First is the processor – The brains of the computer. The faster the processor means the faster the computer. For example the Intel i7 is faster than the i3 (If you are wondering, Intel Pentium chips are old news). As for AMD, the Phenom is faster than the Sempron. Also the higher the GHz listed for each processor faster the processor (within each processor family).

Second is RAM memory – Next to the processor it has the biggest impact on performance. More is better but keep in mind that you may not need a lot of memory for what you do.

Third is the Operating System – Windows 64bit is faster than a 32bit OS. i.e. Window 7 64bit is faster than Windows 7 32bit. Vista 64bit is faster than Vista 32bit. Almost all versions of Windows XP is 32bit.

The last is the hard drive – Hard drives turn at a set RPM – that’s revolutions per minute – 5400, 7200, 10,000 RPMs are standard speeds. The faster speed the better. The 10,000 RPM hard drives are usually used on servers.

Alternatively, you can get a Solid State Hard Drive SSD. This is a new technology and currently much more expensive than regular hard drives. In addition they have less storage capacity and lifespan. But since it is all electronic it is much faster than any regular hard drive.

I found an amazing tool…a number you can dial that will leave a message on a cell phone without making the phone actually ring!

The number is 267-SLYDIAL or 267-759-3425. All you do is dial that number from any landline or mobile phone. At the voice prompt, enter the U.S. mobile phone number of the person you want to leave a message with. You will be directly connected to their voicemail.

The best part is it’s FREE! The catch? You have to listen to a short 10 second commercial; extremely worth it!

I use these same “out of the box” kind of ideas to make sure your cl osing’s go smoothly, and your clients stay happy, because happy clients refer other clients! Give me a call, allow my team to help your team be even better!

But stress not! Here are simple guidelines that will make you stick to your New Year’s resolutions:

1. The      New Year is just like any other day – You must realize that making your      resolutions on this day is just like any other day. Do not put a lot of      emphasis on the resolutions you make. This in itself often causes tension.      Treat the New Year as a channel and vehicle for change in your life,      nothing more. In fact, if it helps, your first resolution may be that you      will make a list of the rest of your resolutions by February 1^st      or another date.

2. Flash      Backs – You need to look back and reflect on the things you have done. If      you find some of them were not necessary, you need to put them on your      resolution list. This will make you follow them up and change. In short,      history doesn’t need to repeat itself. Live better by learning from your      past.

3. Reviewing      different areas – Think of the aspects in your life that are working well,      and focus on your positive traits and skills in these aspects as you      create new resolutions. Plus while you’re at it, you also need to change      the resolutions you have been making in the past that don’t work. In      short, do not focus on the same old aspects that you have always failed to      implement. Maybe you need new deadlines or other key elements in your      resolutions. Just make sure you don’t set yourself up for failure.

4. Writing      down – If you put the resolution down on paper, it will be easier for you      to memorize and keep handy. And tape a short version to your bathroom      mirror to see each day.

Follow these steps and you will have a brand new year. It is time for new actions, new dreams and a new lifestyle all together.

Coordinators Schedule through June 2012

This tour meets for announcements at the Maudies on Lake Austin Blvd at 9:30 on Fridays. We leave right after announcements.

Your coordinator’s coordinator is

Ann Jones

422-9036

Senior Loan Officer, SWBC Mortgage

Annjones@annjones.com

And tour info at www.annjones.com

I support and coordinate the 1B tour. I appreciate it when you support my business.

When experience counts, call me, Ann Jones, for your mortgage needs.

1B Tour Guidelines

Coordinator’s Guidelines

1. Coordinator should place the list in driving order and bring 60 copies to the tour meeting place.

2. Limit of 12 properties, Please. If many of the properties are in close proximity to others, the coordinator can choose to include 15 properties.

3. 1 property per realtor per tour unless tour is not full

4. Minimum info needed on the tour list would be address, agent info, price, gate codes, basic 3br/2 ba. EVERYONE APPRECIATES MAPS.

5. A property may be on the tour every 6 months. Can be on tour after 3 months IF the tour is not full.

6. Property must be listed in the MLS to be on tour. POCKET LISTINGS are allowed as long as the agent has a signed listing agreement.

HOMES ON TOUR GUIDELINES

1. Remember that the Coordinators are VOLUNTEERS. Please be courteous in your requests.

2. Cut off time is Monday preceding tour at 5 pm.

3. Property must be in MLS. (See #6 above)

4. Property may not be under contract at time of tour

5. A property may not be on the tour more than every 6 months. IF the tour is not full and 3 months have passed, it would be allowed again.

6. The week your property is on tour, you or your representative must attend the meeting.

7. There is a $10 Charge per property to help defray the cost of refreshments/meeting place. Please give to Ann or her representative.

