NWA-PCUG 07/99 NewsLetter Article 18861 N. Hwy 112, Springdale, AR 72762-9303 From the Dealsguy, by Bob Click, Greater Orlando Computer User Group. Editor's note: Asterisks denote a heading you may wish to treat in your own manner. Also, if space doesn't permit printing this column in its entirety, please mention that fact in your heading for the column. This column should contain about 1556 words including this Editor's note. "Infocomm" will be June 10-12 at the Orange County Convention Center here in Orlando and I'm looking forward to seeing that show. It was great when it was here before. Infocomm is primarily a show for presentation hardware and software as well as video conferencing. Attendees should see plenty of video walls and projectors (including the projector shoot-out) that will really show you what works best in a setting where they will be running side by side. Show management provided plenty of free passes for our user groups. It is a large show and will take a day to see it all. Next year it will be in Los Angeles. I'll probably make some comments about Infocomm next month. About the only thing still good from last month's column is the DataDepot diagnostic boards, and their diagnostic software is on special this month. A consultant friend and I tried the diagnostic board I purchased on my old computer. He upgraded that old computer with a new motherboard and it decided not to boot after a month. The new motherboard had done that before, but started working when he was checking it. Now it was dead again. The diagnostic board was unable to tell us anything because the computer wouldn't boot far enough. However, my consultant friend tried it on some computers he had laying around and told me it was a "neat" board. He said it gave him some very good information. You no doubt know that the ViaGraphics deal is ongoing. With that, let's get on with what I have for this month, although there is not much for the hobbyist. *More Diagnostics From DataDepot Last month included special offers on the diagnostic boards and this month they are giving us special offers on "software" for diagnostics. "PC Clinic" sure performs a lot of tasks for checking out your computer. The following are listed: - Tests entire PC, local or remote, - Runs full system benchmark tests, - Gives complete system and memory info, - Shows standard interrupts and DMA usage, - Slashes test & travel time to the bone, - Saves and restores boot records, - Recovers boot records & compliance, - Built-in CMOS and file editor plus shell and user menus, and - 600K+ on-line coaches, tips, help and POST. It runs in 640K on PC, XT, AT, PS/2, EISA, Pentium, P6 and clones, under DOS 3.1 and higher. This software performs so many tests that I lack room to list all it's features. I used a complimentary copy on my laptop (a Zenith Z Star, 486DX2/50 Intel cpu, about four years old) and I never seemed to run out of tests. Many tests were for the graphics board alone. It found no problems. That laptop was working fine, but I wanted to see how the tests went on it because of its age, and I've never reformatted the hard drive. I spent over an hour testing, finally stopping before doing them all. Not being a hardware tech, I didn't always know what I was doing. The "remote" feature lets you run the same tests on your client's computer without even leaving your office. Our special prices for PC Clinic are: - PC Clinic Pro, list - $349.00, user group $259.00. - Standard version, list - $249.00, user group $199.00. - Power User, list $579.00, user group $449.00. Visit their web site at . Don't add the "t" to datadepo like I did at first. Prices are plus S&H. They also have "Y2K Wizard," a "year 2000" test and fix software. Requires DOS 3.1 - 7.1. Features are listed as follows: - Fully tests CMOS, RAM and Clock, - Finds real time clock (RTC) 1 bugs, - Verifies RTC, DOS and BIOS roll to 2000, - Saves or restores CMOS RAM to a file to recover from virus or dead battery, - Verifies system year 2000 compliance, - Repairs Y2K system bug at boot time, - Monitors RTC battery voltage, - Verifies RTC is in synch with DOS clock, - Verifies RTC & Y2K leap year accuracy, - Volume and network licenses available. Y2K Wizard found my laptop to be non-Y2K compliant and gave me the option to repair the problem. The fix quickly installed software that loads on boot up to handle the date problem. The procedure was fast. Y2K wizard prices are as follows: - Single user, list $54.00 - user group, $39.00, - 10 user limit, list $139.00 - user group $99.00, - 100 user limit, list $599.00 - user group $449.00. - All are plus S&H. *No More Standing in Line at The Post Office Many offices use postage often and buy it from the Post Office. Others rent a postage meter and must take it in periodically. "Simply Postage" makes life easier. The software cost is $49.99 + $5.00 S&H. This includes a four-pound digital scale and one free roll of 100 labels. (A "label" is used to print the postage). For a limited time this also includes $50.00 free postage. Its postage stamps are approved by the US Postal Service. There is a lease rate of $17.95 per month for the hardware. When you need more postage, simply log on their web site and download it in minutes; without even leaving your office. When mailing a letter or package, the scale will tell the software how much postage it needs and "clicking" the proper icon prints it. Pull it off the printer and stick it on your envelope. Or set the postage and disconnect it from your computer. How much easier can it get! The printer, or "stamp dispenser," hooks up to any serial port on your PC, and uses an AC adapter for power. Should your package weigh more than four pounds, simply use an accurate scale in your office to determine the weight and type in the proper number on the software to print the stamp. You can print ten 33-cent stamps just by clicking on the "print 33 cent stamp" icon. When printing your postage, choose from "First Class," "Express Mail," or "Priority Mail delivery," and the system automatically prints the proper stamp. This unit won't have to be taken to the Post Office for periodic inspection either. How about that time-saver! If this is right for your office, you can register at the Neopost Simply Postage web site . You'll need to set up an account to pay the one-time $49.99 set-up fee etc. You'll then receive the stamp dispenser, scale, all the necessary cables and software, and the free $50.00 in postage. Don't forget, you'll pay a $17.95 monthly lease fee after that. If you prefer a human voice, call Neopost at 1-877-397-8267. No Mac or Canadian version available so far, and this can't be used on a network, although new products are being worked on. Be aware that there is a $8.00 processing fee when ordering postage on line and the Simply Postage meter stores a maximum of $500.00 postage at one time. Check their web site for the cost of labels. *How About Your own Talking Pet Parrot. This looked like something fascinating. You can have "Talking Max," your own funny virtual talking pet. You raise this pet and watch it grow in its own house. You feed it and bond to it, and it develops it's own personality. In fact, you talk to it and it talks back. Be forewarned though because you might be surprised at what Max says, but you might laugh at times. Literally speaking, you train Talking Max, as best you can. The basic training wizard lets you train your parrot fast. Suggested conversations make it easy to instantly have hilarious dialogues with your parrot. Your video card should be capable of displaying high-color mode. This comes with a 30-day money back guarantee. I have not tried this product. This "Talking Max" includes a free stereo headset w/microphone and a talking screen saver. You give this pet your own personal touch. There is more description. This special offer is only good for 30 days, taking it to about the end of June. This is meant to be my July column but I know some will actually read it in June. After that, you may, or may not be able to get this offer, but you can try. If "Talking Max" seems like something you'd like, give TikSoft a call at 1-800-892-1070 to order for just $29.95 + $7.95 S&H. Not available outside the USA, and no Mac version. Visit their web site at and check for Talking Max. My wife already has something like that ... ME. Except in my case, my dialog is limited to "yes dear." That's it for this month. Join me here next month where we will discuss deals and other interesting things. This column is written to make user group members aware of special pricing, and my comments should not be construed to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of products. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click. .