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Dirty Rotten Scoundrels

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 02:51:29 +0000

“Verify which DVD edition you are buying!” DIRTY ROTTEN SCOUNDRELS is a great comedy. Martin & Caine have terrific on-screen chemistry and their performances in this film can still reduce me to a squalking, teary-eyed viewer. Terrific pacing keeps this movie buoyant at all times, even as the movie approaches its 20th anniversary.

There are two DVD editions. The first was from Orion/Image. It was a “no-frills” release, containing the movie only. Mercifully, that version is out of print although I have seen some unscrupulous sellers hyping that fact as a selling point. Don’t be fooled.

Get the current edition on MGM DVD. Watch out for similar cover artwork. The current MGM offering has Martin & Caine standing in front of palm trees. (The no-frills disc has them standing in front of a bunch of beach umbrellas.)

With the current edition, you will enjoy an anamorphic widescreen transfer (better image quality than standard letterboxing). They are also including the original teaser trailer which brillia…

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Product Description

Two competing con men are out to extract $50,000 from a sweet American heiress.
Genre: Feature Film-Comedy
Rating: PG
Release Date: 6-MAY-2003
Media Type: DVD

Freddy Benson (Steve Martin) is a crass, loud American. Laurence Jameson (Michael Caine) is a suave, urbane European. Their common ground is that they both are confidence men, and they meet in a train compartment as Benson is scamming his way across Europe, taking advantage of women’s generosity. The two are forced into a rivalry, which culminates in a wager to see who can be the first to bilk $50,000 out of American heiress Janet Colgate (Glenne Headly). Their game of one-upmanship is, of course, brought to ridiculous heights as things progress. Written by Paul Henning (the mind behind such TV shows as Green Acres and The Beverly Hillbillies), Dirty Rotten Scoundrels is an uneven but funny mix of Martin’s physical comedy and Caine’s oily charms. Martin’s first role as cohort is to assume the persona of Ruprecht, the “special” younger brother intended to scare off potential brides. As Ruprecht, he comes off as a cross between The Andy Griffith Show’s Ernest T. Bass and Jerry Lewis; hilarious as it is, it doesn’t quite fit with the rest of the film. Once the wager is on, though, Martin slips into his overly earnest mode as an American military man suffering from hysterical paralysis, with Caine as a psychologist who takes on his case. All in all, Dirty Rotten Scoundrels (a loose remake of the 1964 film Bedtime Story with David Niven and Marlon Brando) is a droll, intelligent comedy, short on knee slappers but long on comic situations and characterizations. –Jerry Renshaw

In A Word: Hilarious!
I really don’t watch this movie often enough. The few times I’ve seen it over the years provide superior entertainment, but it’s a film I seem to forget about. That shouldn’t be the case: it’s a terrific movie.

I’ve never met anyone who did NOT like this film. It seems to appeal to a lot of people, young and old. The three leads – Steve Martin, Michael Caine and Glenn Headley – were all in top form, on top of their “game,” so to speak.

Martin’s facial expressions and physical humor are terrific and Caine played his part magnificently, too. I enjoy Caine much more in here than Martin (and in most films) but Steve seems to have the funniest moments in this movie. At any rate, both are superb as antagonists “Lawrence Jamison” (Caine) and “Freddie Benson” (Martin). The two men have the talent to pull off slapstick as well as subtle comedy. Headley, as “Janet Colgate,” meanwhile, is a joy to watch and to listen to, with that sweet voice of hers. I can’t say more about her without giving away too much but she is not only the objection of attention in the movie, but the key character. These three combine for almost a laugh-a-minute.

This also is a good example of how to make a modern-day comedy without all the sleaze and profanity. It’s highly recommended.

…more info

Great
Great humor, great plot, great characters – and all that without a single politically correct four-letter word that tough good guys are supposed to use in the movies to give the story a deeper meaning. What a lucky break….more info

Simply the Best!
This movie has all the classic elements – setting (French Riviera), actors (Martin and Caine), plot (twists galore), sohistication (how to really put one over on the rich) and COMEDY (oh, so many levels). Martin and Caine play so well together it is entertainment at its best!

We never tire of watching this movie again. It will always produce a lot of laughs. The characters are rich and polished, each in their own unique way.

Highly recommended as an antidote to depression!…more info

The Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word

admin — Wed, 06 Oct 2010 00:05:30 +0000

“Awesome Tool” This is a wonderful little book my husband and I are using to help encourage us in our walk with God. As we battle spiritually the enemy, this book helps give us practical verses to cling to from the Bible to help in our feelings so we can claim and SPEAK the Word of God outloud.

I like in the beginning of her book where she says the Bible is a double edged sword: one edge cuts the enemy and the other cuts open the blessings of heaven. What a neat illustration.

