Issue 4, 8-23-03

FOR DELL'S CURRENT DEALS, CLICK HERE TO GO TO OUR DELL PAGE!

ISSUE 4, August 23, 2003

Ok, ok. So I need to keep this more current. For those new to the newsletter, the purpose of the newsletter is to provide you with information that you may find helpful regarding your computer. How to make it perform better, upgrade it, buy a new one. It's also a way for you to find out about opportunities that you may not be aware of. Every recipient of this newsletter has asked a question via email, or is one of my local clients. People who just use my site are NOT tracked by me in any way, even if they make a purchase through one of the links I provide.

Since the last newsletter in March, big things have happened for the Opportunities site. We were approved as an affiliate of Dell's Small Business site, which means that now we can provide you with the best deals that Dell has to offer - whether via the Home or Small Business sites. Our Buy A Dell Page has the latest Dell deals from these two sites including exclusive affiliate-only deals that you won't find by going direct to Dell. Why would you want to use the Small Business site instead of the Home site? Because very often systems configured on this site are less expensive than the Dell Home site. The disadvantage is that in some states you will pay sales tax where you might not on Dell Home. Unsure of which site to use? Send me an email and let me know your state - I'll tell you about the tax implications. As with every site mentioned on our pages, you pay nothing extra to use these links - in fact, in many cases you pay less as you become aware of deals that the general public is unaware of.

Our newsletters have addressed things like antivirus software, Scandisk and Defrag, accepting downloads, keeping current with Windows Update and Office Update, Restore Points, Backup, Firewalls, patience in diagnosing issues, removing Spyware, and of course Opportunities to save money. If you don't remember those topics, all three newsletters are online on my site, go read them again. As of the January newsletter, I had helped over 6,000 people on DellTalk. With this newsletter I'm happy to report that we've surpassed 12,300 (2,000 just since 6/1) posts! And our site has had over 11,400 visitors (3,200 since 6/1). Wow!

What's hot now?

Shortly I will be launching an entire new site! This site will have a real domain name (no more mywebpages.comcast.net....). I'm doing this for several reasons:

Inadequate uptime from Comcast - too many issues of site being down and no explanation.

Easier updating on a domain that supports FrontPage.

New structure - hopefully easier to use.

I'll be emailing my growing list with the new address when it's launched, so stay tuned!

AMAZON KEEPS DOING IT! - In January Amazon had a great price on SystemWorks 2003 which allowed people to upgrade their Norton Antivirus, and get all the other SystemWorks components, for only $2.99 after rebate! Check often for deals that you can't believe. SystemWorks 2003 includes the following Symantec programs - Norton Antivirus, Norton Utilities, Norton CleanSweep, and GoBack Personal Edition by Roxio. You say you only need Antivirus? Well, you can't renew with Symantec for less than $10, usually more. So this is a great deal with extras! You say your subscription lasts another four months? Buy this now and wait to install it! Click here for my Amazon page. Note that Dell replaced Norton Antivirus with McAfee earlier this year - and McAfee pre-installed software does NOT qualify for any Symantec upgrades. Other Amazon deals include Microsoft Office XP Standard (Word, Excel, Outlook, PowerPoint) for Students and Teachers for $99.99 and Easy CD and DVD Creator Platinum 6.0 for $39.99 (wow). Remember to bookmark my AMAZON page for all your Amazon purchases.

Dell is always running deals. Click here for Special Offers on DELL Computers. Content constantly changes. And when you think of your next purchase, think of me! I also offer configuration assistance on your pending purchase that is guaranteed to save you money. I review the configuration, send you proposed changes. You agree to buy it via my site, and we split any savings 50/50. So if I find you $100, you save $50, pay me $50 for my expertise, and get a better configuration!

Computer memory has recently dropped more in price, the lowest it's been in a long time (except for RDRAM)! Now's a great time to add Crucial memory to your computer. Click here for Crucial's Memory Configurator. Delivery is lightning fast, FREE 2nd day Fedex for most orders! For those outside the US, Crucial has one site to ship to the US, the rest of North America, South America, Asia and Australia, and a separate site (see my Memory Overseas page for UK, Europe, the Middle East, and Africa). And for those of you with RDRAM, visit my RDRAM page. You can get decent deals from Googlegear.

Academic Superstore is a site where you can get big discounts on software if you're a student or have a student in your house. My 10th grader's student id qualified us, I bought Adobe Acrobat for $57.95 a few months ago! It sells for $216.99 at Amazon! Click here to checkout great software deals!

Netflix is a great deal for people that like to watch DVDs. It's designed for the couch potatoes of the world, and it's an ecologically sensitive way to help the world :). For $19.95 per month you can rent UNLIMITED DVDs (three at a time) and keep them for as long as you want! No shipping charges! Watch the DVD, drop it in the mail. When they get it (1-3 days) they immediately mail you back the next DVD on your list. If you watch two movies per weekend per month, it works out to $2.30 per movie. Watch 3 and it drops to $1.53. And the best thing is that you don't need to go drive anywhere... Visit my CDs, DVDs, and Movies page.

CompUSA isn't a new name. It's a great source for competitive prices to upgrade your system. CompUSA has unbelievable prices on hard drives!

Site Support

I've been asked by some of you how I can provide the site and the personal responses to hundreds of people each month. One of the ways that I cover my costs is by your usage of my website. There are lots of sites you can visit from my site, and if you make a purchase the small (sometimes very small) commission that I receive goes towards the upkeep of the site. This costs you nothing extra versus you going directly to the site, and still qualifies you for any promotions, discounts, or coupons that the site may be offering. New sites are being added everyday - and if you don't see a site that you want - let me know and I'll see if I can add it. For other ideas to support the site, click on support the site. They are all painless! I've also add a testimonials page with feedback that comes from people like you, all over the world.

Thank you for using my site.

Rick

P.S. More Great Offers!

Visit my site for links to Amazon, Dell, Crucial, Sharper Image, eBay, Verizon Wireless and many, many other stores. Links added daily! Don't see a site that you want? Send me an email and I'll look into adding it.