Book Reviews and Money Saving Tips

A common thread in my blogs recently has been paranoia due to the hard drive failure in my brand new Acer Aspire. One of the ways I have catered to my paranoia is purchasing a new copy of Second Copy. I have been using a version of Second Copy for years and years. However the version I had did not move from my XP machine to my Win7 machine. I had to get the latest version. From Second Copy’s site, Second Copy® is the perfect automatic backup software designed for all versions of Windows, including Windows 7 (32-bit & 64-bit), you have been looking for. It makes a backup of your data files to another directory, disk or computer across the network. It then monitors the source files and keeps the backup updated with new or changed files. It runs in the background with no user interaction. So, once it is set up you always have a backup of your data somewhere else. This is a simple to use and very versatile software package. It is also CHEAP! $29.95 gets you a darn good piece of s...

If you are looking for a cheap home computer, this cheapo may be just what you need. It is sold at Walmart for $199.00. You need a monitor and a printer but if you are replacing an aging Dell, as a friend who called me today is, you should already have both. With the included Open Office you have one cheap system. Walmart, feel free to send me some money for this blog. (ha, like that would happen.) The system is preinstalled with the gOS and running on the power of an 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor, this computer lets you create your own CDs, easily transfer digital files and surf the Internet with broadband-ready 10/100 Ethernet port. Note: Monitor not included. Here are the specs: 1.5GHz VIA C7-D processor 512MB DDR2 memory 80GB Hard Drive DVD-ROM/CD-RW Combo Drive Burn CDs and watch your favorite DVDs on this versatile drive Additional Features: Operating System: gOS V2 Expansion Slots: N/A Communications: 10/100 Mbps Ethernet LAN (RJ-45 port) Graphics & Audio: VIA UniChrome Pro IGP...

I received a hard back book today from Elizabeth Brown Books and Collectibles in San Diego, CA. She is a member of the www.abebooks.com group of independent seller. I mention her because the book I got today was in pristine condition and packed extremely professionally. You may ask, "why is that unusual?" If you ask that, you probably don't buy a lot of books online. I buy a lot of books, I generally buy them from either abebooks.com or half.com. I attempt to avoid the usury shipping charges by going over the complete inventory of a seller after I find the book I am looking to buy. Generally the 2nd and ensuing books are less expensive to ship than the first. When you buy a book for a dollar, you usually end up paying a couple of bucks for shipping which is a not so sneaky way of getting more money out of you since media mail is never as expensive as what is charged. But I digress, reasonably priced books are to be had at either site. What is unusu...