ASC Blog

Considerations for Anti-Spyware Product Testing

This document outlines some of the considerations that should be taken into account when tests on anti-spyware products are conducted and reviewed. Tests conforming to the suggestions in this document are more likely to produce results that are scientifically valid, independently reproducible, and meaningful. It is the hope of the Anti-Spyware Coalition that this document will help testers design and perform reliable tests, and help reviewers and users interpret published test results.

Risk Model Description

The anti-spyware industry offers a robust selection of tools to consumers in the marketplace. As is to be expected in such an environment, the rating systems used to classify Spyware and other Potentially Unwanted Technologies vary between Anti-Spyware vendors. The members of ASC believe that reputable anti-spyware companies should be transparent about their decisions to help users understand how anti-spyware tools make decisions; software publishers understand what may concern users; and Anti-Spyware vendors share information about emerging threats. To facilitate that transparency, the ASC has developed the Risk Model Description – a list of a broad set of behaviors that its members can use to help users make decisions.

Definitions and Supporting Documents

These documents are working drafts that will serve as the cornerstone of the Anti-Spyware Coalition’s ongoing efforts. They lay the foundation for the next phase of our work that includes risk modeling, identifying objective criteria to flag bad actors, and best practices to help software developers be recognized as good actors.  The documents will evolve as new problems are identified and our understanding deepens.

Best Practices Suggestions Document

Building upon the Definitions and Risk Model documents, the Best Practices document aims to expand past defining what behaviors and consent factors will currently make software potentially unwanted and to focus upon making the marketplace better. This document highlights the sorts of technological behaviors that limit the negative impact of potentially unwanted technologies.

Conflicts Resolution Document

Anti-Spyware software, as part of its operation, regularly interfaces with parts of a computer’s operating system that control specific and low-level pieces of architechture.  Multiple pieces of software all attempting to operate on the same low-level controls can cause conflicts.  This document is intended to provide voluntary guidelines within the Anti-Spyware industry to assist in avoiding and resolving conflicts between suites of Anti-Spyware software and to better serve consumers.

Tips Documents for Consumers and Corporations

The Anti-Spyware Coalition is interested in protecting consumers in many ways, including through education.  ASC has therefore developed a number of documents intended to help computer users identify steps they can take to improve the security of their computers and reduce the number of spyware infections they receive.  These documents are targeted at two user groups: home consumers and corporate network managers.  Each sheet has two formats: a single page for easy printing and a tri-fold brochure style sheet.  Finally, each document is available both in A4 or in Letter sizes.  All documents are pdf files.

Portable air conditioners are gaining popularity in many homes now because of the economical operation costs. The portable air conditioner is preferred to the fixed window air conditioners because it can be rolled around the house, cooling only the room that is occupied. Window air conditioners are also more expensive since they require installation. Although the portable air conditioner has its own disadvantages as well. It is less powerful in making the room cool compared to a conventional air conditioner, makes a louder noise while operating, and some models may need you to empty the condensed water bucket regularly.

There are a few variations in the design of a portable air conditioner. Two different types of condenser may be used. The remote condenser hangs out of the window with an included slider kit, just like a split system in a window air conditioner, while the ducted condenser has a duct mounted in the rear that exhausts air. A portable air conditioner may evaporate the condensed water from the air through the exhaust, or it collects the water in a bucket that you need to empty daily.

Portable air conditioners are usually rated in BTU or British Thermal Units. Some portable air conditioners are rated in HP or Horsepower. This indicates the device’s capacity of cooling a certain size room and is often found in the description or label that comes with the product. This rating is important to know before buying so that you will buy a unit that is effective for the room you intend to cool. There are plenty of websites online that provide a chart or guideline on determining which capacity rating you need for different room sizes. It is recommended that you choose the capacity needed for the biggest room you want to cool in your house.

Some portable air conditioners double as a heater. Those that only cool but do not heat are less expensive, but if you need a heater in the cold months anyway you might as well save money and storage space by getting a multipurpose unit. Visit BestPortableAC.org for more about getting good portable air conditioners.

