Latest Magazine Prices
Herb Goodman sent us a brand new list of magazine offers as of September 1999. The prices are available only for SPCUG members and are not to be posted on any BBS or on the Internet. Note that Windows magazine is ceasing publication this month.
The prices printed in Sacra Blue, page 24 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.
Make your payment payable to Herb Goodman and mail to:
Herb Goodman
8295 Sunlake Drive
Boca Raton, FL 33496
Telephone: 561-488-4465
O'Reilly Book Discounts
Sacramento PC Users Group members can get a 20% any time you order from O'Reilly Books. After visiting the on-line catalogue, you can e-mail your order or call 800-998-9938. Be sure to mention order code DSUG.
From the Deals Guy
Not surprisingly, your response for comments about a spring APCUG show/event has been slim. Without your comments, ideas and opinions, planning such an event is next to impossible. I'm not involved in that project, but APCUG needs your input. It's not too late to send opinions. Dan Hanson has e-mailed all clubs asking for opinions. I liked some of his suggestions, especially the one about the Caribbean Cruise. Please sound off to him.
I read that a couple of motherboard producers are working to incorporate a USB hub on the motherboard. A price increase is undesirable, but that would be cheaper and more convenient than buying an external hub. I don't know the introductory date, but look for it soon. If you're in the market for a new computer or motherboard, check that out if you're into USB peripherals. It may be only two USB plugs at first, but that will do for a start.
I read about a study concerning the high cost of projection bulbs. I'm sure those who have replaced a "metal halide" bulb will concur after paying BIG bucks for a replacement. They concluded that in the future, higher production should bring the costs down. Duh! No kidding. We never would have guessed and can hardly wait. How much did that study cost?
They said improvements in performance, and the costs of small arc lamp technologies, coupled with the commercialization of electrodeless radio frequency lamps, should support the extension of light-valve projection technology into low-priced market segments. Good, I'll take brighter, cheaper, projection any day.
I saw a deceptive ad for a 400-MB Iomega Zip drive the other day. Being unaware of any such model, I looked closer. Very small print described it to be a 100-MB Zip drive with four 100-MB disks. They could have included more disks and made it a 1GByte Zip drive, couldn't they! In fact, it could have been unlimited capacity (for more money). Read the small print in those ads and know what you're getting. Above all, do your homework, or ask about these things at your UG meeting. There are no stupid questions.
Let's Get Started: Print Anything on Your Screen!
Print Screen Works allows users to capture and print, e-mail or fax anything on their computer screen simply by pushing the Print Screen button. In the existing Windows 95/98/NT, to print what you see on your screen is a very tedious process: push the Print Screen key, open a word processor, and finally, paste an image in the word processor. In addition, capturing and resizing just a portion of an image requires a variety of tools from other sources.
Print Screen Works makes it possible to both "print what you see" and "see what you print." It enables a user to capture all, or a portion of, any image on the computer screen. PSW is generally not visible during operation (it resides in the system tray). It converts the Print Screen button into a hot key that triggers the capture process. Once captured, the image may be printed or saved as a bit map (.bmp) or jpeg (.jpg). Easily capture, resize, and re-shape images before saving or sending.
PSW is loaded with features. It can capture images that fill the whole screen, an active window or just a portion of it. There's more information about working with the images on the Web site, so take a look.
I've used the original Print Screen Works and it did what it promised with no problems. A free trial version is available on the Web site. On the other hand, if this sounds like its for you, the regular price is $29.95, but the Dealsguy column price is just $19.95 + S&H.
To get this special price, call 1-973-259-9300 and ask for Dante. S&H is FREE in both US and Canada. Print Screen Works is for Windows 95/98/NT, 32-bit only.
When I Say Delete, I Mean Disappear, Really Disappear
Normal deletion is not secure. When you delete a file, the operating system doesn't destroy the contents from the disk. It only deletes references to the file from system tables. As a result, sensitive information (available corporate trade secrets, business plans, personal files or even confidential letters to a lover) may be lying unprotected on your disk and can easily fall into the wrong hands (the secretary you dated the other night).
|
Eraser introduces a new meaning for the verb "erase." Erasing a file now means wiping its contents beyond recovery, scrambling its name and dates and, finally, removing it from disk. Eraser is fully integrated with the Windows shell so you can drag files and folders from Explorer and drop them into Eraser. Erase them directly from Explorer or My Computer with a single mouse click.
