Free personalized video message from Santa Claus from Portable North Pole

Portable North Pole makes Christmas or Birthdays even more magical to your loved child or relatives. It offers a one-of-a-kind personalized video, interactive letter, official book, place mats, certificate, coloring book, puzzle, door hanger, stickers, song, ringtone or phone call from Santa himself.

For the 5th anniversary of the Portable North Pole console, it offers you a free personalized video message from Santa Claus. Just input your kid's name, upload his/her pictures and personalize it a little bit by choosing from a dozen of options.



You will be able to watch your personalized video online. You may also download it for $6.99 or get the video by mail for $19.99.

If you don't want to pay for downloading, you may record your video from screen using software like Replay Video Capture or Debut Video Capture

Ideeli flash sale site gives a $50 credit when you spend $200

My favorite private shopping club (flash sale site) Ideeli gives a $50 credit when you spend $200. The offer is valid for 4 days only (until November 21).



 

Credit will be applied to your account by November 29, and you may spend it through December 15, 2012.

Not a member of Ideeli yet? Join for free now. Membership is free.

Get a $25 credit from Gilt private shopping club (flash sale site)

If you're not a member of Gilt yet, you may get a $25 credit from it by

1. Signing up for free via an invitation link like www.gilt.com/invite/bargain


2. And making your first $50+ purchase.

If you're a member of Gilt already, you may invite your friends and get $25 when they make their first $50+ purchase. It is interesting that not only you may send your friends an invitation link, but also share your favorite Gilt items using Facebook, Twitter, and Pinterest links!

Gilt is one of the most popular American private shopping clubs (a.k.a. sample sale sites, private sale site, flash sale sites, fashion sale site, designer sale sites). It ships not only within the U.S., but to many countries around the world (some items can be shipped within the USA only, but you may always use a package forwarder). Gilt membership is FREE.

Free ebook from Microsoft Press: Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript

The "Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript" free ebook provides comprehensive coverage of the platform for Windows Store apps. Since its second preview in August, the authors have added the remaining chapters on live tiles, notifications, background tasks, background transfers, networking, devices, printing, WinRT components, accessibility, localization, and the Windows Store itself. The final ebook contains 17 chapters. And of course all of the earlier chapters have also been reviewed and refined-over 800 pages in total, along with new and updated companion content!

This book is about writing Windows Store apps using HTML5, CSS3, and JavaScript. The primary focus will be on applying these web technologies within the Windows 8 platform, where there are unique considerations, and not on exploring the details of those web technologies themselves. For the most part, then, the author is assuming that you're already at least somewhat conversant with these standards. The book covers some of the more salient areas like the CSS grid, which is central to app layout.



You can download the "Programming Windows 8 Apps with HTML, CSS, and JavaScript" ebook in PDF format here (17.9 MB)

Note: The MSDN blog will be updated and you will be able to download EPUB and MOBI formats in the near future.

The ebook's companion content is here (59.9 MB)

p.s. Yet another free book on Windows 8. Poor sales? Too few apps in the Windows app store?

Lower DHL pricing for Shipito customers

Shipito has signed a new contract with DHL which will allow to get lower pricing for all customers.

Most of the packages shipped by DHL and FedEx are billed by dimensional weight. That means that dimensional weight of the packages is bigger than real weight. The Dimensional Divisor (DIM) for Shipito will be adjusted to 166 from 139 effective this Monday, November 12, 2013. By changing the DIM factor the cost goes significantly down.

Few months ago FedEx lowered the DIM factor for Shipito. DHL now agreed to the same concession. The change will be effective on Monday. The Shipito shipping calculator is directly connected to DHL system, so as soon this comes into effect, you will see the lower pricing automatically.

USPS will begin accepting lithium batteries installed into electronics on November 15, 2012

Just in Time for the Holidays, U.S. Postal Service to Begin Global Shipping of Packages with Lithium Batteries. The Postal Service has worked collaboratively with the International Civil Aviation Organization, the Universal Postal Union and the Federal Aviation Authority to secure the changes needed to allow international mail shipments containing lithium batteries to begin.