It is recommended that you close your doors, windows and blinds even when you run the best portable AC, because then it will take less time to cool down the room. Reaching the optimum temperature in less time means less energy used and lower operation costs. If your portable air conditioner is set to Auto mode, then it will automatically maintain the cool temperature in the room. Therefore running with closed blinds, doors and windows is relatively economical. 

To maintain the effectiveness of your portable air conditioner unit, there is some work involved. Like conventional air conditioners, portable units also have air filters to trap the dust and particles that come with the air flow. If you use the portable air conditioner every day or quite often, there is a need to wash the air filters each month. The accumulated dust will block the air flow and make the portable air conditioner less effective in cooling the room.

Besides portable air conditioner, you can consider getting the best humidifier and air purifier if you want to improve your indoor air quality. We have spend most of our time indoor either in the office or in the home, so it’s important to pay a little bit attention to our quality of air indoor. Is it too hot? too dry? too dusty. All these problems might be able to solve it using portable air conditioner, humidifier and air purifier.

About Perodua

From the largest car manufacturer in South East Asia comes a range of attractive compact automobile options that meet the need for style, cost and mobility. The Malaysian company, Perodua has surprised many, regardless of poor market responses in some region, buy succeeding in every venture of innovation since their inception in 1992. It has since sold more than a million Perodua Cars, and sells more than a quarter of a million of them in its home country.

About the Cars

The Alza is one of the Perodua Cars that has six variations to the series, a kerb weight of 1.5 tonnes and a spacious interior, it is indeed an advancement in compact vehicles. The car fits seven people all together, and with a stylish aerofoil mini-SUV look, it competes with some of the top brands.

The Myvi is one of the most popular cars in South East Asia and Europe, a beautifully finished exterior for the five seater compact Perodua Car. It weighs about the same as the Alza, making it arguably more stable on the road.

The Viva have five seats, and brings a conservative look to style and convenience, being the lightest of the other variations, it is arguably the most efficient.

Taking Advantage of a Perodua Promotion

There are a number of promotions the company currently has, which offer a broad range of benefits from periodic price discounts to maintenance. The offers direct one to act on delivering the vehicles to approved service centers and getting genuine parts. One Perodua promotion actually targets graduates and offers great discounts with every purchase.

It can be a great way of saving on the short and long term. Using company promotions can also significantly add value in terms of warranty, and even free offers and after sales service. It is one of the company strategies that have made Perodua Cars a popular selection in South East Asia.

Espresso, even the word itself can make your heart crave for yourself to be indulged deep within the aromatic taste of it. For those that do not have any idea of what is espresso, well you are missing the most important thing in life! Espresso is a type of Italian coffee that is well known due to its rich taste and most importantly the perfectly fitted thick golden cream on top of it, known as crema. This is one coffee which has captured the heart of many due to its unfading taste for centuries. Some might argue, what is the point of talking about the famous espresso when we can even afford to go to Italy? No need for the unnecessary adrenaline rush people! You can always taste the best espresso ever at the comfort of your own home with a single purchase of an effective espresso machine!

So, what makes a good espresso machine? Well, first of all it should have an attractive and excellent physical build. Even though the espresso machine ratings of a product is based on its performance but let’s not forget that the outer look matters as well. You will only buy something that attracts you physically, right? Okay, once you have finalized on the physical look of the machine, let’s move on to more important criteria. First of all, a good espresso machine should have an awesome brewing system with an adequate water temperature. Properly organized water temperature allows the coffee beans to be brewed within minutes. This will reduce your waiting time to refresh yourself with a cup of espresso. Espresso machines with dual boiler system can do wonders in your kitchen to give you an addictively, heart luring cup of espresso!

As you drown in the dream of tasting the best Italian taste-alike espresso at your own kitchen, please do remember that making it possible is not any easy job if you get yourself stuck with a non-efficient espresso machine. Preparing espresso can be a hassle if your machine does not possess a proper draining system. Then, how do you make sure you do not end up with a wrong machine?