I’m finding in my daily walk those verses very helpful for the often tough situations I am in. It helps me in my faith. God bless Mrs. Meyer.

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Oprah’s latest Book Club pick is The Pilot’s Wife by Anita Shreve-an engrossing thriller woven between the pages of a stirring meditation on love and betrayal. With one late-night knock on her door, Kathryn Lyons’s worst fears as a pilot’s wife come true: Her husband, Jack, has died in a mid-air explosion off the coast of Ireland. Later, a phone number found among Jack’s papers leads Kathryn to London and the unfathomable truth about her husband’s secret other life. A second wife and two young children are just the beginning of what Jack was hiding in England. With each staggering revelation, Kathryn must reconcile her memories of the man she loved with the disturbing portrait unfolding before her.

Awesome
This is an awesome, handy little book. I would recommend this for anyone with faith wanting God to work in their lives with the power of his word. Well done….more info

LIFE CHANGING!
I am a Christian and have been most of my life. I have read the Bible off and on but ever since I have picked up this book I have been encouraged to pick up the Bible much more often! I have had this book for 8 days and I am amazed at the changes in myself and my family because of reading the Word outloud. It’s a great springboard to start reading the Bible if you’ve not seen changes before. I more than highly recommend it!…more info

Awesome!
This is exactly the book I was looking for! Received promptly and just as described! Highly recommend!…more info

Review of Secret Power of Speaking God’s Word
This book is excellent. It has many Bible scriptures on several subjects, any of which you may be dealing with at a particular time. Often, the scriptures are written in the first person so that that you can personalize them and make them daily confessions. For those of us that believe that speaking God’s word is necessary, and is the essence of prayer, this book gives us quick access to spiritual nuggets in every imaginable area. It is a “God send,” literally….more info

Gerber 22-47161 Fast Draw Spring Assisted Opening Stainless Steel Serrated Knife

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 23:58:30 +0000

“gerber fast draw knife” Very solid. Spring assisted so the blade snaps open like a switchbade. You open by using thumb or index finger. Once you get the hang of the best way to open it, you can snap it open very easily.

It also has a lock on the handle. So, you can lock it closed very easily. You use the same button to unlock it to close it. So, it locks automatically when opened, then you unlock it to close.

The blade is very sharp and having the serrated section is really nice. It is very solid overall and feels like a quality knife. It is also very light.

It has a clip built into the handle also.

For this price, I was very surprised how nice this was. For a daily use pocket knife you cant beat it.

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Product Description

GERBER Fast Draw Assisted Open Serrated Edge in Clam Pack F.A.S.T. Forward Action Spring Technology. A revolutionary new blade-opening mechanism developed and patented by custom Oregon knife maker Butch Vallotton and available exclusively from Gerber. The surgical stainless steel blade of the Fast Draw folding knife deploys quickly and easily with one hand allowing it to spring into action. The pocket clip keeps it close. Ready to draw. FAST. Overall Length: 7.13″ Closed Length: 4.17″ Blade Length: 2.99″ Weight: 3.6oz Mfg No: 22-47161 Manufacturer: Gerber Blades Warranty: All of Gerber products have a limited lifetime warranty.

Whether you’re finishing up a weekend project in the garage or heading up a mountain rescue operation, Gerber’s Serrated FAST Draw 22-47161 Folding Knife is ready to help you take on the challenge. Strong yet lightweight, this fun and easy-to-use knife features the patented F.A.S.T. blade opening technology that is pleasingly easy to open with just one hand.

The Gerber FAST Draw 22-47161 Folding Knife offers:

A 2.99-inch serrated, drop-point blade
Strong, high-carbon stainless steel
F.A.S.T. spring assisted opening
A durable, glass-filled nylon handle

The FAST Draw knife is durable, lightweight, and reliable. View larger.

View larger.

Innovative Technology for Quick, Reliable Deployment
The FAST Draw relies on Forward Action Spring Technology, or F.A.S.T., that was designed exclusively for Gerber and patented by famed Oregon knife maker Butch Vallotton. Butch is known as “Mr. Mechanism” in the custom-knife world, a tribute to his unique designs and exceptional understanding of opening and locking mechanisms. This new, proprietary blade opening concept means that you can deploy your knife quickly and easily using just one hand.

Of course, when a job calls for more deliberate actions, you can also open this knife in the traditional way, using the thumb stud. This is the closest you can get to a street legal switch-blade.

Convenient, Safe, and Dependable Over Time
A sharp knife is not only more useful than a dull knife, it’s also safer to use. With a strong, sharp blade, you can make the cuts you want quickly and efficiently. That’s why Gerber uses a high-carbon stainless steel blade on the FAST Draw. This large, 2.99-inch blade offers a serrated cutting surface that is perfect for tough jobs like rope and scaling fish. FAST Draw is the first in a series of knives utilizing “Fast Technonogy.” Others include the Mini-Fast, Draw, Aluminum Presto 2.5, 3.0, 3.5, Vallotton, PR2.5 and PR3.0, Convert Fast, Mini Convert Fast, Answer 3.25, Tanto and Drop Point F.A.S.T.