Effective Nov. 15, 2012, Postal Service policies will be changed to allow specific quantities of lithium batteries - when installed in the equipment they are intended to operate - to be sent to many international destinations, including APO (Army Post Office), FPO (Fleet Post Office) and DPO (Diplomatic Post Office) locations when permitted by the destination or host country.

Items which can be shipped may include: cameras, video cameras, mobile/smart phones, Bluetooth headsets, laptop computers, shavers, portable DVD players, tablets, two-way radios, GPS devices and most other small electronic devices requiring lithium batteries to operate.

Items which cannot be shipped include any lithium batteries not installed in the equipment they are intended to operate. In addition, when installed, they may not exceed the quantity or limits defined in the IMM or DMM.

Domestic shipments of packages containing lithium batteries, and electronic devices containing lithium batteries currently remain unchanged.

The Federal Register final rule, and IMM, DMM and Publication 52 revisions, will be available at pe.usps.com.

Source

Russian Post Standard - a new way of delivering packages with lithiumbatteries to Russia by Shipito

Russian Post Standard via Berlin is a new service offered by Shipito in cooperation with Russian Post branch in Berlin.

Packages are first shipped by truck to New York Los Angeles, then by air courier to Berlin, and after that put on a train to Moscow from where it is delivered to local branch of Russian post office. Each package has a Russian Post tracking number which will start working after the packages arrives in Berlin and is cleared through EU.

Limitations:

• Weight limit is 20kg (44 lbs)


• No size can be longer than 105 cm (41 inches)


• Sum of all three sizes should not be more than 200 cm (78 inches)


• Dimensional weight applies


• Maximum value and insurance is $2,500


• Insurance rate for losses or damages is 3% of the product value

This shipping methods works the best for heavier and smaller packages (like 26"x13"x13", 18-20kg).

Delivery time: From Shipito warehouse to New York: 5-6 days. From New York to Berlin - 2-3 days.
From Shipito warehouse to Los Angeles: 2-3 days. From New York to Berlin: 2-3 days. From Berlin to larger western cities like Moscow or St. Petersburg: 2 weeks. For very remote areas, this can take up to 5 weeks. The total time to deliver is then 3 to 7 weeks. Speed of delivery is not guaranteed and depends on Russian Post.

Currently available only in California warehouses. First shipment will be sent once Shipito has at least 1000 lbs. Once Shipito sends the first shipment they might wait for your feedback, before this becomes a permanent option.
As of December 2013, Russia Post Standard shipping method is available in California, Oregon and Nevada warehouses. The fastest mail out is from California warehouses as the plain is leaving from Los Angeles to Berlin (direct flight).

I've checked the cost of the new shipping method using the Shipito calculator for my last package (37.5 lbs, 36"x17"12") and found pretty interesting rates:



Please note that the dimensional weight applies.

Shipito recommends to use the Russia Post Standard shipping method, because it is the safest shipping method based on the number of insurance claims (just few claims in 2013).

Personally I still use USPS Priority Mail Express International (former USPS Express Mail International) for most of my packages:

• Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shipping forwarder in 2013 for sending packages from the United States to Russia
• Examples of fees charged by USPS Express Mail and Shipito shippingforwarder in 2012 for sending packages from USA to Russian Federation
• Some samples on how much it costs to send packages/parcels to Russia using USPS and Shipito (2010-2011)

This is due to the fact that the Russian Standard Post shipping method is very slow, is not offered in the Oregon warehouse and is not cheaper than USPS Express Mail International. Lack of alternatives to USPS (like SPSR Express) is one of the main reasons for customers from Russia to avoid Shipito. Other parcel forwarders shipping to Russia offer much better and cheaper services than Shipito. Although I must admit that I haven't found anything cheaper and better than Shipito for other countries of the world.

