17 Inch Laptop Backpack

I love this Kindle Fire!

2012-01-15T12:53:00.001-08:00

My first Kindle, use it mainly as e-reader. Like it a lot at first, but after download several hundred books later, it has become cumbersome to wade through all of them to find what I want to read. Please consider add on abs for folders or book search by categories. Here are my problems with the present filling system.

Search by Author : Every now and then, I buy books by certain authors but mostly I buy books by subject( cook books, health, religion, or for fictions I would look for mystery, romance, and so on). Often times, I don't even look for or remember the author name. Search by author in the kindle fire is pretty much almost useless to me.

Search by title : First, I have to brows through both fiction and non fiction titles. Then, what if I don't remember the Exact Title? That dinner recipes cookbook I bought some time ago, is it under D for Dinner? or under R for Recipes? Neither! It was under G for Great Dinner. This search was acceptable when I didn't have so many books, but as my book collection grows, so is the frustration in the search.

Search by Recent : When did I bought that historical romance novel? Some time last month, after hundreds of down load, but before another hundreds of download. Good thing I only have the kindle for a couple of months. Imagine doing this search after owning kindle fire for a couple of years.

I'm sure I'm not the only one who is unhappy with the filling system. Please, please, do something about it.

How to Maintain Your Sleep Innovations Pillow

2011-03-23T10:52:00.000-07:00

For most people you can't get much comfort than Sleep Innovations Pillow - it represents the best in beds, mattresses, pillows and toppers. One thing that put them well ahead of the rest in their market is the huge range of products they support; and they count NASA as one of their high profile clients.

Using memory foam is something that doctors recommend for those with back and neck problems. Apparently, it helps them sleep better as it take the contour and shape of their body.

Just like most things, once you start using it, you will need to clean it occasionally. Unlike ordinary clothes, Sleep Innovations Pillows need careful washing to maintain their firm feeling and still be usable.

How To Clean

First, remove the pillow from the pillow case
Check for stains, and wipe with damp soapy clothe. Be sure to squeeze out water from the cloth
If stains persist dip cloth in washing liquid and rub hard on the stains
Never immerse in water or put in washing machine.
Leave out in the open air to dry

Dragon Age 2 Game

2011-03-20T10:58:00.000-07:00

So has anyone actually beaten the Arishok 1v1 from Dragon Age 2 Game?

I tried twice last night for like an hour, and couldn't even come close.

S/S Warrior, when my dog was alive I was able to get him to around 75% but he'd always end up killing the dog around then and I just couldn't do enough damage to counter his potion chugging.

The first time I fought him I couldn't believe the game actually expected you to beat him, I kept thinking there was some trigger to end the fight, like him charging into his honor guard or the pillars or something, but nope, the fight was just stupidly hard.

If you don't know the game I'm talking about, then click here to see it on Amazon.com/dragon-age-2. Worth every minute I've spent on it, only if I could beat the Arishok, I would be more than happy. I guess it needs me to spend more time on it though.

Finger crossed, I will try to achieve that this weekend.

Dragon Age II Collector's Edition

2011-03-14T14:33:00.000-07:00

The last time I blogged about Dragon Age II Collector's Edition: The Complete Official Guide, I didn't know they were already shipping them. What a great thing to see them already been shipped. I bought the game today, but didn't have enough money for this Collector's book yet, so will give it a miss until when the price goes down. hopefully.

If I had the money I would get one now as they are already flying of the shelves as this graph shows. Back in 2008, another collector's book - The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition came out and I missed getting a copy. Several years on, it has tripled in value, and the price has also increased with it.

Well, be next week if I manage to push one of my Swiss Gear Laptop Backpack, I will then get one before they all run out.

Marvel vs. Capcom 3 Signature Series Guide

2011-02-22T05:07:00.000-08:00

The Marvel Vs. Capcom 3 Strategy Guide is one of the best fighting guides that I've every read before. Everytime I turn the page, it's outlaid with so much information: from the simple stuff like Crossover Counters, to combos that can destroy your opponent in seconds.

Pros:
The best thing about this guide is each move is very detailed, telling you the different frame rates and if the move is OTG (off the ground) compatible.
The combos that the guide gives you are amazingly accurate and can be followed easily from the book inself.
The guide is very detailed in many of the new additions of characters and the newest moves like the Crossover Counters, Team Aerial Combos, and such.
Jill and Shuma Gorath are in the guide, so once you get them, you can use the guide to help you master them in no time.

Cons:
There's so much information, to where you actually have to sit down the first time and read it. No joke.
Though not a big thing, the titles that you get are all there, BUT the part where you get the event titles aren't there because the events weren't added on until the guide was released, so it is incomplete.

Get this guide. It's as good as any of the really big guides, like Resident Evil 5 and Final Fantasy XIII. It'll help you with the noobs too.

New Logitech 720p Webcam Pro 9000

2011-02-10T01:55:00.000-08:00

This is the first webcam I've ever bought online. I bought it as a present for my mom so she could webcam with her relatives back home. I had gotten this because I saw the reviews from other people on how easy it was to install and how excellent the picture quality was. Needless to say, I am so satisfied with this product. It came in a small cardboard box with the installation guide.

All I did was pop it into the computer and wait for it to finish installing and that was it! I consider myself to have bad luck when it comes to these kinds of things, but not this one! It finished installing in less than fifteen minutes. My mother got to use it as soon as she got home!

The program set up and application is so easy to navigate around and the video and picture quality is AMAZING. My only gripe would be that I paid around $35 for this
Logitech 720p Webcam Pro 9000

when I saw it on sale or $35 about a 1-2 week later. Not a big deal, but oh well.

If you're thinking of getting this, do it!

Fishnet Thigh Hi W/ Hand Cuff Satin Bow Top O/S BLACK

2011-01-30T05:49:00.000-08:00

I believe there's something about lingerie that makes it capable of tingling both women and men alike. Perhaps it's the style lingerie accentuates the feminine twists of a woman's body. Or possibly it's the playful feel of a revealing underpants, the exhilaration that comes with the anticipation of stripping a woman, or see her unclothe. With men purchasing ladies lingerie as a gift, on average three types a year the queries have to be, when the moment comes to choose what types of intimate apparel should you be facing for and where should you be buying it from?

The responses are easy enough so let's undertake them in opposite order. Amazon.com/lingerie has just about any sort of intimate apparel you can imagine intended to fuel up desire in those inner moments of passion, including sexy wool Blankets and Heated Blanket to get your juices hanging. With premium guaranteed and competitive pricing as standard we have established the where which leaves us free to address the second question as to what should you be buying?

Intimate Apparel tells your girl or spouse that you hold a trust to be sexual with them and see them in something that causes them feel their steamiest. This gives lingerie a powerful power to plant a romantic play in apparent motion. Women who look spicy also feel spicy, and the correct lingerie can assist to get your beloved one sense her fullest. Needless to say, men also gain from the way their loved one looks in sexy, tender lingerie, which why perhaps intimate apparel as a gift is the one gift that lives up to the sophist dictum of "The gift honors the giver".

If you are looking for brainchild search no further than our choices.

Surfing for lingerie of course presents guys with a dilemma: while we are commendably suited to earning plenty money and paying for an expensive set of sexy lingerie, we are a little less adept at going into a department store and spending hours searching through frilly intimate apparel exhibits trying to make the proper choice in terms of style and size. This is where we come in the picture. Discreetly packaged, intimate apparel purchased online poses none of the image troubles a orthodox shop holds. Check Up On tips for sizes, look at all our various online templates for mode, material and choice and then click and buy. It truly is that easy.

Some sort of intimate apparel that we've probably all heard of is the push-up bra. The main draw to this type of brassiere is its ability to append more cleavage, assisting to enhance that womanly look.

Another popular type of lingerie is a spoil doll. A babe doll has a classic fashion that is faultless for those who require something juicy, but not too risqué. Babe dolls are often available in combination with thongs or g-strings to make a perfect sexy outfit.

Garter belts and garter skirts are a really hot choice for they are really sexy look. Garters are available as a separate belt, or come attached to skirts or under-bodice to make a juicy outfit still more stylish. When connected to a pair of stockings or thigh highs, the look is remarkably sexy, while still maintaining a level of elegance.

Underwear are the important sort of lingerie. Panties are available in your common cotton basic, or more risqué types. The best-selling kind of panties among men are G-string since they provide a gentle more revealing look, while also providing a panty that is feminine, girlie, and even teasing. A low-rise panty can also offer an outstanding look as it falls slightly gentler off the hips than other sorts of panties.

Now that you realize the results hang back no more but get ready to plunge into the collection here and live up to your heart's desires.

New SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black)

2011-01-27T02:25:00.000-08:00

This is a perfectly engineered backpack. The design is amazingly comfortable, even for a lady who occasionally experiences sports related back-pain. The quality is exceptional, the pocket elements exacting and functional, practical and attractive. For once, you totally get what you pay for, and maybe even a little more.

Unheard of, except with FiberPlus Antioxidant Bars, Chocolatey Peanut Butter, 5-Count Bars (Pack of 6), which provide extra momentum climbing uphill, traversing high-altitude terrains. I see other packs for sale at the same price or beyond; Swissgear 17 Inch Laptop Backpack blasts competitors into space. And the airflow back system really works. One buckle arrived a bit tangled, no big deal and quite easy to fix. I can't recommend this pack highly enough.

I bought this laptop bag for my husband who has a 15' MacBook Pro. It fits the computer perfectly. It has a great design, and extra compartments. It is well made. I would recommend this for someone who does not like the traditional handheld laptop bags.

Great product!

Soft Heat® Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Warming Blanket King Size-Chocolate

2011-01-24T06:41:00.000-08:00

I bought this Heated blanket for my wife for christmas because she always complains about how cold it is at night. I was happy that this product had dual controls, because I thought she would have the bed burning up. Little did I know that I was going to use it more than her.

This blanket really works!!!!! It does take at least 30 mins. for it to warm up the bed. I just turn it on to level 5 and finish getting myself ready for bed and by the time I get into the bed it is quite toasty. We both sleep in PJ's so the level 5 setting got to warm for both of us so in the middle of the night we had to lower it to level 3 and sometimes 1. The blanket is very soft and the brown has a deep chocolate look to it.

We are very happy with this Heated blanket and thinking about buying more for the kids.

Unbroken: A World War II Story of Survival, Resilience, and Redemption

2011-01-19T04:19:00.000-08:00

The book's factual account of Louis Zamperini's life from birth to the full redemption of the horrors of WWII and being a Prisoner in the worst prisoner of war camps you could never have imagined until this book grippingly takes you there. Having to face pure evil in life isn't a life anyone wants to live, but you will taste the edge of it while reading. The consequences and the lives touched by one man's odyssey into hell and back. Gripping book with a punch of emotions that might take your breath away.

I bought this book for my Latest Kindle. I wasn't sure if the tactile connection to a hardback or a paperback was going to be so missing that I wouldn't bond with the story. I thought maybe the Kindle would be too "sterile". Nothing could be farther from the truth! My heart went on the journey though Louis' life in this book, the Kindle enhanced the quick page turning and the ability to pick the story up whenever and wherever I left it. There were times I cried, and times I laughed. And times that I just had a sense of the intense power of this book, through Zamp's life.

I highly recommend this book. Truthfully, it changed my life. Forgiveness is a powerful act and you will be confronted with it for your own life after reading this book.

Excellent read!

iPhone Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

2011-01-17T05:09:00.000-08:00

Often times programming books fall into one of two categories; they either assume you know nothing about the platform and you have never programmed before or they assume you already know the topic then they just riff on really in depth topics that aren't accessible to the newbie. This book walks the line and does it amazingly.