Now, always remember to find the espresso machine that has a large draining pan for the espresso because this will prevent your kitchen from becoming messy as you strive into preparing your own cup of espresso. If you buy a machine with small draining pan, you might end up spilling the espresso all over the kitchen. This will only increase your work load. Think smart and act accordingly by acquiring the good espresso machine which has an efficient draining pan. Check out this Espresso Machine Reviews blog for more good tips on finding the right espresso machine for your home or office.

Good espresso machine is always there within your reach if you know how to identify it. Just longing for an aromatic, rich cup of relaxing espresso without doing anything about it would never do any good to you. Get yourself geared up and hunt down the best espresso machine ever that will make you want more! Each shot will give you the same experience of having the original Italian made espresso and trust me; if you are a coffee lover then this will be just adding to your awesome experience. But, if you never liked coffee, this machine’s espresso will make you fall in love with one, try it today.

If you want to keep the natural goodness of nutrients intact in your eatables and also want them great in taste, then juice is the best form of food intake. Are you fed up finding nutritive carrot pieces and brussels sprouts in leftovers? You always wanted to give your little ones best nutritive advantage; now you can give them the nutrition they deserve in a tasty way – the juicy way. With growing number of populace becoming aware of juicing advantages, there has been a sharp increase in the number of juice lovers and juicing machines. Breville juicers are one of the best juicer brands available in market today. If you are looking for a handy juicer that would go on and on for years, consider reading some Breville juicer reviews.

Those searching for the best juicer reviews are likely to become spell bound on seeing the state of the art juicers from Breville. Some of the popular models are – the Juice & Blend (BJB840XL), the Juice Fountain Duo (BJE820XL), the Juice Fountain Crush (BJS600XL), the Juice Fountain Elite (800JEXL), the Citrus press 800CPXL etc. Breville is known for its craftsmanship and long lasting juicers. 800JEXL is an excellent example of a 1000 watt juicer having up to 13000 RPM exhibiting commercial performance with home kitchen convenience.

Best juicer report finders should know that Breville has always held its name high on reputation and exquisite designs. The pro juicer comes with a 1 liter jug with froth separator. The Italian designed micromesh with 40,000 pores allows you to collect 30% more juice from the squeezed items. Other alluring features include the titanium cutting disk and two speeds and an extra large three liter pulp collector. The large food pusher and the extra large chute ensure that your food items can be fed into the juicer without much chopping. It is large enough to hold up to three apples and processes carrots effortlessly.

The stylish stainless steel finish is an immense addition to your kitchen décor. It gives a “wow” factor to the place kept; still, its compact design allows it to be stowed it in a cabinet without any difficulty. It can be easily assembled for juicing and quickly dissembled for easy cleaning in dishwasher. Its guzzling abilities will bewilder your little ones when they watch their “yucky” veggies and fruits getting transformed into a “yummy” drink.

All the Breville juicers are manufactured for repeated daily use, and they are sturdy enough to withstand years of continued service. They are a great way to ensure that your family gets all the required vitamins and minerals in tasty sips. If you are having a real hard time persuading young ones to eat green leafy vegetables, Breville juicers provides you nicer and tastier options. Breville juicers are backed with great reviews, positive user feedbacks and have always stood up to customers’ expectations. For more information on Breville juicers, price and models, visit their website and find all the great things about the revered brand.

Parenthood comes with a lot of challenges and babies can be quite demanding especially when it comes to time and attention. So, since it is virtually impossible to keep an eye on your baby every second, baby monitors were created. They are that extra eyes and ears which allow you to be in different rooms with your baby, but still be in the know as to what your baby is doing.

Currently, there are many different types of baby monitors and finding the right one can be at times a bit hard. For this reason, the best baby monitor reviews have been written so that your search can be made easier.

