receive a commission each time you
click-through to the recommended site and/or consummate a sale.
Sometimes this affiliate status is not disclosed and it
draws into question the recommender's objectivity and motives.
Often, the affiliate relationship can be detected by examining the
referrers site link to the referred. If it has unique
alphanumeric identifiers appended to its' URL this suggests all
click-throughs will be traced back to the source. |
Business Ethics
Magazine of corporate responsibility.
Cob Cottage
Company
"What we do:
1) We conduct hands-on research on
natural building methods and materials,
testing our own buildings by living
in them.
2) Through practical trainings in
natural construction, we help empower
ordinary people to build their own houses
at moderate cost.
3) We supply information,
support & inspiration for people to make
healthy choices about buildings.
Our inspiration comes from direct
observation of Nature, and from the
wisdom of traditional cultures. We are
committed to deconsumerizing, to reducing
the flow of cash, resources and waste, &
helping others to do the same. We work
with a wide range of natural materials."
eco-artware.com
A gallery featuring
functional art
from recycled, reused & natural
materials by artists. Includes
jewelry, bowls & baskets,
clothing, home furnishings,
personal accessories & more.
Fantasy
Steel Studio
Swings, rockers, and fancy brackets.
Functional steel art, including porch
swings in designs of deer swings,
horse swings, dragon swings, & fairy
swings, also deer design rockers
as singles & bench style.
Foodroutes.org
A project of FoodRoutes Network,
a non-profit organization dedicated
to providing strategic communications
& evaluation tools & information to
on-the-ground advocates who are working
to build awareness of and support for
sustainable farming and local food
systems.
Green
Mountain Energy
Largest U.S. retail provider of
electricity from less-polluting
sources such as wind, water,
solar, biomass, geothermal,
& natural gas.
HostMySite.com
HostMySite has been a trusted name in
web hosting since 1997. Staff members
continually strive to provide a very level of
service.
Interface
Interface is the largest commercial
carpet manufacturer in the world.
Headquartered in Atlanta, Interface
has manufacturing locations on four
continents and offices in more than
100 countries. In addition, Interface
is a leader in industrial ecology. With
the vision of becoming the world's first
environmentally restorative company
by 2020, Interface is pioneering
management & manufacturing processes
that will achieve this goal.
MotherNature.com
Naropa University
Mission is to offer educational
programs that cultivate awareness of
the present moment through intellectual,
artistic, & meditative disciplines;
Foster a learning community (composed
of students, faculty, staff, trustees, &
alumni) that uncovers wisdom and heart;
Cultivate openness and communication,
sharpen critical intellect, enhance
resourcefulness, and develop effective
action in all disciplines; Exemplify the
principles grounded in Naropa University's
Buddhist educational heritage; Encourage
the integration of world wisdom traditions
with modern culture; Be nonsectarian
and open to all.
Natural
Tree Furniture
Furniture designed to blend
nature
with creative imagination.
Natura Pet Products
Natura Pet Products was founded in
1989 by John and Ann Rademakers
& Peter Atkins in Santa Clara, California.
Dissatisfied with the unhealthy ingredients
in the pet foods on the market, they
consulted with veterinary nutrition experts
to determine the best sources for pet food
ingredients. Working with caring pet
professionals - veterinarians, breeders &
nutritionists - Natura asked one key question:
"How do you make the healthiest pet food
in the world?" What they learned won’t
surprise you. Dogs and cats are healthiest
when they eat the whole, natural foods we
would eat ourselves: USDA-inspected chicken,
turkey and lamb, whole grain rice and barley,
fresh fruits and vegetables, and Grade A
dairy products.
Organic
Consumers Association
Promotes food safety, organic farming
& sustainable agriculture practices in
the U.S. and internationally.
Wildwood Works
Goal is to provide products which
reflect the natural beauty of the forest.
All Wildwood products are made
from hand salvaged branches from
forest industry sites.
Working Assets
Long distance, credit card, Internet
services & broadcasting company
created to build a world that is
more just, humane &
environmentally sustainable.
WorkingForChange | ActForChange
ShopForChange | GiveForChange
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Web sites made up of resources for
people with progressive values. People
can speak out on urgent issues,
read informative news and
columns, go shopping, make a
donation or volunteer their time.
Automobile Sites/Reviews
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1SourceAutoWarranty
Extended automobile warranties.
ALLDATA
Recalls & service bulletin titles
for your car.
Carfax-Vehicle History Reports
EV World
Electric vehicle reviews, community,
investment & industry information.
GreenerCars
A web site of The American Council
for an Energy-Efficient Economy- a
nonprofit, 501(c)(3) organization
dedicated to advancing energy
efficiency as a means of promoting
both economic prosperity &
environmental protection.