Shipito rolls out FREE photos of all consolidated packages

Shipito freight forwarder rolls out new and free service upgrade for all customers. All consolidated packages will have photos posted on your account. Some of the customers already can see the free photos of their consolidated packages.

• You will see what packages were actually consolidated. Photo of each package consolidated.


• You will see the final packing of the consolidation box (photo of filled and still opened box). So you will be able to see how well your packages is packed!


• Photos of closed and taped packages will also be provided, so you will be able to see how it was taped before mail out!

The best part is that this service will be free for all customers! Great news!

Amazon coupon code: 20% off contemporary and timeless clothing

Amazon offers a 20% discount onto a selection of women's, men's, and kids' clothing via coupon code "SVEFAL20". Purchase apparel and accessories from Calvin Klein, Diesel, Kenneth Cole, BCBG Max Azria, Vivienne Westwood, and more. This discount is valid on purchases from Amazon directly, not from its merchants from the marketplace.

Most orders receive free shipping via Amazon Prime. Non-members can receive free shipping on all orders over $25 before coupon. Other restrictions may apply. Deal ends November 7.

Amazon and sales tax in Oregon, California and New Jersey

In September 2012 American retail giant Amazon started collecting sales tax in California. Depending on the location of the warehouse of your Californian shipping forwarder, Amazon will collect 7.25-9.75%.

Some shipping forwarders have their warehouses in New Jersey. Many online retailers do not collect a sales tax from customers from New Jersey. However Amazon USA plans to build two huge distribution centers in New Jersey. Moreover Amazon will start collecting a 7 percent state sales tax in July 2013 - whether the warehouses are built or not.



One of the ways to avoid sales tax for non US reditents is by using no sales tax locations. Shipito shipping forwarder has a warehouse in Tualatin, Oregon. Another shipping forwarder Qwintry is located in Portland, Oregon. The sales tax in both locations is not collected.

Alternatively you may use freight forwarders which have locations in those states, where sales tax is not collected when you make purchases in your favorite online stores. This means that this stores should not be based in such states, not should they have any offices, offline stores or warehouses there.

Holiday price matching from Paypal: Get a refund of up to $1000

When you check out with PayPal and find your item advertised at a lower price within 30 days, Paypal will refund the difference.



 

Key features:

• 30-day price protection (up to $250 per item and $1000 maximum during the promotion period) when you use PayPal as your payment method,


• 7-day price protection on airplane tickets at the same airline,


• Covers eBay Buy It Now purchases of new items from top-rated sellers.

Learn more...

CyberGhost VPN Classic - 24 hour giveaway

Rated 4.5 stars by CNET, CyberGhost VPN hides your IP address and allows you to replace it by opting for one of their 101 servers located in different parts of Europe and the United States. It also encrypts your data, which guarantees that you are not only anonymous, but also have your personal information guarded safely. This gives you access to blocked content from all around the world and lets you use your credit card without worrying about your information getting comprised. At the end of the day, it helps you keep your private affairs private. This allows allows you to pretend you have a USA IP address when shopping online.



24 hour spooktacular giveaway of CyberGhost VPN allows you to save 69.99 USD. SOLD OUT

Free PDF ebook from Dell and Wiley&Sons: Windows 8 for Dummies

Windows 8 operating system is very counter-intuitive. So you should find the book "Windows 8 for Dummies" by Andy Rathbone very useful. It covers many aspects of Windows 8 from its new Start Screen to Windows Apps and Desktop mode.



Windows 8 For Dummies eBook Table of Contents :

• Chapter 1: The New Start screen


• Chapter 2: The Traditional desktop


• Chapter 3: Storage: Internal, External, and in the Sky


• Chapter 4: Working with Apps


• Chapter 5: Engaging the Social Apps


• Chapter 6: Getting Connected and Having fun through the Start Screen


• Chapter 7: Ten things you'll Hate about Windows 8 (And how to fix them)

Download PDF ebook from Wiley&Sons for free (11 MB)