It is just amazing. I know they have budget to burn but still, it's so well done.

Advicetap is really aptly named and should require no further introductions or explanations. However, as it is my style to be verbose and long-winded I will attempt to explain in more words why it is a website different to it's apparent peers.

Firstly Advicetap is a great networking hub for Consultants and Marketing professionals. A place to share ideas, knowledge and advice that supports and informs the community at large.

If you are seeking a Marketing consultant, or any consultant, you can also post 'Gigs' to the site and receive applications for the project or role. You only need describe the project and wait for the responses.

The core difference is that Advicetap is managed by hand. The people who sign up to the site are assessed on their field of work to ensure that the site is made from professionals and consultants who do what they say they do, and well. This removes the clutter and noise often apparent on other similar sites.

So whether you are looking for a place to hire local Consultants or you are a Consultant looking for potential clients then you need to sign up. It only takes a minute.

http://www.advicetap.com

I got my xbox in the Christmas sales and at the time I thought maybe the PS3 looked better. But with Project Natal announced I think I made the right choice. To take such a serious gamers console and combine it with the ultimate in 'Wii type family fun' (on steroids) means there is something for everyone.

I can go from my Gears of War II session to a fun family quiz show or sports games with the kids all in the change of a button.

With what Steven Spielberg says about it I am certainly looking forward to it's launch.

http://www.xbox.com/en-ca/live/projectnatal/

http://www.time.com/time/arts/article/0,8599,1902208,00.html

So rumours of the Microsoft Courier Tablet are out and the iPad is coming in a month or two. Lot's of people saying the iPad is a luxury that no-one needs to have. A giant iPhone and nothing more. Well, Apple are still going to sell boat loads and these illustrations of the Microsoft Courier tablet and the Apple iPad show you why.

Courier leak: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UmIgNfp-MdI

iPad Padnotes http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j6nDbE1CK3o

The Courier appeals more (if it indeed looks like this when launched) because it has two workable screens. I work on two screens at work and it increases my productivity. Likewise with the Courier you can do things on one screen whilst working on another. It also has stylus input which if you really want to write legibly you will need.

The iPad Padnotes app is equally as cool but I can't imagine trying to write accurately with my finger. If it allows a pen then I am sold. It is an early release which I am sure will be better on each release until it rivals the Courier software.

My review on Paymo is coming but in the meanwhile I noticed that Paymo integrate with Kashflow. For those of you who are using basecamp, xero or similar this paymo and kashflow integration is brilliantly executed.

For those of you who don't know kashflow is easy to use online accounting and finance management software. Made for people who don't want the accounting jargon but want to manage their business finances, income and expenditure easily online from anywhere in the world.

Paymo is online time management and online billing software that helps you rock your freelance or small business work with ease.

A match made in heaven.

Visit Paymo website here

Visit Kashflow website here (and save £1 off per month with the signup discount code GIVEME1OFF)

I recently returned a wifi router to Futureshop as it was useless and I needed to upgrade. In front of me in the line up was a nervous looking young man with a Sony eBook reader in his hand. As his turn came to approach the returns counter he asked for a refund and as the lady inspected the item he continually stuttered there was nothing wrong with it. This is a familiar sight to me and I recognise it as 'upgrade fever'. The hope that an item you recently purchased or were given can be returned in the hope you can buy the latest thing that got launched which makes your old 'cool gadget', uncool.

Immediately after as I walked to the Wifi Router section to find a worthy replacement I passed the young man again in the 'Apple' section of the store frantically pouring over the Apple website showing the iPad (released only that morning). He looked relaxed now as he had returned his Sony eBook reader and probably had sufficient funds to purchase the iPad when it launches in Canada.

I recently joined up with zip.ca to supplement my TV watching and entertainment needs. After much research I found that Zip listed that they had a dispatch warehouse in Vancouver. This was good news and I expected that I would receive my DVD's within 2-3 days at least. Or so I thought. After adding a plethora of DVD's to my zip list, or zipping DVD's to my list as they call it, I was excited when my first dispatched email was sent within 3 hours of signing up. A great start; From start up to dispatch in 3 hours. The fall came when it listed Ontario as the dispatch depot....so nearly a week later I finally received my first DVD.

This experience with zip.ca echoes all the online ordering I have done from within Vancouver. The main issue seems to be there are insufficient warehousing options on the west coast or it is not financially viable for these companies to hold stock on the West Coast.

Freshbooks has long been a favourite time tracking and online invoicing/billing system for me. It makes it easy to track time, get paid and get reports on my productivity. The OS X widget makes it super easy to start and stop the clock as I work on projects which means I can be confident I am billing accurately.

The only thing freshbooks didn't have that was extremely limiting was multi-currency support. Now they do and in freshbooks style they have implement it well. I can now compile an invoice from my timesheets in 2 clicks flat, then select what currency I want to bill in. With one more button click I can convert the amounts into any currency with current exchange rates.

A truly useful addition to an already super online invoicing tool. Freelancers and small business can't go wrong with freshbooks.

Read more on the Freshbooks

Who would have thought that the name alone would make it to the big screen again let alone using the same story. This time it is Jackie Chan, a personal favourite for light hearted Karate Movies and Will Smiths son, Jaden Smith. The trailer is online now and the movie is going into cinemas June 11. As a young man I was often likened to Ralph M from the original 3 Karate Kids. Can't say I liked it. Hopefully this movie gives some credit to the name.

http://www.apple.com/trailers/sony_pictures/karatekid/

I don't have any New Years resolutions. I guess I am always New Year resolutioning even when it isn't New Years. Always a good time to consider the bigger picture I suppose and with each year the slider moves closer to the middle of my life spectrum so if I haven't achieved all I want yet then I should hurry up before retirement Golfing beckons.