Can you imagine Google with a British accent? You can if you use the new search engine called Speegle.

This one is fun, and we had to go "across the pond" to find it!! As long as you don't have trouble with the slightly British accent, when this trick finishes your search it reads the results out to you in order.

Just type in your search words as you normally would and hit enter. If you want to visit a site while the results are being read to you just press the result number on the keyboard and it will redirect to that site.

Compare your phone costs

USA Today, Redbook and a myriad of other media like the Kansas City Star have given Phone Dog rave notices, and it's easy to see why. One visit will help to take the mystery out of telephone service pricing and terms, as this independent, privately held company objectively ranks each long distance plan.

Just go here for a quick comparison of phone deals in your area -- both regular land line and cellular. Once you enter your location you'll see a list of over 20 companies ranked by estimated annual savings along with long distance and in-state rates plus any other costs. One click on the Company name brings up detailed information regarding this particular plan.

There is no cost for this service and the host is compensated by a small commission paid by some of the companies listed and reviewed. Good value finder for homeowner or business tycoon alike!

Internet surfing primer

A very smart retired college professor has created a fine primer on Internet safety. Then, at Surfthenetsafely.com, he pulled together this very understandable information on all of the "nasties" out there -- along with tips on how to cope with all this bad stuff.

He describes his work of art as follows: "Short of never going on-line, what can the average PC user do? Dire as it sometimes seems, the situation is by no means hopeless. This site is dedicated to helping the average PC user make full and safe use of the Internet. It is a collection of pages outlining defenses against the various threats and annoyances and the steps that can be taken to ensure that we continue to enjoy the Internet."

Good stuff for coping with the nasties!

Find your operating manual

Livemanuals.com was selected as one of Yahoo! Internet Life's "50 Most Incredibly Useful Sites" and its easy to see why!

Go to this great place the next time you lose the manual to your answering machine, VCR, office equipment or a myriad of other products around the house or office. All you need is the model number and you can access the product's manual -- and even better see simulations showing how the features work.

If you misplace your operating manual about three hours after you get home with your latest gadget, this place is for you!

Published: December 3, 2004

Use of this article without permission is a violation of federal copyright laws.

John M. "Jack" Peckham is the Executive Director of REcyber.com (the Real Estate CyberSpace Society). In that capacity he oversees the development and delivery of the latest up to the minute Real Estate Cyberspace tools, strategies, networking structures and services that the Society provides its members to leverage their effectiveness, visibility, professionalism and earnings. As host of Real Estate CyberSpace Radio, he provides over 40 hours of programming to help listeners integrate the power of the Internet into their daily business lives. He is the author of several real estate books published by Prentice Hall and Harcourt Brace Jovanovich including his latest Master Guide to Income Property Brokerage from Wiley Publishing. A columnist for the Boston Herald for nine years, his syndicated columns have appeared in over 100 papers nationwide. Jack loves to sell real estate has been involved directly in the sale of over one billion dollars in Real Estate. Today he sells in his jeans and fuzzy slippers as a one-man shop and has closed over $40,000,000 in sales on the Internet recently in 20% of his working time. The balance he spends directing the affairs of the 10,000 member Real Estate CyberSpace Society. The Society awards the RECS (Real Estate CyberSpace Specialist) Designation to members based on the current criteria. He served as Chairman of the Strategic Planning Committee for the National Association of Realtors (NAR), is a Past President of the Massachusetts Association of Realtors and has been honored as the Massachusetts State Realtor of the Year. You can reach Jack at or by calling 617-523-4441.