TruckingAccident.org Blog

October 26th, 2007 admin

Trucking is a tough job, but there are a lot of tools and resources out there than can make a trucker’s life easier. From navigation units to calculators and weather watchers, truckers have a chance to take advantage of lots of tools that streamline the way they work. We’ve compiled 100 of the best of these resources here.

News & Blogs

Go beyond CB chatter with these news and blog sites. You’ll get connected with insightful commentary and news about topics that affect truckers.

1. Trucking Jobs: Get the latest information on trucking employment here.
2. State DOTs: State DOT sites offer lots of information that’s useful to truckers. Check out this link to get connected with the state you’re looking for.
3. Life on the Road: For stories, opinions, and analysis of current events in trucking, check out this blog.
4. Truck Talk: Learn about the latest in Australian trucking news and resources here.
5. Trucker Talk: Find out about new corridors, trucking employment news, tales from the road, and lots more on this blog by truckers, for truckers.
6. Diesel News: Stay up to date on what’s going on with diesel by reading this blog.
7. Truck Info: This site delivers headlines that relate to truckers.
8. Trucking Blog Network: Get the latest in opinions and information on the trucking industry and lifestyle from all around the world on this network.
9. Truck Trader Online: Learn about new products, trucks, and news for truckers on Truck Trader Online.
10. Mexico Trucker: Get news about the Mexican trucking industry on this blog.
11. RoadKing: This site for long-haul truckers has industry news, technical articles, and human interest stories.
12. Adventures in Trucking: Enjoy the scenery and lifestyle that this husband and wife team discusses.
13. Jean Catudal’s Blog on Trucking: Find commentary and political news about the Canadian trucking industry in this blog.
14. Mickey’s Heavy Haul: Get photos and commentary from this trucker who specializes in big loads.

Calculators

Whether you’re trying to figure out gas mileage or shipment size, this collection of calculators is sure to come in handy.

1. Rand McNally Mileage Calculator for Palm OS: Palm Piloting truckers can take advantage of this map maker’s mileage calculator. Check it out with a free trial.
2. Fuel Usage Calculator: Find out how much fuel you’re using and just how much it costs by using this calculator.
3. CSG Calculators: This site has lots of calculators for truckers, from fuel consumption to potential driving time.
4. Tank Volume Calculator: Determine the capacity of any tank by entering simple dimensions into this calculator.
5. Idling Calculator: Use this calculator to estimate how much fuel you can save from reducing idling time.
6. Shipment Measurements: Measure the cubic dimensions of non-palletized freight with this calculator.
7. DieselBoss QuickCalc: Use the QuickCalc to make daily log entries without having to do the math. You’ll be able to figure out miles traveled as well as average speed.
8. WebMiler: Use this full-featured service to track mileage, routing, and save mileage summary reports.

Gadgets

Get super-functional on the road with these cool tools. They’ll make it easy to find your way, stay awake, or just keep yourself entertained.

1. Magellan GPS: Check out Magellan’s GPS units for navigation that offers routing, turn-by-turn directions, and more.
2. UMPC: Ultra-Mobile PCs give you the functionality of a full laptop computer in a much more compact device.
3. Logitech Digital Pen: Take digital notes on the road and upload them to your computer automatically with this device.
4. Doze Alert: Prevent yourself from napping on the road by putting this gadget on your ear. It will emit a buzzing sound when your head tilts forward.
5. Laptop Stand: Put your laptop in the copilot’s chair and it will be conveniently close to you at all times.
6. Radar Detectors: Visit this page to get an introduction to radar detectors as well as a discussion on their legality for truckers.
7. Talking Road Whiz: With this device, you can get distance, directions, and driving time to thousands of services located near major thoroughfares.
8. Vu Qube: With the Vu Qube, you can watch satellite TV on the road.
9. CB Radio: What rig would be complete without a CB radio? Visit this page to get information on devices, accessories, codes, terminology, and more.
10. Protek-dor: Use this product to protect yourself while you’re sleeping in your truck at night.
11. V-Cast Mobile TV: You can get broadcast-style TV on your cell phone using Verizon’s service.
12. Satellite Radio: Check out this page to get the lowdown on satellite radio service.
13. Tripp Lite Power Inverter Outlet: Get access to three outlets at once by using this gadget to transfer power from your truck.
14. Garmin Navigators: Check out Garmin’s line of portable street navigators for mapping and navigation that’s always there.

Software

Independent truckers and fleet managers have to corral lots of information. These software packages make taking care of business easier, whether you need help with accounting to maintenance reminders.

1. Nautilus In-Cab: This program has options for income and expense tracking, customer contacts, and navigation.
2. Dr. Dispatch: This transportation software makes it easy to streamline your business, featuring accounting, confirmations, reports, and more.
3. Freight Capital: Use Freight Capital’s service to get paid immediately for delivered loads instead of waiting for individual customers to pay their invoices.
4. Choice Technologies: ChoiceTRAK has editions for both small business and enterprise, offering essential functionality for each.
5. TATEMS: Ensure that your fleet is always up to date on maintenance with this software.
6. Rotella Software: This dispatching software makes it easy to automate repetitive data.
7. Freight Management Systems: Freight Management Systems offers logistics software with functions from dispatch to accounting, as well as internet-based applications.
8. ROADVision: Use this software to manage your trucking business from rating and billing to fuel tax and mapping.
9. Comply Guard: Stay in compliance with D.O.T. regulations with this package that includes log auditing, drug testing, qualification tracing, and more.
10. Safe Freight: Get fleet management, asset tracking, security, wireless communications and more with Safe Freight.
11. Aljex Software: With Aljex, you’ll get brokerage, tracking, inventory, and lots more.

