25 Great Restaurant Deals

The current state of the economy has people trying to save money left and right. Cutting costs during a recession is always a smart move, and businesses aren't immune from the effects, either. In fact, many businesses are offering extra incentives for consumers looking to save a buck.

It seems that restaurants in particular are trying to lure the hungry masses into their doors through great savings and specials. I came across a cool list over on WalletPop that showcases 25 of the Best Restaurant Deals that you can get for your money right now. Some of the specials are an absolute steal, including a few courses at Chili's for two for under $20.

If you're looking for some ways to eat out without having to search the couch cushions for spare change, I'd highly recommend visiting WalletPop to read more.

Converter Box Coupon Program comes to an End

The government funded convert box coupon program designed to help consumers with the analog-to-digital switch is coming to an end on Friday, July 31, 2009. If you're still one of the 1.5 million households without TV reception, you still have a couple days to sign up for a converter box coupon.

To read more about how to get your coupon visit dtv.gov.

10 Easy Sun Projects You can do at Home

I'm not always the craftiest of people, but occasionally I like to try my hand at easy do-it-yourself projects at home. They don't always work out so great, but hey, what can you do?

However, I recently came across a post over on Lifehacker that demonstrated 10 DIY Projects that Harnass the Power of the Sun. For any of you sun nuts, there's a lot of great material here that you can easily spend a weekend knocking out. The projects range from using a magnifying glass to engrave cool shapes into wood to charging your iPhone with solar power. There's even a way to convert a lawnmower to solar energy and extend Wi-Fi to your backyard.

Who knew you could do so much with the sun's energy at home? I highly recommend checking out the cool list of do-it-yourself projects. To read more, visit Lifehacker.

Summer Freebies

Free stuff for summer! I just want to shout that from the rooftops today.

So a friend of mine sends me a link this morning to a site that tells you where you can get all kinds of free items. This is great news. You can get free chocolate from Mars, free business cards, free lunch and so much more.

In this economy when saving money is key to survival summer freebies are a welcome budget saver. Check out the article 11 Fantastic Freebies.

Get a Green Computer

If you're in the market for a new computer, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) Energy Star can help you choose an energy efficient computer. That's right, you can have it all—get all the bells and whistles you want on your computer and be environmentally friendly.

Read more about how the computer are rated at HowStuffWorks.

Go to the Moon with Google Today

Forty years ago today, two guys got out of a spacecraft and then walked on the surface of the moon. The landing of Apollo 11 was a historic moment in our history.It is still quite incredible even today, though we've progressed in both years and technology.

So how is Google celebrating this occasion? By adding the Moon in Google Earth, of course. If you want to learn more about each of the Apollo missions, as well as browse over the moon's surface, Google Earth has expanded today with lots of information and added usability. There are videos, 3D images of the different craft that have flown to the moon, and general information that anybody can get into.

This is definitely a fun and interesting way to find out more about each of the lunar missions, and you can browse the information by landing sites. Anyone that's played with Google Earth knows how engrossing it can be and this only adds to it. Simply download the Google Earth application, and start clicking through to learn more.

Scientists Develop Synthetic Carbon-Capturing Trees

Ever see a decorative fake tree and wonder what its purpose was? Sure, it makes the hotel lobby seem a little more lively I suppose, but in the end, it doesn't contribute to the environment in the way a living tree does. Or even a synthetic super tree, apparently.

According to PhysOrg, scientists have developed a tree that traps carbon dioxide from the air, much like real trees. However, these synthetic trees capture carbon dioxide at a rate roughly 1,000 times that of a normal tree. The synthetic tree "could absorb one ton of carbon dioxide per day, an amount equivalent to that produced by about 20 cars, on average".

Oddly enough, they actually don't look like trees, but small buildings. While planting real trees is clearly the better route to go, these synthetic trees seem like they could be an alternative for crowded city spaces with high carbon dioxide emissions and no landscape for planting. Unfortunately, they cost about $30,000, so one wonders if we'll be seeing them any time soon.

To read more about the synthetic trees, visit PhysOrg.

Wal-Mart to have Eco-Rating for Products

In a bold move, Wal-Mart has decided to make a Eco-rating system for all the products they carry. Each supplier will now have to answer questions about how 'green' their products are.

The rating system is sure to help consumers be more Eco-friendly and hopefully it will push companies to become even more green.

Wal-Mart said it would make the announcement of the Eco-Rating system today. To read more on this, click over to USA Today.

Comcast Adding More Spanish-Language Channels

One of the great things about being a subscriber to any kind of TV service is that new content and channels are constantly being added. For me, there's nothing cooler than finding a new HD channel or stumbling across a network that was just added. Well, it seems like more of those are coming for Comcast subscribers.

In light of the number of people switching to digital signals because of the digital transition, Comcast is adding a bevy of Spanish channels to their lineup in places like Northern California. Apparently, as many as 80 new networks will be live as of August 11th. Some of the new channels include Mexican music channels TeleRitmo, Bandamax as well as other music channels such as Ritmoson Latino and Telehit.

To read more about the new Spanish-language channels, visit MediaWeek.

Comcast and Cox Take Part in Internet Safety Report

Leading communications companies like Comcast, Cox, Google and AOL are teaming up with Internet safety organizations to form a task force dedicated to keeping children safe online.

They are working on a report, PointSmart.ClickSafe: Task Force Recommendations for Best Practices for Online Safety and Literacy, to unify all Internet service providers under the same safety guidelines.

At the present time the guidelines are too fragments across the board, so this task force is asking for a nation policy to be implements to keep our future online generation safe from the dangers the Internets holds.

To read more about what is being do do keep children safe on the Internet, read Comcast, Cox Contribute to Internet Safety Report.