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New Magazine Prices
Herb Goodman sent us a brand new list of magazine offers as of April 1999; some
magazines no longer exist, some have new titles, and Herb is offering some new
magazines for you. The prices are available only for SPCUG members and are not
to be posted on any BBS or on the Internet.
The prices in the table on this page are for new subscriptions and renewals.
For renewals you must supply an address label from your present subscription to
ensure the correct start date for your renewal. Please allow 10 to 12 weeks for
your subscriptions to start. All orders must be accompanied with cash, a check,
or a money order. As an extra service, Herb will mail a renewal notice about
three months prior to your subscriptions’ expiration date.
Make your payment payable to Herb Goodman and mail to:
Herb Goodman
8295 Sunlake Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33496
Telephone: 561-488-4465
e-mail:
hgoodman@cwix.com
O’Reilly Book Discounts
Sacramento PC Users Group members can get a 20 percent discount any time you
order from O’Reilly Books. You can peruse O’Reilly’s online store at
www.oreilly.com
, and when you order you can e-mail O’Reilly at
order@oreilly.com
or you can call their order line at 800-998-9938. When you order, mention code
DSUG.
From the Deals Guy
Bob Click, Greater Orlando Computer User Group
This last month had its trials and tribulations with several Happy99 virus files in my e-mail, even again
from a couple of people I had e-mailed that they had the virus. Some people just don't believe. My
advice is have mercy on your friends and make sure you have computer virus protection.
On top of all that, I had ultrasound to break up kidney stones: not a pleasant experience. So much
for last month. Now, let's review the past deals:
Readers reminded me that the Parsons/Brøderbund/The Learning Company acquisitions were not where that ended since Mattel topped it all by acquiring them. I wonder who those folks are working for this week!
The only deal still good is the SpellCatcher. Call them at 800-359-4920 or visit their Web site at www.casadyg.com/stores/ug.
So That's Where You Get Color Printers!
A price reduction to $1,299 for QMS color laser printers was mentioned in a previous column, but not where to get it. The wait wasn't long since they're listed in at least three catalogs received since.
The QMS and other color laser printers are listed in "Zones Business Solutions" (800-419-9663), "Publishing Perfection" (800-387-2164) and "Midwest Micro" (800-682-4211), and probably others. With time and shopping, you will probably find a deal, even if only saving sales tax ordering from an out of state catalog.
Come On Now, Be a Good Computer and Boot Up!
This item may not be for the faint of heart, but more for consultants and people experienced inside the computer's case. We're talking about plug-in boards that will analyze your computer's refusal to boot if it's a hardware problem. Data Depot has three diagnostic test cards to plug in your motherboard.
- MiniPOST economy power-on self-test card for XT, AT, ISA, EISA computers. Shows self-test codes and power supply status when power is switched on. MiniPOST instantly shows why system won't boot; four LEDs show power supply status. The unit also has an easy-to-read digital display shows test codes.
- PocketPOST 2 power-on self-test card with logic probe for XT, AT, ISA and EISA computers. Instantly shows why system won't boot. Built-in voltmeter checks power to 95 percent. Shows status of 10 critical PC bus signals. Easy-to-read digital display shows test codes. New built-in Logic Probe for the super tech. Troubleshoots to component level.
- PC PowerCheck, a professional PC/Amiga power supply test card. Plug-n-play, no software needed. Monitor reset, voltages high, low, noise and spike. LEDs show whether all voltages are in spec. There is also continuous/trap monitoring of hi/lo/spike.
Visit the Data Depot Web site at www.datadepo.com, or call Data Depot at 800-767-3424 or 813-445-3402. Prices for the cards are as follows: MiniPOST test card, list $149.00, user group $69.00; PocketPOST test card, list $299.00, user group $159.00; and PC PowerCheck card, list $299.00, user group $199.00. Tell them the "deals guy" sent you. I purchased a diagnostic card to check a computer I have, but have not had the chance to try it out yet.
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Learning For Kids
You might be tired of catalogs but this one caught my eye. If you work with young children, this catalog offers software, toys, books, videos, and even Barbie software. There are all kinds of learning tools. It would be difficult to describe all it contains.
Call for the Edutainment catalog at 1-800-338-3844 if you haven't already received it. Mine had 40 pages of products, although nothing to help me learn to obey my wife better. Some items are for all ages, such as the Complete Space and Astronomy software series.
Deals You Only Find Out About By Ordering
If you have not ordered from Parsons for a while, you might not be aware that packed with any order is an inventory reduction and closeout sale flyer. These sales are ongoing, and while Parsons' prices are already low, these prices are about half the regular price. Many are at $9.95, but be aware they are mostly outdated items.
Here's the catch: you only get this flyer with an order received from Parsons. They won't mail this flyer just for the asking. Mine had over 80 closeouts and specials. I'm told you can call in and see if something is on sale. They also offer daily specials that you only find out about by calling. Perhaps that's why I was on hold so long when calling for more information. However, it was nice to get a very friendly voice to answer my questions.
For what it's worth, both recent orders were slow in coming and my patience was rewarded with free software in each order. Not bad titles, either.
For you Barbie lovers: since The Learning Company acquired Parsons they also offer several Barbie titles for $19.95. The acquisition by Mattel should be completed soon, but that doesn't affect your placing an order. The Parsons order number is 800-223-6985 (the Parsons Web site is at www.parsons.com), but be prepared to wait.
Remember ViaGrafix?
ViaGrafix has always been a friend to user groups. My club has had little contact with them the last few years, but when checking an expired special, I found they still have a policy of offering products for review if your user group has it's code number. Here's the deal: Your president, or your club's
"Vender contact person," should go to the Web site at www.viagrafix.com and fill out the application for your user group. That person will then be assigned a code number for ordering review items, and for members to order ViaGrafix products at a 20 percent discount.
Thereafter, you can contact Tammie Kolker at tam@viagrafix.com for review items. ViaGrafix's user group database should contain your officer and contact people list. Tutorials are on both video and CD-ROM.
Order up to three review products. When they get a review from you, it is possible to order up to three more products for review. I can only tell you this offer is better than it sounds in my column. If your President doesn't already have your group's code number, consider it.
Good Heavens, Where Do I Find That?
Many deals column readers are business people. Information is a great resource, especially where to find a product or service. "Thomas Register" has been around the business world for many years and is a unique tool to find those products or services anywhere in North America. Most products have risen in price over the years, but not the Thomas Register. In fact, the price is better than ever, and it can even be bought on CD-ROM (Windows only). That version has nine CDs with tremendous search capabilities. I noticed a 1999 Thomas Register on CD-ROM entitles you to three years of use, but the search software expires on March 31, 2002.
The price for this valuable product and services guide is $199.00 right now, and if you have a "folio" number (mailed to you), it can be had for $149 plus shipping and handling. You might ask if you can qualify for the $149 special offer. Call them at 800-699-9822 ext. 444, or call customer service at 212-290-7277. Visit their Web sites at www.thomasregister.com or www.thomaspublishing.com. They also offer the book version with 34 volumes, if you prefer, for the same price, but $18.95 plus shipping and handling.
You can reach Bob Click by e-mail at dealsguy@mindspring.com.
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