Guy Low Price Electronic: 19 Feb 2011

Saturday, 19 February 2011

Electronica - free, bonobo

Actually, there is nothing that sounds like house music on this compilation.

Having said that, there isn't much that sounds like classic Ninja Tune either.

But, hey, it's a free download, so I'm not complaining.

The three good tracks on here are :

Offshore - Round And Round

Amon Tobin - Shut Down

Antipop Consortium - Volcano (Four Tet Remix) Ninja Tune XX - Free Music Compilation [Amazon MP3 Exclusive]

I downloaded the tracks as they were offered as 'free sample' by Amazon and as they were recommended to me on the basis, I must presume, of my prior purchases: the latter was way off, as this kind of music I don't really dig much.

Too much on the 'house' side of things, with lots of repetitive beats and not much variety.

Not saying they are not good in their genre, perhaps they are, I just don't like them.

If you, like me, enjoy downtempo, electronic and ambient music, and get this track recommended by Amazon, I suggest you save your money/bandwidth.

I really can't believe that no one has peeped this stellar assembly of world artistes yet,say wha'? Like def jam/motown/zzt/sst/sub pop/laff records/etc.,etc.,etc.,the boutique label is a get,just like all of the other aforementioned monolithic imprints.

The only reason that I'm not getting it myself is because my ibook g4 is stewed to the gills,OK(but as soon as it's all in the clear,it's on,ya dig)?! - Free - Four Tet - Electronica - Bonobo'

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Wireless Laser Printer - black and white, network laser printer

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I bought this printer a few weeks back. So, my review can only attest to the initial quality and operation of the printer. When shopping for a printer, I wanted a small, wireless (i.e. WiFi enabled), laser printer that I could use on my home wireless network. This printer fits the bill.

Once I received the printer, setup was incredibly easy. You just hook the USB cable to your computer, follow the software prompts, and then the printer is suddenly connected to the WiFi network. That is the last time I used the cable. Now, when I hit print on my laptop, it prints wirelessly.

I also like that the printer is relatively quick (24 ppm) and prints clean, crisp laser prints quickly. For $99, this is great deal and I'm pleased with the purchase.

I'd recommend buying this laser printer over the all-in-one units. While those all encompassing units may be tempting, I think you end up with a better deal by buying this Samsung printer and then buying a high-quality scanner as a separate item. For instance, I bought a separate Fujitsu Scansnap scanner (also, a very compact item). It scans so much better than the scanner I have on the all-in-one that I bought a couple years ago. Samsung ML-2525W Wireless Mono Laser Printer

Very good printer overall. I just need to warn people...at least people with a mac...that the wireless setup is very tricky. Samsungs instructions don't work and the mac software and drivers on the disc also do not work.

What I did was I connected an ethernet cord from the computer to the printer and then used the IP setup software on the disc to locate the printer (I had to disconnect from all wireless networks to ensure I didn't confuse the setup).

You can get your computer's IP address in the Network tab of System Preferences. Using the IP setup software on the Samsung disc, select the printer and click the button to change settings (it looks like a gear). Change the IP address of the printer to that of your computer but change the last digit to something else( Ex: if the mac's ip is 1.2.3.4, change the printer's to 1.2.3.5). Once that is done, make the subnet mask identical to that of your mac (subnet is also in system prefs) and save the settings. Your printer will print out a confirmation page. Then, with the ethernet cord still attached, type in the printer's new ip address in Safari. You will then be able to access the printer's internal webpage.

Once at the website, click the Network Configuration on the left (mine is in French so the English may be a bit different). Then under that subheading, click TCP/IP. Then in what shows up, you need to change the printer from having a static IP address to using DHCP. Once you do that and save your settings, you should be able to print wirelessly using the ad hoc setting (meaning the computer has a direct wifi connection with the printer) once you connect to the "airportthru" network with your Airport card.

If you want the printer available on your home network, go back into the printer settings and select your network and enter your password. The printer will connect to your home network.

I hope this works for you guys. It worked for me and Samsung makes great products but has lousy support.

