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Ask our experts

Last reviewed: March 2010
March 2010 This article appeared in
March 2010 Consumer Reports Magazine.
Picture of cat being resized with photo-editing software
Picture perfect
You can use photo-editing software to resize a picture for e-mailing.

What's the easiest way to
reduce the size of a photo for e-mailing?

Dennis McCray
Sacramento, CA

Use your camera's photo-e-mail feature, which will resize the larger image. Or open the file in image-editing software, such as Adobe Photoshop Elements or Apple iPhoto. Select the photo, then choose "e-mail photo" or "e-mail attachments." You'll have various options to choose from, but the most important is the size of the file. Use the smallest-sized option for the fastest uploading times. Click "OK" or "compose." The software should open your e-mail application and attach the downsized photo to a new message.

 

How do I know whether I should still start annual mammography at 40?

Sharon Richardson
Elmsford, NY

Talk with your doctor about your needs and concerns. In general, the higher your breast-cancer risk, the more sensible it is to have annual mammograms in your 40s. To assess your risk, take the test at www.cancer.gov/bcrisktool and discuss the results with your doctor. Mammography is less effective for women in their 40s and can not only produce a higher rate of false positives but also result in unnecessary treatment.

 

Do I need to pay the dealer-prep fee in the contract for the new car I'm buying?

John Bickel
Golden, CO

Refuse to pay this fee, which reimburses the dealer for preparing the vehicle for you. Dealer prep, often indicated as a "pre-delivery service" fee, usually includes removing coverings that protect the vehicle during shipping and cleaning and inspecting the vehicle. Most automakers already pay dealers for that work; you shouldn't pay it again.

 

The two batteries for my cordless drill are dying. Do replacements hold a charge as well as the originals?

Frank Regulski
Edwardsville, PA

Based on years of cordless-drill testing, during which our experts have replaced many batteries due to the tough nature of our tests, we've determined that replacement batteries from the manufacturer can hold a charge and work just as well as the originals. But you might consider replacing the entire tool. Several worthwhile models in our Ratings (available to subscribers) will cost you less than or about the same price as two replacement batteries.

 

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