I have other books on ios and i have looked into the open courseware on this platform and simply put they miss the mark, but this book makes everything crystal clear while allowing the reader to explore more if you want.

It is obvious that the authors put a lot of thought into the book. The presentation and the flow of the book is very natural. I really liked their styles choices. In particular I like they always start new app development with the basic window-based application, instead of using more complicated templates; and also they use IB sparingly, instead creating things programmatically most of the time. Note: this book is specifically for iPhone, something there won't work for iPad, and the important iPad controls are therefore not discussed. Also, I did not care much for their diagrams.

GET THIS BOOK! or twiddle your thumbs and pretend you are learning ios

The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection

2011-01-01T04:20:00.000-08:00

I purchased The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection set from Amazon on March 30, 2009 for this exact same price that it is today, January 1, 2011. It is a great set for all of us "old timers" who watched the series on television back when it was on TV each week. The transfer is good, with a clear black and white picture and good sound, and I have not had problems with any of the discs.

New Year Offer - $93.99

Some reviewers say that they should have waited for Blu-ray, but I have a 37" 1080p HDTV and these show crisp and clear on that set.

You may find that some of the action and stories are a bit dated, but that is the fault of the viewer, not the shows. At the time they were produced and shown on TV it was a great series. There are still quite a few stories on the discs that are still as intriguing and enjoyable as they were when first made.

The Twilight Zone: The Complete Definitive Collection is one sale right now on Amazon.com - less than half the list price.

See details here New Year Offer - $93.99

Panasonic ES8109S Vortex Wet/Dry Shaver with Nano Technology and HydraClean System

2010-12-30T05:30:00.000-08:00

I've used electric shavers for over 20 years, both linear and rotary, and this one is by far the best. I loved my previous Panasonic Wet/Dry, but the ES8109S is substantially better. I've used it for about a year now.

It is definitely important to allow a few weeks for your skin to adapt. Reports of razor burn might come from those who are too impatient, pressing too hard or too long in one place while shaving, especially in the first few weeks of use. Keep the razor moving!

The battery lasts well between charges and maintains strong motor power throughout the discharge cycle, rather than fading slowly as the battery discharges.

The pop-up trimmer works really well too. I use it to clean up my neck, sideburns, ears, nose, and unruly eyebrows.

I prefer not to use the pivoting head, so I'm glad that it can be locked in place.

I don't use the cleaning function in the base, I only use the base for charging. Manual cleaning is quick and easy.

Easy to use, easy to charge, easy to clean, great battery life... A real gem.

See the ads here

LifeSpan Fitness R3 Recumbent Bike

2010-12-29T11:53:00.000-08:00

Sturdy and smooth.
Many exercise bikes have one thing in common - they flex and creak way too much. This one does not. It will slightly flex when giving it high RPMs at very high resistances, but it's not more flex than an actual bicycle would give you. The resistance and action feels very smooth.
NO BS.
No bells and whistles. A couple of programs displayed on a small screen with four buttons. No stupid computer fans, elaborate magazine racks, sporty graphics, memory or any of that crap.

Appropriately comfortable.
Many exercise bikes have seats that look like they would stink from soaking up your sweat. They're too thick, feel like a couch. You need firm support that's easy to clean and won't make you go numb - and this seat does that. Excellent lumbar curve, and if you grip the back of the handlebar, you can maintain proper posture during sprints.

Bottom line:
It feels almost as good as the commercial one I use at physical therapy - and that is a $4,000 machine. It also feels a million times better than the common ones like schw___ and naut____. This is one of those rare occasions where you will get more than you paid for. If this bike proves to last more than a year of heavy use, I would say that it's worth the price. However, I'm thinking it's going to last at least 5 before it needs replacement parts.

Oh yeah - it looks good too. It's the simplest, cleanest design out there. Get an equipment mat and put it in your living room - it won't look bad.

LifeSpan Fitness R3 Recumbent Bike

Soft Hea®t Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Warming Blanket Queen Size-Natural

2010-12-29T11:19:00.000-08:00

I have to say this is possibly the best blanket I have every had the privilege of owning. Not only does it keep me warm all night, but I can hardly even tell that there are wires inside the blanket.

Also because it uses a very low voltage the risk of it causing a fire or of the unit malfunctioning and causing bodily harm is significantly less than other more traditional electric blankets.

overall I am giving this unit 4 out of 5 stars. 1 star is taken away because I would have preferred to have the ability to turn off the automatic pre-heat feature, otherwise this is good buy.

Soft Hea®t Luxury Micro-Fleece Electric Heated Warming Blanket Queen Size-Natural

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition - The Review

2010-12-28T10:52:00.000-08:00

Instead of giving the overall book a review, I'll review each story separately.

The Wizard and the Hopping Pot: 5 out of 5. This is because it's a very enjoyable tale about a cold-hearted wizard who learns his lesson. The references to Harry Potter are also enjoyable. To quote the editorial long review of the 5 tales on Amazon, "the kindly old wizard at the beginning of this tale reminds us of Dumbledore quite a bit." Dumbledore's commentary (a nice touch) is hilarious because of the sugar-coated fictional version of this story presented at the end of it. I loved how it said that Hermione Granger translated this book. It made it seem more of an authentic wizard's story book.

The Fountain of Fair Fortune: 5.1 out of 5. This tale, in my opinion, may win the prize for the best written down fairy tale of all time. J.K. Rowling's beautiful illustrations to it are a treat to look at. The tale itself is well written, like all of them, and its characters are very real. It really makes the task of climbing up the hill to the Fountain seem extremely hard. I loved the ending, too. It was very unexpected. Dumbledore's commentary is at its highest point here, describing the catastrophic attempt to put the play on at Hogwarts. It's also interesting having one of the Malfoys complain about the story.

The Warlock's Hairy Heart: 4.5 out of 5. This particular tale is a bit more gruesome than the others. It should not be read to the easily frightened. It depicts a warlock who thinks that falling in love makes people act foolishly. He finds a way to prevent himself from falling in love, but after meeting a talented and rich witch, his mind might not stay the same. The rest of the tale I'll let you read. It also has frightening illustrations, once again, like all the other illustrations in the book, drawn by J.K. Rowling. She is a very talented illustrator; it's very difficult to draw a human heart accurately, and she pulls it off.

Babbitty Rabbity and Her Cackling Stump: 4.9 out of 5. An award should go to this one for having the funniest title. The story here is that our amazingly smart fairy tale king orders the execution of all wizards and witches and then orders a wizard to be his personal wizard despite the previous order. After hiring a fraud, it seems like this charlatan can pull it off, until a poor washer woman named Babbity cackles, leaving the king impatient to learn magic and a very bad situation for the charlatan. Dumbledore's commentary on form-changing wizards makes one think.

The Tale of the Three Brothers: 5 out of 5. This story I won't bother giving part of the plot away, since anyone can either read Harry Potter 7 to see it, or hear it in the movie. It's a very interesting tale though, and Dumbledore's commentary is riveting. It offers a new history to the Elder Wand.

My overall rating of the book is a ......

4.987987 ..... out of 5. This book adds the perfect finish to the Harry Potter series!!!

Need for Speed Hot Pursuit

2010-12-26T06:43:00.000-08:00

This game is amazing. Graphics rock, online multiplayer is genius, and the cars... fantastic. I was hesitent about buying because of the other bad reviews. Good thing i went with my gut, this game rocks. I dont know what those other people were talking saying it is no good, it is better than good!

I am not a video game player myself, but my 12 year old son is having a blast with this game!

The difficulty level is a little higher than the previous games and it takes getting used to.The feature or shifting from Cop to racer is also pretty cool allows you to sample the best of both worlds. All in all an excellent game and would recommend it to all the NFS and car racing fans.

See the trailer here

Flavored Coffee - Coffee Bean - Chocolate Coffee

2010-12-16T03:57:00.000-08:00

Flavored Coffee - One thing I take first thing in the morning is my lovely hot coffee. For me, it helps to kick me into life and set me up for a good day. While others do different things to wake them up, like smoking, getting something warm definitely does it for me.

I love flavoured coffee, but I prefer to stick with old flavor like Vanilla, Hazelnut or a good Irish Cream and coconut flavor. There are quite a few new ones, but I have yet to try them out. There are many different types out there, so it is almost impossible to sample them all.

But how do they make these flavored coffee? Making them involves roasting and applying flavoring syrups and chemicals. Different flavors are used to achieve any of the required tastes. This is something that is done within a factory condition. So, making your own personal flavored coffee is not easy. But lately, a new breed of syrups have come into the market that you too can use to change the flavor of your traditional coffee.

Torani Sugar Free - this is one of those syrups that you can get off the shelf. It comes in a pack of 6 bottles - each with different flavor. The reason I like Torani Sugar Free is that it allows you to sample all the different flavors with just one purchase.

If you are not familiar with Torani, they are one of the best flavoring producers for your coffee, oatmeal and ot chocolate. We bought the packet last month; and would definitely recommend it anytime.

Great Taste - Great Price - Great Product. My husband only wishes that the cherry flavor came in this deal, but hey, that means I get to use all of them.

Call of Duty: Black Ops racks up sales record

2010-12-15T23:49:00.000-08:00

Overall a solid game and kind of must-have/definitive member of the COD franchise. Some of the positives of the latest installment include the increased variety of weapons and attachments available, the fresh killstreaks, the inclusion of video recording and sharing, and return of the nazi zombies gametype.

One of the negatives is the unstable and just downright sketchy multi-player matchmaking, which was absolutely abyssmal from the start and still suffers from major issues even after being patched. Another negative is the annoying perk-pro challenges which force you to play certain gametypes to get your pro perks.

COD: Black Ops is a great multi-player via XBOX Live game but probably takes a backseat to COD: MW2 in terms of multiplayer experience.

1 Million copies sold in the last week alone -- See the full review

PaintShop Photo Pro X3 Limited Edition

2010-12-13T23:42:00.000-08:00

I will not get into the details about privacy issues - since other reviewers already got on the topic. I'm not saying that's not important - I'm just reviewing the rest of the product.

As an amateur photographer I have been a Pro X3 Photoshop user for more than 10 years and I love it. PaintShop photo works well with a Windows7 machine and I even asked another photographer friend to check it out and he was well pleased with the effects and available photo manipulation scenarios. Unlike other reviewers, I found the software to be working fast. Our conclusion: Photoshop (and it doesn't hurt to add Lightroom) still rules, if you have the money get it over this one.

If you want a free software or you are just getting into Photography, get Gimp which is available for free over the internet, at least for the beginning. Then, if you don't think you want to get too sophisticated with pictures, get this one - at below $50 it is still very attractive.

See the offer details here

Jamie's 30-Minute Meals - #1 On Bestseller List

2010-12-11T08:54:00.000-08:00

Jamie's 30-Minute Meals - Jamie's new book has 50 meals that can be cooked in 30 minutes - as the title suggests! Main meals include pasta, risotto, chicken, curries, fish, steaks, pork, lamb. Each main meal includes a salad and vegetable dish and also a pudding and sometimes drinks as well.

Here's a few examples:
Trapani style rigatoni, griddled chicory salad, rocket and Parmesan salad, limoncello kinda trifle.
Tray baked chicken, squashed potatoes, creamed spinach, strawberry slushie Tasty crusted cod, my mashy peas, tartare sauce, warm garden salad pork chops and crispy crackling, crushed potatoes, minty cabbage, peaches and custard. Some of the recipes seem quite expensive, although at the beginning to the book it states that they have been costed against the equivalent ready-meals or take-aways or eating out, although personally I think some of the recipes are a lot of food for a mid-week meal. However as ideas for feeding larger groups of people (some recipes are for 6 people) it has lots of good ideas and guides you through step by step to bring the whole thing together.Jamie's 30-Minute Meals

Another good point about the recipes is the inclusion of a salad and/or vegetables make them balanced and healthier, something a lot of celebrity chef books don't seem to include.

