NWA-PCUG 03/99 NewsLetter Article 18861 N. Hwy 112, Springdale, AR 72762-9303 The Deals Column From the Deals Guy, by Bob Click Greater Orlando Computer User Group Editor's note: Asterisks denote a heading that you may wish to treat in your own manner. Also, if space doesn't permit printing this column in its entirety, please denote that in the heading for the column. This column should contain about 1378 words including this Editor's note. Often the deals are from mom and pop companies and some editors complain that I should have more from well-known companies. That would be almost impossible, and to only have a certain few companies offered would be boring to readers. Large companies aren't often that cooperative about giving deals. In fact, I have yet to get a deal from Microsoft or Corel. Sorry I can't do better but I have to run with what I can get. *In Review The Chicago Map software is still good, so give Chicago Map a call at 1- 800-257-9244 to buy this software for just $29.99 + $5.00 S&H in the continental US. The "File-Ex 98" deal is also still good. If you order it on the web, shipping is free in US. Web site is . Their phone is 1-913-663-3022 (24 hours a day). Last month I said the discount was 20% off, or $7.50. Sorry for that confusion. I should have said the discount was 25%, or $7.50. TaxACT 98 is ongoing so if you haven't done your taxes yet, visit the company's web site at . I printed the update on Word Perfect Suite Magazine last month and gave you a web site. I just found out that it has been changed. The proper one is now . Last summer many user groups received a letter from Desiderata Software offering a discount on the scrolling software. It sounded interesting and I tried my best to contact the company to see about getting it extended. He never returned my phone calls, nor did he respond to my e-mail explaining what I do and asking if the offer was still good. So much for needing the exposure. *Update From Power Quest I know I just printed a special offer from this fine company but here is the latest offer to user group members. It is for Partition Magic V4, Drive Image V2, and their newest software called Lost and Found. You can purchase any of these for just $30.00 + $5.00 S&H. I know you are familiar with Partition Magic and Drive Image so here's a brief description of Lost and Found which is called an affordable, easy- to-use data recovery solution for PC users. They say Lost & Found recovers and restores data from damaged or corrupted media in the event of a disk crash, a logical system failure, or even intentional or accidental data loss. Lost & Found can also quickly recover data lost on corrupted disk media. As long as your disk is still spinning, Lost & Found can locate any file, anywhere on your disk. There is more description but data sheets and order forms have been sent to your user group. To order any product, you must use the order form and mail it to the address on the order form. For faster service, you can order via their secure web site at . Use the code UGFLYR3 when you order. If your user group did not receive the forms, your coordinator should contact Gene Barlow. *Want To Get Better At Using Your Windows 98? O'Reilly Publishers is offering a very useful book entitled "Windows 98 Annoyances" by David A Karp. This book is 448 pages of all kinds of information when it comes to your Windows 98 operating system. In fact, it even gives you 30 pages covering the structure of the "registry" and use of the registry editor, a very serious subject. It has its warnings and offers in-depth information. There's a lot in this book about configuration, hardware and drivers, among other things, and instructions for getting rid of such annoyances as being asked to confirm certain things you wish to do. Also included with the book is a CD containing sample scripts, as well as an evaluation copy (30-day) of "O'Reilly Utilities - Quick solutions for Windows 98 Annoyances." If this book interests you, call O'Reilly at 1-800-998-9938 to order. User group members are entitled to a 20% discount from the $24.95 price by using the ordering code "DSUG." Don't forget O'Reilly offers an ongoing discount of 20% on all their books by using the code when ordering. S&H of the book should be about $4.50. *Golf Or Camping Anyone? You all remember Chicago Map, the company I featured a month ago ... I happened to notice they also had a couple of other interesting programs, although only for a special customer base, so I asked about them. "National Golf Course Directory" is great for the weekend hacker or serious enthusiast. It will help anyone search and select his or her next course of play. A detailed listing of nearly every golf course in the US is contained on a single CD-ROM. Find a course, review its information and print out a detailed report for future reference. Great for you're next vacation. "Trailer Life Campground Directory" combines Trailer Life's comprehensive "Campground Directory" along with detailed map displays, making it fun and easy to find a campsite. Choose from a listing of campgrounds, RV support facilities and attractions. Good Sam's members will easily locate destinations offering discount pricing. Both are priced at just $29.99 MSRP (already a modest price), but user group members can buy either program for just $19.99 + $5.00 S&H. Call Chicago Map at 1-800-257-9244 to order. Don't forget to tell them you read this in the Deals Guy column. They have some other interesting software, but mostly for professional applications. *Want to visit with your computer? The following is mostly their words. "Voice Xpress" has a bundle consisting of "Voice Xpress Pro" (includes headset) with a free-form database - "askSam 3.0 Pro." You can check out "Voice Xpress" at and askSam at . "Voice Xpress" focuses on voice, mainly on recognition technology, and continues to do research and add products that they find are productive. Their goal is to find voice recognition products activating all aspects of computers, electronics, ask life. The Voice Company's real goal is to get the world talking... to computers, stereos, cars, the Internet, homes ... and perhaps to even have them talk back! "We're always looking for all types of voice technology. They want to find voice recognition products activating all aspects of computers, electronics, and life. Lately we have focused on dictation for the business, medical and legal communities," says founder, Joy Porter. At this stage The Voice Company is dealing with the continuous dictation and navigation technology of L&H, "Voice Xpress Professional." Xpress Professional won two PC Computing awards - Most Valuable Product and Breakthrough Award, last November at COMDEX . "We're not at the point of opening doors by voice like Star Trek, but you can open computer programs, files and navigate around the desktop with 'Xpress Professional.' You can dictate at a normal rate of speed even into chat rooms! People just love that!" Fallon says, "It seems only right that the groups that love the technology and take the time to learn about it should have access. We are offering "Xpress Professional" (with headset) along with the free-form database program askSam 3.0 Pro for $129.00 + $4.99 S&H in USA and $8.99 to Canada (for both programs) to user group members. The retail of both of these programs is $499-$594. Of course, they must give all the vital statistics in regards to their membership to the order desk when they order". I'd appreciate it if you'd mention the column. To subscribe to the "Voice Company" e-mail newsletter, type "subscribe" in the subject box and e-mail to . Voice Company's mailing address is 14100 Walsingham Rd #36 Largo, FL 33774 Telephone: (727) 442- 6989 E-mail: voiceco@usa.net. I hope you can also order the product by that phone. That's it for this month. Meet me here next month for more user group specials. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click. .