From the Deals Guy
Last month I made mention about some motherboards having USB plugs incorporated into them. If I were a hardware knowledgeable man, I would have known that those have existed for a while in higher-end motherboards. Actually, it turns out I was referring to low-end motherboards. I hope you took my comments as advice to check out that concept while shopping.
What I would like to see becoming more popular is Firewire (IEEE1394), which up until now has not caught on well. It is much faster than USB, and peripherals connected with Firewire can talk to each other without using the CPU. This is yet another vicious circle in the hardware development world. However, Firewire accommodates fewer peripherals than USB, but I doubt I could afford to plug in more than 63 devices. Some digital cameras offer IEEE1394 as a connection.
As for the speed of USB, the original development team of the USB concept (five companies), along with three new companies, is working on USB 2.0 to replace 1.1, which will increase the throughput nearly 20 times. Expect that version in a year or so. Next month, I'll have more comments about the 810 chipset problems. I found it an interesting situation. Also, I'll discuss the latest surprise in USB development.
STUFFIT, will ya!
Since I have not tried Aladdin's products, the following are their words: "Aladdin Systems just announced Dropstuff 5.0 for Windows, the only cross-platform Windows compression tool that provides up to 20 percent better compression than other Zip utilities. Dropstuff 5.0 is a free upgrade to registered users of Dropstuff 1.0, and is also a 30-day free trial for new users available for download.
"If you own Aladdin's Stuffit Deluxe 5.0.x for Macintosh, Aladdin recently released a free update, Stuffit Deluxe 5.1. This update includes enhancements and fixes, and eliminates the need for Stuffit Deluxe 5.0.x users to download Dropstuff 5.1.2 and Expander 5.1.2 separately. The 5.1 update provides faster file compression and decompression than previous Stuffit Deluxe 5.0.x versions, and other improvements.
"Stuffit Deluxe 5.0.x is available as a download directly from Aladdin. For more information on Stuffit Deluxe and its recent update, visit them."
There are new features, but to keep this item short as possible, I suggest you get more information from their Web site. Prices for Aladdin products are as follows:
The regular shareware price for Aladdin Dropstuff is $20. Dragstrip is $20. NEW: the ultimate desktop organizer, Aladdin Flashback, $29.95 (regularly $49.95). It provides unlimited undos to all your favorite software. Or, if you want desktop pictures that change with the time of day, try the Sundial or California and Hawaii Collections, $19.95 each, or $30 for both (regularly $29.95 each). Also available is Private File at $19.95 (regularly $49.95). This is the easiest, cross-platform data protection program.
In order to receive the above special pricing, user group members must use Code #UGDEAL 999. These prices are good through November 30th (maybe longer). Call 1-800-732-8881 to order, or e-mail them. S&H is $7.50 for the first unit, and $2.50 each additional unit. Somehow, my money must have been caught up in this software because I was sure I had more money than I can find now. Does compressed money buy the same amount?
How About Surfing the Web for Absolutely FREE (Well, Almost Free)
I'm talking about Web4Life, the largest distributor of WebCOMBO's National Internet Access (its words). It is a unique ISP in that it offers dial-up Internet access for a one-time fee- no monthly charges. It is five years old, in all 50 states, Canada and Puerto Rico, and says it is backed by corporations who have their sponsorship information only on the homepage (no banners following you around- Dealsguy likes that!)
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The explanation goes on, "we provide an e-mail address (total of five coming soon), personal Web space and toll-free tech support. If you want more information about our service to 'check us out,' please stop by our Web site."
This special offer came together just before deadline so I have not had the chance to do anything but take a quick look at this home page and browse a bit. It was interesting to note that in the city where my mother lives, the only national ISP I knew about is AOL (line always busy there), but I noticed Web4Life has an access number there. That said a lot for me, but be sure to check for your area if you are interested in Web4life since they are not responsible for long distance charges.
During November and December 1999, Web4Life wants to offer Computer User Group members a special package for WebCombo 2000. The retail price is $179.95-but user group members can order it for $149.95, which includes the Getting Started on the Internet training video free. With the holiday season around the corner, members can ask for multiple discounts if they want to order Internet access as a gift.
Here's what's included with the Internet access: Unlimited dial-up Internet access, all 50 States, Canada & Puerto Rico, 56Kflex, V.90 & X2, toll-free tech support, personal Web space (5 Mb), five free e-mail accounts, seven-day money-back guarantee, NET-2-Phone software. You can use any browser and e-mail (Internet Explorer 5 is included). Save $$ with AOL or Web TV. You also get free Net Nanny software.
You can order by phone with a credit card by calling 1-888-267-1122, or send a check to the address listed. Shipping is $5.95 for the whole package. Right now the order form on the Internet is defaulted to the full price so you'll have to call Joy Porter to get the special. Be sure to specify which user group you are with.
Are You Over-Hyped About Y2K? Read This
One of my regular readers e-mailed to inquire about having her book be one of my deals. It was described as on the "light-hearted" side, but that could go anywhere, so I wanted to take a look. When I received it, I meant to take a quick look at a few pages to see the content. I have to say that I didn't put it down until I finished it an hour later. The book is called Got Beans? Get Ready For the Year 2000 Computer Crisis and is written by Ingrid Harding.
It is a 5" x 5" book with 93 pages and easy-to-read type. I found it contained many suggestions we've heard before, but mixed in were many others that brought a smile. I don't laugh easily, but this made me smile a lot. I doubt that many would be offended by any of the light-hearted stuff, such as suggestions concerning the shortage of supplies. She suggests you stock up on condoms in advance, which might raise the eyebrows of a snide clerk when you buy five boxes each time you stop in. I would rather think that clerk's attitude was admiration, especially if the clerk was aged. I'll bet that suggestion will also boost the sale of Viagra for a while. Few suggestions were on the risqu‚ side.
I liked the suggestion about milk, and comments about a timepiece were practical, but whimsical. I can't tell you too much, so buy the book to learn (and chuckle) for yourself. The regular price per book is $7.95 but my readers can get it at 50 percent off. Check her Web site. Ingrid also has a free Y2K weekly e-mail newsletter you can sign up for on her Web site.
Looks like I'm out of space so meet me here again next month to discuss deals. I will talk about the music conversion software will be next month because of getting the ordering logistics set up. I'll also talk about long-distance phone service for 3.9 cents per minute after friends have a chance to see if there are any catches. 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
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