This book is very attractively set out, lots of step by step pictures and you can access further help from the jamie oliver website. You could use it to just cook individual recipes if you didn't want to follow the principle behind it.

Jamie's 30-Minute Meals - Buy a copy now

Logitech HD Pro Webcam C910 with 1080p Video

2010-12-10T23:53:00.000-08:00

I like this webcam, I also have the Logitech 9000 another good webcam which I have on another computer. I haven't had a lot of experience yet with the C910 but it does take better videos and pictures, one thing I've learned from another reviewer is turn off the auto focus for both the C910 and 9000, I also don't use the right light feature which I believe the reviewer recommended too.

Having a good webcam such as this allows the other viewer to see a great picture, a buddy I Skype with has a cheaper webcam and the quality on my end isn't as good, I've used both of my systems on a Skype call at the same time just to see how the video compares and the Logitech C910 and 9000 are superior.

See full review

When to get a Decent Camera

2010-12-09T05:57:00.000-08:00

It is that time of year again - parents, guardians and carers - all going to go to their child's school Christmas performance. Parents showing off their latest gadgets: still cameras, latest phones and all sorts of hand held devices. For me, I have never really given into the hype, this is because I could never afford something expensive. The little camera I had was several years out of date.

So, to be seen with something that old would have made me look like I was from another planet. I know, I know... I shouldn't be concerned about what people would say. If only it was that easy.

Because of that, I never really take the camera with me. It wasn't until last month that I decided I would give in a spend money on something worth pulling out in public. Luckily enough, Amazon was doing one of those deals on a range of digital camera last week. So, I quickly snapped up one of these.

This week, my son will be performing in a school play and I can't wait to make my own entrance with a decent Sanyo video camera in hand.

Amazon: Corel Paintshop Photo Pro 3X for $25 Shipped!

2010-12-07T08:16:00.000-08:00

Posting software deals is something I don't do often - but this seem like a great deal, so I thought I would just throw it out there.

Amazon is doing a fantastic deal on this Corel Paintshop Photo Pro with their Amazon Gold Box Deal if you into photography or know someone who is, then this is a great Christmas deal not to be missed for $25 including shipping. See full details here.

The list on this item is $129.99, and yesterday’s price was $67.65, so it looks like they’re dishing out a really good discount for a limited time.

This will likely go quick, so be sure to check it out sooner than later if you’re interested: Amazon Corel Paintshop Deal.

World of Warcraft Cataclysm Signature Series Guide

2010-12-06T09:02:00.001-08:00

This is the best new guide for World of Warcraft especially now since the "world" has changed pretty much completely! All the class roles are displayed, all the new character combos and races.

If you've been playing forever or just now starting and know nothing about the game before hand this book is for you! All your old guides you can toss out =D

See full reviews here

Amazon: Speck Products PixelSkin Case for iPhone 4 - $4.00

2010-12-05T17:12:00.000-08:00

Amazon ix selling of these iPhone 4 cases for only $4 - See details here

Love this bumper! Good absorption from accidental impact. Bright color helps to easily find your phone sitting on anything dark !

Have an iPhone? You should buy this case NOW!

Click here to buy

Amazon: Invicta Watch - only $49.99 (reg. $495)

2010-12-05T13:00:00.000-08:00

I just bought this watch after a friend sent my a message to let me know that Amazon is doing a clearance deal on thousands of high end products. As part of the clearance, this Invicta Watch is going for only 49.99 - regular price of $495. Now, that's more than $400 savings.

Seeing that there are still some left, I went back and bought 3 more. I will give them out as Christmas presents. What better way to buy an expensive product and hand them out as presents.

See the deal here on www.amazon.com/watches for a complete list of watches and other products.

Buy one NOW!

LOST Encyclopedia Now Available at 40% off on Cyber Week

2010-12-03T04:41:00.000-08:00

As part of Amazon's Cyber Week which ends today, Friday 3rd 2010, the full LOST Encyclopedia is available at 40%. If you are a Lost fan, you should get this box set, it is a once in a lifetime opportunity to own this awesome series.

You can get the special offer right here >>

Amazon: Wii Hardware Bundle - Red : Good for the Body, Good for the Pocket

2010-12-03T02:25:00.000-08:00

I am not a huge gamer so I have no idea what the graphics are like to compare the Nintendo Wii to the Xbox to the PS3 BUT this Wii Hardware Bundle is awesome and for a great price you get a Netflix streamer, an internet browser (right on your tv through the wiimote), channels that offer news and whether, photo viewing, oh yeah and it plays really fun family games that have my kids squealing in delight!

My four year old can manage to move the remote to actually play the game and my older girls love the sports games and Mario.. I know this doesn't play dvd/blue-ray but I already have a dvd player so why spend over $100 more on other systems, I know the graphics are better on the more $ ones but for family's this seems like the perfect player! Or at least for my family it is, couldn't be happier...

One last thing, this Wii Hardware Bundle is on sale and will be ending today, so make sure to grab one now!

Amazon: SwissGear Computer Backpack for $49

2010-12-02T06:46:00.000-08:00

As part of the Cyber Week, Amazon is doing a massive clearance deal on millions of product until the end of this week. One of those products include this awesome SwissGear Computer Backpack for $49 - the offer end this Friday, so hurry up and grab one quick. See details here

I just bought one myself and thought I would post here in case someone else would like to take the opportunity to get one as well.

If headphones are your thing, they are also going very fast. See this Shure SRH840 Professional Monitoring Earphones. they are flying of the site too. If that's too much for you, consider this JBuds J3 Micro Atomic In-Ear Earphones with Travel Case for only $19.

Shopping for Christmas? Now is the time to start saving on a huge range of presents and products.

Click here to See the backpack

Amazon: iPhone 3G/3GS Case for $1.00!

2010-11-30T15:08:00.000-08:00

Amazon is offering their AmazonBasics Shell-Case for iPhone 3G/3GS for only $1! Shipping is not included unless you have Amazon Prime.

I was surprised to see that this case actually has really good reviews (mainly 5 and 4 star with just a few 3 star). This will likely go fast, so I would check it out here if you are in the market: Amazon iPhone 3G/3GS Case Deal.

So hurry up, they are going fast. Deals like these don't stay long.

Amazon: Nintendo Wii Hardware Bundle $199 + Free $50 Game Credit!

2010-11-29T06:14:00.000-08:00

This is definitely a great deal on the Nintendo Wii if you are looking for one!
Right now on Amazon you can get any of the Nintendo Wii Hardware Bundles for $199 PLUS get a FREE $50 Game Credit that will show up in your account 2 days after your order ships.

The great thing about Amazon is that you don’t have to pay tax in most states, so even if a B&M (Brick & Mortar) store has it for the same price, getting it off Amazon will likely save you on tax!

NOTE: The prices on Amazon can vary from one minute to the next. I can make no guarantees that the price will be the same as the one above when you click on the Amazon link. Let me know in the comments section below if the price changes and I will get the post updated as soon as possible.

Gran Turismo 5 pushes Black Ops from UK number one

2010-11-29T02:51:00.000-08:00

Sony and Polyphony Digital's racer Gran Turismo 5 has made the top of the UK chart in its opening week, pushing the record-selling Call of Duty: Black Ops down to second.

I love the realism in this game. The attention to detail and all the premium car choices is what puts GT% over the other racing games out. I'm not really a fan of always having to drift through a corner and having damage ruin the race. While it isn't as realistic in that sense it makes up for it with clean looking replays of your sweet ride. It could definetly be better but it is also totally underrated. I mean need for speed is not as good a game whatsoever.

I recently bought Call of Duty: Black Ops; and believe me, this is one of the best games ever made.

See the bestseller list here

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition

2010-11-28T08:49:00.000-08:00

I am a huge Harry Potter fan and when The Tales of Beedle the Bard came out with this I automatically wanted it because it's inspired by Harry Potter and I thought it would be kinda cool to see what stories wizards told their children. My favourite is the Tale of Three Brothers.

My brother bought this for me for Christmas even though its below my reading level and I must say that it's definitely worth the money for little kids. They will love it and when I have kids I will definitely be reading these stories to them.:D

Click here to buy your copy

Amazon music sale: $1.99 MP3 albums (and how to get one free)

2010-11-28T04:49:00.000-08:00

Looking to stock that iPod with some new tunes? Amazon has some downright unbeatable deals on some downright decent (in some cases excellent) albums.
For a mere $1.99, you can snag any of the following:

"Band of Joy," Robert Plant
"Battle Studies," John Mayer
"Dark Side of the Moon," Pink Floyd
"High Violet," The National
"Hurley," Weezer
"Kaleidoscope Heart," Sara Bareilles
"Power to the People - The Hits," John Lennon
"The Fame Monster," Lady Gaga
"The Suburbs," Arcade Fire
"This Is Happening," LCD Soundsystem
"Transference," Spoon
"xx", The XX
"You Are Not Alone," Mavis Staples

At least some of these (including John Mayer and Pink Floyd) are on sale today only, but they'll be replaced tomorrow with at least five more $1.99 albums.

So, how can you score one for free? Turns out the Get $3 in MP3 Downloads deal I mentioned the other day is still running. You can apply that $3 credit to any of these albums--and still have a buck left over!

Full Dark, No Stars

2010-11-26T13:31:00.000-08:00

For all of those who complain about the price of the e-book, you are NOT true King fans. I have been a fan for almost 20 years, and regardless of price, I am always first in line to get his new releases.

This was my first purchased download for my new Kindle and of course, King doesn't disappoint! The stories are a little darker than his usual work (hard to imagine I know!) but I didn't want to put the Kindle down as I was engrossed in the stories.

I've read several of the negative reviews, and I have to say that the Kindle debate has no bearing whatsoever on my opinion because I don't have one and don't want one. My review is purely based on my opinion of the book's merits. And while I disagree with the negative opinions of the book's content, I chalk that up to the massive diversity in King's audience. He won't be able to satisfy everyone, but I for one expect this to be a collection that I look forward to re-reading several times.

Make Money Promoting MWF Water Filter and 17 Inch Laptop Backpack

2010-11-24T03:12:00.000-08:00

It has been 6 months since I started working to promote my MWF Water Filter and 17 Inch Laptop Backpack products, during which time I have raked in a huge following and reputation. For any beginner, publishing online blog and getting your content seen is a very steep process. Most people quickly pack it up just a few months of starting a blog.

What makes people abandon their blog is that they come into it with a tinted view of what is realistic and what is not. Blogging and making a decent a reasonable income through affiliate and blogging requires more than just posting a few piece and expecting it to bring you thousands of Pounds monthly. What is required is carefully followed strategy, patience, and a considerable amount of time. Most of the top bloggers out there did not make their money over night, they spent, effort; and in some cases money to promote their blog and product.

I'm a firm believer in what you put in is what you get out. And there's no other place where that is so true than online activities. To give you an example of what I mean, I recently started 2 pages The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition and mwf water filter to try out some of the tip in Eric Enge's The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization. If you haven't see the book, be sure to check it out.

Within a few days of optimising the pages, they have literally jumped to the front page.
What I was trying to say was if you spend the time and effort; and a little bit of investment, it pays off in the end. The goal here is to put your content and product where they can be seen. If your blog is buried deep in the search engine result page and no one sees it, it just dies there.

How to Move up on search engines and make money:

This assumes that you know how to optimise your page for search engine traffic (SEO). If not please check out The Art of SEO: Mastering Search Engine Optimization.

