Book Reviews and Money Saving Tips

One year later, this is really a dodgy product.  It gets lost, it loses connection and the software is dreadful.  I just spent over four hours trying to get it re-set up after it lost connection.   It is frankly a huge waste of time.  I do not recommend it.  This is a NAS (network attached storage) drive.   It is a very good concept, particularly for a small business or a home with multiple users having a variety of devices.   I had some issues getting it to be seen by my computer.   I could not get it recognized plugged into a switch.   I had to plug it into the switch incorporated into my router.   It popped right up then.   Oh, Seagate spring for a brighter light to tell when your drive is working.   It is a pinpoint of light under a black screen that blinks or is solid green, amber and red and darn near impossible to see.   Not a big thing but kind of annoying.   Quick setup was a b...

Rug 1 Price:   $12.83  at Amazon This was a more involved review than some.  I had no carpet spots so  I created some.   I got to carpet scraps of different types and stained them.  One carpet type is similar to a Berber  and has lots of deep kind of holes.  The other type was a smoother, sheared type.   I took blackberry jelly and smeared it on both scraps.   I gave it 30 minutes to set and then I sprayed each carpet scrap.   See rug 1 Rug 2 The stain on the smoother carpet was practically eradicated on the first spraying.  I followed the instructions to not soak but to spray thoroughly.   I then rubbed it and patted it with a scrap of terry cloth and then  wiped it with  a damp terry cloth.   The Berber carpet did not fare as well on the first spray.   See Rug 2 Rug3 Rug Final I used the spray again  and on the smooth carpet ...

Zyrtec is the brand name of this drug.  This is a generic.  I have used a generic Zyrtec for several years with good success.  This drug is effective for general allergy relief.  This specific brand is not as inexpensive as other generics found on Amazon.  However it is available in smaller sizes than some of the other generics so it provides you with a less expensive means of trying the drug to see how effective it is with your specific allergies.  I f reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

  This is a pretty nifty device.  Apropos to nothing, I love the color.  It allows me to find it easily in the morass that is my console box.   It also has the ability to allow me to charge both my tablet and my phone simultaneously.   The automobile manufactures claim to be in touch with modern needs but a single power port and a single usb charging port doesn’t begin to handle the phones, tablets and accessories we all carry.  This company seems to be more in touch with what we need.  This is a handy item and works well. If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

This is an adequate surge suppressor.  I have purchased and used a wealth of Belkin equipment over the years and it has always held up quite well.  The specifications meet most peoples needs.  As far as performance after a week I have noticed nothing amiss nor have I noticed any protection but you usually don't.   I am a bit surprised that there are no outlets on the edge or sideways to allow the ubiquitous oversized power converters from cell phones, etc.   At $17.99 list it isn't going to break the bank but it seems dated in it's design.  It is a good basic surge suppressor and knowing Belkin the warranty is probably going to be upheld if needed.   From the vendor: 750-joule energy rating provides maximum protection of all your sensitive electronic devices 7 surge-protected outlets supply complete, 3-line AC protection Filters EMI/RFI noise up to 43 dB reduction Maximum Spike Current: 102,000A (H-N: 39000A, H-G: 39000A...

I’m not a knife collector.   To me a knife is a tool.   Although it does occur to me that I do have a couple of collectible knives so maybe I am a collector.   Hmm, who knew?   I got the Smith & Wesson CH0016 Bullseye Folding Linerlock last September and it has been a work horse.   It was about a third of the price of this knife and I find it easier to open one handed than this knife.   With that said, this still seems like a nice quality knife.   The double lock feature makes sense for a hard working knife.   I’m quite fond of my fingers.   The deeply textured handle provides a secure grip.   I do find one handed opening on this somewhat problematic.   Perhaps I have a wimpy thumb.    The clip is placed very near the top which allows the knife to be positioned deeper in the pocket.   I like that feature, the S&W knife’s clip allows entirely too much sticking out and thus it tends to catch on things....

Tis the season for leaf clean up.  I was blowing my leaves into piles and then shredding them.   The shredding is the part that really lights my fire due to the 16x1 compression ratio.   I can get the enormous pile of leaves down to four 50 gallon trash cans and I don't need to bag.   I was thinking to myself how amazing my Toro blower was and how long it has given me good service.  Arrgghh!  I should have realized that was the kiss of death as moments later it died.  Dead, gone to the other side, non-functional! After a suitable moment of silence I left is sit for the afternoon in hope that it had overheated or "something".   Well after testing on multiple outlets in the futile hope that it was the extension cord or outlet, I concluded it was truly dead. I researched blowers.  My boys have gas powered ones that they love.  Alas the infernal combustion engine and I have a bad history.  Every time ...

I am more familiar with the bristle block type of K’NEX.    This toy is more Lego like than what I would consider the traditional K’NEX.    The instructions are clear.   The parts are well made.   The little pull back motor seems durable.   I don’t see a problem with a normal five year old assembling this toy.    I can’t see a seven or eight year old being interested in assembly as I suspect they would find it too easy.    It does include a super leaf which I had to Google to see what the heck that is.   It is a power-up item that doesn’t seem to have any function except hype.    List price is $16.99, $14.99 at Amazon and value wise I think $9.99 would be more realistic.   In all fairness though, it is price substantially better than similar Lego kits.    From the vendor: ·   Build Mario? in his Glider Kart from Mario? Kart 7 ·   Pull back motorized action! ...