Find Work

Whether you’ve got your own rig or are in search of a trucking firm to work for, these boards make it easy to get connected to the work you want to do.

1. 123Loadboard: Use 123Loadboard to find loads, freight, and trucks.
2. 1800Drivers: Search this job board for employers that are looking for a specific job type with experience and equipment.
3. eTrucker Jobs: On eTrucker, you can choose which companies can see your resume and determine what kind of job you’re looking for.
4. Roadside: This resource point offers a resume posting service and job search.
5. CDL Jobs: Find truck driving jobs and review truck company profiles on this job site.
6. uShip: Bid on loads in this auction-style marketplace.
7. DieselBoss Job Board: Check out this job board to find detailed job listings and post a profile.
8. LoadFinder: Get real-time posts of available loads with free mileage, routing, and travel forecasting.
9. Class A Drivers: Find trucking jobs in your state on this job board.
10. Internet Truckstop: This freight matching service is one of the largest and has lots of tools to help you find loads.

Service

When you’re on the road as much as truckers are, it’s inevitable that you’ll need to stop for service, rest, or entertainment at some point. These resources help you locate repair shops, weigh stations, and other useful places for truckers.

1. DieselBoss Rest Areas and Weigh Stations: Search this database to find rest areas and DOT scale weigh stations on the road.
2. Roadside: Find roadside assistance, repair service, road conditions, weather and more on Roadside. This site is available on mobile phone WAP service.
3. CAT Scale Locator: Use this search to find the CAT scale that’s nearest to you.
4. DieselBoss Database: Check out this database to find repair shops, service locations, and sales for big rigs.
5. Streets and Trips Map for Truckers: Use this map with Microsoft Streets and Trips 2007 to find truck stops, low clearance Wal-marts, weigh stations, rest areas and more.
6. NTTS: Check out this truck and trailer services breakdown directory for help when you need it.
7. DieselBoss Truck Stop Directory: Find truck stops with WiFi hot spots, showers, and more, searchable by location.
8. Blue Beacon Truck Wash Locations: Find a place to get your truck washed on the road with this list. You can download versions in Excel, comma separated values, and plain text.

Navigation & Trip Planning

For truckers, time is money. That means that you’re on a constant search for the most efficient route from point A to point B. Use these tools to help find the best way to get there.

1. MapQuest: With MapQuest Mobile, you can use a web-enabled phone to get directions on the go. You can also download applications for a fee.
2. Truck Miles: Run trips and get maps made for truckers on this site. You’ll also be able to estimate your total profit for the trip.
3. TourSolver: Schedule routes with TourSolver, and you’ll be able to export to your calendar, navigation system, and more.
4. Rand McNally: Rand McNally offers a mobile navigator, street finder, and traffic application.
5. CoPilot Truck: Turn your laptop into a GPS navigation system with CoPilot Truck. You’ll get spoken dock-to-dock directions.
6. Google Maps: On Google Maps, you can get directions anywhere as well as real-time traffic and delay estimates for 30 major US metro areas.
7. Map & Guide Truck Navigator: This navigation software offers a cost-effective guide to routing in eastern Europe.
8. Tiger: Use the US Census Bureau’s Tiger Map Service to find interstates, parks, railroads, zipcode points and more, all with an available latitude and longitude grid.

Road & Weather Conditions

Construction, traffic, crime and hazardous weather can make a major dent in your route’s efficiency. Stay up to date on the conditions with these tools.

1. Safe Travel USA: With Safe Travel USA, you’ll get access to weather forecasts along your route in the upper midwest as well as Georgia and Nevada.
2. Beat The Traffic: Use Beat The Traffic to find out about live traffic conditions, create routes, find travel time, and construct alternate routes that will help you beat traffic.
3. Road Conditions: With Truck Miles, get lnked up to road conditions all over the US on this site.
4. National Traffic and Road Closure Information: Use this database to find closure information for the US.
5. DieselBoss Weather Map: Get weather information for any extended metro area in the US on this map.
6. The Cyber Truck Stop Roadcams: Find links to road cams in a variety of US regions on this site.
7. Weather.com: For interstate forecasts, radar, and more, check out Weather.com’s driving section.
8. Intellicast: On Intellicast, you can get road conditions on their highway list as well as weather updates and a travel outlook.
9. AccuTraffic: AccuTraffic offers weather forecasts and traffic conditions for the US.

Fuel

With fuel costs rising every day, it’s critical for truckers to get the latest information on filling up. These tools offer pricing information for a variety of truck stops and other service stations, so you’ll always know where you can get the best deal.

1. DieselBoss Fuel Report: Get this report for an aggregated list of prices for leading truck stop diesel prices. You’ll also get a fuel surcharge report.
2. Flying J Pricing: Get pricing for individual Flying J locations as well as updates on their level of supply.
3. Truckloadrate: Find route-specific fuel prices as well as accurate diesel fuel costs to carry a lane.
4. Love’s Fuel Prices: Find pricing for Love’s Travel Stops, searchable by state.
5. MapQuest Gas Prices: Locate the cheapest gas prices anywhere in the US, Canada and Mexico using MapQuest’s tool.
6. Travel Centers of America: Get retail prices for Travel Centers of America here.
7. Pilot Travel Center Complete Pricing List: Locate cheap fuel from Pilot as well as current promotions on this site.
8. Speedway: Look up pricing by zip or city on Speedway’s website.

Mobile Connectivity

Nearly all of these highly useful resources are available exclusively online, which is a problem for most truckers, as cabs are generally not hooked up to the Internet. Here are solutions to fix that problem and get mobile access while you’re on the road.