The extensive erasing capabilities of Eraser make sure that not even a trace remains after erasing data. You can even define your own Wipe methods (and I'm not talkin' toilet paper). There's more, so visit their Web site for more information, such as how Eraser even checks the Recycle Bin to make sure deleted files are destroyed.
There are three editions of East-Tec Eraser: a Basic Edition ($19.95), a Standard Edition ($29.95) and a Professional Edition ($39.95). For Dealsguy readers, the Basic Edition is $14.95, the Standard Edition $24.95 and the Professional Edition will be $32.00. Prices are in U.S. dollars. Software is for Windows 95/98/NT only. These prices are by download. If you desire a CD, it is $10.00 extra.
S&H is the same all over the world. S&H worldwide first class is free. Second-day priority is $4.00 (U.S. dollars) Next day in the U.S. is $10.00. To order East-Tec Eraser, please visit their secure ordering site.
For voice orders, call 1-800-414-4268 (USA & Canada only) or 1-910-791-7052 between 8:00a.m. and 7:00 p.m. EST. Please inform the operator you want to use the East-Tec Eraser Special Purchase Offer and specify the edition you want to purchase (Basic, Standard or Professional). Very important: these numbers can be used FOR ORDERS ONLY.
Adobe and Peachpit Press Specials for User Group Members
Did you know you could buy Adobe Press books at a discount through Peachpit Press? Neither did I until I read the update in the latest Adobe mailing. Adobe Press is the publisher of the Training-in-a-Box series of hands-on training workbooks, and other titles. Peachpit Press, publisher of graphics, Web design and introductory computer texts for the novice and professionals, distributes them.
The user group discount is 20% off any Adobe Press or Peachpit Press books. Call 1-800-283-9444 to order, or for more information. A group order of 11 or more books shipped to one address will be entitled to 40% discount. Visit Adobe or Peachpit.
I wasn't aware of the GoLive update special until recently but Louise Miller (Adobe user group coordinator) sent this information when I asked:
"Adobe GoLive 4.0 for Macintosh and Windows is expected to sell at an estimated street price of $299 (U.S.). Version 4.0 for Macintosh will be available in March; the Windows version will be available in the second quarter of 1999."
In the U.S. and Canada, all registered users of CyberStudio Professional 3.x and below can upgrade to Adobe GoLive 4.0 for $99.00 (U.S.). Customers in the U.S. and Canada, who purchased GoLive CyberStudio Professional 3.x after January 1, 1999, are eligible to receive a free upgrade to Adobe GoLive 4.0 with proof of purchase. For information, customers can call Adobe at 1-800-685-3612. For a limited time, registered users of Adobe PageMill and CyberStudio Personal Edition could upgrade to Version 4.0 for a promotional price of $99.00. After Sept. 1, 1999, that upgrade price will be $199.00 (U.S.).
My request to extend the Sept. 1 deadline was turned down. Personally, I think they should have extended it to entice more people. So far, the reviews I've read for GoLive start glowingly, but end up mediocre. I bought it, but found you needed Windows 98 and a 200 MHz machine to run it. Tech support said I would probably have trouble using it under Windows 95 so my copy is now shelfware.
Get It for Just the S&H
I seldom print Web items because they are so numerous, and sometimes questionable, but Quirt Alrich of the Central Florida Computer Society sent me this URL and I actually ordered two popular items (limited supply) just for the shipping. Not the latest versions, and there are no manuals, but for that price, who cares? He gets a message from time to time, but I didn't subscribe as suggested because I worry about being spammed. Visit freebies (perhaps try leaving off the last part of the URL) once in a while and see what they have. They sent the CD via snail mail, so at the $9.95 S&H, I'm sure they made a profit, and I was satisfied.
That's it for my October column. Meet me here again next month to discuss deals. No luck with return calls or email from six deals I'm working on. Maybe they're on vacation. One small vendor with music conversion to MIDI is still thinking it over. This column is written to make user group members aware of special pricing and my comments should not be construed to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of products. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click .
—Bob (The Cheapskate) Click
|
