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Advisor Eval
Map/Navigation Software: DeLorme vs. Microsoft
Drive smarter with guidance from PC-based software
By John L. Hawkins, HawkTrek

I take many road trips, often on routes I haven't traveled, to places I haven't been, and often in a large motor home. Many trips are for business, so I need to get to the right place at the right time. I rely on a computer to plan the trip, then drive the trip. Little GPS receivers are cute, cheap, helpful -- but limited. But fortunately, my vehicle has plenty of space for a laptop that is visible to the driver. So I drive with computer-based, GPS-controlled map/navigation software running on a big computer screen.

There are two major software products in this category, Microsoft Streets and Trips, and DeLorme Street Atlas USA, and I think one strongly out-classes the other. Here's what and why...

Richard Rider Rant
With Our Lower Gas Prices, Drive Faster

Back in June of last year, I calculated the value of saving gas by driving slower. See http://www.advisor.com/boomer/blogs/richard-rider/putting-actual-dollar-...

We should look at the bottom line numbers again, since gas is now about 1/3 what it was then.

Assuming gas is $4.50 a gallon, if I drive 65 MPH instead of 75 MPH, the extra time driving translates to a fuel cost savings of $9.87 for each extra hour behind the wheel. Better than minimum wage, and tax free. But not a big savings.

Not in Poland
It doesn't work for Poland - dollar is too expensive so petrol is not so cheap.

Richard Rider Rant
California Has Highest Gas Taxes in the Nation
The state again leads by example
By Richard Rider, San Diego Tax Fighters chairman

We're number one! Yup, California has the highest total taxes on gas of any of the 50 states. As of January 2008, we wealthy West Coast folks pay 63.9 cents of federal and state taxes a gallon, vs. the national average of about 47.0 cents.

Actually, total California state taxes are even worse than it first appears. All gasoline has a federal 18.4 cents a gallon tax. Hence the rest is all state tax. Thus California state tax is 45.5 cents a gallon vs. the average state tax of 28.6 cents. That means that California gas taxes are an outrageous 59% higher than the average of all states.

Richard Rider Rant
Richard Rider Rant
What you should know now.
By Richard Rider, San Diego Tax Fighters chairman

This time:
1. Win a Nobel Peace Prize. Al Gore did it – you can too!
2. Bring Back Gray Davis! He Would Be Better than Arnold.
3. Media bias? Yes, But Perhaps Even Worse Is Reporter Laziness.
4. I Mean It! Gray Davis WAS a Better Governor than Arnold. Just Ask Gun Owners.
5. Further Proof Arnold Is a Terrible Governor. He Lied About Supporting Open Government.
6. The Hidden Cost of Depreciation in Public Works.
7. Trolleys FAR More Crime Ridden than Buses.
8. Portland, the Smart Growth Model for Central Planners, Gets Thoroughly Debunked.

RV.Advisor.com
RV Travel: Is It For You?
Flying is often unpleasant and frequently inefficient. Can traveling -- and working -- in a motor home be better?
By John L. Hawkins

AdvisorAudio: Click to hear this story.

To begin at the end, I now have an RV, a Monaco Diplomat motor home that gives me an office on wheels, a meeting place for customers, a way to avoid the hassles of flying and dirty hotel rooms. And yes, it's a home on wheels.

But why, after racking up more than a million flying miles (as an airline passenger, and doing my own piloting), do I now want to plod down the road instead of zooming over it?

Ability.Advisor.com
How to Regain Personal Mobility with an Adapted Car
Don't let mobility challenges slow you down.
By Terry Barton, Ability Center San Diego general manager

One in five people will experience some type of disability in their lifetime. When your own or a loved one's personal mobility becomes a problem, the restrictions on your daily life can be overwhelming. Suddenly there are limits on where you can go, what you can do, and who you can visit. Many people in this situation have decided to not let personal mobility limitations get in their way. While life may never be exactly as it was, there are solutions — mobility aids.

Senior.Advisor.com
Role Reversal
Strategies for taking away the keys when mom or dad should no longer drive.
By Pamela Smith, San Diego Aging & Independence Services director

Automobiles transcend other possessions. They are part of our identity, almost like a member of the family. After a lifetime of mobility, the prospect of losing that aspect of independence can be seriously frightening. But, what do you do when your parent is no longer safe on the road? Here are some suggestions.

Senior.Advisor.com
Getting Seniors Out from Behind the Wheel -- Voluntarily
How police and businesses in Japan encourage seniors who are no longer safe drivers to give up their driver's licenses.

In recent years, crashes involving drivers age 70 and older have jumped by 30 percent in Tokyo. Because it can be tough for family members to take the keys away from their older relatives, it's better for seniors to voluntarily give up driving.

Richard Rider Rant
Richard Rider Rant

1. Al Gore Wins Nobel Peace Prize (gag!).
2. San Diego Union-Tribune Screws Up Latest Mike Aguirre Expose. Big Time.
3. U-T Misses REAL Scandal on Political Contributions.
4. Update on San Diego Area Housing Price Drops.
5. U-T Now Wants to End the Drug War?
6. Rider's Thoughts on Drug Legalization.
7. Rider TV Comments on SD City Water Main Breaks.
8. Unemployment Training (The Ideology of Non-Work Learned in Urban Schools).
9. Using Google to Watch for Superheroes (or Whatever).
10. Ethanol Production Draining Midwest Water Supply.

Does personal drug use harm others?
I fully believe in the Libertarian movement. Libertarian's are the closest to Tom Paine's system of government that our country was originally founded upon. However, I need to debate answer 6.18 "...

Senior.Advisor.com
Driving Safety for Seniors
Are you worried about an older family member who's still driving?
Marilyn Sidler, MA OTR/L, CDRS, ATP, and Penny Anders, PTA II, rehabilitation driving specialist

When you see an older person behind the wheel, what is your reaction? Are you happy they can still get around? Or concerned for them and everyone else on the road? It’s a big question. For example, there are more than 5.5 million drivers over the age of 55 in California, and more than 2.5 million are 70 or older.

Travel.Advisor.com
Reduce Airport Security Hassles for Seniors
Can't help beeping? Don't let a hip replacement ruin your trip.
By John L. Hawkins

AdvisorAudio: Click to hear this story.

Air travel security can impact some travelers much more than others -- especially certain seniors. But there are things you can do to help a senior traveler be prepared, and things you can do to help the security process. Problems can arise if the traveler can't handle a long airport walk, or the traveler's stuff isn't organized with security in mind, or if the traveler's body contains some metal that will beep.

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An expert knows all the answers -- if you ask the right questions.