1. Verizon Wireless National Access: Verizon’s service makes it possible to access the Internet from just about anywhere in the nation.
2. Truck Stop Wi-Fi: Getting Started: Get the lowdown on getting connected at truck stops here.
3. Ground Control: Stay connected on the road using Ground Control’s portable and in-motion systems.
4. Targus WiFi Scanner: Use this device to detect hotspots without booting up your computer.
5. Helio Hybrid: Helio offers a mobile virtual network, so you can use it to connect with the Internet all over North America.
6. Foolproof Hotspot Security: If you’re going to connect to a hotspot on the road, make sure you’re safe by following these tips from a fellow trucker.
7. Mobile Wireless Antennas: Boost your ability to connect to wireless networks with these antennas.
8. Sprint Mobile Broadband: Get Sprint’s AirCard, and you’ll be able to connect to the Internet from anywhere.
9. CellFlex: Get online using your cell phone with CellFlex.
10. WiFi Finder: Use this map to find WiFi at campgrounds, truck stops, and rest stops along your route.

October 23rd, 2007 admin

The blogosphere doesn’t stop when you’re traveling, but finding a way to post when you’re away can be daunting. If you want to stay updated, you’ll need to enlist the help of some tools. Check out these resources that make mobile blogging a breeze.

Web-Based Services

You’re probably already familiar with a few of these, but it’s time to see these tools in a different light: as always-there services that you can access whether you’re on your laptop or in an Internet cafe on the other side of the world.

1. Webnote: If you have an idea for a post, but just don’t have time to put something together, write yourself a note with this service, and it will be available for you from any computer.
2. Google Docs: Write drafts in Google Docs, and they’ll be waiting for you online no matter what computer you use to access them.
3. Backpack: Much like a physical backpack that you might take on your travels, Backpack is a trusty repository for files, notes, images and more when you’re on the go.
4. ConceptShare: If you share blog duties with other people, collaborate with them online using this conferencing solution.
5. Remember The Milk’s MilkSync: Do you have plans for what you want to post while on the road? Make yourself a to-do list that’s available from anywhere online as well as through Windows Mobile.
6. openonmy: If you’re not planning on taking a laptop or other storage device along with you, this virtual storage is perfect for accessing files when you’re away from home.
7. CalendarHub: Use CalendarHub’s web publishing capability to let your readers keep tabs on your itinerary while you’re away.
8. Skrbl: This web app is good for both brainstorming and simple note-taking. Quickly jot down blog post ideas and save them for access while you’re on the road.
9. LogMeIn: If you can’t bear to part with your at-home desktop setup, take it with you using LogMeIn. This service allows you to access your desktop from the Internet.
10. Clipmarks: If you’ve found something interesting online, but don’t have the time to post about it on the road, leave yourself a clipmark to remember to come back to it later. Or, if you prefer, you can post your clip directly to your blog.
11. Google Maps: Want your readers to know the exact location of where you are or where you’ve been? Embed a map from Google in your blog: just click the “link this page” link once you’ve found your location.
12. Flickr: For many bloggers, Flickr is a lifesaver at home, but it’s there for you on the road, too. Flickr’s web-based existence makes it easy to update your photos from anywhere, whether you’re at home or far from it.

Mobile Tools

Perhaps the easiest and most convenient tool for travel blogging is your cell phone. Take advantage of messaging, email capabilities, and even simple voice service to blog without ever cracking open your laptop.

13. YouTube Mobile: Post videos to YouTube from your cell phone with YouTube Mobile.
14. Blog From Your Cell Phone: If you’re on Blogger, you can send a text or photo SMS to go@blogger.com and upload information to your blog.
15. Pickle: With Pickle’s service, you can send your files to an email address, and they’ll be published to Blogger, your own site, or other platforms.
16. Nokia Lifeblog: Use Nokia’s Lifeblog service that allows you to automatically upload cell phone photos to the Internet.
17. Supcast: With Supcast’s service, you can record messages on your phone and instantly upload them to your blog.
18. LiveJournal Voice Posting: If you’re a LiveJournal user, you’re in luck: they offer voice posting with their service.
19. Twitter: Post quick updates to your Twitter account using text, IM, and more.
20. Jott Links: Set up a Jott link, and you can record messages that will be automatically transcribed to a number of different blogging platforms, like TypePad, WordPress, and Blogger.
21. FeedM8: If you want to make sure your mobile blog updates are posting correctly, you can use FeedM8 to check your blog from your cell phone.
22. Bloxster: This blogging platform has enabled moblogging from any mobile phone with email. All you have to do is sign up for a moblogging email address.
23. TypePad for the iPhone and iPod Touch: TypePad users with iPhones and the latest iPod can take advantage of special software made just for posting on TypePad with these devices.
24. Flickr Moblog: If you have a blog connected with Flickr, you can email photos to it from your blog.
25. Gabcast: Record podcasts and audio posts to your blog with Gabcast.
26. Speedscript: If you’re using a mobile device to type out long posts, chances are you’re going to get sick of your tiny keyboard in a hurry. This system makes it easy to enter text quickly.
27. Open the Mobile Gateway with SMS and MMS messaging: Read this guide to learn how you can open up a gateway that enables SMS blogging.
28. SpinmyBlog: This service allows you to leave a voicemail that will convert to text and upload to your blog. It will also publish your Spinvox number, so readers can call to the voice comments, which are them converted to text and uploaded, too.
29. TypePad Mobile: Every TypePad user gets access to free software that’s available for use on Palm, Windows Mobile 5, and S60 devices.
30. Riya: If you’re blogging from your cell phone, it may be difficult to set tags. With Riya, you can automatically tag peoples’ faces with its face recognition technology.
31. BlogMailr: Post from any email-enabled device using this service.
32. Mobile Travelogue: Post to your own page by just emailing text or pictures to an email address with Mobile Travelogue.
33. Tumblr Mobile Uploads: Users of the low-maintenance blogging platform Tumblr can get an email address that allows them to upload photo posts, and soon, text, directly from their phone.
34. Speakage line: Check out this publishing tool that works with any voice or video message sent by a phone.