This drop point blade, which is stronger than the clip-point style blades used on many pocket knives, fits neatly in the handle when not in use, so you don’t have to worry about damaging it or hurting yourself.

The knife is precisely balanced to sit comfortably in your hand and features a glass-filled nylon handle for strength and durability. Texturing on the handle surface ensures a secure grip for improved control.

At just 3.6 ounces, the slim FAST Draw knife is light enough to take with you anywhere. And with the included sturdy pocket clip, you always know right where your knife is.

Gerber’s History of Ingenuity
Savvy. Moxie. Craftsmanship. Attention to detail. These are just a few of the company traits that contributed to Gerber’s emergence as a world leader in outdoor gear. Joseph Gerber started Portland, Oregon’s Gerber Advertising back in 1910, and one Christmas, he hired a local knife-maker to craft 25 sets of kitchen cutlery as client gifts. The knives were so popular, Mr. Gerber ultimately left his agency to launch Gerber Legendary Blades in 1939.

For more than half a century, Gerber Legendary Blades has been helping people fend for themselves. Gerber designs popular, dependable tools and knives along with other outdoor gear that helps users accomplish whatever tasks they may be faced with, promoting the lost art of self-reliance.

What’s in the Box
Serrated FAST Draw Folding Knife.

Features:

Overall Length 7.13″, Close Length 4.17″, Blade Length 2.99″, Weight 3.6 oz.
Tactile texturing on nylon handle
High carbon surgical stainless steel blade
Fast Draw folding knife deploys quickly and easily with one hand.
Sturdy pocket clip keeps it close.

not the best or worse
I love gerber knives but this model has a very small and slippery handle. The thumb notch on the back is waaaaaaaaay to smooth. Is seems to be made more for looks than use. …more info

Tonight: Franz Ferdinand

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 21:00:39 +0000

“The Brilliant Enigma that is Franz Ferdinand” Trying to describe FF’s music is like trying to describe the expression on the face of the Mona Lisa. Their inscrutability is part of their charm. It’s a rock sound, but not in the traditional sense. It’s pop, but heavier than most. You can dance to it, but it goes deeper than that. Their 3 albums, while retaining a consistency of sound, represent a process of evolution. The second one was a smooth but noticeable maturity over the first. This third one takes it all further.

Takes what further? Well, that’s what is hard to explain. Lyrically, their songs are what they always have been: urbane, playful, clever and sly. There are insinuations and innuendos, frequently sexual, in many lines, but it’s hard to pin down their exact meaning. For instance, in “No You Girls” there’s “kiss me where your eye won’t meet me”. What, exactly, is meant by that? In “Live Alone” the singer says “Wherever you are, I’ll be wishing I could be there”, then mentions a NYC taxi driver …

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Best One Yet!
Another amazing album from an amazing band.

This is a solid album. There are 3 standouts on this album though, “Ulysses”, “You Girls Never Know” and “Lucid Dreams”. Lucid Dreams melted my face off. I can’t help but compare them to the Beatles after listening to this album.

…more info

Let’s Get High
After listening to Tonight: Franz Ferdinand for a week or so now, I’m really getting high on this new record. Man, thank God there’s still a rock and roll band out there that’s still dedicated to making great sounding, clever, and risky songs with cool lyrics. Love the synths on this record and consider that a brilliant incorporation into the songs. I’d say Tonight is a bit more progressive than the previous two albums and that is a good thing. Better than regressive and boring.

Tonight is an absolutely sensational rock record. Get it. Get it Tonight….more info

This is the best CD released this year!
It’s a very groovy release, full of really catchy and danceable tracks. Even more so than their last offering. I wouldn’t pay attention to any review that gave this album less than 4 stars …more info

Warhammer 40,000 Dawn of War Game of the Year

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:13:29 +0000

“In the future there is only war…and Dawn of War sure captures it” Relic has done something which many Games Workshop fans have been wishing for all these many long years. They finally took the Warhammer 40,000 franchise, with its rich and detailed history and background, and turned it into a fun and rich RTS. Dawn of War brings to the RTS genre of gaming new innovations which gives the game a unique look in terms of gameplay. Relic really brought the grim future of Warhammer 40k and it truly nothing but war.