Types of baby monitors:

Audio monitors: More commonly seen as walkie-talkies, audio monitors allow you know whether you baby is crying or just sleeping. They are the most commonly used and they are subdivided to digital and analog baby monitors. But for good sound quality, it is best you go for digital audio monitors for your baby.

Video monitors: These are the kind that allows you not only hear, but see what your little one is up to. The cameras of these video monitors have got pan, zoom and tilt functions all to help you see clearly what your baby is doing.

Motion sensing monitors: These are the kind of baby monitors that sense your baby’s movement and lack of movement. Considering the number of infant deaths which are caused by the syndrome for sudden death of infants, you wouldn’t be mistakes to thing of this motion sensing monitor as godsend.

Wireless monitors: These are a good example of the technological advancement taking place in the creation of baby monitors. You no longer have to do some wiring in your baby’s room so that you could keep an eye on your little bundle of joy.

With the recently held best baby monitors awards, the below monitors were found to be the best of them all proving beyond reasonable doubt that you can depend on them when keeping an eye on your baby:

1) The Angelcare Deluxe sound and movement: Although it has a cost higher that your everyday baby monitor, this monitor is definitely worth having. When compared t other baby monitors, it outperformed them when it comes to features of movement detection, range and is highly resistant to interference.

2) The Sony 900MHz BabyCall: This baby monitor has got $40 less street price and has got great range, feature and usability combinations. It has also got excellent sound clarity.

3) The AVENT DECT Philips baby monitor: This is the ultimate baby monitor unmatched by any other. It has got the best sound clarity, range, has got interference avoidance ability and it is easy to use. When tested, it proved to be the best baby monitor to use.

The above mentioned are the best baby monitors. But, there are also other baby monitors which, although did not get listed above, can fall under the category of being among the best. With the above information, you can now go out and get the best baby monitor.

More information:

• thebestbabymonitor.org
• http://mashable.com/2011/11/03/high-tech-baby-monitors/

Famous as the creator of Swiss Army Utility Knives series, it is quite surprising to know Victorinox is also responsible in manufacturing one the best kitchen knives in the market. Although, it might not be up to par with some of the more expensive knives, a Victorinox knife set is still preferred by many for its quality and functionality. Many choose these knives because of the ergonomical design. The handle is well balanced and is made from a very durable material. There are grooves on the handle for easy grip. This special ergonomic design of the handle reduces wrist strain due to regular use.

Therefore, this Victorinox knife set is excellent for chefs and other individual who cooks all the time. Apart from that, the handles are solid and tight without necessary crevices that would promote bacterial growth. Clean utilities are important in preparation of healthy food. Any kitchen appliances that is easily cleanse would reduce the risk of food contamination. Moreover, faster cleaning also needed when cooking time is limited and you do not need a lot of time to clean your knife meticulously.
As for the blade, the kitchen knives set are well known for its high carbon stainless steel. Therefore, it will not rust or discolor.

However, the knives are made through stamping process that gave the impression that it is lower in quality. Most knives enthusiast considers forged knives are of higher quality than stamped knives. In the case of Victorinox knife set, this should not be a deciding factor. The manufacturing process includes tempering, which is quite similar to those applied to forged knives. Yet as it is not forged, the knives are lighter, which is suitable for daily use. Not only these knives are of high quality and functional, they are fairly cheaper than forged knives.

Apart from that, Victorinox knife set are not limited to a certain type of knives. This is definitely good news for those looking for a myriad type of knives for different needs. It means you can easily get yourself the best chef knife, bread knife, paring knife and many more. Kitchen knives set usually consist of different types of knives and most of the time the prices are actually cheaper. Therefore, it would be a good idea to buy the knives in set than buying it individually.

Another good reason why Victorinox is a trusted brand name is the lifetime warranty on all their knives. The Swiss Army utility knives are perfect examples of quality and functionality; strengthen by trusted warranties. Therefore, if you are looking for something that is also backed by a distinguished company, Victorinox knife set is definitely a great consideration.

