Intel's new 820 (Camino) chipsets are also controversial at this point. With the introduction of Direct Rambus in three different speeds, 600/700/800 MHz, the 820 will be in two different formats. One supports all three speeds while the other supports only two. They support PC100 SDRAM, but not the more popular PC133 SDRAM, which amounts to a clock-speed mismatch.

Intel is using a new technology called the "Memory Translator Hub" to connect if you are using PC100 SDRAM. What a saga! If I were you, I'd check the net for more information if you are looking into motherboards, or check with knowledgeable people in your user group. There is much more but I'll let you check all that out. Last I heard Intel had the 820 chipset on indefinite hold which leaves many OEM people frustrated.

Still Good

Web4Life internet service (only a one time $149 setup fee), call 1-888-267-1122.

Y2K light humor book by Ingrid Harding - ordering information was inadvertently omitted last month. Single copies are just $3.98 (50% off) + $1.50 S&H US & Canada. Gift pack of 10, $30.00 - $4.00 S&H in US ($6.50 S&H to Canada). Order quantity for fundraisers and get a better discount. Order with check or money order to Porch Publishing, PO Box 158, Magnolia, NJ 08049, or w/credit card, order at www.ing2000.com/discount. Otherwise leave info with voice mail at 609-792-3339 or fax 707-897-2593. This book is informative, but also humorous and easy reading. I enjoyed mine. My apologies to Ingrid, and to my readers, for that blunder. 40 lashes to myself and my proofreader.

Get Better At Windows 98

The book is $24.95 retail in US funds, but you get a 20% discount as user group members. Call 1-800-998-9938 and give the CS rep the code "DSUG" for your discount. They didn't give me the shipping fees. Remember that user group members always get a discount on all O'Reilly books.

Talk is Cheap

Take a look on the Web at http://www.BigZoo.com and see if you aren't impressed. They offer long distance service anywhere in the continental US for 3.9 cents per minute. You read correctly, 3.9 cents per minute. Even the service to other countries is priced right. Looking at the foreign country rates was very interesting.

There may be a 55-cent connection fee from a pay phone, according to their Web site, but that's not bad. I get charged 75 cents each time with my AT&T card, plus a monthly fee. I didn't see any monthly fees for using BigZoo. Check it out. You sign up on the Web and replenish your time using a Visa or Mastercard. You start with amounts as small as $10.00.

Home Automation? Anything You Want

The "Boss" drapery rod control can be added to your existing drapery rod by cutting the cord and splicing in the chain provided. Mine lets me program up to six movements a day with stops wherever I want them. I didn't buy a remote, but one is also available. I have loved mine every since the day I installed it. I bought mine at a CES show. The movement of your drapes each day makes it look like someone is home when you are away. The catalog price for the basic drape controller is $169.95. No "deal," but not that bad.

The phone number for the "Smarthome.com" catalog is 1-800-762-7846. Guess what their Web site is! If nothing else, you'll enjoy the catalog. It sure has a variety of products.

Sheet Music To MIDI File

This fascinated me and I hope many of my musically inclined readers, so I have worked out a deal with Graham Jones, the developer. Go to the Web site http://www.visiv.co.uk/dload.htm. for a better description and to download a 1.1 MB self-extracting fully working evaluation software.

If you like what it does, you can then contact BMT Micro at https://secure.bmtmicro.com/ECommerce-OnSite/48101.html to purchase the registration key for $35.00 (normally $50.00). That URL was created just for this deal. Your registration key will be e-mailed back to you within 24 hours. You then enter the registration key into a box in the program's "help." Since the author is in Scotland, ordering is complicated because of foreign funds, but BMT Micro is a US organization for ordering. More information can be found at http://www.visiv.co.uk. If you desire it on a disk, call BMT Micro at 1-800-414-4268 to order, or if you have problems with this URL.

I have not tried this product myself as yet.

It's The Internet Calling

The board allows you to forward calls to an alternate location and provides accessibility when you're away from the office. The Ezfone Internet Telephony product provides people with the mobile solution for international communications with just the local Internet connection charge.

My box contained two ISA adapter boards w/40 MIPS digital signal processing for audio compression (full duplex audio), two installation disks, two manuals and two phone cords, so both you and the remote party have everything needed. The manual has step-by-step instructions with pictures showing the PnP wizard. You will need dial-up networking, an ISP, Internet TCP/IP connection, 486 or better processor, a free ISA slot, touch-tone telephone, 14.4 Kbps or better modem and Windows 95/98 OS. Use either a touch-tone telephone or a microphone and speaker connected to the Ezfone card.

The called party should be connected to the Internet by previous arrangement. Otherwise, a short call must be made to set up the Ezfone call, or make initial contact. Imagine the savings, especially for International calling. Also works with others using Net Meeting or ICQ.

Discount to user group members is 20% off the $129.00 list. Please order 3-5 at a time with a single shipping address and single payment to avoid S&H. The order should be identified with the user group organization, and referencing the user group discount of 20%. Call CT & R Inc. at 1-408-566-0900 (fax 1-408-566-0909) and talk to Michael Ho to order. Check their Web site www.acscompro.com. If you must order an individual piece, there is a $20 S&H.

Looks like I'm out of space, so meet me here again next month to discuss deals. This column is written to make user group members aware of special pricing and my comments should not be construed to encourage, or discourage, the purchase of products. Bob (The Cheapskate) Click .

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