Dawn of War uses many of the basic concepts of past real-time strategy games like Starcraft (in my opinion a knock-off of Warhammer 40k), Warcraft, Age of Empires and a multitude of RTS clones. The game allows a player to pick from four different races for multiplayer. These races are the bread and butter of the Warhammer 40k mythos. There’s the Space Marines of the Imperium who are the humans (genetically-enhanced superhumans) in the game with the Eldar taking the role of the elves if this games was based in a high-fantasy setting. Th…

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Warhammer 40,000: Dawn of War Game Of The Year Edition brings the world’s most popular tabletop strategy game to your PC, with new action and intense gameplay. It’s been 10,000 years since the human race expanded into the stars, and the galaxy burns with the fires of war. After a peaceful golden age, chaos and treachery brought down the human empires. Mankind must now defend itself from ancient enemies, and their goal is complete and total extermination. Control one of four unique races in head-to-head or cooperative multiplayer action, where faith, skill, and strategy are requisites in ruling the universe.

Features:

Real-time strategy game based on the popular table-top war game
Vie for the survival of mankind or its ultimate destruction
Control 1 of 4 unique races
Improved resource model makes it easier to focus on frontline action
Single player campaigns; Multiplayer for up to 8 via LAN or Internet

Dawn of War
Having played the tabletop strategy game that this is based on, I find that dawn of war is a great pc game. I would recommend buying this game for anyone who finds a interest in science -fiction futuristic setting or futurisric gameplay. There are multiple Races you can play as, such as the fast and agile eldar, whose arrogance is only matched by there firepower, or the space marines, chosen of the immortal emperor to know no fear and fight for the purity and sanctity of the imperium, or the xenos scum known as the orcs, who rely on the driving spirit of th waghhh!!! to propel themselves into space and plague the holy worlds of the emperor. dawn of war is a great game and if you want to know any back round on the game jusy go to http://us.games-workshop.com/games/40K/spacemarines/default.htm

just copy and pate this….more info

One of the best Strategy Game Ever
I’ve never played a strategy game like this. Intense fighting and music to boot. …more info

Like playing RTS for the first time
I am very pleased with Warhammer Dawn of War. I’ve played many RTS games, but this is possibly the best. The graphics are good, the units available to you are great, and the storyline is very compelling. If you’re looking for something new, I would suggest trying this game. You will love it.

“For the Emperor!”…more info

Real Murders: An Aurora Teagarden Mystery

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 20:02:30 +0000

“Murders that resemble old murder cases” Aurora “Roe” Teagarden is a librarian. She doesn’t have much of a social life. Once a month on Friday she meets her fellow murder mystery enthusiasts, and they discuss a real murder. This Friday it’s Roe’s turn to present the case of Wallace. She spent hours preparing and arrives early to the community center to make sure everything is ready. She can’t find the woman who unlocked the building and set up. When she does find her, she wishes she hadn’t. She’d been murdered in a similar way to Wallace’s case.

Soon it is apparent that someone is taking things too far. Others begin dying in ways similar to murders of past. Who is doing it and why? Can Roe help ferret out the killer without becoming the next victim?

I have never read anything by this author. I loved Roe. I can’t wait to read more! I thought the plot was well written and the characters were interesting. I had trouble putting down the book between readings. There were plenty of suspects and t…

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Brilliantly repackaged as only Prime Crime can — the first book in the New York Times bestselling author’s popular Aurora Teagarden mystery series. Though a small town at heart, Lawrenceton, Georgia, has its dark side and crime buffs. One of whom is librarian Aurora “Roe” Teagarden, a member of the Real Murders Club, which meets once a month to analyze famous cases. It’s a harmless pastime until the night she finds a member killed in a manner that eerily resembles the crime the club was about to discuss. And as other brutal “copycat” killings follow, Roe will have to uncover the person behind the terrifying game, one that casts all the members of Real Murders, herself included, as prime suspects, or potential victims.

Fun, fast read
If you’re looking for a cozy mystery, Aurora Teagarden will hit the spot. The book is light enough to make for a quick read, but suspenseful enough to keep you sucked in. Highly recommended for mystery fans. Don’t expect any paranormal here, though, or you’ll be disappointed – that’s another series….more info

Aurora Teagarden — book one
This is the first book of the Aurora Teagarden series. Aurora, known as Roe to her friends, is a 28 year old librarian in the small Georgia town in which she was raised. She belongs to a group called “Real Murders” that meets monthly to discuss famous murders. Things get too real, though, when one of the members is found murdered at the monthly meeting. Hence begins a series of murders in their small town, with the victims and the settings staged to replicate a famous murder.

The members and the police know if is probably a member of the group, but which one? This is a great introduction to the series and the folks of Roe’s town. I just read this one, after reading all of the rest. Unlike a lot of series, the Roe’s friends and townspeople recur in the other books.

