NWA-PCUG Newsletter Article, June 2006
The Deals Column
by Bob (the Cheapskate)Click, The Dealsguy
Greater Orlando Computer Users Group
bobclick@mindspring.com
(click to email author)


I worked the National Sign Association show and it was interesting. Most of the outdoor electronic signs were using very bright LEDs that are easily seen, even in bright sunlight. The LED’s brightness can be adjusted either automatically or manually. The one I saw up close was composed of modules 19 inches square that can be easily changed to repair it. If a hurricane is approaching it is easy to dismantle the modules and safely store them (if your storage survives). It was a large show. There were many types of giant printers, and other machines that would stamp out all kinds of parts for signs.

Memphis PC Users Group Inc. has a great newsletter thanks to the Editor Jin Yang. An interesting article in the January 2006 issue caught my eye called “A Letter from China”, by Judith Bogan, working in Shanghai, China. There are other interesting articles, but look for that issue on their newsletter archive page. http://www.mpcug.org

I have developed other health problems (numbing toes among other things), but I have a lot packed in the column for you this month so you don’t need my health problems. I edited much of the wording out so I suggest you check for more product information on the Web sites. Remember I have not tried them and know nothing about these products but thought they were interesting. Be sure to check their privacy statements, if they have one. Also, I need more opinions on my using these announcements in the column.

Games Anyone?`
TameStorm Games unveiled the newest version of ‘Filler’. The inner structure of the game reveals features of puzzles and strategies combined, so they have a few games to put on the same list.

What you are to do here is to occupy half, or the majority of, the flowers on the field. The field is a meticulously crafted meadow picture, in which flowers are fresh and live and their petals still remember the touch of an artist's brush. You always start a game from the left side. The computer always starts from the right one. You always make the first move. The game field has flowers with coins, which you need to seize. The more coins you have, the more bonuses you can buy. If you have gathered enough money, you can repaint flowers in the color of your zone, randomize unoccupied space, and make your opponent miss one turn and more. Two modes of the game are available: classic puzzle and advanced puzzle. In advanced puzzle mode you will see black flowers that you can't seize.

Filler Features at a Glance (Full Version):
- Unlimited game play time;
- 100 layouts of the field and 100 levels in advanced game;
- 100 levels in classic game;
- 11 special bonuses;
- Interesting game for your children;
- Graphics designed by masters of Russian Khokhloma painting;
- Splendid relaxing game.

Pricing and Availability
Filler 1.2 runs under Windows98/ME/2000/XP and costs $14.95 (USD). TameStorm Games offers user group members 15% discount. Use the coupon code TAME-HQBL-FILL on the order page. Additional information on Filler, as well as its evaluation version with 30 minutes of the game play and several locked levels is available as a free download at: http://www.tamestorm.com/games/filler_puzzle_game/filler_demo_setup.exe.

Product page link: http://www.tamestorm.com/games/filler_puzzle_game
Web:
http://www.tamestorm.com

Get Modern With eBook

Smart eBook Maker for Richer Content and Stronger Copyright Protection

eBook Maestro released an update to its fully featured e-book compiler eBook Maestro 1.50. eBook Maestro is a robust compiler that makes rich standalone e-books out of HTML pages, multimedia files and scripts. The program now supports all popular multimedia formats and helps embed flash, shockwave, and other visual elements into a single executable. eBook Maestro offers various means of content protection from disabling cut-and-paste and printout to on-line registration and limited use for unregistered copies. In response to copyright concerns, we provide multi-level protection of e-book contents. Not only can you effectively limit the use of a publication, but also protect its content against changes. Besides making e-books, it provides rich features for multimedia presentations, ezines, offline web sites, training and educational courses, advertisement and promotion letters, and other kinds of publications.