Hotels & Vacation Spots

Once you’ve arrived at your destination, your ability to blog may be dependent on the accommodations of the property you stay at. Find out how blogger-friendly these places are.

35. Norwegian Cruise Lines: If you’re on a cruise with Norwegian, you can get access to Internet service, computers, printers, and more for reasonable prices.
36. Extended Stay Hotels: Get online in your suite at Extended Stay hotels.
37. Royal Caribbean: Royal Caribbean has Internet access available on all ships. All you have to do is bring your laptop, and you can connect with stateroom access.
38. WiFi Free Spot-Hotels: Check out this list to find hotels that offer free WiFi in hotspots or rooms.
39. Wyndham: A number of Wyndham hotels and resorts offer Internet access. This includes hotels like Baymont, Travelodge, Days Inn, and Ramada.
40. Vacation Rental WiFi: Check out this list for a list of vacation rentals that come with free WiFi.
41. Hilton: Wireless Internet is offered at select Hilton hotels. Use this link to find out if your desired hotel is one of them.
42. Princess Cruises: On selected Princess cruise ships, vacationers can get online in the Business Center using computers equipped for passenger access.
43. Best Western: Get free access in the lobby and/or guest room when you stay at many of Best Western’s hotels.
44. Choice Hotels: Many of the hotels owned by Choice Hotels offer free WiFi. Use this advanced search to find them.
45. Carnival Cruise Lines: Carnival Cruises offers WiFi on all ships as well as onboard Internet cafes. You can even rent a laptop.

Planes, Trains, and Automobiles

Blogging while in transit is a fairly new development, brought on by the proliferation of WiFi and service providers who are becoming more tech-friendly. Take advantage of this opportunity by using these tools.

46. United Airlines: If you’re flying United, you can power your laptop with in-seat power outlets on selected aircrafts.
47. OnAir: With OnAir, you can use the Internet in-flight on select flights with carriers like Virgin Atlantic and Air Canada.
48. Public Transit WiFi: Did you know that a number of public transit systems offer wireless Internet service? Use it to turn downtime into blogging time, and find out where you can do it with this guide.
49. AirPower Wiki: Find power outlets and WiFi locations in a number of airports using this wiki.
50. Qantas: Quantas Airlines’ new A380 jets will come with in-flight wireless Internet access and power sockets for each seat. If you don’t have WiFi capability on your laptop, you can use their available networking cable.
51. Airport Wireless Internet Access Guide: Get guides to wireless Internet in airports both in the US and around the world. You’ll be able to check out clubs and providers, too.
52. ViaSat: If you’re lucky enough to own a private jet, you can get connected with onboard Internet from ViaSat.
53. Avis WiFi: It’s been reported that Avis may soon put WiFi transmitters in their rental cars, offering a rolling personal hotspot.
54. American Airlines: American Airlines offers cigarette lighter style power outlets on a number of aircrafts, so if you want to use your laptop in flight, be sure to reserve a spot that allows you to plug in. AA has also reported that they will offer in-flight WiFi soon.
55. In-Flight Laptop Services by Airline: Check out this list of airlines with current or planned services for power or Internet access on their aircraft.
56. JetBlue: JetBlue Airways is reported to be working on free in-flight Internet access through their subsidiary LiveTV.

WiFi Hotspots & Internet Cafes

Thanks to WiFi and Internet Cafes, the world is your blogging office. Find out how and where to get online with these guides and directories.

57. WiFi on Wikipedia: Learn about how WiFi works and just about everything you need to know about working on this type of connection here.
58. WiFi FreeSpot: Find free WiFi hotspots all over the world using this directory.
59. Cybercafe: Search over 4,000 internet cafes in 141 countries to find the one that’s closest to you.
60. Municipal WiFi: A number of cities have introduced municipal wireless access. Find out if your travel destination is on the list.
61. Open WiFi Spots: Find municipal WiFi as well as regular hotspots just about everywhere.
62. WiFi in the Park: Find WiFi in parks located in California, Michigan, and more with this list.
63. Personal Telco Project: Using this project’s map, you can find nodes, wireless links and OLSR tunnels just about anywhere.
64. WiFiMarine-US: Did you know that you can get Internet access from your boat? Check out this directory that lists WiFi providers that offer service to boaters at marinas and beyond.
65. Internet Cafes on Wikipedia: Get the lowdown on how Internet cafes work in this Wikipedia entry.
66. ilovefreeWiFi: Search for free WiFi access points on this site, organized by city.
67. The Cybercafe Search Engine: Find cybercafes using this daily-updated search engine.

Gadgets

Although many of the software tools we’ve covered make it easy to streamline the gear you’ll need to blog on the road, there are still a number of gadgets that are very handy for this purpose. Get the lowdown on them here.