Write a keyword-rich article, informative and quality article about your programme
Submit your link to bookmarking sites – this is very important.
Have a look at how others do it. Learn from the best :)
Make sure your content is 100% unique – don't copy any single line from somewhere else
If you can't write the content yourself, outsource it
Register with related sites/forums and use your keyword in your signature

This is a not-so-time-consuming strategy, you can do in one day. Once you have the first blog posted and start promoting your sites, it takes a few weeks to start noticing results and traffic improvements. I have also posted a graph on my site to show how the traffic increased with my The Tales of Beedle the Bard promotion. Have a look and leave a comment.

Follow the steps, rinse and repeat - you're on your way to making money online just like everyone else.
Good luck!

Mouse Cursor Disappears on Firefox

2010-11-23T03:13:00.000-08:00

I have been having this annoying cursor problem since that last couple of days. I have not installed anything, downloaded anything - but all of a sudden the cursor starts disappearing from the screen.

This seems to only disappear when the mouse is resting on Firefox. It does not happen when I have another application open with the mouse on it. If the mouse is not moved within a few seconds, it totally disappears from the screen, I have to shake or move the mouse to see where it is again.

This is getting very irritating to the extent that if I don't click on a link fast enough, the cursor disappears.

Has anyone experienced this sort of problem, and been able to sort it out? I would like to hear any tips, advice or a suggestion of a solution.

5 Top 17 Inch Laptop Backpacks

2010-11-21T02:20:00.000-08:00

As someone who has been working with computers for the last 16 years, most part of that time is spent on the road. Which means that I move around with my laptop, headphones, Sanyo HD Cameras and all sort of personal effects that I might find useful on my globe-trotting adventures.

One thing that I carry around more than any other thing is my laptop (IBM Thinkpad). I know most people use MacBook Pros these days, but I still have a little life left in this laptop. While it is till working and doing the job, I will continue to use it until when it decides to pack it in and not respond to the power up button any longer. But while it still fine I won't

I think the reason my laptop has lasted this long is down to choosing a good 17 inch laptop backpack that will not leave your computer to the harsh element out there. If like me you carry your office around with you everywhere you go, it is important you use a good quality laptop backpack that is designed to handle anything that is thrown at it.

So, how do you go about investing in something that lasts? Well, it is down to a few quality features - these features should determine if it worth spend money on the 17 inch laptop backpack or not:

Quality: You need to know if it will last after 3 months of constant use. Most backpacks I've used over the years start showing signs of trouble a few month after constant use. So be sure to check for that. One cool backpack that I will recommend is the Red 17 Inch Backpack from Swiss Gear. These guys make some of the best backpack laptops out there in terms of quality. But they can sometime be on the pricey side.

Colour: This is something that varies - I prefer back as it blends with most things around including your outfit; and keeping it clean is of less concern. If black is your colour, be sure to check out my review of SwissGear Computer Backpack. Also made by Swiss Gear, this is my personal favourite - it has everything I want in 17 inch backpack laptop. The quality is great. It comes with a a mobile phone pocket, a computer compartment, an airflow back system, shoulder straps, a water bottle pocket, audio interface organizer pockets for business accessories, and a sunglasses holder. And not forgetting that it also water proof, keeping all your items from getting soaked if caught in the rain.

Price: Although prices vary according to makes and model. You should be looking for something that is less than $100. For example, the Swiss Gear Computer Backpack is going for $40 the last time I checked on Amazon.com here. They were on sale for less than 70% of the original price. So be sure to check for special offers like that before you buy.

Design: One thing that most people don't seem to agree on is design. Different people see things differently, this could be anything to do with cultural background, taste, opinion or fashion. But what you should be looking for is something that can hold your items and still have enough room for other things like camera, phones, keys and even your books and wallets. Check the straps for length, see if the latch hook is made of plastic or metal. These things matter for how long your 17 inch laptop backpack will last. You don't want to be seen with a relatively new laptop backpack with the strap broken off. Again, check how the strap joins the top and bottom of the backpack.

One thing that I look out for is the inside... does it have enough padding to protect my laptop in case of accidental falls?

If you follow these tips when next you want to buy any laptop backpack, it doesn't matter if it is a 17 inch laptop backpack - you will not go wrong. So, here's our run down of the top 5:

5 Top 17 Inch Laptop Backpacks

1. SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black)
2. Targus CityGear Chicago Backpack Case for 15.4 Inch Notebooks TCG650
3. Swiss Gear Ibex 17-Inch Notebook Backpack
4. SA1908 ScanSmart Backpack
5. SYNERGY from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black)

2010-11-19T10:35:00.000-08:00

If like me you carry your office with you everywhere you go, then you should look no further than this SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black). It is one of those backpacks that dramatically help to reduce the bulk of workload you take with you. I have used a number of SwissGear Computer Backpacks over the years, but this one is the latest with everything you will need both for your laptop, personal items and hidden compartments for your wallet, mobile phone and keys.

The reason I bought it was because they have now drop the price from $100 to just under $50 this week on amazon.com - so I thought it was a great opportunity and snapped one up.

The padded compartment was even cool enough to hold my latest Xbox 360 - at least that should give you an idea of how well rounded the SwissGear Computer Backpacks is. If black is not your thing, you may want to compare it with the red version. What makes the black SwissGear Computer Backpack work for me is that it blends in well with anything around - including your outfit and it cleverly masks itself when dirty.

So, if you are looking for something practical, stylish and durable, you should pick one up today especially when it is now less than $50. Hurry up before it all runs out.

Click here to buy >>

Avatar - Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live

2010-11-18T06:53:00.000-08:00

If like me you are an Avatar fan and did not get the chance to see the extended version of the movie, this is a great opportunity to relive the excitement and fun all over again. I didn't think I would live it until I saw it at a friend's - I placed an order once I got home.

Not only does this box come with 3 extended DVDs, it also comes packed with special features not shown in the movie. This box set with 3 DVDs will appeal to real die-hard fans - The background and footage missing from the original version have also made it to this set. If you want more pandora, that's exactly what you will get with Avatar - Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live .

I have a 60" Sony 1080P HDTV and PS3 BluRay player which made it look like I was back at the movie all over again. If your TV has 3D capacity, you will enjoy it even more. For some of us not lucky enough to have a 3D TV, the production is still superb on my Sony 1080P HDTV.

If you are a fan, don't wait - these Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition are going fast.
Avatar - Three-Disc Extended Collector's Edition + BD-Live

The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

2010-11-16T09:40:00.000-08:00

There's not much I can say about this amazing book that others haven't said. I will say that I am so glad Rebecca Skloot perservered through many obstacles and many years to bring this story to the public. I am not sure I would have had the patience, or that many others would have. The incredible backstories behind how Skloot investigated Henrietta's background just add so much to this story. This story made me laugh, brought me to tears, made me angry and helped me see things from a different perspective. Everything a great book should do. The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks

We can't undo what has been done - doctors taking things from people, using them for research, and never explaining or compensating the patient for it. But we can recognize that we need to change things going forward. I also hope that many of the scientists and researchers who defend things like what was done to Henrietta Lacks and her family can read The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks and understand that a simple thing, something they would have done and may do in their profession, can have lasting negative effects on people.

I hope this book will not just tell people who Henrietta was but lead to a dialogue that enables medical research to continue, while allowing people to have control over their own cells and biological products.

I really can't say enough about The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks. It is recommended reading for all people. Even if you don't "like science" or "like biographies" or even "like nonfiction," read it anyway. There is a passionate story and an important message everyone should see. Congratulations, Ms. Skloot.

Call of Duty: Black Ops

2010-11-13T12:04:00.000-08:00

Call of Duty: Black Ops is one of those games that people love to hate. Being a keen gamer that I am, I was eagerly awaiting the release date to get my hands on it; and I was not disappointed. Those who have played with the previous versions know what to expect in this latest one.

The actions are mind-blowing. Although, I'm used to advanced graphics in games, the one in Call of Duty: Black Ops has raised the bar a lot higher. The attention to details is simply awesome. In fact, it looks so real that you sometimes forget that these characters are not humans.

Good plots and brilliant use of flashbacks ( see trailer ) suckers you even deeper into the game giving you that life-like experience. One thing I didn't like very well though, was the high level of gory scenes and blood shed through out the games. I know you can choose a less scarier game from the collection of games in there, you are still likely to see horrific and violent scenes.

This is by no means a negative thing about the game, it is just my own opinion giving that I normally prefer something a lot less action-packed. Don't get me wrong, this does not mean that that Call of Duty: Black Ops is the most violent video game on the market today. In fact, there are games out there that I won't even recommend you play. For example, check out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 you will love it if you are into heavy violent games. Black Ops, however, can not be compare to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, they are wholly on a different level in terms of violence, action and on-your-toes experience. It has everything you need to get your juices flowing. But be warned - make sure you check their age certificate ratings as some of them are not recommended for those that are 18 and under.

If you want to really enjoy Call of Duty: Black Ops, I would suggest you try playing it in a multi-player mode with someone else. The intensity is awesome; and knowing that you are playing against someone else on the other side adds another level of realism into the gaming experience.

One thing that the makers of Call of Duty: Black Ops have improved on is the starting interface. Unlike some other games out there that are very complicated to start, this one is dead simple. Pop the game into your met, and the new improved interface comes into view.

View larger

From there, you can now select the mode (single or multi player) as appropriate. Other than that, it is clever enough to work out your system and configure itself accordingly. More emphasis is placed on getting you playing the game rather than fiddling with the system.

In conclusion, this Call of Duty: Black Ops is that it was WAY better than the first two, and the game play was fantastic!

Get a copy today >>

Resources for Serious Software Developers

2010-11-12T11:50:00.000-08:00

Following up on the post on "Why Are There More Python Jobs Than Java?" , which was a nice post by the way - I thought I would check out a few of the books suggested in some of the comments.

Seven Languages in Seven Weeks and Pro Python (suggested by co-workers) are some of the books suggested so being the sort of person that I am, I gave in and bought these two books. If you are anything like me and are very interested in lots of programming languages, you will definitely like the Seven Languages in Seven Weeks book.

This book shows you how to learn and use various languages within a week. Although 7 days is not enough to master any language, but it is enough to get you working with the language.

I have been working with Java for a little more than 7 years, but still find it quite interesting to work with. But with the increase in Python's popularity it is hard not to take notice and start getting one's hands dirty. With that in mind, I thought it won't hurt to play around with a little bit with Python and Django as recommended in the Seven Languages in Seven Weeks book.

One thing that developers are know for is that flexibility and speed with which the pick up a new language by the throat and get it to sing and dance. This is something that I have noticed over the years that is common amongst developers - they are always exploring technologies and new languages. Being the a developer myself, this was something I had to do as well.

So, having fallen behind on some of the chapters and some little pet project I was working on (just to learn to use Django), I have been putting in more effort and looking forward to finishing the book and the project. That means that the focus is now to go through the Seven Languages in Seven Weeks in all its entirety and see what comes how it turns out.

The Confession - John Grisham

2010-11-09T05:13:00.000-08:00

Reading "The Confession", by John Grisham and am frustrated by a comment that the cheerleader Nichole and her Mom sent an average of 4 text messages a day. This was 1998.I do not think people were texting that much,if any in 1998. My boys are always among the first to jump on new technology and I am sure they were not texting in 1998.

I am enjoying the book a great deal but was puzzled by the texting.

There is also a reference to the mother starting a web site and blogging. Both of these are possible but blogs were not known in the late 1990's. May have had them but phrase was not common. If the web site and blogging came later then it would be more realistic. If anyone else was confused by this please post a response. Reading on Kindle for IPhone and this was located at 305.

