Publication Date: November 25th 2004
ISSN 1445-1360
In this issue you will read:
Editorial: November 25th 2004
Quotable: William Arthur Ward said...
Gift Suggestion: Antec Lifestyle ARIA MicroATX Cube Case
Gift Suggestion: D-Link Wireless Internet Cameras
Gift Suggestion: Canoe Game
Gift Suggestion: A Domain Name
Gift Suggestion: Oregon Scientific WMR968 Wireless Weather Station
The Great Australian Joke: The Aussie Wife
G'Day Blokes and Sheilas!
Let me start this Special Holiday Edition of the newsletter with a big thank you to all the people who wished me well on my birthday last week. If you are really interested in reading about the wonderful weekend I had you can read this blog entry.
Each year around this time I normally write an issue that has something to do with shopping for presents during the holidays. This year I have decided to take this one step further and create a list of items that I think you can use to help buy that perfect present for the more technically oriented (geeky) people in your life. The items listed will have a technology theme or will be unique items that I have found available for purchase on the Internet.
If your reading this on the 25th and are in the United States, Happy Thanksgiving!
No matter where you are I hope you have a safe and happy holiday season!
Nathan Allan
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A true friend knows your weaknesses but shows you your strengths; feels your fears but fortifies your faith; sees your anxieties but frees your spirit; recognizes your disabilities but emphasizes your possibilities.
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I would love this case! It is quiet, portable, and fits a normal MicroATX motherboard in it. This means you can have a normal configuration all in a small form case.
Antec sums up this case perfectly, "There are plenty of cube-shaped cases available today. So what's so nifty about Aria? First of all, it's upgradeable. While other cube cases force you to live with pre-installed, proprietary motherboards, Aria accepts standard MicroATX motherboards. So when it's time to upgrade your system, you can choose from a vast range of available motherboards. Secondly, its built-in 300 Watt power supply delivers far more power than the barely-adequate units installed in other cube cases. And finally, Aria is the quietest PC case in the entire world. (Really. We're not kidding. And we've got the independent lab tests to prove it.) So if you're tired of your boring, bulky computer, upgrade to Aria. You'll be glad you did."
The lowest price I have seen this case for is US$96. From online retailer ZipZoomFly. Fry's had the same case for US$112, but with ZipZoomFly's free shipping I would go with that!
As soon as I have the money to put a new computer together I will be purchasing one of these!
Visit: Antec
Available at: ZipZoomFly
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Here are a couple of Internet Cameras that take the term Webcam to the next level. Both are 802.11B wireless units that can be mounted anywhere within range of your wireless network. There is no need to connect these units to a computer as they come with software that allows you to link the unit to an IP address.
The first is expensive, there is no doubt about that, at US$359. However it is also extremely cool! This unit is not only wireless, it has pan and tilt capabilities and a handy remote.
The second unit comes in at US$138, but is fixed. If you want fancy but not super fancy this model would fit you needs.
Visit: D-Link Securicam Network DCS-5300W
Available at: ZipZoomFly: D-Link Securicam Network DCS-5300W
Visit: D-Link Securicam Network DCS-900W
Available at: ZipZoomFly: D-Link Securicam Network DCS-900W
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I came across a postcard advertising this hand-crafted game at Top Pot in Seattle. Invented and crafted by Bruce Alsip this game easily doubles as an work of art or ornament that can be proudly displayed.
I am definitely no expert on how the game is played, but the craftsmanship and story behind it are very interesting. You can also order accessories bags to carry around the game.
This game of strategy is sure to become a family heirloom if you purchase one for US$75.
Visit: Canoe Game
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There is a little self interest in this suggestion, however there is also a proven track record that this gift will go down well. I recently gave my sister a domain name for her birthday (with a blogging web site) and she absolutely loved it.
The self interest comes from the fact that I am one of the owners of Thinkers Domains (I will discuss this more next issue). Our prices are competitive, with transfers from US$10.95 and registrations and renewals from US$12.95 a year.
Have you ever wondered what the weather is like outside? Ever wanted to know more than the temperature? Need a Thermo-Hygrometer, Anemometer, Baro-Hygrometer and Rain Gauge for more accuracy and information? Well have I got the Weather Station for you!
Oregon Scientific WMR968 Wireless Weather Station is everything you need and more! The unit has wireless sensors that are backed up with solar power to transmit all of the weather information to your base unit. In turn you can also hook this unit up to your computer so you can track historical data.
I have listed a number of sites you can go for more information and other units, as at US$329 this weather station in the Rolls Royce model!
Visit: Oregon Scientific WMR968 Wireless Weather Station
Visit: Oregon Scientific
Visit: Oregon Scientific Australia
Other Weather Stations: Ambient Weather
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Three men were sitting together bragging about how they had given their new wives duties. The first man had married a woman from Albania, and bragged that he had told his wife she was going to do all the dishes and house cleaning that needed done at their house. He said that it took a couple days but on the third day he came home to a clean house and the dishes were all washed and put away.
The second man had married a woman from Korea. He bragged that he had given his wife orders that she was to do all the cleaning, dishes, and the Cooking. He told them that the first day he didn't see any results, but the next day it was better. By the third day, his house was clean, the dishes were done, and he had a huge dinner on the table.
The third man had married an Australian girl. He boasted that he told her that her duties were to keep the house cleaned, dishes washed, lawn mowed, laundry washed and hot meals on the table for every meal. He said the first day he didn't see anything, the second day he didn't see anything, but by the third day most of the swelling had gone down and he could see a little out of his left eye.
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