68. Car Power Source: Whether you’re posting with a mobile device or a laptop, you can’t do it if you don’t have any juice. Stay powered up with a device that allows you to harness the power from your car’s battery.
69. Ultra-portable Power Source: Get power anywhere with this device that lets you plug in on the airplane, in your car, or in the hotel room.
70. Bluetooth Car Kit: If you’re going to post to a voice service while driving, make sure you do it safely by using a hands-free car kit.
71. Otterbox: Keep your laptop, PDA, phone, and other essential mobile blogging gadgets safe from damage and jostling with this protective gear.
72. Apple AirPort Express: If your hotel has wireless Internet access in hotspots, but not your hotel room, plug the AirPort in, and you’ll be able to access it anyway. It taps into the wireless network that’s wired into the building.
73. A PDA: With a PDA, you can take advantage of many mobile blogging services, whether they’re accessible by PDA or just email.
74. Verizon Wireless Broadband Card: Bring your wireless connection with you using this card and service from Verizon.
75. Digital Pen: If you’ve got a great blog post idea, but can’t crack open your laptop or other blogging device, just take notes with a digital pen. They’re automatically transferred to your computer, so you can create a post from them later.
76. Roll-up Keyboard: Blogging via mobile device doesn’t have to mean you’re stuck using a tiny keyboard. Get a full size roll-up keyboard to let your fingers spread out a little.
77. WiFi-Ready Camera: Forget about blogging from your laptop or mobile device–send photos straight from a camera that can email to your blog.
78. Solar Power Source: If you’re traveling far from an outlet, keep your laptop or mobile device charged up and ready to post using a power source that uses the sun.
79. Mobile Workstation: With a mobile workstation, you can set up a desk that sits in the passenger seat of your car.
80. Laptop Security: Put your laptop in a pack that protects against both damage and would-be thieves with the ability to lock to permanent objects.
81. Mobile Power Pack: Get a mobile power pack that dramatically boosts battery time for devices like your BlackBerry or cell phone.
82. The Perfect In-Flight Mouse: Check out this blog post about a mouse that straps to your index finger and detects movement against any surface.
83. A Laptop That’s Light and Portable: Get a laptop that sturdy and light enough to travel with you, so you can take it wherever the road leads.
84. WiFi Scanner: You may know all of the hotspots in your area, but when you’re on the road, you’re probably clueless. Find a WiFi signal using this handy tool.

Blogs & Guides

Get advice and news from bloggers who know how to post away from home.

85. How to: Use Your BlackBerry as a Modem: If your BlackBerry just isn’t cutting it as a posting tool, you can still use it to get online as a modem. Read this guide to find out how.
86. Mobile Blogging How to Guide: Learn how to set up mobile blogging sotftware, from email to gateway.
87. How to Find a Guest Blogger for your Blog: If you don’t want to update your blog while you’re away, you can arrange for a guest blogger to fill in for you. Learn how to find one here.
88. Geek to Live: Use your cell phone as a modem: Check out this guide to find out how you can use your cell phone to get online even when you’re nowhere near traditional Internet access.
89. A Traveler’s Technology: Read about the setup that this traveler created to stay connected while on the go.
90. Busy Thumbs: On this blog, find sites, tools, industry news and more resources for mobile blogging.
91. 7 Things to Do with your Blog when you take a Vacation: See what Problogger’s Darren Rowse does with his blogs when he goes on vacation.
92. Blogging Tricks: How to Make Sticky Blog Posts: Read this guide to find out how to keep specific posts at the top of your blog. This is especially useful if you want to remind readers that you’re on the road and possibly not up to your regular blogging schedule.
93. Putting WordPress on a USB Stick: You can take your entire WordPress setup on the road and in a USB stick using this tutorial.
94. How to Schedule Blogger Posts to a Future Date: You can write posts in advance of your travel and schedule a time for them to be published, so you don’t have to worry about losing traffic if you can’t keep up while you’re on the road.
95. InFlightHQ: InFlightHQ is full of tools, news, and more resources for productive work on the airplane and beyond.
96. Updating Your Travelogue While on the Road: Read this PDF to learn about one person’s experience with blogging using a PDA.

Other

Get even more useful tools and resources in this section.

97. On Business, and Blogging on the Road: Check out this article that notes current travel bloggers as well as possible advances for road blogging in the future.
98. RSS2PDF: If you’re like most bloggers, you like to stay up to date on the latest posts in the blogosphere. But if you’ve got spotty Internet access, that can become difficult. You can use this tool to download RSS feeds into PDF when you have a connection, and then catch up on reading later even when you can’t get online.
99. Hotspot Helper: We’ve outlined many ways to get WiFi on the road, but it’s important to protect your security when getting on one of these networks. Get this software that provides security and more.
100. GeoURL: Link your location to your blog post using this address server tool.

October 11th, 2007 admin

Semi trucks account for only 2 percent of all the vehicles on the road, but they are the cause of 8 percent of all road accidents – statistics which demonstrate that there are more ways than one in which semi trucks and tractor trailers cause accidents with devastating consequences for those involved. The sheer size of these vehicles – a fully loaded truck can weigh over 80,000 pounds, a gargantuan when compared to an average car which weighs 3,000 pounds – makes them accidents waiting to happen at the slightest error. Here are some of the most common types of mishaps involving semi trucks.

