Fair plan homeowners insurance
Ask Westley!
Computer geek, and self-appointed know-it-all, Westley Annis answers all those hard questions about anything related to computers and technology, as well as business and politics.
- Louisiana Citizens Insurance Tax Credit
Since Hurricanes Katrina and Rita struck the gulf coast of Louisiana an 2005, the Louisiana Citizens FAIR Plan and Louisiana Citizens Coastal Plan both suffered claims that were larger than their reserves could handle. These two insurance carriers are actually quasi-state run entities in that they are owned by the state but managed separately from the state's general budget.
To settle the billion dollars in claims, the state borrowed money so that policy holders could be pair. Now the issue is how to pay back that loan.
Built into the legislation that created the plans is an assessment fee that must be paid by all insurance policy holders, regardless of which company they actually have their insurance with.
The state is also able to declare an emergency and collect an emergency assessment along with the regular assessment until the loan is paid down.
With the unexpected surplus in the year-ending 2007 state fiscal budget, Governor Kathleen Blanco was able to convince the state legislator to pass the bill recommended by the governor to refund the amount of the assessments policy holders have paid since the date of the storms.
The assessments can be listed as a credit on your 2006 state tax returns.
The State Department of Revenue and Taxation has several web pages available to explain the credit and how to claim it.
- Do I need more memory and can I get it?
One of the easier ways to improve the performance of Windows is to give it more memory. Microsoft states that 64 MB of RAM is the minimum need to operate Windows XP, either Home or Professional editions, with 128 MB being recommended. I have seen some XP machines with only 128 MB and they are slow as molasses, I'm not sure if I could stand around long enough to watch a machine with only 64 MB try to boot up, regardless of Microsoft claims.
In your case, you have 384 MB of RAM which is healthy enough for someone who is doing email, surfing the web, working with office applications, and a minimal amount of graphic design work.
You don't mention which version of Photoshop you are using, so I'm going to assume the professional version. Adobe says 320 MB is the minimum with at least 384 MB recommended. So you are sitting right on the bottom line of performance.
If you are going to be doing a lot of graphics work, I would max out the motherboard on RAM adding as much as it could handle. If you can't do that then go with at least 1 GB of RAM.
How do you find out how much memory your motherboard can handle? The best way I've found is to visit Crucial's web site and use their system scanner to tell you how much memory you have, in what configuration, and how much you can add. It will then give you links to the different types and sizes of memory that should work with your PC. You can then make a decision on the best memory upgrade path you should take.
One caveat. Sometimes the system tool can get all the information it needs to show you your different options. In those cases, you can use the Wizard to select your motherboard and figure out the best chips for you.
- The Final Harry Potter Book
J. K. Rowling and Scholastic publishing have just announced the title of the final book in the Harry Potter series, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows.
As with the previous book, Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, there will be two editions, a standard hardcover book and a deluxe edition which includes additional artwork and a slipcover.
Amazon is accepting pre-orders for the book with their Pre-Order Price Guarantee.
The standard hardcover can be found here while the deluxe edition is here.
- Archdiocese of New Orleans Seeking Parishoners
The Archdiocese of New Orleans is in the planning stages for rebuilding Our Lady of Lourdes Church in Violet, LA. They are asking all parishoners to let them know where they are and to submit comments on the rebuilding of the church.
Please use the form below to submit your information electronically or you can mail them to:
Our Lady of Lourdes Church
C/O Janet Perez
P.O. Box 783
Violet LA 70092NameEmailPhone NumberStreet AddressCityStateZipcodeComments/Suggestions?
Note: Questions or comments submitted to Ask Westley! will be edited, become property of Ask Westley! and may be republished in any format. - Parade Schedule for St. Bernard Parish in 2007
The only krewe that will be parading for Mardi Gras in the 2007 carnival season will be the Knights of Nemesis. After Mardi Gras, the Irish-Italian-Islenos parade, founded by La. State Sen. Walter Boasso, will roll. And after a one year hiatus because of Hurricane Katrina, the Knights of Columbus Crawfish Festival will return.
The schedule and parade routes are listed below.
Knights of Nemesis
Sunday, February 11, 2pm
Start at Paris Road and Judge Perez. East to Campagna. U-turn to the government complex, then u-turn back to Paris Road and Judge Perez.
23 Floats with 400+ riders.
Royal Knight - Charles Ponstein
Goddess Nemesis - Kim Campo
Celebrity Guest - Bobby Hebert
Special Throws: Medallion Bead, 22 oz cups, t-shirts
Irish Italian Islenos Parade
Sunday, March 11, 1pm
Start at the old Wal-Mart, then west to the govt complex then u-turn to Campagna, then u-turn back to the old wal-mart.
42 floats with 1600+ riders
Usual cabbage, potatos,etc as well as 22oz cups and t-shirts.
Knights of Columbus Crawfish Festival
Frida