If you love reading gripping works from John Grisham, then you will definitely like The Confession

The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition

2010-11-09T01:59:00.000-08:00

After many years since it was published, I finally managed to get my hands on a copy of The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition last night for only $73. If you are a serious Potter fan, you will undoubtedly understand the feeling. This is a collector's edition, so it is highly sort after. At just $73, I thought it was a huge bargain, so I quickly snapped it up...

I read the standard version on release, and thought this was a spell binding book, which has wonderful enchanted stories, and that brought your imagination to a whole new level! I definitely recommend!

I love Harry Potter books, especially The Tales of Beedle the Bard, Collector's Edition. I always wanted to know what was in the stories of "The Beedle & The Bard" & low & behold, here it is! I'm a Harry Potter fan & I love this book. It's actually very interesting if you have children. Most parents don't read to their kids anymore, but if they were, I'd totally read this to them. It's kind of...childish, like meant for youngsters but I still loved it!

Just before I discovered these The Tales of Beedle the Bard, I was probably as if you, frustrated and puzzled the hell out of me.

SanDisk 16 GB Class 2 microSDHC Flash Memory Card SDSDQ-016G

2010-11-05T06:49:00.000-07:00

So I wanted to save a few dollars and bought a 16gb card off ebay thinking it would be ok. Now, I may have received a defective card from the ebay seller but to me it looked like a fake, dont know exactly how to describe it but it didnt seem the same as this card I ordered off amazon.com and the 8gb card that came with my droid 2.

Anyways the ebay card worked to some degree, although my phone felt sluggish and when I would take pictures it would store it to the card but when I would go back to the gallery to view it the picture would not load and showed a grey camera logo. Also my music player would crash after playing a song and would say that the audio format was not supported, so after searching on forums i found that a lof of people were having the same problems with their droid 2.

I refused to believe it was something inherent in the phone so I ordered this card from amazon and could not be happier. The quality looked better at first glance and I had no issues as mentioned above. I know this is a long and somewhat indirect way to review this product but I think its good to be able to compare. So initial quality is good, hopefully it keeps working for me.

You too can order one today, it's only $26 today on Amazon.com

SYNERGY from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

2010-11-01T11:40:00.000-07:00

I was really impressed when I received the backpack in the mail to try out and write a review about it. It's a pretty cool color scheme, and felt great on my shoulders. It probably took me five minutes to find ALL of the pockets this thing has, its great!

It fits my 13.3 inch Fujitsu T-5010 tablet PC great (with room for a slightly bigger laptop) with its well padded, square computer sleeve. My main reason for purchasing this backpack was, in fact, to have more protection for my computer while I'm going to school. This backpack completely suffices with the great amount of support and padding in the laptop sleeve, I feel fine setting down and lifting my backpack up all day without worrying about hurting my computer.

Its also big enough to hold an additional 4 books if needed, and the thing stands up no matter what is inside when you set it down :)
I have noticed that it becomes pretty hard to put a water bottle in the holder when there is a decent amount of stuff (i.e. a laptop charging chord) in the adjacent side pocket. I don't really care though because there's one of each on both sides of the backpack!

I totally recommend it >>

PEGASUS from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

2010-10-18T06:07:00.000-07:00

Wow - bag arrived Saturday i'm quite impressed. PEGASUS from SwissGear by Wenger Computer Backpack

Quality: first class well made product that looks like it could withstand a tumble down a mountain. Good zips, fabric and stitching.

Function: this is where the bag really excels; it is packed with useful little pockets and innovative features and i'm still discovering more. Expect to be able to transport all your gadgets and more.

Style: it wont win awards but its not unattractive, just more a functional item that a trend accessory.

Size: the bag holds my 15.4" laptop ok but has a lot more room width ways. My only slight complaint is that my laptop is a tight fit at the top pushing slightly against the top of the bag. Another half inch here would have been perfect but it fits and isn't really a problem. If you're thinking you might squeeze a 17" in forget it.

All in all it's just like their penknifes - built rock solid and full of useful features! Highly recommended!!

Make Money Online: Roadmap of a Dot Com Mogul

2010-09-21T14:18:00.000-07:00

John Chow is a phenom of the internet age. Making squillions by writing about making squillions. Simple. Anyone trying to get a handle on Internet Marketing is quickly tsunamied by free e-books and e-seminars and e-every-damn-thing. It's too much, so you stop what you were doing. Which is a big mistake. Better to regroup and focus on only a few of the IM gurus, including John Chow.

He's Chinese, and they know how to make money. (It's not racist when I say it because my wife is Chinese!). It takes only about an hour to zip through John's book, but weeks to revisit the information and use the links. All up, it's very good information - no frilly BS like so many others.

So, read this book if you are trying to get OUT of your present situation and INTO a living via internet marketing. I did and I am, via humor and other stuff.

You can get a copy here as well if you'd like to make money online like the gurus.

Top Noise Cancelling Headphones

2010-09-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

I bought this one mainly for using on airplanes. When it is on my ear, I feel like sitting in a Lexus 430 cruising on smooth freeway. The sound quality on airline audio is also good, warm and well balanced. On my ipod, I set the equalizer to "flat", and every thing is good. The build quality is also good, the same league as my Mac Book pro. This is one of my best purchases.

A lot of research went into my decision to buy this noise cancelling headphones. I own a pair of Sony's which block out a lot of noise, but not all of it, and they are very hot to wear on long flights from the US to Europe and Great Britain.

The Bose has terrific sound, blocks out all noise and I can wear them for hours with no pressure discomfort or heat issues. I can really enjoy the music experience and they make quite a bit of difference when listening to audio-books.

I will admit to owning a LOT of Bose products, which influenced my buying decision. I know others have complained about the quality of the headphone construction. This has not been my experience, and I have owned mine for 7 months.

I also will agree with reviewer's complaints that they are too expensive, but all Bose products are expensive.

Another Swiss Gear Ibex 17-Inch Notebook Backpack

2010-09-01T08:26:00.000-07:00

Purchased the Swiss Gear Ibex 17-inch Notebook Backpack for my college bound daughter. I have previous experience with Swiss Gear products (a Pegasus notebook backpack - for son in college), and both students are all-around pleased with them. (Daughter had to have a different color...) It's incredible how much stuff she can fit in this bag and still carry it comfortably.

The padding, frame, compartment layout, ruggedness, zipper quality, and general ruggedness of this backpack is extrordinary. Son's backpack is in its third year with no signs of excessive wear or breakdown. I expect the same from the Ibex model. I highly recommend this product.

Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector's Edition

2010-08-07T14:48:00.000-07:00

I already wrote a detailed review of the actual gameplay in the war zone known as the Standard Edition (SE) - which was a mistake I can't take back. But I wanted to separate the two because someone looking to buy the Collector's Edition (CE) wants to know if it is worth it to spend the extra $40. Ultimately that depends on each person, but I can at least share my views of what I think of the CE.

..:::USB Dog Tag:::..
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This is one good looking custom USB thumb drive and solidly constructed. It is 2GB and over 700MB is used by the original StarCraft (SC) and Brood War (BW) installs. I was kind of praying the games were pre-installed on the thumb drive and I could just plug it in and play off the thumb drive ...but oh well. :) When you plug the thumb drive into your machine the install window pops up. It will auto-populate its CD Key into the install screen, but if you already have SC1 and have the CD Key handy you can use your old SC1 key instead and save the CD Key on the thumb drive for a friend/family member.

The orange portion of the USB Dog Tag lights up with a very cool, calm orange glow. LEDs use very little power so don't worry about that. Some people are sensitive to lights so that might not be a plus to them. I find it very cool and if I was able to use thumb drives at work I would use it for sure. There is also a small blue activity light near neck ring that shows when it is in use or transferring data. When you use your operating system to safely disconnect the usb thumb drive all LEDs turn off letting you know it is no longer in use and safe to disconnect. You can wear it around your neck with same metal beads you'd expect with a real dog tag. The USB connector plug pushes in and out, so there is no need for a cap to it.

..:::Art Book:::..
..................
Very well constructed - coffee table quality. It is binded well and presented quite professionally. Honestly you can find many of the same pictures on the SC2 website as the website has over 500 artwork images you can download. There are some unique to the book as I didn't see every picture in the book on the website. This can be both a pro and con depending on how you look at it. Part of me would like to have completely unique images in the book, but it is also nice having a digital copy of some of these great images. Also having the artwork hardbound into a nice book is still unique in of itself to the CE. This is something you can show to your friends who are curious what SC2 is and why you spend so much time on it.

The artwork is mostly a mix of artist renditions of the most popular units (not all), some buildings and some planet landscapes. The book showcases all 3 races but has more pages dedicated to the Terran, which makes sense.

..:::Soundtrack CD:::..
.......................
There are 14 Tracks of in-game music. Doesn't beat a real music CD but at the same time my office mates didn't complain. In fact, they asked me what movie it was from. It's decent background music to break up silence while working. About four tracks are 2min long, couple 4min, one 9min, but most are around 5-7min long. In the end, you probably still have to be a SC gear head to enjoy and appreciate it. I like it, as it will be nice to mix in when need a break from standard music. Though I will say 8 - Firstborn - is probably my favorite as it seems more like the iconic SC music I've come to love all these years.

...:::Comic Book:::...
......................
Here is where you will hate my review. I did not look at it as I'm not much of a comic book fan so figured I'd keep it in the cellophane in case it becomes a collectible later on that someone might want. It is issue #0 so I'm guessing at some point Blizzard will decide to turn it into a real comic book. Heard mix reviews on it, most the negative ones came from people who already were negative toward the game so was kind of hard to really gauge from other reviews. Though even if I looked at it, I really couldn't offer a good review for it since I don't read comics.

..:::SC2 In-Game Content:::..
.............................
- BNet portraits (Night Elf Banshee, Tauren Marine, Diablo Marine, Raynor Marine)
- Three decals (Alliance symbol, Horde symbol, Diablo skull)
- Unique skin for the Thor unit

When you edit your profile in Battlenet (Bnet) you have a portrait that shows next to your name whenever you join a game. You unlock different portraits by earnings achievements within the game. This is a way to show off what you have accomplished and also a way to distinquish yourself. The CE comes with 4 portraits (listed above) and they all look good. My favorite is the Diablo Marine. Even though I don't play WoW the female Night Elf Banshee would be second favorite.

Every time you select a race in Battlenet you can also have a separate picture representing that race. If you're military, think of it like a patch for your Regiment/Unit/Wing/etc. Keeping with SC terminology, it would like how there different Broods and having a patch for that. This image displays next to the race name when it shows what race you selected in the game. Just like with portraits you unlock these by completing achievements. For the CE you get 3. They look nice - they could look nicer, though I do prefer them over the default.

..:::WoW In-Game Content:::..
.............................
Cannot comment on the quality as I don't play WoW, but just like with the SC2 in-game content they are tied to your account/cd-key.

..:::DVD of Cinematics and Making of Documentary:::..
.....................................................
This is broken up into sections so you should be able to watch the Making of SC2 without worry spoiling the story of the game. I'm not really a fan of watching the "making of ___" videos so I'm holding off till I finish the single player campaign so I can watch the cinematics as well.

You don't need this DVD to watch the cinematics of the game. As you progress into the game (need to beat Mission #3) you can watch all the cinematics from the game using the Mission Archives you find on the ship's Bridge. You can also save your campaign as a whole and restart your whole campaign and just Load your old campaign if you say want to watch some of the later cinematics. So you don't need the DVD to enjoy the cinematics you watched while playing the game. This just makes it convienent if you want to watch it on your TV in your living room or without loading up the game.

The cinematics are gorgeous - already re-watched some. Being a Protoss/Zerg fan I loved the Zeratul ones.