1. Jack-knifing: Semi Trucks, because of their length, are prone to jack-knifing, the situation that happens when a long 18-wheeler skids or loses control and the trailer and truck come to a stop at right angles to each other. Any vehicle caught in the resulting trailer whiplash is history. Jack-knifing usually leads to multiple car pile-ups and numerous injuries and casualties.
2. Under-rides: The beds of tractor trailers being higher than most passenger vehicles, cars that trail trucks are in danger of ending up under the truck if they drive too close and the truck suddenly stops.
3. Squeeze Play: Trucks, in order to make turns, need to swing wide to the left if they are taking a right turn or vice versa, because of their trailer lengths. Such situations lead to accidents if the driver does not notice smaller vehicles behind or beside the truck. Car drivers are often equally at fault in such situations if they try to cut between the truck and the curb, getting squeezed in between both with fatal consequences.
4. Hazardous Cargo: Semi trucks that are loaded with hazardous materials are prone to cause casualties if the shipment catches fire. Fires fueled by gallons of fuel burn up everything in the area, including other vehicles and houses.
5. Rollovers: Trucks are prone to rollovers if they take curves too fast or if the rear tires collide with any object while taking a turn. Tires on pavements can also lead to rollovers, as can jack-knifing and overloading.
6. Poor Maintenance: Improper maintenance of aspects like tire pressure, brake and other fluids, lights and turn signals, windshield wipers and mirrors, electrical connections, steering mechanism, reflectors, horn, coupling devices, wheels and rims, and other emergency equipment is a surefire accident waiting to happen. Defective or old tires can fail or burst causing the driver to lose control and let the truck slide, stop suddenly, jack-knife or roll over.
7. Substandard inspection: Figures from the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Association (FMCSA) state that of 2 million trucks inspected on the road, 23.2 percent were found to be in violation of rules and regulations. Is there any wonder that defective trucks contribute to a large number of disastrous road accidents?
8. Obstructions on the road: Trucks are prone to collisions if there are obstructions on the road, and if road signs and other objects are hindered by trees or buildings.
9. Stopping distance: Rear-end collisions are common when truck drivers do not stop in time or if they underestimate the distance needed to come to a complete stop after the brakes are applied. Trucks being huge vehicles need a longer stopping distance, 40 percent more, than other vehicles.
10. Off-track: Semi-trucks risk causing untold damage and disaster when they turn at high speeds and swing into adjacent lanes without any warning whatsoever.
11. Untrained Drivers: Truck drivers must meet rigorous standards to be fit to drive these monstrous vehicles; according to the Department of Transportation, they should pass a physical exam every two years to renew their licenses, with competent medical examiners certifying them free of any condition that impairs ability to operate a truck. A commercial driver’s license is required to handle vehicles weighing more than 26,000 pounds, carrying 16 passengers including the driver, or loaded with hazardous materials. The failure of employers to check credentials and driving history when hiring new drivers is a major cause for road accidents involving semi-trucks.
12. Fatigue: Drivers push themselves to reach destinations faster by depriving themselves of sleep. Invariably, weariness catches up with even the best of them and accidents happen. Some with sleep apnea conditions are also more accident-prone.
13. Driving under the influence: Truck drivers are not allowed to operate their vehicles if they have a blood alcohol concentration of .02 or higher, according to the Code of Federal Regulations. The failure to comply with this rule is a definite recipe for a tractor-trailer disaster on the road.
14. Driver Distractions: if there’s one place that’s better off with less technology, it’s a truck driver’s cab. Mobile phones and small television sets are distractions that can lead to accidents on the highway in the blink of an eye.
15. Speeding: Rash driving and speeding in a hurry to get to one’s destination are a major reason why so many trucks are involved in collisions on the freeway. Methods of compensation that reward faster delivery times do not help this situation. Truck drivers have been known to cause accidents by running traffic lights, going over speed limits, and driving aggressively.
16. Longer Combination Vehicles (LCV): These vehicles, which comprise two or more trailers, have a higher percentage of jack-knifing, rolling over or swaying and losing control, simply because of their sheer length and weight. They require extreme caution, both to drive and to pass by on the road.
17. No Zones: The areas in front of, behind, and near the wheels of a semi truck, also known as the truck’s blind spots because of the driver’s limited visibility, do their part to contribute to the rise of truck accidents, mostly when other vehicles do not keep a safe distance from trucks or when the truck driver is not careful when turning or changing lanes.
18. Poor driving conditions: Nature is to blame too for the increase in trucking accidents – fog, snow, sleet, rain and smoke are all deterrents to safe driving, more so when the vehicles are gargantuan.
19. Failure to yield right of way: Car drivers who do not understand that trucks should be given the right of way have only themselves to blame when they are involved in a nasty accident with the huge vehicles.
20. Improperly loaded cargo: Cargo on semi-trucks should be properly distributed and secured so that it does not shift during the journey, as must the tailgate, tailboard, doors, tarpaulin and spare tires. Drivers are responsible for checking the cargo after the first 50 miles, and again after 3 hours or 150 miles, whichever comes first, and making any required adjustments. Improperly loaded trucks tend to roll over or cause spillage on the road leading to vehicle pileups on the freeway.

October 10th, 2007 admin

Astronomical medical bills that dent your finances and leave you in debt, loss of pay at work, loss of work itself in some cases, injuries that may cripple you for life, intense pain and agony, and the worst, death of a loved one – these are just a few of the after-effects of a serious accident involving a truck and other vehicles. Here’s what you can do to minimize the impact of a trucking accident on you, your family and loved ones.

