This morning was the first time I heard an official release date for Windows 7. I’ve been running Windows 7 betas for the past 3 months and it has been far more stable and responsive than Vista was for me. I will definitely be upgrading this one on release day! I have just put in my pre-order at Amazon. I’ll be going with the Ultimate version ($219) since I have a media center PC and I want all the bells and whistles. Really, this is the first time EVER I’ve been excited for a Microsoft launch. Crazy.

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I’ve wanted an HDTV for a long time. We’ve had the same 25″ TV since we got married 9 years ago. I’ve been waiting for a big deal. Well, I think I’ve finally found one! Saturday I was in Wal-Mart and saw that they had a 46″ Visio 1080p for $795. That was the best deal I’ve seen on a 46″ 1080p. I was tempted to buy it, but I generally don’t make impulse buys. It tends to get me in trouble. So when I got home I checked the internet and the best deal I could find for a similar model was $900. Well, I just happened to check again and that same model was now $749 on Newegg! It’s a one day only Memorial day sale. It’s got great reviews from what I’ve seen on Newegg and Amazon. Better yet, I don’t have to pay sales tax or shipping! Thanks, yet again, Newegg!

If you’re reading this on 5/25/2009 you can score the same deal by clicking here.

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Windows 7 Release Candidate is now available. I’ve been using the beta of Windows 7 quite happily for a couple of months now after frustrating ordeals with Vista. The only problem I’ve had with the beta version of Windows 7 is having Windows Explorer crash 3-5 times a day. It hasn’t been a huge deal because it restarts automatically after about 10 seconds. Still, it is enough to consider getting the RC.

So as I generally do before installing a new OS, I took inventory of my installed applications and began backing up documents to an external HD I recently bought. Files are simple enough to back up and restore, but applications are not so easy. They all have to be reinstalled to work right, then there is the issue of tracking down the license codes I’ve purchased for the commercial software. After compiling my list of applications I use, I’m starting to wonder if I really should install the RC, or just wait for the official release as I will likely have to do this all over again.

So here are my apps I currently have installed in alphabetical order (bold items I have commercial licenses for). Sorry, I’m not going to link to all of them. It would take forever.

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I been a Vonage customer for a long time. Just to give you an idea, when we first ordered it, someone from Qwest tried to call my wife to get us to use their long distance plan at 7 cents per minute. My wife told them we had had unlimited long distance to the US and Canada for $25 per month. That started an argument where the salesperson called my wife a liar and said he/she had never heard of Vonage and no companies were offering unlimited long distance. My how things have changed! I must admit, initially it was rocky and I felt like a VOIP pioneer at the time. Now it seems crazy not to use VOIP if you are paying for high speed internet. I know many competitors have cropped up over the years. I’ve tried a couple and cancelled quickly because of various issues. Well, I finally found something I feel may be worthy enough to get me to drop Vonage. It’s ooma.

Basically with ooma you pay a little more up-front for the hardware, but then you get free phone service for life – or as long as they happen to stay in business. And that is the question isn’t it? How are they going to stay in business by only making money on hardware?

After doing some research it seem the hardware used to be $400. Now it is listed at $249 on their website, but can be found even cheaper on Amazon or NewEgg. Many predicted the company to fail, but they have not. Instead they have changed their model just a bit and offer ooma premier for $12.99 per month or $99.99 per year.

Again, critics will say, who is going to pay for premier when they have the choice of free? Well, I’m the type of person that will pay for premier. It’s a no brainer for me!

For a while I had two phone lines with Vonage. I was basically pulling full price for each line – even though I was using the same hardware and there was nothing extra they had to do other than give the second line and activate it. I was paying close to $70 per month for that second line. With ooma premier I get 2 lines for $12.99 per month (or $8.34/mo. if I pay yearly). See, no brainer!

Plus there are a number of additional features that are just worth paying for with premier. For example, a feature I often use with Vonage is simul-ring with allows me to forward my home phone to my cell phone, or my wife’s cell phone when we are expecting a call and need to go out. This is available only with ooma premier. Also, there is voicemail forwarding. I get all my voicemails in my email inbox. Again, this is a nice feature to have that is only available with premier. So, for me, the switch is obvious, and the cost for the hardware and premier package are definitely worthy of the price. I’m essentially getting twice as much for a quarter of the price!

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So I’ve recently been called in my ward as the emergency preparedness specialist. In our neighborhood we a divided up into blocks with block captains. In the event of an emergency, each block captain will have a set of 2 way radios for communication. I’m not a block captain, but thought it might would be a good idea to have some 2 way radios on hand for emergency anyway. Plus, they can come in handy for camping trips (and maybe even shopping trips, hehe)

Knowing nothing about them, other than hearing someone who uses them frequently and owning several of them say "only get Motorola" I went off to Amazon. I decided on the EM1000R model. It was the second highest seller in the category (first highest Motorola) and the only ones with a 5 star review (granted there are only 5 reviews so far).

What I like about them is that they have a charger stand and can use rechargeable NIMH batteries, or 3 AAA Alkaline batteries. So I can keep them charged all the time and store some AAA batteries for emergencies. I’m ordering today. If I don’t post an update free free to drop me a line once I get them if you want to know more as I learn more.

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You’ve all heard the horror stories. You go to boot up you computer, nothing happens… perhaps you hear a click… click… click…

This actually happened to me a couple years ago. Luckily my hard drive started working again just long enough for me to get a back-up before replacing it.

