Windows Security Update

It appears that Google has found some serious issues in Symantec security software products so users of this Norton software may want to consider purchasing a Fixme Stick to clean their computers of unwanted malicious software.

I’ve tried the latter and it’s great. Easy to use to clean out the junk that’s missed by most anti-virus software.

Symantec will likely be working on correcting this issue soon so Norton users should keep those updates recent.

By the way, if you were planning on upgrading your PC’s operating system to Windows 10 you have until July 29th, 2016 to do it for free. An upgrade cost you $120 afterwards, more if you upgrade to Pro.

Most users of the previous operators systems will be prompted to upgrade through-out the month, some with full screen warnings.

July 3rd, 2016 Comments Off on Windows Security Update Consumer Information Rob McIntyre

Canada Day Weekend 2015

I’m a big fan of 80’s music from Canada so I thought i’d list a few events that you might want to like to attend this weekend.

Platinum Blonde and The Spoons will be performing tonight at the It’s Your Festival in Hamilton, Ontario. The free concert starts at 6pm at Gage Park, 1000 Main St E. But I suggest that you get there earlier to get the best seats.

Alan Frew of Glass Tiger will be performing various 80’s and 90’s classics tonight at Woah Canada ! in Moncton, New Brunswick. This free concert will be held at Riverside Park on Assumption Blvd. But if you happen to miss him, you can catch him on Saturday at Casino Nova Scotia in Halifax, Nova Scotia. And note that you can actually get free admission to the latter with PC Points.

Honeymoon Suite and Helix will also be performing in New Brunswick, at Pioneer Days in Oromocto on July 2nd at 9pm. Tickets to this event are $30.

Barney Bentall will be performing at Canada Place at 2:30pm this afternoon in Vancouver. The main stage is located at 999 Canada Place and Scottish pop star Sheena Easton will perform right after him.

Tom Cochrane & Red Rider will be also playing nearby at the Cloverdale Amphitheater in Surrey, B.C at 9PM. This is also a free concert. And if you miss this one, you can always catch them in Vernon, BC on Saturday at 8pm, at the Predator Ridge Resort (301 Village Centre Place).

The Grapes of Wrath will be performing in Calgary, Alberta at the free Canada Day celebrations. The stage will be located on Riverfront Avenue and the concerts will be starting at 7pm.

I will of course update this listing if I find some more concerts.

July 1st, 2016 Comments Off on Canada Day Weekend 2015 Events Rob McIntyre

eBay Wants Changes In Duties

A study published by the CD Howe Institute is the latest attempt by eBay to get the Canadian government to consider raising the duty free thresholds.

Most postal shipments valued at under $20 and gift shipments valued at under $60 (in Canadian funds) that are imported into Canada are not subject to duties and taxes. And this eBay commissioned report studies the possible effects of a hike of this threshold to $80, $100 and $200 (in Canadian funds).

Apparently the authors of this study have found “that an increase of the DMT in Canada will be fiscally neutral or even positive for the federal government” and that such an increase would “likely to yield a net economic benefit for Canada”.

The American threshold was raised from $200 to $800 (in American funds) last February so hopefully the government will consider a higher threshold, reducing a need for paperwork for eBay sellers and Amazon Marketplace merchants outside of Canada. But the study does not include information in regards to the impact of these changes to Canadian retailers so the government would likely need to commission a report on the issue as well.

For additional information on importing music by mail you can either click here to read my article on saving by importing films and music or click here for the official information issued by the Canadian Borders Services Agency.

June 23rd, 2016 Comments Off on eBay Wants Changes In Duties Consumer Information Rob McIntyre

Postal Strike Scheduled

A postal strike for July 2nd, 2016 has been scheduled according to the Canadian Union of Postal Workers.

Pension and social assistance payments will continue to be delivered. But companies like Amazon, chapters.indigo.ca, Sears.ca and Staples may use alternative methods to get parcels to their customers.

Many of these companies will use courier services and will deliver parcels within certain areas through their stores. But unfortunately some will ask their customers to pick up their purchases at their local stores, which can be inconvenient if your “local” store is some distance away. And the option to have parcels delivered to local post offices under the FlexDelivery program will likely be suspended because that is a Canada Post program.

Delays are also to be expected with imports that use Canada Post. But I suspect some of the foreign retailers, like Amazon.com, will have contingency plans, although i’m guessing that Canadian eBay sellers and buyers will likely be forced to pay higher shipping costs to ship from and to Canada.

Hopefully this strike will be avoided or will be short. But I suggest that you keep an eye on your credit card and utility bills online, just in case.

June 22nd, 2016 Comments Off on Postal Strike Scheduled Consumer Information Rob McIntyre

Pink Floyd Re-Released on Vinyl

Four of Pink Floyd’s albums have just been re-released on vinyl. Just thought the fans would like to know, if they didn’t already.

June 15th, 2016 Comments Off on Pink Floyd Re-Released on Vinyl Random Bump Rob McIntyre

New Heart Album

Heart’s new album, “Beautiful Broken”, will be released on July 8th and will be featuring James Hetfield of Metallica on the title track. A teaser is available on Youtube by clicking here.

June 13th, 2016 Comments Off on New Heart Album Random Bump Rob McIntyre