1. Seek top medical help: Medicine is just like any other business. Some doctors and hospitals are far better than others. Don’t be afraid to ask questions about the experience and credentials of those working on you or your loved ones. Furthermore, don’t simply assume that the hospital is always making the right choice when it comes to treatment. You should play a role in your treatment process.
2. Take photos: Get someone to take pictures of the scene of the accident, of the damage to your car, and of the bruises and injuries sustained. These will later prove of assistance in the event you need to prove your case before court or in settlement negotiations.
3. Do not move your vehicle: It is important that the vehicle remain at the scene of the accident until a thorough investigation has been carried out to establish who was at fault. If you were not at fault, removing your car could cost you some of the monetary compensation you are entitled to.
4. Get in touch with your insurance carrier: The sooner you do this, the better. Your agent will be able to help you with your car repairs or replacement as long as your insurance is in order and up to date.
5. Call a truck accident attorney: If the accident is major, you may have a sizeable legal claim. So seek legal counsel, talk to an experienced lawyer with good credentials and background. You should be able to get a free consultation to help you decide if you need an attorney or not.
6. Consider the fee structure: Most firms will work on a contingency basis in personal injury litigation cases where they get a percentage of the settlement or compensation provided by the other side. If you decide this is the best option for you, work out how much you will end up with before settling on the percentage your attorney will retain. Make sure it is in writing that if they lose the case then you are not required to cover any of the costs.
7. Be careful what you say to whom: Any statement you make can be used against you as a means of reducing your eventual settlement or compensation amount. Most attorneys will recommend that you limit what you say about the case so as to preserve your litigation options later on.
8. Call your medical insurer: Get your hospital and treatment bills paid by your insurance provider instead of dipping into your bank account. Any settlement will go towards paying your insurer back.
9. Talk to your employers: Usually you will not be able to work for a while after being involved in a truck accident. Get in touch with your employers at the earliest and make sure they realize that you need the time off in order to resume work in full swing at the earliest.
10. File a police report: This is a matter of course after any accident, but make sure the report is filed by following up with the officer after the accident.
11. Surround yourself with loved ones: An accident is a traumatic incident that brings your life to a standstill. It requires a lot of concentrated effort to get things back on track, a task best done if you have the support and encouragement of your family, friends and loved ones.

October 10th, 2007 admin

As if dealing with the repercussions of your trucking accident weren’t enough, now you’re faced with the possibility of being taken advantage of by an unscrupulous attorney or money-grubby insurance company after the mishap. The choice of a good trucking attorney makes all the difference in reducing the trauma you face, not only during the time of the accident, but long after the physical scars have healed and only the emotional ones remain. Here are a few characteristics you should look for in a truck accident attorney, traits that will help you ensure your legal rights to compensation, and deal well with the disruptions the semi truck accident has caused in your life.

1. Good Qualifications: If there’s one thing that has to be impeccable in an attorney, it’s his/her credentials, background and qualifications. Check with other clients and obtain references before you sign on the dotted line to give your attorney the license to deal with all aspects of your case. Sites like Lawyers.com or Get a Referral.com provide information on lawyers’ credentials, experience, certifications, ratings and verdicts and settlements. Alternatively, you can use the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory to find details of lawyers in US states or Canadian provinces if they have registered with their local bar association.
2. Experience: There’s no such thing as too much experience – the more similar cases your attorney has handled, the higher your chances of winning your case. Choose a lawyer who is well-versed in dealing with complex trucking injury litigation, someone who is familiar with fleet maintenance procedures, or a specialist in Federal Motor Carrier Safety Rules and Regulations.
3. A strong trial history: Find an attorney with experience and a willingness to take cases to trial, rather than one who always accepts settlements from insurance companies. Of course, in many cases, settlements are preferred to the added hassles of a trial, but when a lawyer has a track record of opting to settle rather than fight it out in court, the insurance companies often lower their settlement offers.
4. Knowledgeable about local laws: Procedures and laws vary from state to state, and personal injury claims are made more complex by state rules and laws. So it is important that your attorney is familiar with what holds good locally, including statutes of limitation that pertain to filing a case and the rights you are entitled to as a victim.
5. Affordable: You cannot afford to spend all the money you have or are awarded as settlement on your lawyers. So agree to what percentage your attorney should get as fee before you agree to let him/her take on your case. Most firms charge on a contingency basis rather than an outright fee, where the fee is a percentage of the amount recovered – one more reason for your attorney to win the case at all costs. You don’t owe legal fees if you lose at trial. Sites like the Lectric Law Library or Green Card Lawyers offer a comprehensive listing of the types of fee structures charged by attorneys in the United States.
6. Meticulous: A good trucking accident attorney is meticulous about case details. Notice the types of questions your potential lawyer asks as an indicator of whether he or she is able to probe into the intricacies of your case in order to assess its strengths and weaknesses.
7. Helpful: Lawyers are primarily concerned with your legal case. The best attorneys, however will also understand the value of your family’s well-being, and will do all he/she can to minimize the effect of the catastrophe on your lives, with honesty and integrity.
8. Knows who to sue: The choice of defendant is important if you need to recover the maximum amount in terms of damages suffered, and a good attorney will do his/her research well to identify who should be sued in your case. It could be the driver, the truck’s owner, the trailer’s owner or the company that owns the truck. An experienced attorney will be able to evaluate your options and explain them in a way that allows you to play a role in the decision-making process.
9. Knows what you are entitled to: Victims of trucking accidents are entitled to compensation for present and future medical bills that relate to injuries sustained at the time of the mishap, property damages, lost income, expenses incurred in training for a new job if necessary after the accident, pain, agony and suffering (both physical and mental), and restitution for injuries if they will affect how you live the rest of your life. If you are a family member of a victim who was killed in the accident, your attorney should be able to get you monetary damages for the loss of your loved one.
10. Negotiates with insurance companies: Insurance companies play a central role in the litigation process, either offering settlements or acting as defendants. A good trucking accident attorney will advise you when it is prudent to accept the settlement and when it is necessary to go to trial so you get what you are legally entitled to. Experience with similar insurance adjusters and companies put litigation attorneys in the best possible position to get their clients a fair compensation amount. Your choice of attorney (his/her reputation) may also enhance your chances of a reasonable settlement even without going to trial.