There are many reason to obtain this knives set. You might want it simply for its quality and functionally or you might want to present it to somebody who needs superior knives set in their kitchen. Some knives enthusiast might want to add it in their collection. No matter what reason you have, this is definitely one of the best kitchen knives to own.

In the modern era that has been ruling people out there with its unique and fantastic technological advancement, let’s travel through the time to return to our olden days. Still remember those moments when our kitchen suffered without a proper blender? Well, technology gave us the best solution with the invention of blender, kitchen’s best friend that performed mostly all important functions such as grinding and so on.
But, when we were just not settled with blender, food processor came into the picture. With its slicing, mincing and dicing capability, it captured the heart of many. Hmm, guess what, technology isn’t settled yet as we do. The Oster blender food processor has the capability of performing all the functions mentioned above in just one appliance! Now, isn’t that the best technological advancement for our kitchen ladies? Visit this link for more information and recommendations on the best food processor!

The 12 speed blender occupied by this appliance allows blending or grinding at its best speed ever! Trust me, you would be surprised at its speed that even a separate single blender would fail to perform that fast. Large amount of fruits and veggies can be easily blended with this Oster blender due to its large 6-cup glass jar. This jar is made from Boroclass glass which is thermal shock tested. Not sure of the importance of this thermal shock? Okay, no worries ladies. Let’s put it in simple term.

Remember those old blenders that always come with the warning that it should not be washed straight away after being used on hot substances as the glass might crack. Well, this glass jar allows you to directly shift from hot to cold blends or beverages with the guaranty of non-cracking. Wait, we are missing the important fact here! Oster food processor also can perform multiple processing functions such as mincing and so on. The 3-cup bowl that comes with the processor would be really handy in slicing onions, veggies and many more. All types of smoothies, sauces and soups can be prepared within minutes with this kitchen best mate. Whether it is slicing or dicing, just have this best food processor available in the market and you can perform all the variable function of a single processor in a two-in-one Oster blender food processor.

The metal drive system used for the blender allows durability and longer life and performance as compared to plastic system. So, you can also cut down your cost by acquiring this handy tool because it can perform multiple functions and has a longer standing ability. There would not be any frequent changing of blender and food processor if this product is your choice. The 450 watts powered blender food processor can even be used to crush ice!

Can you imagine the strength of the blade system and its power! There will always be a chilling smoothie to quench your thirst in your kitchen if you have this blender and food processor, multi-functioning appliance with you! Ever believed ‘good things comes in cheap prices’? Believe in it now.

Many people use their kitchen blenders nearly every single day and without a blender they could hardly be able to proceed with their daily tasks in the kitchen. Even though you may argue that a blender is not entirely necessary, it is definitely a useful appliance to save time in food preparation. When you have used one before, you will want to use it again and again for all kinds of recipes. 

How do you choose a kitchen blender then? Do be aware that there are many different sizes, features and brands to choose from, and you certainly want to buy one that fulfills the requirements of your kitchen tasks. However, don’t fret yet, because in this article I will explain all about choosing a blender and you will be able to make a good choice afterward. Do check out BestBlenderRatings.org if you want further information about the latest and best blenders in the market.

Kitchen Blender: The Types

In the market you can find plenty of basic kitchen blenders, and on the other hand there are some heavy duty ones that can blend hard ingredients like ice and frozen fruits. The stand blenders are most commonly used in the domestic setting, although some people prefer the immersion or handheld blenders that can be brought directly to the pot. Some blenders are multifunction and come with various accessories and blades for even more versatility.

A standard size blender is normally good for a variety of tasks like pureeing, blending and creaming soup if you like. Choose a blender with good power and stainless steel blades so that you can also make smoothies. If you don’t cook for the whole family you might want to consider the personal size blender. Some blenders come with a chopper attachment, which can be handy when you need to process a small amount of herbs or nuts for cooking.

The stand blenders usually have glass jars or plastic ones. Plastic jars are more often found with cheaper models. The single serving blenders have jars with handles and maybe even a lid, so that you can bring your drink on the go. Large blender jars may be designed with a pouring spout for easier and less messy pouring.