Overall this the only Starcraft II: Wings of Liberty Collector's Edition pack I don't regret buying. But $40 is a lot of money, especially for things I won't enjoy on a day-to-day basis like I will with the actual game. But considering the original SC/BW is anywhere from $10-$20, which I've played almost every year since 1998 and I can keep/gift the cd-key to someone is a nice feature. A non-custom designed 2GB flash drive is roughly $8-$13.

I think when Blizzard released a cinematic DVD it was released at $20 ...which I think is way too expensive and never did buy. So between those three things alone, the rest pretty much becomes gravy. But if you're not into bonus stuff just like I don't watch bonus material with movies, than that $40 extra dollars in your bank account might look more appealing. But like I said ...this is the only Collector's Edition I've actually liked.

Far as the game is concerned, my review was posted on 30 July 2010 in the SE copy of the game. I broke it up because I wanted to address the CE material separately. If you don't feel like chasing down my review, to quickly sum it up:

Despite the drawbacks (no LAN, region lock, no unique bnet name, no private channels in bnet, online activation) I not only find the game overall to be so strong that the Pros outweigh the Cons I find the Pros to be so strong I still give the game is a 5 star rating knowing full well those cons are significant ones. So many games these days, some of which are $60 SE, only offer a 6-8hr single player campaign. Even if you are quick enough to beat this game in 14.5hrs (which would be 30min per mission) the amount of replay far exceeds that.

There are decision points in the game that may make you want to play it again with a different choice. There are Tech upgrades you may want to try out that you weren't able to try the first time around. There are multiple difficulty levels. The are achievements to earn, and some are actually very fun to try. Then you include Skirmishes and the Challenge missions, which will actually get you better prepared for the Multiplayer experience then the single player campaign will and you throw even more hours of enjoyment on top of that. Then you have a very balanced multiplayer experience that is extremely fun to play if you decide you want to participate. You can also play CO-OP against the computer with friends if you're not multiplayer fan.

Very few games offer both a very solid Single Player (SP) and Multiplayer (MP) experience. And I find Blizzard games to offer the most hours of enjoyment for both SP and MP. With SC2 you can easily get yours money's worth with just the SP. Some people only play the MP aspect of the game and are satisfied with their purchase.

I still play the original SC and BW to this day, since its one of the few games my parents computer can play and I find SC2 to be better in every way. I think some people just remember the fun they had 12yrs ago and don't remember details too well because Bnet 1.0 was horrible. Yeah it had chat channels but my friends and I had to talk on IRC to setup games because Bnet 1.0 was always lagging and caused too much confusion as sometimes it would lag by 5 minutes.

One thing I didn't mention in my SE review is to make sure you use Replay functionality when you play games online. It records everything but the enemey's conversation. You can even watch from your opponents point of view and see how they build their base, what they saw during the game, what they didn't see, etc.. It's a very powerful tool and far more improved than previous Replay tools. Make use of it. The file space is very minimal too as it records actions via a text file and the replay tool reads those files and translates it into a video for you to watch. It's great for learning where you went wrong, what you did right and learning tricks off your opponents. If you want to learn tricks for multiplayer, search for Day9 TV. He is litterally the SC encyclopedia and goes into better depth than anyone else explaining the mechanics of the game. He uses the replay tool to commentate on games.

Ok I wasn't expecting to add the last three paragraphs or it would have been a quick summary on the gameplay. Sorry!

Amazon.co.uk Kindle Content Store Launched‏

2010-08-07T04:37:00.000-07:00

Amazon.co.uk have now launched the UK Kindle Store with the biggest selection and lowest prices of any e-bookstore in the UK. Over 400,000 books are now available from the UK Kindle Store, including 84 of the 100 Nielsen UK Bestsellers.

The UK Kindle Store features a vast selection of titles - including New Releases and Bestsellers - from UK authors including Terry Pratchett, Ian Rankin, Martina Cole, Sophie Kinsella and Ken Follett. The selection includes exclusives to the Kindle Store such as contemporary classics from the Wylie Agency's new Odyssey Editions imprint including Salman Rushdie's Midnight's Children, John Cheever's The Stories of John Cheever, Vladimir Nabokov's Lolita, Norman Mailer's The Naked and the Dead, and Ralph Ellison's Invisible Man. Over 170 top UK and international newspapers and magazines are also available in the UK Kindle store for single purchase or subscription. UK titles in this selection include The Daily Telegraph, The Daily Mail, The Economist, The Independent, The Financial Times and The Evening Standard. Kindle customers can also subscribe to over 9,000 blogs. All subscriptions are auto-delivered wirelessly to Kindle and start with a free 14-day trial.

On July 29, Amazon.co.uk started taking pre-orders for the all-new Kindle featuring a new electronic-ink screen with 50 percent better contrast than any other e-reader, a new sleek design with 21 percent smaller body than the previous Kindle, while still keeping the same 6-inch-size reading area, and a 15 percent lighter weight at just 247 grams (8.7 ounces). The all-new Kindle with Wi-Fi is available for £109 and with Free 3G wireless and Wi-Fi for £149.

Show your site visitors the new UK Kindle Store now at www.amazon.co.uk/kindlestore.
Your site visitors can discover full details and pre-order the new Kindle and Kindle Wi-Fi at www.amazon.co.uk/kindle3G and www.amazon.co.uk/kindleWi-Fi.

Some of the Best Headphones on the market

2010-07-19T03:28:00.000-07:00

I thought my Microsoft VX5500 webcam had a good picture quality, but this one definitely beats it and it's on the list of the best headphones. I've used it extensively in Skype, and this webcam is perfectly compatible with that program (even for making HD video calls). Audio is perfect as well; the other person can hear me clearly, even when I'm talking from another room.

I like how the lens stands much lower than other webcams on my desktop LCD monitor. This gives the other person a much more natural view (as opposed to the "looking down" perspective associated with other desktop webcams).

Amazon stock has the "Webcam Pro 9000" which is newer than "Quickcam Pro 9000". There are some minor improvements (i.e. built-in hardware Rightlight, as opposed to software managed), but they're not worth the upgrade if you're already using a Quickcam Pro 9000.

Also, Logitech recently updated the camera software to v2.0 (complete interface overhaul) so make sure you download that from their website, and don't bother with the bundled CD. Either way it works great in Windows 7 x64.

Overall, this thing is perfect. I honestly have no idea what else to expect from a webcam. Definitely worth the money. If you are interested and would like to see the complete list of the best headphones then check out the post here.

Sanyo VPC-CG102 High Definition Camcorder and 14 MP Camera w/12x Optical Zoom

2010-07-14T15:51:00.000-07:00

It says on the description here that "Reduce your chance of missing the perfect shot. The Dual Camera CG102 is designed for super fast start-up and shooting. With its tapeless design, the CG102 eliminates the need to queue up a video tape, allowing it to begin shooting in as little as 1.7 seconds. When the CG102 is powered on, closing the LCD display puts it in standby mode. Simply open the display and the CG102 automatically powers up and can begin immediately recording in as little as 1.7 seconds."

This worked for me for maybe 2 weeks but now when I hold the on/off button it takes maybe a minute to turn on or sometimes I have to click it in a specific order for it to turn on. Also when it is on and I put it in stand by mode, by clicking the on/off button, everything works fine until I close it then open it again. Instead of turning back on it shuts down. So if anyone knows how to fix this please tell me.

If you want a camera you can actually use and take with you to capture impromptu moments of life, this is Xacti is the One to get. If you're looking to do more setup (tripod, etc) and get better stability, microphone hookup, 80x+ zoom, 5 hour battery, etc, then look for a bigger, higher priced barrel type unit with more features.

You might like to check out the latest model of this Sanyo HD Camera if you are interested.

The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series (Seasons 1-5 + Shag Carpet Cover)

2010-07-14T10:25:00.000-07:00

This is without a doubt the coolest dvd collection I have seen (mostly referring to the packaging). I think the packaging is spot-on for this collection and even though some have referred to it being a bit cheap, I have no problem with it at all. I read where a few people had bad luck and found glue from the accordian case on the actual discs, but that was not the case with me. All discs were glue-free and in excellent condition. And what can I say about the shag carpet box? A stroke of genius if you ask me!

Of course the content (the episodes) speaks for itself! I loved The Brady Bunch growing up and it's like taking a trip down memory lane each time we watch (my kids, 10 and 5, love it)! And the quality of the actual video is very nice as well.

I can highly recommend this dvd collection to any Brady Bunch fans! Buy the collection...watch the dvds...be happy! :-)

The Brady Bunch: The Complete Series (Seasons 1-5 + Shag Carpet Cover)

ReaderMate Book Holder

2010-07-03T02:55:00.000-07:00

I was originally looking for a traditional BookChair - the one everyone seems to have. I didn't buy one in the end, because I thought this one would be easier to move about with. It's lightweight, folds up easily, comes in a plastic cover to protect it, the cover can also be put inside a ringbinder.

On the whole, I'm very happy with my buy. The Readermate definitely does make reading a lot easier, especially if you have to get through a lot of books in one day and need to make notes by hand/ on computer from them. It holds a large variety of books and, despite its ostensibly flimsy look, it can hold quite heavy, large hardbacks.

My only reservation is that it holds all the books I need - apart from my primary texts, which are standard paperback novels. I don't want to break the spine on them and two of them are quite thick (the spine is about 2 - 4 cm thick) so the Readermate keeps on closing in on itself. This aside, if you're a student (like me!), I would definitely recommend getting one.

Final Fantasy XIII

2010-06-13T04:19:00.000-07:00

I love video games, it helps me relax and I guess you can call it a hobby. Since we are in a day in age where money is so hard to come by, I like to read alot of reviews. Not professional because they dont know what the people want, lol, I like to read the reviews of simple people like me but now its getting real bad. Even the people dont know what they want.

I've read alot of reviews thats was negative about Final Fantasy XIII but since I was a fan I wanted to try it and trust me I hesitated based on the reviews. I actaully like the game alot and its very addictive to me. The game has good graphics, good gameplay, a good story(in my opinon), get leveling system, and good upgrades. Oh and this is something alot of people dont like, the game is different.

All those things make a game good to me, now its one single ingredient that you have to add that alot of people dont talk about, its your own imagination. I love rpgs and I allow myself to get deep into the characters and the story. A lot of people want the story to grab them but sometimes you have to grab the story as well. I think alot of people forgot to how to have fun, they rather complain and find whats wrong instead of appreciating whats right.

I have played God of War 3, Dragon Age Origins & the expansion and now this game. All to me are good in their own way and I enjoy all of them because I grab a hold of the story and the game and dont expect a game to bring me to life, I bring the game to life. Get this game if your open minded and know how still enjoy games. Thanks for your time and enjoy :-)

I Will Teach You To Be Rich

2010-06-11T04:06:00.000-07:00

I considered myself fairly knowledgeable in personal finance before picking up Ramit's book but I still felt like I learned quite a few interesting (and even innovative) tips. In particular, I liked his conscious spending plan and automatic distribution system. Also, Ramit is up-to-date on many of newest and latest tools available on the net and shares his recommendations. Based on these points alone, I recommend his book as money well spent, but it offers much more too.

At the same time, there are several flaws in the books that I find annoying. Ramit characterizes himself as the personal finance guru for the 20-something and is not shy at all in disparaging the old guard for flawed outdated thinking...yet he is also guilty of falling into the same trap.

Two areas that stand out to me most are his strong recommendations of online savings accounts and his mantra that stocks return 8% annually. As of today, one of his strongest recommendations for an online savings account is returning a whopping 1.1% (still better than traditional banks). His claim of stock returns is also somewhat dubious since over the past decade, the market has returned a total of 4.7% (that's right, the decade).