This is an amusing, southern cozy and I recommend it for a relaxing read….more info

very generic
I’ve read several of Harris’s other books, and while the mystery here was at least good enough for me to finish the book, I was disappointed. It was just very generic. And the ending made no sense at all—no motive is ever explained, and the perfectly normal people who turn out to be the killers suddenly descend into raving lunacy in the last few pages. It just didn’t fit. The murders themselves are absurd, but at least interesting, and I could have done that if the whole series packed more of a punch than it does. My response after putting the book down: meh….more info

HP EX485 MediaSmart Home Server

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 18:43:36 +0000

“HP 485 Home Server” Easy to get up and running for backups and streaming but some of the software is tricky to set up. Also, the online manual is not very deep.

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Product Description

Want to automatically back up and protect your digital photos, centralize your media and content for sharing with friends and family, and enjoy whether you’re at home or away? You want HP MediaSmart Server EX485.

Automatically back up and protect your digital memories, centralize your media and content for sharing with friends and family, and enjoy your digital media while at home or away with the HP EX485 MediaSmart Home Server. Based on the Microsoft Windows Home Server platform, this sleek, quiet server is ideal if you have multiple PCs on a home network, or want the flexibility to enjoy your digital experiences from anywhere over the Internet. And it’s easy to set up–just plug it in, connect it to your wireless router (sold separately), and load the software onto your PCs and Macs.

The HP EX485 makes backing up your home’s PCs and streaming media a breeze, and it comes with 750 GB of storage.

Centralize your iTunes music libraries on the MediaSmart Server for playback to any networked Mac or PC running iTunes. The HP Media Collector conveniently schedules the MediaSmart Server to copy and centralize digital files and libraries from networked PCs. The pre-installed HP Photo Publisher software enables you to easily upload photos to Facebook, Flickr, Picasa Web Albums and Snapfish. and the MediaSmart Server provides peace of mind with effortless backups of your Windows-based PCs via the Windows Home Server backup feature and Macs running Leopard using Apple Time Machine software.

The EX485 MediaSmart comes with 750 GB of storage right out of the box and four drive bays that allow you to add optional off-the-shelf SATA I or II hard drives–up to a maximum capacity of 9 TB (terabytes). Additionally, the MediaSmart includes four USB 2.0 ports and one eSATA port for connecting an attached external hard drive, and it provides capabilities for offsite backup via automatic upload to Amazon’s S3 service.

The sleek, streamlined micro-tower design is perfect for use in the home office or the living room, with perforated steel exterior panels that provide cool, quiet operation. A Sleep Mode conserves energy and saves you money in more ways than one. The built-in sleep mode consumes only 1W of power, and the server can take on many of your PC’s responsibilities, enabling you to turn off your individual computers to further save energy and money.

Software Features

Operating System: Powered by Windows Home Server, a new software solution from Microsoft for storing, accessing, sharing and automatically protecting digital files.
HP Control Center: The HP MediaSmart software that sits on top of the Windows Home Server software making access to tasks easier. Users with administrative access privileges can access the Windows Home Server Console from the HP Control Center.
Windows Home Server Console: Software accessed from the HP Control Center to manage your HP MediaSmart Server. Software includes setting up shared folders, assigning user access privileges and customizing backups.
File Sharing and Storage: Effortlessly centralize your files and access them from any PC and or Mac on your home network.
PC Hard Drive Disk Backup: Once the HP MediaSmart Server software is installed on a home PC, the Windows Home Server backup software automatically starts backing up the PCs hard disk drive image every night. You can customize the number and frequency of backups kept.
Mac Backup: Back up your Macs to the MediaSmart Server using Apple’s Time Machine software.
Shared Folder Duplication: Designate folders that will be copied automatically onto multiple hard drives for an additional layer of redundant protection. Folder duplication replaces traditional RAID-style redundancy.
Individual File Restore: If you accidentally delete a file on your PC, you can browse versions of the PC hard drive backup image on the HP MediaSmart Server to find the file and copy it to your PC.
PC Hard Drive Disk Restore: In the event of a PC hard drive failure, the included HP PC Restore disc is all you need to restore a hard drive image from the HP MediaSmart Server. Theres no need to locate your original operating system disc.
HP Media Collector: Conveniently schedules the server to copy and centralize your Windows PC media files and libraries (including iTunes and playlists).
Remote Access: Upon installation, you can set up a personal web address to be used for remote access and by visitors. Using your personal web address, you can remotely access shared folders and files on the HP MediaSmart Server from any Internet-connected computer.
In-Home and Remote Media Streaming: Extend your digital media experiences by conveniently streaming photos, music and videos to your TVs, through gaming consoles such as Xbox 360 or PlayStation3, and computer’s within your home. Remotely stream music and photos from your server to any Internet-connected computer for access while you are away.
HP Photo Publisher: Easily publish your photos to Snapfish, Facebook, Flickr, and Picasa Web Albums using an Internet-connected computer.
HP Photo Viewer: Quickly share photos and albums stored on the Server with friends and family.
Server for iTunes: Centralize your iTunes music libraries and playlists on the server for playback to any PC or Mac running iTunes on your home network.

