Rules for Strong Passwords

I hate having to make a complex password I can't remember. So here's a little information on what it takes to hack an eBay password and how you can create highly un-hackable password you can remember.

Rule #1 - Create a password longer than 4 characters
The more characters in a password, the harder it is to crack. You probably knew this already, but did you know that a password of 4 characters or less can be hacked instantly using any number of commercial programs?

Rule #2 - Use upper and lower case letters in your password plus digits
Lowercase letters are the easiest to break. Adding upper case letters increases the level of difficulty, but is still not the best solution. Adding a digit is also a good idea. See Rule #3 below.

Rule #3 - Incorporate the full set of ASCII characters in your password
What's an ASCII character? Anything on your keyboard is an ASCII character, but the characters above the numbers (!,@,#,$,%,^,&,*,(,)) are particularly useful in creating a powerful password. Here's an example. If my password is "ebay" a password-breaking program would crack this instantly. If my password is "ebay3" it would take 2 minutes to get into my account. If I added an uppercase letter and made my password "eBay3" it would now take 12 minutes to gain access. But if I added an ASCII character, "eBy!3" it will now take 4 hours to get into my account.

Rule #4 - Choose an uncommon or non-existent word
Common English words are subject to Dictionary attacks. This is where a password cracking program runs through every word in the dictionary to find your password. Even if you put two common words together to create one that is not an actual word, for example "sidebook," a dictionary attack can still find it.

Now, here's a simple way to create a secure password you can remember that complies with all the rules above. Think of a sentence that describes something you can remember. For example, "I live at 45 Maple Street in Ohio" or "My 3rd grade teacher was Mrs. Smith at Franklin. Then, create your password by taking the first letter or number from each word in the sentence. So, our first example would become "Il@45MSiO" and the second would be M3gtwMS@F.

Want to know how long it would take a program to crack those passwords? 44,530 years. Yes, it would take a program that long. If you remove the @ sign and replace it with the letter "a" it drops to 178 years, but still a very powerful password.

Now, make a resolution to keep your eBay account secure and change that flimsy password to something powerful!

Selling Postcards

I have started listing a few old postcards lately.  A few years back I had quite a few listed, but got away from it.  There are lots of postcard collectors out there, so it’s a nitche worth exploring.  And, if you recall, my first interest in eBay started with old postcards.

Collectors often look for cards with interesting automobiles, specific buildings, people, and of course the older the better.  This card is of the Magnolia, Arkansas Court House in 1950.   It probably looks much different today!  Click HERE to see the cards I have listed.

When listing your cards, the description should always include a date (or general date) if at all possible.  When you have a postcard with a postage stamp but can't quite make out the year in the cancelled postmark it may help with this guide.

1872--1 cent stamp

1917--2 cent stamp

1919--1 cent stamp

1925--2 cent stamp

1928--1 cent stamp

1952--2 cent stamp

1963--4 cent stamp

1968--5 cent stamp

Measure once, Measure Twice!

If you sell clothing, your descriptions need to be easy to understand and contain enough information for your customers to make an informed decision.  List as many measurements as you can so they know the item will fit!

To ensure the best fit for men and boys, you’ll need to measure the neck, arm/sleeve, chest, waist, and inseam.

Neck: Measure the circumference of your neck just above the base and around your Adam's apple. Place two fingers between your neck and the tape measure.     

Arm/Sleeve: With your arm bent slightly, put your hand on your hip. Start the tape measure at the center of the back of your neck. Run the tape measure across the top of your shoulder, down to the elbow, and then to your wrist.    

Chest: Standing with your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms. Ensure that the tape measure remains parallel to the ground. Place two fingers between the tape measure and your body.
    
Waist: While standing, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline. Keep the tape comfortably loose.    

Inseam: Lay out flat a pair of pants that fit you well. Using a measuring tape, measure from the crotch seam to the bottom of the pant along the seam.

To ensure the best fit for women and girls, you’ll need to measure the bust, waist, and hips.

Bust: With your arms at your side, place the tape measure around the fullest part of your chest, under your arms. Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.   
  
Waist: While standing, wrap the tape measure around your natural waistline. Keep the tape comfortably loose.  
 
Hips: While standing with your feet together, wrap the tape measure around the fullest part of your body between your waist and your knees. This is approximately 8 inches below your waist. Make sure that the tape measure remains parallel to the floor.

It's a Good Time to Live in the Midwest

Did you know our own Omaha, Nebraska tops the list of the most recession-proof cities?



Omaha, Nebraska

The Brookings Institute Metro Monitor has been tracking the best (and worst) places to live during the recession based on unemployment rates, industry recovery, and the local housing market. And the research says: If you want a recession-proof city, check out the Midwest.

Omaha topped the list as the most recession-proof city because of its 5.5 percent unemployment rate, compared to the national average of 9.6 percent and the lowest change in unemployment in the past three years.

Other Midwest locales that round out the top 20 list for most recession-proof cities include Madison, Wis., Oklahoma City, and Kansas City, Mo., which made the list because its gross metropolitan product not only recovered, but jumped 2.6 percent from where it was before the recession. They say that the secret to the Midwest’s success is manufacturing jobs, which have been steadily recovering over the past year.

What's New?

Let me tell you what's new! 

I have a few fun things listed this week.  I have an old Voigtlander (German) camera that is from 1954. It just got a bid this morning!  I’m selling it for another person, so for her sake I hope it does well!  (Yes, I do sell a few items on consignment.  Contact me for more information.)

I also listed this unique horse.  I don’t know much about model horses, other than they are quite collectible, so when I found this one at Goodwill, I grabbed it right away.

Old ashtrays seem to be collectible, too.  Here’s one I have had sitting on my eBay desk for a few months and am just now getting around to listing it.  I just sold another retro ashtray a couple of weeks ago; hope this one does as well!

And, since I mostly deal in books, I'll have to show you this Encyclopedia of Horses & Ponies.  Horse people like this sort of thing, so if you find horse-related items that are in good condition (and for reasonable price), grab it up!  Remember to add Horse Items to your list of things that sell well.

What's new with you?

Wilton Items Sell Well

I just sold a Wilton Cake Decorating Yearbook (1976).  The nice thing about it is that I have a second one and can just relist it using the same information! 

Wilton items are usually good sellers, so be on the look-out for them!  They publish a yearly magazine-style yearbook that many people collect. They go back as far as 1969, and the older ones sell well because they’re hard to find anymore.  

Wilton also publishes some hard cover books, and some specialty books (I currently have listed ones on Christmas, tier cakes, and using the special frosting tips).  I have sold cake pans (they are known for their unique character cake pans), a box of ruffles to go around a cake, cake stands, and more. 

Mind Your Manners!

25 important email etiquette tips:

1. Be concise and to the point

2. Answer all questions, and pre-empt further questions

3. Use proper spelling, grammar & punctuation

4. Make it personal

5. Answer swiftly

6. Do not attach unnecessary files

7. Use proper structure & layout

8. Do not overuse the high priority option

9. Do not write in CAPITALS

10. Add disclaimers to your emails

11. Read the email before you send it

12. Do not overuse Reply to All

13. Mailings > use the bcc: field or do a mail merge

14. Take care with abbreviations and emoticons

15. Do not forward chain letters

16. Do not request delivery and read receipts

17. Do not copy a message or attachment without permission

18. Do not use email to discuss confidential information

19. Use a meaningful subject line

20. Avoid using URGENT and IMPORTANT

21. Avoid long sentences

22. Don't forward emails that are libelous, defamatory, offensive, racist or obscene.

23 Don't forward virus hoaxes and chain letters

24. Don't reply to spam

25. Use cc: field sparingly