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5 Things I'm Thankful For

THE JOB OF SITE ACQUISITION can often be a busy one. But I have found five useful things that can make the job of site acquisition much easier:

HP ScanJet 8290 Scanner -

The HP ScanJet 8290 has quickly become my favorite gadget in the office. It sits just to the left of my computer monitor and has become a force multiplier in my office. I use it to scan exhibits and documents for clients, receipts for reimbursement, reports and photographs. The automatic document feeder, coupled with optical character recognition (OCR) software makes converting large documents into editable text a synch.

The HP ScanJet 8290 has 4800 dpi x 4800 dpi resolution, which is sharper than many other scanners in its class. It also supports larger formats, including legal sized paper (8.5 in x 14 in).

If you don't have ample desk space or place to easily reach it from your office chair, I doubt you will be as enthused about this device as I am. It’s a bit bulky and requires ample desk space, but for me it is well worth it.

Google's Advanced News Search -

While I have not completely abandoned Yahoo! in favor of Google, I do like Google's Advanced News Search. According to Wired News , Google's automated news-gathering computers sift through more than 7,000 sources of to decide which articles are the most relevant. Google's Advanced News Search even grabs the headline and first paragraph.

Every day I use Google's Advanced News Search to find industry news from around the globe. I am able to follow how companies are waging war for new cell sites. I can find out what new hurdles wireless carriers are facing. I can learn what companies are expanding and which ones are closing. I can even use it to see what others are saying about my own company. Google's Advanced News Search is a valuable web site, indeed.

Garmin StreetPilot 2620 -

I spend more than 20,000 miles a year behind the wheel and finding unfamiliar places quickly is important. After using this handy GPS receiver for about three months now I can declare that the Garmin StreetPilot 2620 is the greatest invention since the Gutenberg press.

The Garmin StreetPilot 2620 can help find virtually any location in the U.S. All you have to do is type in an address, coordinates or street intersection and the unit automatically plots a course to the destination. The car adapter has a speaker on it and the unit accurately informs the driver where and when to turn. The on-screen display also calculates your speed, estimated time of arrival, heading and distance to turn.

The small color display and touch screen is much easier to use and read than first expected. I also like how the GPS receiver recalculates routes almost instantly when I do find my self off course. Overall this is was a very nice purchase that is paying for itself very quickly.

Kinko's -

Although I wasn’t happy to hear FedEx bought Kinko's, the acquisition hasn’t changed Kinko's at all. For the road warrior Kinko's is a savior.

Kinko's provides mobile workers with the tools necessary to get many jobs done. I can send files from my office or hotel room by E-mail to my destination city and have them picked up just in time for a meeting. Whether I need 11" x 17" plans or just a place to hook-up my computer, Kinko's has it all (and affordably priced). The recent addition of credit card terminals to each copier station is also a plus, allowing me to get in and out of Kinko's in rapid fashion. Some say FedEx paid too much for Kinko's. Nonetheless, I am still a fan.

Milio's Sandwiches -

Formerly called Big Mike's, Milio's Sandwiches is a submarine sandwich shop of the Subway and Cousin's variety, but their sandwiches are much better. Located predominately in Iowa, Minnesota and Wisconsin, Milio's Sandwiches may have changed their name but not their menu. Their sandwiches are fresh, they taste great, most of their locations have a drive-up window, and they deliver. More importantly, however, they are much easier to eat behind the wheel than either a Subway or Cousin's sandwich.

When working on the road and in a hurry, there aren't many healthy options to choose from.McDonald's, Wendy's and Taco Bell all offer speed and convenience, but they are probably the worst thing a person can eat when working far away from home. And while healthier than fast food, gas station sandwiches have got to be the nastiest form of sustenance known to man. I think I would rather eat some things seen on Fear Factor than many of the gas station sandwiches I've consumed over the years.

The #4 Pilgrim's Pride is my favorite sandwich, which includes thinly sliced turkey, mayo, lettuce, tomatoes and alfalfa sprouts. It may not be a New York strip, but it is mighty fine for lunch on the road (and no, I don't steer the car with my knees). ■

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