Touring Agents Guidelines

1. If you are going on the tour or the see ANY of the homes, you must come to the meeting place for announcements. We make corrections, add and subtract homes all the time.

2. WE meet for announcements and leave promptly at 9:30 am.

3. Please go to as many properties as possible–your fellow agents will appreciate your help marketing their homes.

This tour meets at Thundercloud Subs at Walsh Tarleton and Bee
Caves Road Wednesdays.

We call for announcements and leave at 9:30 am.

Your coordinators
coordinator is Ann Jones

Senior Loan Officer, SWBC
Mortgage

Email: Annjones@annjones.com and tour
info @ www.annjones.com

Phone: 422-9036

I support and coordinate the Eanes tour. I appreciate it when you
support my business.

When experience counts, call me, Ann Jones, for your mortgage
needs.

Eanes Tour Guidelines

Coordinator’s Guidelines

1. Coordinator should place the list in driving order and bring 60
copies to the tour meeting place.

2. Limit of 12 properties, Please

3. 1 property per Realtor per tour unless tour is not full

4. Minimum info needed on the tour list would be address, agent
info, price, gate codes, basic 3br/2 ba. EVERYONE APPRECIATES MAPS.

5. A property may be on the tour every 6 months. Can be on tour
after 3 months IF the tour is not full.

6. Property must be listed in the MLS to be on tour but POCKET
LISTINGS are allowed as long as the agent has a signed listing agreement.

7. Show up at the tour meeting location. Charge is $7 to cover
expenses. Please bring exact change.

HOMES ON TOUR GUIDELINES

1. Remember that the Coordinators are VOLUNTEERS. Please be
courteous in your requests.

2. Cut off time is Monday preceding tour at 5 pm.

3. Property must be in MLS. (See #6 above)

4. Property may not be under contract at time of tour

5. A property may not be on the tour more than every 6 months. IF
the tour is not full and 3 months have passed, it would be allowed again.

6. The week your property is on tour, you or your representative
must attend the meeting.

7. There is a $10 Charge per property to help defray the cost of
refreshments/meeting place. Please give to Ann or her representative.

Touring Agents Guidelines

1. If you are going on the tour or the see ANY of the homes, you
must come to the meeting place for announcements. We make corrections, add and
subtract homes all the time.

2. We meet for announcements and leave promptly at 9:30 am.

3. Please go to as many properties as possible–your fellow agents
will appreciate your help marketing their homes.

NOTE: Area 8 properties that attend Lake Travis
Schools are now in the Bee Caves Tour.

The fires caused more than 12,000 injuries, and killed more than 2,500 people nationwide.

Unfortunately, many of affected homes did have smoke detectors — they just weren’t working properly. This is why it’s critically important to test your home’s smoke detectors at least once annually.

When you test a smoke detector, you’re making sure that the alarm will trigger in the event of a real-life fire. A proper test will confirm that the batteries have useful life, and that the device’s smoke detection components are operating as expected.

To test your smoke detector, here’s what to do :

1. Make a checklist of your home’s smoke detectors
2. Go to the first smoke detector
3. Ask a helper to go to the farthest point from the detector within your home
4. Press the smoke detector’s testing button up to 10 seconds to activate the alarm
5. Confirm with your helper that the alarm could be heard from his/her location
6. Note on the checklist whether the smoke detector worked, or needs replacement

You can also take your test a step further.

Just because the smoke detector’s alarm can be heard from the farthest point in your house doesn’t mean that the alarm will sound in the event of a real fire. Therefore, you may want to buy a “smoke test”.

Smoke tests are aerosol cans that simulate a bona fide in-home fire. You can buy them for less than $15 at your local hardware store, or at Amazon.com. If your smoke detector fails to sound its alarm in the presence of a “real fire”, make sure you replace it right away.

November 9-  Texas Football: More Than Just a Game

November 10- Bob Schneider at ACL Live

November 11- Austin Comic Con

November 12- Wurstfest

November 13- Vegetarian Chili Cook-Off

November 14- E.A.S.T. Austin Studio Tour

November 15- Aretha Franklin at ACL Live

November 16- The Spazmatics at Cedar  Street Courtyard

November 17- Third Thursday at Blanton
Museum

November 18- 5th Annual Christmas Tree  Lighting at Hill Country Galleria

November 19- Hot Rods by the Slice

November 20- Austin Empty Bowl Project

November 21- Texas  First, Texas Best

November 22- A Tuna Christmas at the  Paramount

November 23- Texas Stars Hockey Game

November 24- Operation Turkey

November 25- Annual Thanksgiving Shopping  Spree at Flat Creek Winery

November 26- Chuy’s Giving Parade

November 27- North Pole Flyer on Austin  Steam Train

November 28- Holiday Art Show

November 29- Texas Basketball vs. North  Texas

November 30- A Christmas Carol at Scottish  Rite Theatre