Hybridcars.com
Insurance Institute
for Highway
Safety
Vehicle crashworthiness ratings are
particularly helpful & should be
weighed prior to purchase.
Intellichoice
J.D. Power
Consumer Center
Consumer satisfaction surveys for
autos, boats, finance, travel, telecom,
homes & healthcare.
Kelly Blue Book
Lemon
Law America
No one should have to be a driver
or passenger in a vehicle they
do not feel safe in.
NADAguides
Vehicle pricing
National Highway
Traffic
Safety Administration
Wealth of information on motor vehicle
& traffic safety topics, including:
Recalls, Service Bulletins, Safety
Hotline, Child Passenger Safety,
Disability Information, Crash Ratings, etc.
SUV Rollovers: PBS Frontline Report
Warranty Direct
Extended automobile warranties.
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Car
Air Conditioning
& Fossil Fuel Emissions: Major
Sources of Greenhouse Gases "[In Germany] quantitatively, car air-conditioning will be the second largest source of HFC emissions after the sector of refrigeration and stationary air-conditioning. The index of the global warming potential (GWP) of R-134a is 1,300, i.e. the 1,300-fold of CO2. The 4.5 million tonnes CO2 equivalent are calculated from roughly 3,500 metric tonnes emissions which in our estimations are most likely to be the emission levels by 2010/11." - "Forecasting R-134a emissions from car air conditioning systems until 2020 in Germany," DKV Deutsche Kaelte-Klima-Tagung Bremen, 22.-24. November 2000 Translation of the German lecture. Speaker is Winfried Schwarz, Oeko-Recherche, Buero fuer Umweltforschung, Frankfurt/M. Automobiles are also a major contributor to fossil fuel greenhouse gases. Popular acceptance of lighter, so called "green" cars with hybrid motors such as the Toyota Prius and the Honda Insight should significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions over the life of the car. This is in sharp contrast to vehicles such as the Chevrolet Suburban and Ford Excursion that are highly fuel inefficient and major greenhouse emitters. Resistance to higher CAFE standards by the Bush Administration and Congress will only perpetuate production of fuel inefficient vehicles that damage the environment and increase global dependency on fossil fuels. See also: EPA Green Vehicle Guide
For modern car engines and motor oils, a motor oil change every 3,000 miles is wasteful and is no longer recommended by automobile manufacturers. For other than
"severe" driving conditions the factory recommended oil and oil
filter change interval is 7,500-15,000 miles for newer models.
Consult your owners manual for the exact definition of what
is "severe" and "normal" and for the recommended change interval
based on your driving habits. |
Electronics Reviews
Consumer Reviews
Consumer
Reports |
Consumers Union
ConsumerLab
Provider of independent test results
& information to help consumers &
healthcare professionals evaluate
health, wellness, & nutrition products.
ConsumerSearch
Epinions
Source for advice, personalized
recommendations, & comparative shopping
PlanetFeedback.com
Allows consumers to send feedback
online to companies.
ResellerRatings.com
User evaluations of on-line computer
hardware vendors.
Legal/Consumer Protection
ABA
LawInfo.org
Gateway to legal resources.
Better Business Bureau
Cerebral Palsy Help
Website of Mr. Sheldon O. Zisook,
a parent of a child born with cerebral
palsy & an attorney who has become
deeply involved in brain injury &
other birth injury cases throughout
the country.
Delphion Patent
Server
Direct
Marketing Association:
Consumers
Provides information and tips on a
wide range of topics, including
marketing preference services, privacy,
safe shopping, etc.
DiscriminationAttorney.com
Environmental Working
Group
The mission of the Environmental Working
Group (EWG) is to use the power of public
information to protect public health and
the environment.
FCC ID Search
(Equipment Authorization)
FreePatentsOnline
Provides fast, easy-to-use access to
millions of patents & patent applications.
Internet Legal
Resource Guide
Kids In Danger
Organization for the protection of children
from dangerous products
Lawyers.com
Legal information & resources
LegalZoom
Online legal service & documents.
National Low
Income Housing
Coalition
"Dedicated solely to ending America’s
affordable housing crisis. We believe that
this is achievable, that the affordable housing
crisis is a problem that Americans are
capable of solving. While we are concerned
about the housing circumstances of all low
income people, we focus our advocacy on
those with the most serious housing problems,
the lowest income households."
National Safety Council
Nolo.com
Legal information to give all Americans
legal access.
Optoutprescreen.com
Enables you to remove your name from
lists for pre-approved offers of credit
or insurance obtained from credit
reporting companies.