Certainly, he is not to blame for the interest rates, but I think readers should be careful not to get too excited because of Ramit's enthusiasm. See more here >>

iPhone and iPad Apps for Absolute Beginners

2010-06-04T02:04:00.000-07:00

Product Description

The iPhone is the hottest gadget of our generation, and much of its success has been fuelled by the App Store, Apple’s online marketplace for iPhone applications. Over 1 billion apps have been downloaded in the 9 months the App Store has been open, ranging from the simplest games to the most complex business apps. Everyone has an idea for the next best-selling iPhone app—presumably that’s why you’re reading this now.

So how do you build an iPhone application? Don’t you need to spend years learning complicated programming languages? What about Objective-C, Cocoa Touch, and the SDK? The answer is that you don’t need to know any of those things. Anybody can start building simple applications for the iPhone, and this book will show you how.

This book takes you to getting your first applications up and running using plain English and practical examples. It cuts through the fog of jargon and misinformation that surrounds iPhone application development, and gives you simple, step-by-step instructions to get you started.

* Teaches iPhone application development in language anyone can understand
* Provides simple, step-by-step examples that make learning easy
* Offers videos that enable you to follow along with the author—it’s like your own private classroom

What you’ll learn

* Get both yourself and your computer set up for iPhone application development.
* Start by making small changes to existing applications to build your knowledge and experience before creating your own applications.
* Follow steps in plain English to build simple apps and get them working immediately.
* Style your application so that it looks good and users can easily navigate through it.
* Make use of the iPhone’s touch screen and accelerometer.
* Use shortcuts and cheat sheets to create apps the easy way.

Who is this book for?

If you have a great idea for an iPhone app, but have never programmed before, then this book is for you. You don’t need to have any previous computer programming skills—as long as you have a desire to learn, and you know which end of the mouse is which, you’ll be fine.
About the Author

48 year old Assistant Professor of Computer Science at the University of Colorado at Colorado Springs.

* Often mistaken for the Hippie with the Dead-Head shirts walking aimlessly around the campus.

* Often described as the guy in the office where students are always lined up outside.

* Often heralded as the dude that will explain your math, computer code, even when he first checks and sees you've done 800 tweets and 2700 Face Book comments while you should have been in class!

* Described by his adult daughters as a dad that was once a successful microprocessor litigation lawyer in Palo Alto but couldn't resist his dorkiness and went back to school to become a doctor of Geekdom! Interpretation: "We had a whole bunch less $$ when we were teenagers!"

The iPhone Programming: The Big Nerd Ranch Guide

2010-06-02T20:16:00.000-07:00

This is going to become the new definitive guide for iPhone application development!

When I read the book I felt that I was actually talking to a real person explaining it to me.

The book is organized in a 'class in session' format where a concept is described, explained and then you are given a small project to type in, play with and modify. What is extremely surprising is that ALL the code works! I have yet to find a typo in any of the code examples. And better yet, the Kindle version displays all the graphics in full color if you use the MAC kindle reader I bought both the paperback for a desk reference and the kindle version for fast access.

But the way the book is structured, if you follow the examples as you read, you will amass a huge amount of working and 'REUSABLE' code in your projects. And also, you will remember where and why you entered that code and where you can go back to get it. Another super plus is that almost every method, section and even line segment code are commented so you can see exactly what each snippet of code does.

For an old PL/1 and VB6 and .net person, all it took was just learning the Objective C syntax and apply that to the objective programming models I already know. Delegates = Callbacks, IB = Form Builder, etc. Once I figured that out it was very easy to understand what Joe and Aaron were saying. I already updated real-time some of my older apps with new functionality just by using the examples in this book.

If you are new iPhone programmer or want to know about how it work, go no farther. This is the book for you!

JavaScript: The Good Parts

2010-05-31T23:31:00.000-07:00

The reader of "JavaScript: The Good Parts" by Douglas Crockford will get a very good idea of why JavaScript is considered a runt among programming languages. Crockford does his best to model good programming patterns and style in JavaScript. It is unfortunate and telling that the book is so thin. Crockford neither pulls his jabs at the language nor dumps on it unfairly, but gives a clear rationale for his opinions.

Like JavaScript, the book is more sure of what it is not than of what it really wants to be. Readers should read the preface seriously before going further -- but ignore the contradictory second sentence stating it is for programmers working with JavaScript for the first time. The book will interest language nerds, but it really should be read by intermediate JavaScript programmers who spend too much time debugging code they should never have written.

The short chapters make the book a relatively quick read, despite the somewhat advanced level of the material compared to other JavaScript books. Upon first glance at the size of the book, I was reminded of The Little Schemer (a tutorial on the Scheme programming language). Crockford's writing is easy to read, as if you were collecting thorough notes over a long series of lunch time talks. Incidentally, the structure of the book is unlike "Little Schemer" but Crockford does touch on functional programming techniques.

This book has a strong overtone of frustration with JavaScript. That isn't a criticism of Crockford, but sprinkled throughout the material are the tell-tale signs of what could have been, or should have been, but can never, ever be. It truly gets to a head in Chapter 9, titled "Style", in which 11 paragraphs in three pages start with "I". It is personal for Crockford.

Readers should be aware that there is virtually no error checking in the code. While omitting error checks is a common practice in trade book code samples, Crockford is making a point of illustrating good coding practice. The absence of a disclaimer is odd, but several of Crockford's examples do deal specifically with faulty conditional expressions. Take his warning in the preface to heart again here: "JavaScript: The Good Parts" won't tell you everything you should be doing to write good code.

JavaScript: The Good Parts is not a real reference, but if you do sporadic JavaScript programming it may be a book you will pick up again several times. That's because it is small enough and concise enough to act as a quick reference to the stuff that really is worth using, and some of the parts that really are best avoided.

New SwissGear Wired Laptop Backpack for 17-Inch Notebook

2010-05-28T09:21:00.000-07:00

I've had the backpack for 2 years now and I'm very happy with it. For 15" laptops, it's perfect. I've even carried 2 laptops in it. But typically, my load consisted of a laptop and text books.

The construction is top notch and after 2 years of daily abuse and heavy loads, there are no signs of wear. My previous backpack came unstiched at the shoulder strap a few months in.

Depending on the load, the bag is pretty comfortable. The shoulder straps are wide and the sternum strap helps keep things in place. The bag also employs something called airflow which basically means there's a gap between the bag and your back. This helps cut down on the infamous sweat stripe you can get with other packs.

The "wired" feature is pretty over rated. It is handy plugging the headphones into the shoulder strap, but since there is no access to the media player, it's a bit of a hassle if you need to adjust the media player for any reason. Also, you have to be aware to take the headphones out of your ears or unplug them from the pack if you move the pack further than your cord can reach. Not a huge issue, but I've forgotten a few times and had the headphones ripped out of my ears a few times. Currently, I'm stashing an external hd in the media pocket.

My 17" HP Pavilion barely fits in the laptop compartment. I can zip up the bag, but it's pretty tight. I haven't taken a seam cutter to the bag yet, as suggested by someone else. I think I can live with it as-is for now.

The built in caribiner and cell pouch are nice touches as well.

Overall, I'm very happy with the bag and don't see my replacing it anytime soon.

Targus CityGear Chicago Backpack Case for 15.4 Inch Notebooks TCG650

2010-05-12T07:01:00.000-07:00

The Targus CityGear Los Angeles 18.4inch Notebook Carrying Case is very well made, sharp looking and overall very nice. I bought the case because the Toshiba site said my new Toshiba 18.4 inch screen Qosmio laptop would fit into it. Not exactly correct information. Although I've now seen some sites that have changed the info from 18.4 to 17 inch maximum.

For my laptop it is a very tight fit..hard to get the laptop in to or out of and it would be a time consuming nightmare to take it through TSA airport checkpoints as you would have to remove the laptop for screening. The laptop compartment is in the middle of the case (obviously to provide padding/protection) and is top loading only. This would take forever. I realize my laptop is big and I would probably never take it on a plane but others might have laptops as big or almost as big that need to travel with their machines.

Be ready to get frustrated at the difficulty you will encounter when minutes count getting through security. For just a good case to protect or store your big laptop, I think this one is great. I would recommend it for that purpose only. Unfortunately, I have not found another large case for my Toshiba...so may have to improvise by getting something even larger that's on wheels in case I ever travel with it on a plane and hope I could find something big enough for the machine but small enough to carry on.

For anything smaller than an 18.4inch, the case is worth the money. I gave it a 5 star rating because it's a quality case and Targus is a good brand.

New ProBlogger Book 2nd Edition Available

2010-05-10T23:06:00.001-07:00

Darren from ProBlogger has just released his 2nd edition book: ProBlogger: Secrets for Blogging Your Way to a Six-Figure Income. I'm sure this is well worth the read for new and experienced bloggers looking to get into blogging or to take their blogging to a whole new level. I haven't read the first edition but this was one of the books that I wanted to read and never got around to, so I'm going to read it this time around.

It's available for $16.95 on Amazon.com

(Yes that is of course a referral link - you know how much I love Amazon's Associates program right?)

My Place Myplace Laptop Table Notebook Workstation

2010-04-25T10:51:00.000-07:00

Perfect for whether you're in bed, on the couch, or just sitting on the floor. I love the 3 heights. You can fold it flat or set it at 2 different heights. Great when paired with Brentwood Poodle Bedrest, Lime for back support. Has a tiny storage compartment under the mouse pad side.

Perfect for storing your mouse when not in use. Also has a convenient light that you can use for lighting up your keyboard. I also love that you can angle the 2 sides up so they are not flat. Very awesome. I have tried many of laptop desks and this is by far the best that i have ever had. Absolutely love it.

I am a senior and find that myplace lap desk works great for my craft projects. Can put all of my supplies on it and move it easily to the side when needed, such as getting the phone. could use a cup holder on it, but then I might never get up . The legs work beautifully, if wanted, can even fold the legs up to use flat. The little lamp is very useful for my tired old eyes. What will they think of next? am sure I will use on it trips for crafts as well as computer. Really is making things easier, love my Myplace. Kay My Place Myplace Laptop Table Notebook Workstation

Women Food and God: An Unexpected Path to Almost Everything

2010-04-10T15:09:00.001-07:00

Growing up my sister stashed Hostess chocolate pies in her dresser drawer when "Ruby called", she would chase me demon-like down the hall after I partook. My aunt used to eat nothing but potatoes, at least 30 pounds a week. My mother would consume an entire Angel food cake then take 6 diet pills and smoke a Lucky Strike afterwards.

My grandma used to look through an entire rack of Twinkies just to purchase the select few with cream splitting the sides. A chick I work with cannot order from a menu, she cannot make up her mind and changes selections seventeen times over while others are pulling hair out of their heads, then she orders a grilled cheese. Another chick I work with had bariatric surgery and looks like a sag and bag Shar Pei, and she brags about it! She had the saline stomach band released temporarily so she could consume more food on a Carnival Cruise.

Matter of fact, most of the duck-shaped women I work with deny food when offered and I never see them eating. And they are always dieting or starting a new fitness routine. If so, then how did they get a butt like a bag of Bisquick? Or that waddle like an old-fashioned pie wagon rolling down the street? Would I be right to think they are eating like horses when they get home? I should be buying stock in corn tortillas, magnesium citrate and glass jars.

What is up with you chicks and your bizarre-freaky-psycho eating habits? I don't get it. Never will. Maybe this book will heal you in an Oprah-like manner. The title scare me to death too, is this chick-humor? Kinda got that Glenn Close/Fatal Attraction feel to it. Compulsive eating? Why don't you compulse over vacuuming the front room? Because the nice little lines in the carpet might remind you of a Triscuit. Whatever works just quit being weird over food. Read this book, change, do something, pretty please.

By the way, my wife read this book and ordered me to the fruit market to buy some fresh figs...guess who farted all night like a Scottish bagpipe convention? The dog even left the room. A man can't win.