Handheld blenders are also known as immersion or stick blenders, and they are used for blending in the bowl or cup themselves. You can use the hand blender for any amount of food at one time because amount is not constricted to a blender jar. These blenders are portable and can be conveniently kept away in the cabinet or drawer until they are needed. You can even hang them up on the wall.

Commercial grade blenders or heavy duty blenders are often multifunction. They can do the jobs of several other kitchen appliances such as the juicer, food processor and even the mixer. These units are often expensive but worth the price if you need all those functions. Trustworthy brands for this type of blender include Blendtec and Vitamix blender.

Knowing the types of blenders, you are now ready to start reading the blender reviews for a certain type of blender suitable for you. Reviews will provide an insight to the pros and cons of each model, a must-read before buying.

No matter if you eat white or brown rice, long or short grain, it is not easy to get it right when cooked traditionally in a pot. Thanks to the electric rice cooker, cooking rice is a piece of cake – set it at the right settings and leave it to cook. Not only can it cook rice, you can easily cook porridge, stew and oatmeal in a pot.

Electric rice cookers these days are smart that it can determine and adjust the cooking time and temperature for cooking the fluffiest rice. They are able to do so with sensors that have the ability to detect the amount of rice and water in the pot.
There are many rice cookers out there in the market. Here are some tips to make your decision easier:

1. Budget

The first thing you should do is figure out how much you’re willing to spend on your rice cooker. Regardless of its price, the best rice cooker should be able to cook your rice to perfection. Just remember that the more expensive the appliance is, the more extensive the extra super powers it has. Personally, I think you should not buy an electric rice cooker just because of its extra functions but not ever use them to your advantage.

1. Capacity/Size

Rice will taste better when you cook in a cooker at its intended capacity. If you are only cooking for yourself and maybe your partner, a 3-cup electric rice cooker will be more than enough to cook for a meal. A 10-cup cooker will only be ideal only if you frequently cook for your extended family or you’re in the catering business.
Also, look for an electric rice cooker that has a steaming tray to cook your vegetable. As the water boils off to cook the rice, the released steam will cook the vegetables. Not only is this a healthy way to cook your rice but it also saves energy and time.

1. Material

Do consider the material of the cooking pot when choosing your cooker. A non-stick aluminum or stainless steel is preferred by most people since it’s easy to clean. Some people prefer pots that are made from charcoal or clay which are natural materials that have non-stick properties. However, some of these pans do produce rice with a slight burnt taste thanks to these natural materials – some people do enjoy this difference in taste.

1. Bells & Whistles

As I mentioned earlier, pricier models have features that would elevate the user’s experience when using the electric rice cooker. Things like measuring lines inside the cooking pot and see-through lid will allow you to easily measure the water used and monitor the cooking process. If your cooker has a warming function, it would be great to keep your rice warm until you’re ready to eat your meal.

1. Multi-tasking Abilities

I believe that if you’re already paying so much for an appliance, it should work more than its main intended use. Other than rice, your electric rice cooker should be able to cook congee, oatmeal and crock pot style meals.

Sometimes there is a need to remove moisture from the air, and that is when a dehumidifier is used. Moisture in the air can cause problems like window condensation or health conditions related to mold growth in the building. Some basements have poor ventilation and are chronically damp. A dehumidifier will solve those problems, and in cases is necessary even though it can be costly to own. See dehumidifierforhome.org for prices and features of the best dehumidifier.

Few people actually remember that water comes in three forms, solid ice, its original liquid state, and vapor. Vapor is present in the air and its ratio with the air is termed as humidity. Relative humidity or RH, is the percentage of vapor in the air out of what it can accommodate before the water condenses. RH is measured using a device called a hygrometer. Sometimes dehumidifiers come with one built-in, however you might want to get one to check the humidity level of your house before you decide to buy a dehumidifier.