I recently heard of an acquaintance that had this happen to them. It reminded me of how vulnerable I am. I have no back-up plan!

I do however have a plan now. I’m signing up for mozy. Yeah, I’ve heard about about the great claims with Carbonite from all the radio shows (Rush, Dr. Laura, etc. etc.). We’ve even used Carbonite at work. I think its great, but when I did a search to see what other players are out there, I found mozy.

Why mozy?

I recognized their name. There are here it Utah. A couple years ago they sponsored a coding competition with a cash prize of $10,000. It was basically a recruiting effort to expose some of the best local talent.

But it is not just name recognition alone. I’ve done my homework and they are the real deal. Check out these videos:

So what are you waiting for? Get backing up! You’ll thank yourself someday. It’s only $4.95 for unlimited storage. If you can’t afford it, start with the free plan and back up your most important 2 GB (like your My Documents folder)

Mozy Online Backup. 2GB Free or $4.95/mo for Unlimited Backup. It’s simple, automatic and secure!

Oh, and one tip… If you are going to sign up for unlimited and decide to pay for a 1 year or 2 year plan, save 10% by entering “AUGUST” in the promo code (good until the end of August obviously!).

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UPDATE: Since writing this post, Amazon has increased their price to $169.99, but the coupon below still works so you can get it shipped for $149.99.

So I have a small business. After meeting with my accountant last night I determined I really could make my life easier by using Quickbooks. I’ve tried the free version and it’s crap. So I figured I’d bite the bullet and shell out $200 for the pro version. Yeah, my business is growing, I guess it makes sense.

But being the budget conscious guy that I am, I figured I’d search the net for a better deal. I was nearly ready to head over to Costco to buy it for $150 plus tax, but after some further research I found a way to get it for $129.99 – no tax, no shipping. Better yet, it’s from Amazon so you know its the real deal.

It’s simple really. Amazon has it listed for $149.99. After adding it to your cart, and before you checkout, add coupon code UPINR5SC

Click Here To Order QuickBooks Pro 2008

Caution: Don’t delay if want this deal. The coupon expires Feb 15th.

Note: It works. I’ve done it. See screen shots below.

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At Buy.com they are offering a Kingston 1GB microSD Secure Digital Card for only $10 and free shipping. That’s a sweet enough offer in and of itself, but there is a way to get it free.

If you have never bought anything from Buy.com using Google Checkout, they offer $10 your order for doing so. So that’s basically all there is to it. Buy the card with Google Checkout and its free.

So what are you waiting for. This deals going to be gone by the end of the day!

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Ok, this is for all you nerdy dorks out there! Now you can get your flash drives personalized. Better yet, you can get their personalized for your significant other. What says “I love you” more that a flash [drive]?

Be different. Pexagontech.com is offering incredible deals on personalized flash drives with FREE laser engraving. There are no order minimums so you can get just one drive engraved for your wife or girlfriend to carry around her music files. Or perhaps get a thumb drive for each of your daughters so they can tote around their schoolwork on a keychain. How about that one special teacher who would love a personalized portable drive for work and play? Forget the flowers, what that special someone really wants this year is her very own, personalized thumb drive!

Again, there are NO order minimums and absolutely NO setup charge. Custom laser engraving from pexagontech.com is FREE on all Store-It Thumb Drives!

512MB, 1GB, 2GB or 4GB of portable storage in an ultra-small, Hi-Speed USB flash drive now available in your choice of 14 exciting colors! Durable, aluminum design with free custom laser engraving!

Store-It Thumb Drives allow you to take your important information and personal data with you wherever you go. Store your digital photos, music files, business documents, and more on an ultra-smaill, Hi-Speed USB flash drive. Easily access and transfer files between multiple computers. Includes security software to password protect your sensitive information.

Current online specials: 512MB Thumb Drive (any color) for $14.99 with FREE laser engraving. 1GB Thumb Drive (any color) for $18.99 with FREE laser engraving. 2GB Thumb Drive (any color) for $37.99 with FREE laser engraving. 4GB Thumb Drive (any color) for $69.99 with FREE laser engraving.

UPDATE: Since I first posted this, the price has dropped! This could make a great stocking stuffer – especially for those in school or college. Personalize their thumb drive by laser engraving their name on it!

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In the winter, the air can get very dry. I don’t know if it is true in various parts of the country, but it is certainly true here in Utah, where the climate is very dry as it is. This will often lead to extra dry skin and lips, and sore throats. But funny enough, what I hate most is all the static that builds up when I take off my clothes at night! Being the hairy man I am, It seems like I’m in the midst of an electrical storm when I take off a t-shirt!I’ve found a way to sooth the effects of the dry air. It’s simple enough. I use a humidifier. My wife prefers the hot air humidifier, and I prefer the cold. We used to argue about it often, then I asked my doctor and he said they essentially do the same thing and it doesn’t really matter which you use. If you don’t know of the different types of humidifiers available, I suggest checking out the complete guide to buying a house humidifier.

If your as cheap as I am, just buy the cheapest model at Wal-Mart, the plan on replacing it every year or so. One day, I think I will have one built in to our central air, which I hear is really nice.

(This was a sponsored post)

Humidifiers at eBay

[tags]humidifiers, dry air[/tags]

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