This Time Together: Laughter and Reflection

2010-04-10T15:09:00.000-07:00

I've been a lifelong fan of Carol. My first rebellion against my mother was pleading to be allowed to stay up to watch her variety show in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Possibly I was a peculiar child but I rather think that my finding the show so entertaining when I was so little speaks to Carol's talent, quality and class. She is one of those rare comedians that can articulate human foibles well enough to appeal to people of all ages and places. Many skits from that show are funny on the first viewing and equally funny on the hundredth viewing.

This book is a series of stories and anecdotes about the people that she worked with over three decades of actively working in the industry on her television show and specials, plus a few movies. There is nothing shocking or offensive here, just a bit of teasing together with warm regard and high praise. She views her costars and her former husband and family as integral to her success and portrays them accordingly. She's refreshingly humble about her failures, albeit there aren't many of them!

Readers too young to remember Carol as a regular television fixture will still enjoy reading about this period in entertainment. Carol befriended and worked with an impressive list of entertainment icons including Jimmy Stewart, Cary Grant and Lucille Ball among others. Television still had vaudevillian elements then although shows were rarely broadcast live. The space for improvisation and responding to audiences has since been completely engineered out, and these stories about working more spontaneously are really funny. There is the added benefit of exposure to an elegant, refined, gracious, talented and genuinely kind lady. Carol Burnett is truly a star.

Garmin Forerunner 305 GPS Receiver With Heart Rate Monitor

2010-04-09T08:24:00.000-07:00

I stopped using this device altogether because it can't locate GPS satellites where I start my runs in New York City (Midtown Manhattan) due to the tall buildings.

I often found myself waiting and worrying about trying to get a satellite location rather than focusing on the actual run.

The included software for reading your GPS data is also antiquated and confusing.

The heart rate monitor function works very well, better than a cheaper Timex model I previously owned. But I'd rather have a standalone HRM with a smaller watch since the GPS doesn't work for me.

I gave it 4 stars over all, because again, the criticisms aren't deal breakers, in day in day out use on actual runs this device shines, it's all the stuff ancillary to the run where garmin needs to work on improvements, like the data anaylsis, drivers, HRM strap update, etc.

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black/Gray)

2010-04-01T14:18:00.000-07:00

The product quality was really nice.
But this didn't fit my 16 inch acer laptop. The max it can take is a 15.4 inch laptop.

I have a Toshiba computer with a 17" screen and dimensions of 14" by 10.5" and it fits in this backpack, but you certainly couldn't fit anything larger. I highly recommend this product. It is well made and has a lot of pockets for organizing your stuff. I plan on using it when I start Law School in the fall because I will need to take my computer everywhere, though I'm not completely sure if there will be quite enough room to hold all of my books in addition to the computer.

This a very nice laptop bad with enough space for additional stuff. It is very well padded and is not a strain to carry the bag on your back for periods of time. I use it with a 15.4" Lenovo and it fits very easily in the bag. Right next to the laptop compartment, there are pouches to keep the charging cables and mouse, etc. There is enough space in the other pouches to carry other accessories also. Its looks are sharp too.

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black/Gray)

2010-03-29T12:44:00.001-07:00

This is a solidly constructed laptop backpack with all the modern acoutrements like water bottle pouch, side pockets, carabiner slot, and iPod organizer. It is also quite comfortable to wear, even after long periods of carting it around (airports and to the client site for me).

The cons are that the backpack has no handle/strap that will slide over your rollerboard handle to make carrying easier. The backpack is not big by any means and I find myself space constrained unlike my previous Targus backpack. Additionally, the zipper frequently jams or gets stuck, causing me unnecessary effort in trying to open the pouches.

One thing I would recommend to any interested buyer is to try this laptop backpack out in person before purchasing.

The New SwissGear Computer Backpack (Red)

2010-03-22T06:14:00.000-07:00

I periodically am able to get computer backpacks for my work computer at work and have for years. The last one that I bought just didn't have the number of pockets and sections that were well organized to fit the items that I carry everyday. Saw this one on Amazon and decided to give it a try, especially at the price! It has

1)a big section at the back for the laptop (built-in padded sleeve with elastic strap to hold it in place),

2)middle section which is very large and has a zippered mesh pocket, 2 dividers that come half way up from the bottom, a "media pocket" which holds my iPod touch in one section and cds/dvds in the larger section,

3)a smaller but very roomy section that contains an organizer pouch with a zipper pocket, cell phone pocket and the usual pen and pencil slots,

4)small section / pocket on the outside on the front toward the top that I use for id badge, keys and smaller items,

5)adjustable straps with cell phone pocket on one side and a slot to hang sunglasses on the other,

6)clip for keys attached to the side of the handle,

7)zippered side pockets at the bottom on each side that should be able to hold 12 oz beverage cans although I have never used them for that.

This is well built and over the last 6 weeks mine has been loaded and hauled around every business day without any problems. One question that I ask people to gauge their satisfaction with something, whether a movie or product, is "would you buy / see / do it again?". My answer to that question on this backpack would be ABSOLUTELY and without hesitation.

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black)

2010-03-17T13:20:00.000-07:00

I recently purchased this laptop bag to carry electronic items for a two week trip out of the country. My wife and I took a week-long cruise of the Caribbean for our wedding and then spent a week in Mexico on our honeymoon. When I first received this bag, I took one look at it and said, "No way this thing will hold everything". It proved me wrong and wrong again as I began loading it up with our travel necessities.

It held my 15-inch laptop with extended battery without a problem. Then I packed in our digital SLR camera with extended zoom lens (which was already packed in its own bulky carrying case)! I added several other components including a Sony PSP in carrying case, iPod touch, cell phone, and various other trinkets we didn't want to check. Everything fit and there was still room to spare!

I was very happy to have all of my expensive items with me during the whole trip and not have to worry about them being rummaged through as a checked bag. I took this with me on several ports of call off the cruise ship and while exploring Mexico (not always with every item of course though). This bag held up perfectly and I can't recommended it enough.

Canon PowerShot SX20IS 12.1MP Digital Camera with 20x Wide Angle Optical Image Stabilized Zoom and 2.5-inch Articulating LCD

2010-03-12T07:09:00.001-08:00

In today's economic atmosphere, it's hard to find a good value for your dollar. I don't know about you, but it seems manufacturers of products and service providers are gradually cutting back here and there, never dropping their prices. It seems we are gradually getting less of something, while constantly paying more. Enter the Canon SX20.

This is where cutbacks stop and value for your dollar goes through the roof. Ten years ago you'd only dream of having a compact still camera that takes quality pictures like this along with pure, crisp, sharp, and great sounding HD video! Easy to use, although a little bulky, it has a solid feel in the hands and takes fantastic telephoto shots! A couple of drawbacks are the continuous photo option which snaps pictures at a measly 1 per second, and the fact that a full users manual in print is not included in the package (however a pdf format on disc is included, and we all have computers nowadays don't we?).

My friends and I used to judge our digital cameras on how well they could take a night shot of the moon. Generally, all we'd get is a bright white spot. With the SX20, you'll be amazed at what the moon can look like! Blow up your shots, and you might even see some inhabitants!

Made in Japan, and as usual a le

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black/Light Gray)

2010-03-11T16:59:00.000-08:00

I took a chance when I ordered this bag here on Amazon and boy did it pay off. I own a Dell Studio 1537 Laptop (15.4 in screen) and was a little worried about the fit of it into this backpack/ bag because the last bag I owned claimed to fit a laptop of my size and it didn't. Turns out, this bag was the perfect solution to my problem. Even though the the laptop fits really snug in its compartment, it's not so bad as to where you cant easily insert and remove it.

The laptop compartment is well padded and even has breathable mesh on the wearers side to ventilate any heat that may be present. Other features include a: mobile phone pocket/ water bottle pockets/ a slot to route headphone cords to an mp3 player so the wearer and listen to their tunes on the go/ multiple organizing slots for pens, pecils, credit cards/ passports/ i.d's/ etc/ even a sunglass holder on one of the straps. Speaking of the straps.

The straps are padded for extra comfort. In adition to all of the named compartments, this bag has multiple slots for any little knick knack or gadget you can think of. If I really wanted to, I could probably carry my laptop, psp, ipod touch, digital camera, all the peripherals, a portable harddrive and still have room for 2 to 3 text books. This bag is a must have for any college student or person with a lot of electronic gadgets on the go.

I would highly recommend this purchase and if for some reason this bag was ruined I'd replace it in a heartbeat.

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Gray/Red)

2010-03-10T02:03:00.000-08:00

When I moved to Portland Oregon I swore I would not join the ranks of backpack toting commuters. I continued to carry my east coast attache/tote bag refusing to succumb. But it wasn't easy carrying my personal coffee cup, my frugal recession busting lunch, my book for reading on the bus, an umbrella in case it rains, a hat in case it doesn't rain and gets cold instead. You get the picture. I struggled but I resisted.

The I visited my tailor to have some sleeves hemmed and she remarked on how much lower my right shoulder was than my left. I gave in and went backpack shopping on Amazon.

I decided to purchase an inexpensive backpack. I wanted one that would hold my laptop on a plane trip, was reflective for walking home from my bus stop in the dark, was not too large, with outside holders for the above mentioned personal coffee cup and umbrella.

This SwissGear Computer Backpack is perfect. It was inexpensive and attractive. It seems pretty well built for the price and holds far more than I expected. I also discovered that walking without fussing with a shoulder bag was more balanced. I started hopping off my bus earlier and walking the rest of the way to work.

If you are looking for a snazzy professional backpacking bag this is not it. But for the average bus or MAX commute, it's great. It's easy to slip the straps on and off and has a neat hand hold on top.

SwissGear Computer Backpack (Red)

2010-03-09T10:09:00.000-08:00

The review is for the latest top of the range SwissGear Computer Backpack (Red)].
The product is good but not upto the mark that we expect from Swissgear. The stitching has loose threads at the ends. The product picture that comes with the product is for SwissGear Computer Backpack (Black) where the organizer pouch is shown as open all the way.

In latest top of the range SwissGear Computer Backpack (Red)] the organizer pouch does not open all the way and it very difficult to get to the pen and pencils stored here. This back pack has excellent quality and finish. Very sturdy and has lots of compartments for storing items. Very light weight and tough exterior.

I'm very happy with the purchase of this backpack. Good quality materials, great price & plenty of room for my laptop and stuff. I would highly recommend this backpack to anyone.

17 Inch Laptop Backpack

2010-02-15T14:35:00.000-08:00

As a teacher at the high school and the community college level, as well as a coach of two sports and father of two, I am on the move quite a bit. I have a lot of papers and books to keep track of and carry around with me in addition to my 15 inch Dell laptop. I went through two backpacks prior to this 17 Inch Laptop Backpack, and they were both cheaply made and had a hard time fitting everything I needed to put into them.

But this 17 Inch Laptop Backpack has been the perfect answer to my issues. It fits more than I could ever need to carry, including my laptop and its accessories. It is well-made and durable, and its adjustable straps make it easy to carry in all weather (I always had a hard time carrying backpacks when I had my winter coat on - an odd problem, but for some reason this pack is easier).

I cannot recommend this pack enough. If you have lots of items to carry along as well as your laptop, this 17 Inch Laptop Backpack is a must. The only thing is that they're selling off so fast that it's almost very hard to get your hands on one these days.

The last time I checked, Amazon had them on sale with free shipping. You can check here to see if they are still running their monthly offer.

I'm very happy I grabbed two when they were very cheap at $39 each. One was for a present for a friend what worked in the laptop industry and the second one is what I now use to move my 17 Inch Laptop around plus all the paper work that needs my attention.

See here for a range of collection in lots of different colors and sizes.