Relative humidity is different at various spots in the house or office. Somewhere near a cold window will certainly have a higher RH compared to a far corner of the room. Where the RH is 100%, you can see condensation on glass; and where RH is constantly higher than 60%, you will almost certainly find mold growing on a wall surface. In damp basements the RH will be higher than other rooms in the house. It is recommended that you keep the RH indoors at 30 – 50 percent.

Although buying a dehumidifier for home or office is almost a surefire way of keeping the humidity at optimum levels, checking for moisture sources and controlling them might help in a great way too. Summer is usually the most humid season when you will want to keep windows shut and air conditioner running to ward out the hot and humid air. Even so, you might want to check the relative humidity and if it is higher than 50% in certain rooms or the basement, a dehumidifier is what you need. If you ventilate your house with the windows open, it is even more likely that moisture will accumulate in your house until fall. Just before you close up the house for fall, running a dehumidifier is recommended to prevent moisture problems later on.

The basement is often the dampest space in your house, so you should place the dehumidifier in there. Placing the dehumidifier in the basement requires you to check the operating temperature for the dehumidifier first. If your basement is cold, a normal dehumidifier may not be able to run, so you will need a unit with frost guard or auto defrost feature. Such a type of dehumidifier can be noisy, but since it is in the basement the noise is less noticeable while you go around the house.

Also, try to find out why the basement is damp. It might be caused by leaks on the walls or floors. If such a problem exists, you should fix it first. It would be illogical having to run a dehumidifier for long hours to remove the moisture that comes back in all the time.

• More information

At my age and still bachelor, working at ASC as programmer and staying a single-bedroom apartment is what I need to house myself and the various party animals who regularly come and camp out. I don’t mind sleeping on an air mattress once in a while when that happens, and with air mattress, I can bring them to my office to sleep when I need to do some programming and burning the midnight oil. Anyhow I have my own knack for sleeping comfortably on one. In fact, I find the air mattress much more comfortable than a pull out couch or a regular cheap mattress.

If you cannot sleep well on an air mattress but still have to do it, here are a few words of advice. Firstly, get a double size rather than a twin size if conditions permit. Double size air mattresses are available for $20 – $50, which is not expensive considering that twin size ones come within the same range, but might take up space that you cannot spare. The Best Air Mattress blog recommends the Coleman 4-in-1 Quickbed, which I think gives the best of both worlds.

Based on consumerreports.org, save your money by buying a basic air mattress instead of one with air chambers and whatnot. A basic one can be comfortable too as long as you find one made with high quality 20 gauge vinyl. If there is any other features you feel you can afford, look for a built-in pump dial for adjusting the firmness. The economic option is to adjust manually by pumping in more air or letting air out.

Always pad your air mattress for sleeping. You cover your conventional mattresses with comforters and bed sheets, so why don’t you cover your air mattress? A temporary but comfortable top is created by putting your sleeping bag, foam pad, or blanket on the air mattress. This will keep you warm throughout the night as the air in the mattress cool down.

The more you make it to look and feel like your conventional bed, the more comfortable it will become. It might be too troublesome to bring a pillow with you wherever you are going, but a makeshift pillow with rolled up canvas, clothes or blanket is better than nothing. Also try to make an artificial headboard or place one end of your air mattress against the wall. Nowadays so many people put their beds against the wall that we have forgotten the purpose of the headboard – to avoid your pillow slipping off the bed.

Where you place your air mattress is also important. If you have tiled, hardwood, or any smooth floor surface like mine, putting the air mattress directly on the floor will mean a whole night’s worth of squeaks. If you cannot sleep with the slightest of sounds, try to place the air mattress on something soft like a carpet or rug, and if outdoors, on the grass.

If you have pets, keep them away from the air mattress before you pad or cover it. Pet fur is very hard to clean off vinyl (guests may be allergic), and a curious claw may cause more damage to the air mattress than you can repair.

It might be tempting to skip all the trouble and just go to sleep on an air mattress, but if you take the mere few minutes to get details right, you will get a much better night’s sleep and wake up refreshed instead of grouchy.