A new look

I've been planning to move Jacqui's site away from our old provider and with the help of some friends, that move has finally been made. The site is now using a CMS system, has an integrated blog, some new pages like the Boulder City condos and Solera at Stallion Mountain pages, articles, local rescue groups and floor plans for several developments.

I sincerely hope that I don't have to move it again any time soon. I want to thank Max Chirkov for his invaluable assistance. So please take a look. The design was done in browns since we live in the desert. Most of the photos will open up into larger images by clicking on them (including the floor plans). Hope you like it.

Ordering contacts online

I'm a firm believer in buying things online. Usually I'll happily wait a few extra days for something that I could have bought locally. Generally you can get most things cheaper by doing so and very rarely have I ever had to send something back. My wife is down to her last box of contact lenses. She has been buying them from her eye doc for years and has been paying too much. I've been trying to get her to buy them elsewhere but out of loyalty she has stuck with him.

I was surfing around and found this site, contactsamerica.com. They carried her brand of Acuvue contacts, plus a bunch of other brand names for a lot less than she pays for them locally. They even have the color enhancers that will change your eye color (she doesn't need them, but they are pretty cool). I finally got her to agree to buy a box to give it a try. I think that businesses that don't change their way of doing business to incorporate the internet aren't going to be around long. The cost difference for her specific contacts is almost 2 to 1. You have to love the internet. For some things I still like to go to an actual store, but disposable items like contacts it seems that the internet is the way to go.

Las Vegas MLS

The Las Vegas MLS (multiple listing service) has received a major security upgrade. The Greater Las Vegas Association of REALTORS(R) enlisted Clareity Security to make the data in the MLS safer. All realtors are now required to purchase a SAFEMLS token in order to gain access to the MLS. The token is similar to ones used by banks, security houses, ecetera. It generates a random numeric code that must be entered along with the person login id and normal mls password. Without the additional pass code a user can not gain access to the MLS. The addition of the token makes hacking into the MLS very improbable. The algorithm used by the token generates a different pass code each use, thus rendering any copies pass codes useless.

This security upgrade is the second one in the last six months. Last year there was a mandated upgrade of all lockboxes to a newer, more secure device. Another side benefit of the security upgrade will be to prevent unauthorized use of the MLS by non-realtors. Only a Las Vegas realtor in good standing with the GLVAR and a valid token will be able to access the MLS.

New DVD Drive

I returned my Sony drive to Best Buy and finally got my Plextor 716. What a nice drive, it was worth the wait. Finally completed the new pages for our site, one for Las Vegas Lofts, Liberty Tower, The District, Allure Las Vegas and Sandhurst. We keep getting other agents requesting information. Its amazing that people are that lazy.

DVD Burners

For those of you that rushed out and bought the first generation DVD burners (like myself) you have probably had to replace it already. I bought a TDK 840G last year from Best Buy. At the time, it was fairly reasonable ($240) and would burn up to 8 x. Sad to say, 8 x media is now finally available for the last few months. It seems the new dual layer burners are going to suffer from the same lack of support from the major media producers. I ended up replacing my TDK with a SONY DRU-710A from Best Buy. TDK give offer to fix my old drive, since I had been on record since March with issues with it. I sent it off today, so we'll see how long it takes them to replace it.

The reason I went back to Best Buy for a replacement is an interesting story. Plextor just put out a dual layer 4x burner and only Best Buy for some odd reason had them in stock. I ended up going to two stores, the one on Maryland Parkway and then the one out in Summerlin off of the 215 (not quite the middle of nowhere, but you can it from their parking lot). The reason I drove the 30 plus minutes is that they had the last two drives in town. A guy from the computer department at Best Buy called their computer center and verified they did have two of them, so off I went. When I arrived, they didn't have any on the shelves. I spoke to a guy name Joel in that department, who after about ten minutes of searching, did find that they had two drives in stock, but of course, he couldn't sell them to me. They were Best Buy online purchases, so they were waiting to be picked up by the people who bought them. I asked when that would be. He response was "when ever they come in the store".

I ended up speaking to a customer service supervisor. She did offer an external Plextor for $50 more or a discount on another drive. I declined both since I was told they had a drive and it was available. I did feel bad, but then again I was not in a forgiving mood after being made to jump through hoops. In the end, that is how I ended up with the Sony. She extended the return policy to let me take home the Sony and return when the Plextor drives come in. Keep in mind, that I buy the majority of my electronics from Best Buy, so that may have factored in their decision. So, if you are going to another store to get an item, my advice would be to speak to the person there yourself and get their name and title. Probably wouldn't hurt to speak to their boss as well. Happy holidays.