Personal Injury Attorney
Provides consumers a useful outline
& overview of personal injury law,
as well informative legal links,
personal injury lawyer referrals &
personal injury resources.
Priarielaw
State PIRG
(Public Interest Research Group)
U.S. Immigration: A
guide to
the visa and green card
process
Research guide for those seeking
information on U.S. immigration policies.
Provides information regarding the
path to legalized status in the U.S.
USLaw.com
WORLDLawDirect
Tips, solutions to over 6000 common
legal problems, free ask-an-attorney
options & customized services.
Fraud
Other Consumer Resources
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BenefitsCheckup
A free, easy-to-use service that
identifies federal & state assistance
programs for older Americans.
Big Class
Action
Listing of class action suits, complaints,
advocacy groups, legal portal, etc.
Corporate Accountability
International
Non-profit national membership
organization exposing life-threatening
abuses by transnational corporations &
organizing successful grassroots
campaigns to hold corporations
accountable to consumers &
society at large.
foreignborn.com
Website for all foreign-born individuals
entering or living in the United States.
Healthcare Choices
Assists patients, consumers & other
purchasers of health care services
understand the complexities of
the healthcare system
Healthinsuranceinfo.net
A consumer guide for getting &
keeping health insurance for each
state & the District of Columbia.
Interest.com
Hone finance information such as
mortgage interest rates, refinancing
& home buying advice.
JumpOnDeals
Latest coupons, sales & deals for
major online stores.
Living Will Registry
Mission is to promote the use
of advance directives through
educational programs and to make
people's health care choices available
to their caregivers & families.
LiveManuals
MedWatch
FDA Medical Products Reporting Program
& safety information program.
NaughtyCodes.com
List of coupon & promotional codes.
Nursing home abuse & neglect
resource center for the elderly &
their families.
Organic
Consumers Association
The
Organic Consumers Association (OCA)
is a grassroots non-profit public interest
organization campaigning for health, justice,
& sustainability. The OCA deals with crucial
issues of food safety, industrial agriculture,
genetic engineering, corporate accountability,
& environmental sustainability.
PC Support Center
Police Notebook
Crime prevention & safety information.
Satellite Review
Information on Satellite TV systems,
Directv & the Dish Network.
SeniorHousingNet
Comprehensive guide to retirement
communities, assisted living residences,
Alzheimer's facilities, and nursing homes
nationwide
Strong
Numbers
"The Bluebook for Everything"
TrafficStation
Traffic Updates on the Internet
Christmas Decorating
© Joanne Swanson
Fun/Hobbies
Better Homes &
Gardens
The Big Cartoon Database
The Internet's Largest Searchable
Database of Cartoons, Episode Guides
& Crew Lists!
Cagle's Cartoonist Index
Chinese Food DIY
Chinese food recipes, cooking tips &
serving advices.
Collectors Universe
The
Cook's Thesaurus
Cooking encyclopedia that covers
thousands of ingredients & kitchen tools.
Crea-Soft
On-line jigsaw puzzles
Deaf
Gamers
Reviews PC, Xbox, GameCube,
GBA & other vide games from
the deaf persons perspective.
"Text/visual feedback is a key
issue for a deaf person & many has
the occasion been when a deaf games
player has purchased a game only to
find no visual feedback or very little
of it (this can ruin the game for them)."
Discovery Channel
On-line
DIY Network
How-to projects with easy step-
by-step directions.
DYIOnline
Help designing & implementing home
improvement projects
Folk Art & Craft Exchange
Food Reference
Articles on food history & usage;
short food facts and trivia; an extensive
collection of quotes; who’s who in
food; cooking tips; culinary humor,
poems & crossword puzzles, & a
Culinary Calendar. Recipes, modern,
classic & historical are also presented.
FlyOrDie
Free online games.
GameSpot
HomeArts
Food, home, family, gardening, money
& health
Jig Zone
Free online jigsaw puzzles.
Jigsaw2order
Manufactures custom made jig saw
puzzles based on your own photos.
Lambiek.net
Home of the
Comiclopedia - an
illustrated reference with more
than 3,300 international comic
artists, complete with biographies
& samples of their artwork.
Lars-Olov Stenborg Postcard
PlantCare
Database of over 1,300 species
of House & Greenhouse Plants.
The Riddler
Thriftdeluxe
Provides easy, cheap & "damn
cool" projects ranging from a grater
lamp to alternative framing.
Wine
Lovers Page
Winefiles.org
A database for wine professionals
& wine lovers.
Digital Photography
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Short Courses
Steve's Digicams
Thanks to CreatAbiliTOYS! for the Keebler Elf image.