Satisfy all your backup and media storage needs with four internal hard drive bays, four USB 2.0 ports, one eSATA port, and access to Amazon S3 online backup.
Easy Storage Expansion: Add an internal or external hard drive to the HP MediaSmart Server, indicate that you want to add the disk in the Windows Home Server Console, and the HP MediaSmart Server storage grows. No need to power down the unit or manage drive letters for multiple hard drives.
Server Anti-Virus Protection: Server side anti-virus trial offer from McAfee for increased protection of your HP MediaSmart Server. Run quick scans of specific folders or deep scans across your entire home server.
Server Backup: Protect your digital memories from fire/flood/natural disaster… backup your server shared folders to an external hard disk drive, and/or an online backup to Amazon S3.
Server Recovery: The included Server Recovery Disc can be used to recover all data and restore folders or, to reset the server in case the server operating system disk becomes corrupt.
Additional Software Add-Ins: Extend the functionality of your server through available software add-ins to enable expanded functionality, server personalization and/or entertainment.
Users: Up to 10 user accounts can access the HP MediaSmart Server. In addition, a predefined Guest account can be enabled.

PC Operating System Support

Automatic backup of computers running Microsoft Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit), XP Home (SP2), XP Professional (SP2), Media Center Edition 2004 (SP2) or later, and Macs running ApplesTime Machine.
File sharing for computers running Microsoft Windows Vista (32 & 64 bit), XP Home (SP2) or XP Professional (SP2), Media Center Edition 2004 (SP2) or later, Mac OS X, or Linux.
Remote access to computers running Microsoft Windows XP Professional (SP2), Media Center Edition 2005 (SP2), or Vista Ultimate.

Hardware Specifications

Internal Hard Drive(s): One 750 GB drive (SATA, 7200 RPM)
Internal Expansion: Four hard drive bays (additional off the shelf SATA I or II hard drives can be added; no tools required)
External Expansion: Four USB 2.0 ports (1 front, 3 back); one eSATA port (back)
Processor: Intel Celeron 2.0 GHZ 64-bit Processor
Memory: 2 GB of DDR2 DRAM (800 MHz)
Network Support: 10/100/1000 (Gigabit) RJ45 Ethernet; supports both wired and wireless PCs (via a wireless router).
Power: Internal universal power supply
Dimensions: 5.5 x 9.8 x 9.2 inches (WxHxD)

What’s in the Box
HP EX485 MediaSmart Home Server, power cable, Ethernet cable (RJ45), PC restore disc, server recovery disc, software installation disc, printed documentation. The MediaSmart Server is backed by a one-year limited warranty and dedicated software technical support both online and by phone.

Features:

Intel Celeron 2.0GHz 64-bit Processor
Network-Based Backup of Macs Using Apple’s Time Machine
Single SATA 7200 RPM 750GB Drives
Photo/Video Sharing and Remote Access to Digital Media and Files on a Variety of Devices
Automatic Digital Content Organization Across All PCs

Good server for home user.
I have had this server for two weeks, works great. I have several computers that it backs up with no problems. It is very simple to use for computer literate people. However to get the most for your money I recommend to go to the forums that talk about this server. Their are many features that this server has that you will never use unless you learn about them in the forums. As example this server can stream audio and video not only to your in home media devices but also your iPhone. Also all your data is accessible through the internet. Really a awesome device and very fast if you have a Gigabit network. PS you need to be somewhat computer literate to use it properly. If you can’t figure out how to program a Tivo or VCR you wont be able to figure out how to use the server. Remember there is no video, mouse or keyboard, you need to remote into the device in order to make setting changes….more info

OpenDNS
I had problems installing the client due to OpenDNS so I disabled OpenDNS “Block Internal IPs” feature and everything went great!

The CAT5e cable is great but after upgrading to CAT6, LAN file transfer was a little faster….more info

Undead and Unreturnable

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 17:33:29 +0000

“Sizzle Starting to Fizzle” Fans of Mary Janice Davidson’s Betsy Taylor should take a deep breath, squint their eyes, and plunge in and through. This is not Ms. Davidson’s best. Oh yes, the witty repartee is there; Betsy and Erik’s relationship is in a sexual frenzy; Laura shows us more of her true hellish self; George learns new crochet stitches. But something’s missing. This is a pale shadow of what we have come to expect from our time spent giggling our way through the first three installments of this otherwise excellent series.

Perhaps the publishers are pressuring for volume churn out, to capture the growing fan base and thereby reap profit. Geez, you’d think they’d learn after Anne Rice (aside to MJD: hey, if Anne could weather it, so can you. When you get discouraged leaf through Rice’s Pandora: oh merde, what a panoply of typos and bad editing; it happens to us all).

