Book Reviews and Money Saving Tips

This little portable fans are a great deal for the price.  After spending 25 years in the computer business, I am aware that heat and dirt are probably the biggest factor in killing computers.  This fan will not do a thing about dirt but it does help to keep a laptop cool.  That is a major factor in extending the life of a laptop at $5.69 on Amazon, you really should grab one and extend the life of your laptop.  If reviewing a product, it may have been received free of charge. That will NEVER have a bearing on my recommendations.

As we enter into the flu season, I would like to preface this review with the comment that my anal compulsion for cleanliness and germ free began before any of the current health concerns, which btw I feel are being overblown by the media.  With that in mind, I use Lysol spray extensively when I travel.  I used to keep a can in my carryon but with TSA and today's climate and rules that doesn't fly. (pun intended)  Upon entering a hotel room, I spray the TV remote, the door knobs, the handles on the microwave, refrigerator, the controls on the air conditioner and the light switches.   If I am going to be there beyond one night I spray the furniture and the carpet.  Paranoid, probably but after seeing some of the hotel room exposes and the disturbing fluids left behind, I think paranoia as far as germs can not be overblown.  This is a good product and provides a modicum of peace of mind. From the vendor: ·     ...

  This is my first exposure to a Chrome Box.   I'm impressed.  It was easy to setup.  It functioned out of the box and since I already had a google account, things progressed nicely.  I was able to access the Internet with no problem via the WIFI.   Basically without an Internet connection the unit is pretty much useless.  I opened up Picasa files, document files and played music from YouTube.   Both the flash memory card and the USB flash drive were recognized and accessible.   It walked me through setting up Google cloud printing and I was able to print to my local printer.   You are advised that you can not hook up a printer directly to the unit.  Overall I found the box quite functional and would find it a very useful auxiliary computer.   The lack of any cables but a power cable was annoying.  I just went over the description again to see if it mentioned that you will need cables,...

I'm not sure an activity tracker for a kid this age makes sense but it is darn cute.   I guess with the parents obsessing about fitness or hopefully so, it isn't a stretch to think a kid would enjoy emulating the parent.  The screen is very clear, the sound could be a touch louder but that may be old ears vs. young ears that haven't been corrupted by 50 years of Rock.   The activities are good and seem very appealing to an age appropriate kid.   The fact that it can be set for the time when the kid is in school so that the little voice doesn't come popping out during class is a necessary feature.   I think it will provide enjoyment and fun.  My experience with this age is that physical activity is hardly an issue but I guess with the epidemic of obesity there will be concerned parents who see this as a requisite.  Since it doubles as a watch,  I think it will have both utilitarian aspects and fun ones from the activi...

Dragonwing girlgear Chill Weight Long Sleeve Athletic T-Shirt Not being an aficionado of female attire, I turned to my bride for help on this review.   Her conclusions are as follows.   The top has a good durable feel.  It appears to be well made, the seams are tight and the hem is secure.  It stretches in the appropriate places.  Sizing could be an issue.  The shirt is most definitely sized for a young figure but a slight or petite adult female could wear this clothing.   If it doesn't match up to the performance accolades I will be back here to note that.  The $25 ish price at Amazon is regarded as a good price by my wedded consultant.   Made of high performance UV50, moisture wicking, 4-way stretch and odor absorbent material with brushed inner for extra softness Mock neck designed and sized just for girls with flat seams and tag-free to eliminate chafing Wrist sweat wipe, thumb hole sleeve and extra...

I was not familiar with this type of tool until we had some work done on our home.  I watched our contractor use this type of tool for so many different applications that I was stunned that I didn't have one let alone I was unfamiliar with it.  Then I visited a long time friend who ambitiously installed two dozen new windows and said he wouldn't have been so successful if he hadn't had this type of tool. With those two examples I purchased one for each of my grown sons as birthday gifts.   When the opportunity arose to review this Rockwell I jumped on it. First impression was very positive.  It comes in a heavy nylon/canvas storage bag.  Upon opening the bag you discover there is a sturdy plastic box to hold the accessories.   Now being a bit OCD, I delight in organization of things.  I was very pleased to see someone at Rockwell also likes to keep things organized.  I read the instructions and was a bit uncertain as to ...

I have a conspiracy theory.   Big Oil and the car manufacturers are paying the airlines to make air travel as inconvenient and uncomfortable as possible.   This drives consumers to get in their car and drive to their destination rather than suffering the indignities of airline cattle chutes, micro seats and air fare roulette.  Admittedly at 6' 2" I am a hair bigger than average.   That fact does not predispose me to paying more than three times the average fare to fly "first class" in order to actually get some leg room.   Face it, who wouldn't want to suck on their own knees for hours to get to destinations too far to drive their car.  While cattle prods are not used (yet) to organize the lines at the airport, the attitude of the TSA folks and airline employees indicate that the paying customer is an annoyance rather than the reason they have jobs. Air fare roulette is not as fun as it sounds.   Exploring ...

Just a FYI for those of you who wonder how seriously things like this are reviewed.    I have no recollection of having been in my pool in October, ever!   I was in this afternoon to test this mask and snorkel.   The water temperature was in the 60 degree area.    I suppose I could have fired up the heater but a couple of hundred dollars of propane to test this didn't make sense.    Of course I had a family member suggest it made no sense being in the pool on October 1, regardless of my reasons. I have never had a nicer mask or snorkel.   It adjusted easily and the adjustments held.   I have had cheaper masks that after a few minutes in the water the adjustments re-adjusted on their own.  Ten laps in the pool and everything remained stable.   I dove down and the valve on the snorkel closed as it claimed.   I did a fair amount of kicking to increase turbulence to see if the valve on the snorkel ...