Pricing and Availability
eBook Maestro v1.50 runs under Windows 98/ME/NT/2000/XP. A standard version of the product is available at $35.95 USD for a single user license. A professional version with extended support for commercial e-publishing is priced at $69.95 USD for the same single user license. eBook Maestro with core functionality is also available as a freeware. eBook Maestro STANDARD and eBook Maestro PRO are offered at a 40% discount. Discount coupon "C2044NN1449" is redeemable at http://www.ebookmaestro.com/purchase_discount.html. The trial versions of eBook Maestro STANDARD and eBook Maestro PRO, and the freeware version of eBook Maestro FREE are available for download at http://www.ebookmaestro.com/download.html.

Product page link: http://www.ebookmaestro.com

Get Rid of Those Duplicate Files
We are the producer of NoClone, a file utility which uncovers true duplicate files and recovers valuable disk space. Reasonable Software House is offering a 20% discount to user group members on NoClone, a file utility which uncovers true duplicate files and recovers valuable disk space. To get the discount, follow this link: http://noclone.net/mybuy.asp?promo=HF89AW. Don't buy a new hard drive, buy NoClone. Uncover duplicate files; recover valuable disk space. Information at http://noclone.net

Reasonable Software House (a Monthly Service)
An online permission-based newsletter management system called Reasonable Spread, also from Reasonable Software House, can help with your newsletter management. By using Reasonable Spread, you can communicate with your members by sending newsletter/latest news/announcements. Or it can be used as an electronic publishing tool by sending users news and articles written by group president or members. For the free trial: http://spread.reasonablesw.com/ To order at 20% discount: http://spread.reasonablesw.com/mypages/discounts-20.aspx Phone: +852 35204490 Fax: +852 35204492 Mobile: +852 92276779. Address: Suite 332, InnoCentre, 72 Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon Tong, Hong Kong

More Product Announcements
Almeza Research has released MultiSet 2.0 and Captain Tray 6.0.

MultiSet is a solution to the problem of automatic program installation. MultiSet has been created to free you from routine work such as program installations. All you have to do is install the application only once on your PC and MultiSet will record all your actions. MultiSet will install all the applications you need automatically, either on your original computer or on a new one; it's ideal for rebuilding your systems quickly!

MultiSet automatically starts the installation procedure, takes care of all necessary buttons, like "Next", "I agree", and "Finish". This installation robot will specify the path for the installation and automatically configure all attending settings. All registration codes and license keys will also be entered in a self-acting mode. Once you have done it, you can playback the whole process and create your installation CD/DVD disc! Website and Info: http://www.almeza.com/ Get 50% discount (MSRP $44.95, although I am unsure about that MSRP) https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=13741-1&ss_coupon=ALME-XEHN

Captain Tray Pro: Turn system tray into your PC central command center.
Captain Tray Pro is a tiny software application that makes a difference when it comes to organizing favorite programs, customizing the system tray and creating shortcuts for instantaneously minimizing windows, changing captions and doing a number of other tasks. Essentially, any user who invests an hour into investigating this tool is likely to completely abandon the traditional way of endless window browsing and using the Start menu to open documents and launch applications.

Many users need several applications running simultaneously. Some of those applications are used quite frequently, others only when they are needed. So the Windows taskbar can get fully packed and everything seems to be necessary, and you have no desire to close any programs. Some applications can be minimized to the system tray, but what shall we do about 'Notepad', 'Calculator', 'Microsoft Word', 'Microsoft Excel' and our other favorite programs? Captain Tray Pro is there to help you. Here are two other products with a discount.

Program: Captain Tray Pro

Website and Info: http://www.captaintray.com/

50% discount URL: https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=13741-2&ss_coupon=ALME-XEHN>

Product: Time Assist Pro (A project manager)

Web: http://www.mytimeassist.com

50% Discount link: https://www.regnow.com/softsell/nph-softsell.cgi?item=13741-4&ss_coupon=ALME-XEHN

That's it for this month. Meet me here again next month if your editor permits. Be sure to check for new announcement pages on my Web site. This column is written to make user group members aware of special offers or freebies I have found or arranged, and my comments should not be interpreted to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of any products, no matter how enthused I might sound. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click bobclick@mindspring.com. Visit my Web site at http://www.dealsguy.com.

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