Followers of Betsy should still read this work; it is absolutely necessary for continuity. Just don’t expect the mag…

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Queen of the Vampires Betsy Taylor is in the middle of planning the perfect wedding to drop-dead gorgeous vamp Eric Sinclair. But all is not bouquets and bridal showers-Betsy is plagued by ghosts who demand her help in rectifying their past mistakes, and a serial killer is on the loose. With his victims all being tall, blond women, Betsy fits the profile exactly.

Running Out of Patience
Okay, I said I wouldn’t, but I saw it at my local Border’s and I spent the money. It’s better than the last but that’s not saying a lot. Judging from how quickly this one came out and the length of the two most recent books in the series, I remain convinced that Undead and Unappreciated and Undead and Unreturnable were meant to be one book, but got split up into two short, unsatisfactory pieces for monetary reasons. In this book, a little more happens, and a number of set-ups were put in place for future books: Sinclair’s declaration that Betsy can have a baby if a living human is the father. Sinclair’s inability to read Betsy’s thoughts becomes an issue, as the Book of the Dead says that he should be able to. Laura’s powers grow, and she seems more and more comfortable with the Devilish side of her make-up. This book is as poorly edited as the last. At one point, Betsy is riding in a car with Laura and a ghost. Laura makes a comment about being dead…except that she’s not dead. Presumably the ghost was meant to have this line. Oh, well, it’s still fun, and it’s hard to blame an author who’s finally hit it big, but in the end, she’ll sell more if she keeps her fans happy, and stuff like this just won’t do it for very long….more info

Is this a bad year for MJ Davidson?
The books are nowhere near the caliber of the first two books. The storyline and the content of the writing is going downhill at an astronimical speed. I returned the 3rd book and now I think I’ll return this fourth one. It’s getting worse not just humorwise, but content and character-wise as well. Seems the author resting on the laurels that the first two books were good enough not to put the effort to write decent books from there on out. …more info

Undead and Unreturnable
Weren’t problems supposed to end at death? For Betsy Taylor, that event began her problems. For every good thing in her unlife, she has at least one associated problem. Yes, she’s made peace with Sinclair being her vampire king and is even planning a wedding. Planning a wedding is definitely a problem, especially when the groom is apathetic to human ceremonies. True, in the last book, she got rid of the book of the dead, but it’s back. Now that she is enjoying her fiancee’, Betsy can read his mind at close moments, but Sinclair is not happy about that. Furthermore, her family life is getting complicated. Her has no desire to become evil, but it looks like Laura might be headed down that road. Betsy also has a new baby half brother, and she is the only person he seems to like. That annoys the wicked step-mother no end, but during one visit to the baby, Betsy acquires a new houseguest, the ghost of the current serial killer’s latest victim. Cathie will not rest until Betsy solves her murder. How is she supposed to do that between making up with Sinclair, planning a wedding, babysitting, writing her vampire advice column, keeping an eye on her devil spawn half sister, keeping the peace between the live in ex vampire slayer, and her queenly duties? Somehow, she will manage, and entertain her readers in the process.

It might be true to say the best chick lit is dead chick lit, or at least UNDEAD chick lit, since technically, this might be considered in that category. It’s a little of everything, actually. If you need a smile, just see what Betsy is up to now.

Amanda Killgore…more info

5 stars for MaryJanice
As usual MaryJanice Davidson delivers a top rate book. If you want a laugh a page story with a paranormal twist, MJD is for you. Betsy the Vampire Queen her mortal friends Jessica and Marc and not so mortal entourage will keep you laughing til your fangs hurt….more info

Chicago Metallic Commercial 18-Inch-by-13-Inch Jelly Roll Pan

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:31:29 +0000

“I have no one to blame…” Did you read the negative reviews stating buyers received dented pans stuffed in-between good ones? I read them too… and still I bought… and I received dented pans stuffed in-between good ones. Bad form, Amazon.

List Price: $18.00
Our Price: $11.99
You Save: $6.01 (33%)

Product Description

Made to withstand commercial use, while still producing a professional product, this is a pan worth owning. Naturally you can make jelly roll cakes in it, but you will no doubt it comes in handy for baking bar cookies, breasts of chicken, and a host of other foods. Its extra large size comes in handy for large families or catering operations.