October 10th, 2007 admin

The task of choosing an attorney is seldom easy, especially when it comes to finding a specialist in the field of trucking accidents. The person you hire to represent you in a personal injury case should have the necessary qualifications to deal not only with aspects of your case, but also put you and your loved ones at ease about your suit. Here are a few tips to bear in mind as you go about selecting a trucking accident attorney in Dallas Fort Worth.

1. Seek professional referrals: A good starting point when finding a semi truck accident attorney is to contact your local bar association for references. The internet is also a good source to check on lawyers’ credentials, certifications and specializations, state bar records, settlements and verdicts in personal injury and malpractice cases, and ratings and experience. Look up Martindale-Hubbell to get started.
2. Personal recommendations: A good indicator of future success is past success. Speaking to an attorney’s past clients by simply asking him for references is a good way to find out his or her track record.
3. Interview a few to see who best meets your needs: The simple fact that you’ve walked into a law office does not mean that you have to hire the services of the first attorney you meet. Spend some time in talking to a few different attorneys with different firms and select the person you feel the most comfortable with. Of course, the attorney you choose should also be skilled at what he/she does – in your case, one of the best in the business of handling personal injury litigation cases in trucking accidents.
4. Bargain for lower fees: Most Dallas Fort Worth trucking accident attorneys charge fees on a contingency basis; if they win you the case or talk the opposite side into a settlement, they retain a percentage of the amount you get, if they lose, they don’t see a penny and neither do you. While the percentage that an attorney takes is often determined by the quality of your case, if you ask to get a lower rate and your case is strong enough, often your attorney will be willing to take a smaller cut.
5. Find someone who is prompt in returning your communications: All lawyers, especially the successful ones, are very busy. But that does not mean your attorney should relegate your case to the backburner. You are as important as all his/her other clients, so talk about contact details at the outset. Find out when and how you can call or email him/her, and how soon you can expect your call to be returned. It’s a hard task to go through the ordeal of a truck accident, and you can certainly do without your attorney adding to your misery by not returning your calls or acting as if you were not important.

October 10th, 2007 admin

Finding a good and reliable attorney to manage your Austin semi truck accident case can be daunting. The task is harder still when you have to do it on the heels of a catastrophic trucking accident that has injured you or a loved one. Here are a few tips that will come in handy when you try to find a semi truck accident attorney in Austin, Texas.

1. What type of attorney do you need: Yes, all Austin lawyers pass the same state bar exam, but that doesn’t mean they’re all prepared to handle every case. The first step in selecting an attorney is to decide what type of case you have. If it is an injury case related to a semi truck collision, there are a number of specialists who deal specifically with this type of case. The nuances of the law are complex, so expertise can be very important.
2. Referrals count: Assuming you’ve narrowed your search to a few trucking accident specialists in the Austin Texas area, you should investigate their track record. . The best way to do this is to ask your potential employee to speak to some of his past clients so that you can get a personal reference of his/her operating style and the type of lawyer-client relationship you can hope to have.
3. Who within the firm will be handling your case: If you are dealing with a firm, find out exactly which attorneys will handle your case and get to know them on a personal basis. Find out if they have enough experience to handle cases like yours. Ask about communication channels and how often your attorney will update you of progress made on the case.
4. Beware the hidden fees: Most trucking accident lawyers take fees on a contingency basis, which means they cover all the costs of the lawsuit and take a percentage of the winnings. Despite this, it is important to make sure you are absolutely clear about which costs, if any, you will be expected to bear.
5. Discuss possible outcomes: A good trucking accident attorney will have enough experience to tell you if your case holds water in a court of law. They will be able to discuss with you the strengths and weaknesses of the case as well as what they believe your settlement options might be. While all of this is just an estimate, talking over your claim can give you a good feel for the experience of the attorney.

October 10th, 2007 admin

Choosing a lawyer is an important decision, especially when the stakes are high. And there’s nothing more valuable than your peace of mind, health and livelihood – all the things you take for granted until they seem to disappear after an accident with a semi truck. You can gain them all back, but you’ll need the right accident attorney to help you along the way. If you need a reliable trucking accident attorney in Houston, here’s what you need to do.

1. Look for an attorney: There are a number of sources in and around the Houston area to find attorneys. One of the best places to start is to check with the Houston Bar Association for listings and information on all local attorneys.
2. Get referrals: Just because an attorney has a big listing in the yellow pages doesn’t mean he or she is particularly talented at what they do. Rather, the best advertisement is word of mouth. So consider asking to speak with other clients of the attorney – they can give you first hand information on the type of client-lawyer relationship you can expect. If you want even more information, check out other aspects of your potential attorney ranging from credentials to win-loss records on Lawyers.com, Get a Referral.com and the Martindale-Hubbell legal directory.
3. Interview the lawyer: Don’t base your decision solely on other people’s judgments, however glowing the referrals may be. It’s your case on the line after all. Attorneys generally do not charge to talk to you before they take on your case, so it’s best you discuss your case on a face-to-face basis with the attorney. You need to feel comfortable working with him/her if your case is to be a success.
4. Talk rates: Don’t feel shy discussing your attorney’s fees at the outset. After all, practicing law is just another business. While lawyers generally charge either a flat percentage rate or by the hour, most trucking accident attorneys charge on a contingency basis where they retain a percentage of the settlement they help you win.
5. Seal the deal in writing: No matter how trustworthy your attorney seems, do not take just his/her word at face value. Get all your agreements on fees and other arrangements in writing, signed by both of you before you agree to take him/her on as your lawyer. Any attorney who isn’t willing to put his/her billing information in writing simply isn’t worth dealing with.