From the Deals Guy
Bob Click
Greater Orlando Computer User Group
From the July 1998 issue of the I/O Port Newsletter
I've been getting feedback that there are better deals on the items than I publish. Better deals in a store, on the web, or wherever. I have no doubt that's true, but remember, I must write this column two months in advance and I work with a promise from the vendor that the special offers will be good when you read it. Since my readers are all over the US and Canada, also urban & rural, I try to keep that in mind. And that they are not all on the World Wide Web either. In fact, more than you think don't even have a working modem. So this column is for everyone, even if they can only order by phone. Many have told me they are not comfortable ordering from the web.
It's my hope that this column is more to readers than just a list of special offers. Most people tell me they don't buy often, they just like to read it. On the other hand I hope they remember the Vendors they read about in the column when they do want something. With that, let's get on with the deals.
The MicroVision items should still be good.
To order any of these products call 1-800-998-4555 or fax your message to Rob Misko at 1-760-438-7781 and mention the name of your user group.
Media Graphics items are still good this month.
Call George Rice at Media Graphics. Phone 1-800-679-6730 (US) or 1-800-598-2037 (US & Canada) and tell him I sent you. Their web site is www. Media-graphics.net.
Imagine my surprise to receive E-mail from Abby Bray at subscriber services for The Word Perfect magazine discount. She reaffirmed that $24.00 for 15 issues is indeed the correct information for user group members. Call 1-800-228-9626 or E-mail them at sub@ivypub.com. I didn't ask how they knew I printed that item but I thank them for the response.
And about the Osborne/McGraw-Hill book discount.
I doubted much would happen because of the bulk ordering, but instead, some of you responded and Sharon Rogan called me to make an additional offer for user groups.
She is offering a 30% discount on both Osborne and McGraw-Hill titles. This discount is actually available even on an individual order but she'd rather somebody in your user group would consolidate the requests into a single order. If you think about it, the shipping on an individual order would eat up the savings so put your orders together. However, with the 30% discount, you could probably put together a smaller order and still save money.
Call Sharon Rogan at 1-800-227-0900 ext. 659 to order or for more information.
Hayes user group offer.
The following is information all registered user groups should have received from Hayes. "Hayes has now added a special offers section to our new electronic catalog with discounted pricing available specifically for members of user groups. Included in this month's special offers are an ACCURA 56K PC Card Modem for $129 (after $40 mail-in rebate) and an ACCURA 56K internal Data/Fax Modem for $89 (after $40 mail-in rebate)." (Not a bad deal if you don't mind rebates)
"Please bookmark the following URL and invite your fellow members to visit this site: http://www.hayes.com/userques.htm and then click on User Group Offers. In addition, Hayes has developed a web site containing the latest information on the new V.90 standard for 56K modems, located at http://www.56Kstandard.com." Now you know as much as I do. Remember that the prices in their offer are AFTER the $40 rebate.
Delorme update.
The Delorme user group specials have been very popular, even the more costly one that includes the GPS receiver. Here is an update I received. Delorme has released an upgrade for the very popular AAA Map'n'Go.
Version 4 offers a new easy-to-use interface and 1998 AAA TourBook information on restaurants, lodgings and campgrounds; points of interest nationwide; a slide show feature that enables users to create a digital photo album of their trip and either attach it to the map to view later, or E-mail it to friends; A collection of fun-filled educational activities to entertain children while traveling; a budget planner to help track expenses on the trip, voice navigation when traveling with a GPS receiver and PalmPilot PDA support which enables users to send routing directions as well as AAA TourBook information to their PalmPilot.
Prices are as follows: AAA Map'n'Go 4.0 - $29.95 each; Tripmate GPS receiver (includes AAA Map'n"Go 4.0) - $139.95 each; PalmPilot Cable - $19.95 each; Tripmate Power Adapter Kit - $39.95 each. Shipping is $5.00 and there is a limit of two per customer for each item. DON'T FORGET to use the Code "LM 124" when ordering.
Fax the order form to 1-800-575-2244 if your President got the forms. If not, call Delorme at 1-800-452-5931 or 1-207-846-7000 to order by voice. Offer expires Sept. 30, 1998. Website is www.delorme.com, as if you hadn't guessed.
Mijenix is back with an upgrade and a new title.
I have Zip Magic, a good program that does a lot more than zip and unzip, but the manual left a lot to be desired. However, each time I called their tech support, I had no waiting and talked to very courteous people.
I wrote up ZipMagic and FreeSpace once and now they have ZipMagic 98. User group members can get ZipMagic 98 or FreeSpace for $25.00 (normally $39.95).