Chicago Metallic’s classic 18-by-13-by-1-inch pan is a must for any baker’s kitchen. Line it with parchment or wax paper, and thin cakes come out ready to roll. With slightly tapered sides, the pan holds twelve cups by volume, just right for a basic sheet cake. To make smaller cakes, line with aluminum foil, folding it into a little wall and filling the unused portion with dried beans or rice for balance. This versatile pan also accommodates 12 large cookies or shortbread. –Shannon Borg

Features:

Traditional, uncoated heavy-gauge aluminum steel
Ideal for large jelly rolls or sheet cakes
Shiny surface keeps cakes and cookies from overbrowning
Provides even heat distribution
Safe to use in dishwasher

Chicago Jelly Roll Pan
I had never heard of Chicago products, other than knives, but I really love this pan. I received it in excellent condition and in a short time. I will be ordering more…….more info

What a difference!
I’ve only given this 4 stars, only because I haven’t used it for everything it’s designed for. I have used it mostly for baking chicken pieces and roasting vegetables. I’m amazed at the difference between other brands. At one point I had 2 pans of chicken pieces in the oven – one Chicago Metallic, and the other a cheaper brand. Not only was the Chicago Metallic easier to clean, but the chicken browned and cooked more evenly and was moist. HUGE difference!…more info

Nice pans. How to remove the glue.
The pans are good quality and heavy but not as stiff as I had thought.

Glue is annoying but I got it off in a few steps:

1) Take the label off. Some paper and glue will remain stuck.

2) Wash with hot soapy water using soft sponge to get paper off and use finger to push/peel off as much of glue as possible.

3) Dry thoroughly with paper towel.

4) (Optional) Use nail polish remover and cotton balls to remove most of the glue.

5) Use a good quality packing tape (e.g. Clear 3M Scotch tape) and stick the tape over the glue area and pull off to remove the glue. Do this under good light so you can see the dullness of the adhesive layer on the surface. Repeat as many times as necessary until the surface is uniform (no more trace of glue). Give it a final soapy wash.

If step 5 is not satisfactory, do step 4 then 5. (Repeat as needed).

My pan surfaces are pristine and I can’t tell where the glue used to be.

…more info

Wonderful!!
Great commerical grade jelly roll pan. I have used it as a cookie sheet and I’ve baked biscuits on it–I prefer the lighter colored bakeware for baking. I have owned other baking items from Chicago Metallic and have not been dissapointed. I haven’t had a sticking problem, but I do spray the pan before I use it. …more info

Emperor: Battle for Dune

admin — Tue, 05 Oct 2010 16:23:29 +0000

“a good game” THis game is very good. it may be impossibble to beat though. You have to capture all the territories of a mjority of the planet and capture the planet. It is like commmand and conquer but you must make you own alliances,(and lose them)defend territories,make sure you don’t retreat or forfeit to much or you will be executed. It is slightly corny that some of the charecters from the movie/book are in this with different names. overall this is a very good 3-d strategy game

List Price: $89.95
Our Price: $89.95
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Product Description

Emperor returns gamers to Dune, land of sand, home of the spice and the first real-time strategy title. This all-new game presents the Dune universe in full 3-D. As in the classic Dune 2, players can command three unique political houses: noble Attreides, evil Harkonnen, and insidious Ordos. Five powerful subgroups add to the volatile political climate. There are four game worlds to battle on, and players can choose large-scale strategic advances or ground-level tactics. Gamers can wage war online both head-to-head and cooperatively.

The best damn game ever!!!
this is the best game ever because of the graphics and the role you play. Your trying to get control of the spice only one house will prevale. If you played the sega genesis game Dune : The Battle For Arrakis. Then you know all about i would spend 50.00 on this game if i HAD to. Its that damn good. I really suggest this game to you because of the game its self. It beats all the war games on the pc. From WAR GAMES the game to Dune 2000 , You’ve tryed the rest now try the BEST….more info

Great Graphics, Low Strategy
It is a great game with wonderful graphics, but it takes a very, VERY monsterous system to run at full strength…..On my Pentium 4 2.5 Gz with a 64 mb video card it still has some lag problems on medium to low resolution……but it still looks great nonetheless….and this game also misses the point on strategy….not much strategy….build up forces and send em in and hope you end up with the bigger army…… The story is pretty messed up to, especially if you are huge fan of dune such as I… It feels kind of strange defeated the God Emperor with the Atreides army..(sorry, that was kind of a spoilier)….but if you can get it for the 19.99-25.00 range, then get it and pray you have a great video card and comp to support it!…more info

Take AofE, add sand, voila
I would normally try to give you a comprehensive review, but if you’re always looking for the next best RTS (like me) you’re probably already familiar with this game.

Forget about comparing it to previous Dune titles. I’m constanly running into the same game with different fixings: C&C, Age of Empires, Star Wars, and now Dune. Collect, spend, fight, collect, spend, fight. Boring but still fun if you haven’t tired of the same old formula….more info

Once it was the best
Well, this game was pretty good at the time it was released.. But AI is just to stupid to play single player, and multiplayer is poor. I would say, if you like real time strategies, Generels: Zero Hour is far better choice +this game is definitely not worth its current price.. Although 2 years ago it was fun….more info