USB 3.0 is the third-generation of Universal Serial Bus standard for transferring data and connecting devices to your computer. USB 3.0 is much faster than the current widely-used USB 2.0. USB 3.0 is expected to be the new standard in peripherals.

USB stands for Universal Serial Bus. USB is the standard for connecting almost any device or peripheral to your computer or laptop. Universal in USB means that it really attempts to be THE way to connect. USB was first released in 1994.

TFT stands for Thin-Film Transistor. TFT technology is a new standard these days for manufacturing displays, monitors, laptop screens, and other devices. TFT LCD displays can show crisp text, vivid colors, fast animations, and complex graphics.

ExpressCard is a new standard for expansion of notebook computers. ExpressCard is a relatively low-cost solution to laptop modularity. ExpressCards are also smaller than traditional PC cards. ExpressCards are used to attach memory, multimedia, wired and wireless communications, security keys, and other features to your laptop.

LightScribe (or Light Scribe) is a new way for making labels for your CDs and DVDs. LightScribe allows you to burn your CD and DVD "labels" directly onto your disks. For now, LightScribe is able to burn only gray-scale images similar to black-and-white photography onto your disks.

This page provides an overview of definitions of basic tax terms and concepts. The tax world can be very confusing, and it certainly helps to have at least the basic definitions on one page.

What is the difference between a marginal and average tax rate? Even though it may not be so obvious, understanding the difference between a marginal and average tax rate can help lower your total taxes.

Knowing the difference between marginal and average tax rates is important for good tax planning.

Federal tax rates 2009 - This page provides a listing of tax rates and tax tables applicable to orinary income earned in year 2009 and taxed on your tax return filed in year 2010. Tax rates applicable to taxable income earned in 2010 are available at the tax rates 2010 page.

Below you can find 2007 tax rates. These rates apply to taxable ordinary income earned in year 2007, and are effective for the tax return that you file in 2008.

You can see that tax rates progressively increase as income increases.

Tax brackets were changed for the tax year 2008 to reflect the rate of inflation in the US economy. When comparing the tax rate schedule for 2007 and 2008, we can see that only the tax brackets have changed. The tax rates themselves remained the same.