PowerDesk Utilities 98 is a new product. Drag-and-drop files easily with multiple views; fast and easy zipping and unzipping; view files in a flash and convert graphics on-the-fly; find files faster; end E-mail attachment hassles forever; keep your sensitive files from prying eyes; hunt down wasted space; open and save files easier then ever before; keep your folders in tune and up-to-date; quickly access favorite programs and files; and much more.
User group price on PowerDesk Utilities 98 is also $25.00 (normally $39.95). Better yet, you can get all three (FreeSpace/PowerDesk/ZzipMagic98) for $69.95 (normally $119.85. To order, call Mijenix at 1-800-645-3649 or 1-303-245-8000 and mention the column. Shipping is $6.00, not sure about to Canada. Sorry Mac owners, these are Windows only, but you probably don't need these anyway.
FREE E-mail software!!
Yes, until June 30, 1998 you can download Microsoft's "Outlook Express" absolutely free at http://www.microsoft.com/outlook/outlook98/outlook98.asp or you also have the option to order it there on CD for $9.95 + $5 shipping.
I wanted the CD but when I tried to order I kept getting a message about "corrupted data from the client server." I finally found I could order from Microsoft's product ordering desk and get a CD with IE 4.01 and Outlook Express for just $6.95 S&H + sales tax. Persistence paid-off! I called 1-800-426-9400 to get this.
Update on Broderbund specials.
Your President should contact Linda Nelson (UG coordinator) at Broderbund to get the order forms faxed because that is the only way you can order. She was very specific on that. Most of their titles are both Windows and Mac but you should use the proper order form for your platform.
You all know the software so here are the titles: (These are from the PC list) Print Shop Premier Edition 5.0, Win 95 CD only - 22114 - $25.00; Family Tree Maker Deluxe III Win 3.1/95 CD - 65068 - $50.00; Riven, The Sequel to Myst, Win 95 CD - 18221 - $25.00; 3D Home Architect Deluxe, Win 3.1/95 CD - 28821 - $25.00; ClickArt Graphics Workshop, Win 95 CD - 60280 - $15.00; Arthur's Birthday 2.0 by Living Books, Win 3.1/Win 95 CD - 50617 - $15.00; Carmon Sandiego Math Detective, Win 3.1/95 CD - 25701 - $20.00; ClickArt 125,000 Deluxe Image Pak, Win 3.1/95 CD - 60223 - $30.00; This Old House Kitchen & Home Architect, Win 95 CD - 28828 - $40.00; Kid Pix Studio Deluxe, Win 3.1/95 CD - 28537 - $15.00; Warloards III: Reign of Heros, Win 95 CD - 11301 - $20.00; and East Front Campaign CD 1 by TalonSoft, Win 95 CD - 71614 - $15.00.
The Mac list is slightly different (each list has a couple titles the other doesn't have) so get both order-forms for your group. Cheapest S&H is $4.95 or $7.50 2nd day UPS and you need to fax the order form to 1-415-382-4419. If your club doesn't obtain the forms, try writing the product and it's number on a sheet of paper or card with how many, price and shipping fee. Don't forget to include your name, shipping address and your phone in case of problems. To use your plastic, include your credit card number, expiration date and your signature. That should work if you lack the form, although it's iffy. Include the user group ordering code which is 293 (both PC & Mac) to get the discounted price. Offer expires July 31, 1998.
You can also mail the order form or your order information to Broderbund Software Direct, P.O. Box 6125, Novato, CA 94948-6125.
*New from askSam Systems. Listen to this - a THREE FOR FREE special for SurfSaver 1.0 from askSam. The column is full but I had to include this one. SurfSaver 1.0 is called a Searchable Filing Cabinet for your Web Pages. http://www.surfsaver.com is the website.
SurfSaver is especially designed to help anyone using the Internet for research. SurfSaver lets you store web pages directly from your browser into searchable folders. Once saved, you can quickly search and browse these pages even when you're not connected to the Internet. There's more description so visit their website.
The "three for free" deals must be handled by your software reviews person. First, a reviewer downloads a copy of SurfSaver from the website. In the meantime the Reviews Chairperson notifies Bea McKinney (bea@asksam.com) about who is reviewing that software, and then that person E-mails Bea to get the unlocking number to install and review it.
After a SurfSaver review has been published in your user group newsletter or on the website, a copy must be sent to Bea and your user group is eligible to download two more copies that can be used for raffles. Notify Bea who the raffle winners are so they can call her to get the unlocking number for their copy. Three free copies just that easy.
That should be enough for this month. Meet me here next month where I hope to have more "deals" for you. You can fax me at 1-407-382-2781, or email me at dealsguy@mindspring.com.
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Tulsa Computer Society 1/23/99
Don Singleton, President
djs@ionet.net