I bought a Samsung ML-2525W about a month ago for home use. Setting it up for use via USB cable was trivial; getting it up on my wireless network took a bit more fiddling. The instructions were difficult to decipher. I expect that a person who is not sufficiently computer savvy would need phone support to complete the wireless setup.

Once configured, the printer has been extremely easy to use. It prints quickly and quietly. Text looks great, with dark, thick toner coverage and sharp edges. It's better than the old Brother I replaced, and I thought that was pretty good.

No idea yet about reliability.

I have a Mac and this printer has been nothing but problems. It really is not made to work with MAC!!! I have been talking to Samsung about 18 times now and after two months of futile trials I have decided to donate this computer to a friend who has a pc, it may work for pc without a problem?

The most I got this printer to work for about a minute and then it goes off line mode, I have reinstalled the latest drivers numerous times and again it works for a bout a minute and switch itself to off line mode!!!!

Save your money and don't buy this printer, buy something else a Brother or Epson, etc

I have tried to set this printer up with my white iMac. It works to print one document, but then goes to sleep. Once it is asleep, my Mac is not able to wake it up. I have to reach behind the printer, unplug it, and plug it back in every time that I want to print anything. And on top of that, it will add on 5-10 sheets with random words to my print jobs, wasting both paper and toner. I have talked to the tech support people, as well as customer service people, from Samsung countless times. I have had several tech support people tell me that the waking from sleep problem is a known issue, but there is currently no fix. It is a firmware issue with Macs, and the newest firmware does not address this problem.

All I asked was that they exchange it for a comparable model that does not have this issue. The tech support people seemed to think that that was a reasonable request, and I have been forwarded to their "Executive Customer Relations" department many times. Finally one person said that I needed to have the printer looked at by a service center before I would be eligible for an exchange. I drove it the 20 miles away to the nearest authorized service center, and they found exactly what I expected. When plugged in to their Windows machines there was no issue. They also told me that this firmware issue with Macs was something that they have run in to before.

After I got it back from the service center, I talked to someone who said that they had approved my case for an exchange and that someone would call me from the appropriate department. That person called me while I was at work (because most of the non-tech support departments seem to keep hours only during the middle of the day when all of the rest of us are at work) and left a message saying that I should call him to set up an exchange for a new printer of the same model.

WHAT!?!?! I don't want the same model because it will have the same issues. SO... I called the number that he left me and it took me to the exec customer relations people. Again, they told me that someone from the exchange department would call me back. And THEN I HEARD NOTHING. So I called back again. And was told that the approval for my exchange had been withdrawn because all I needed to do was install the newest firmware and it should work. Well by this point I was STEAMING!! THEY CANCELED MY EXCHANGE?? WHO DID? NO ONE TOLD ME!?

Of course the firmware that I downloaded and tried again was the exact same firmware that I had already tried. So I called back and finally got a tech-support person to put me in the que for the product support rep for this model. And at this point I am just waiting for this person to call me. I have been waiting weeks to hear from him, and it has been over 2 months since I got the printer.

The moral of my rant is that Samsung's tech support is AWFUL!!!!! Just flat out awful. They have been rude to me, they don't return calls when they say that they will, and they are making me jump through a ridiculous number of hoops to get to talk to anyone that will help me. I should have just mailed it back to the original seller, but my dealings with the Samsung support jokers has pushed me past the 30-day exchange limit. At this point I basically have a 15 pound paperweight in my office, for which I paid $100. This is my last Samsung purchase,for fear that any time something does not work they will leave me high and dry. - Black And White - Laser Printer - Wireless Printer - Network Laser Printer'

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Child Headphone - childrens earphones, childrens headphones

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I got these for my son to use on our portable dvd player, for trips. He's only a year and a half and I wasn't sure that they would fit him, but they do. They are adjustable and could even fit a young adult. To adjust pull the band at the top of the ear pieces. So these will grow with him, which is great for me as a parent. I'm glad I don't have to buy a new pair every year. They are very durable and have survived a couple trips.

I like that there is an external volume control. They seem to be very comfortable for him. He doesn't try to pull them off at all. My suggestion to parents who plan on using these on small children for trips is, make sure you get the child used to wearing them. After that it should be smooth sailing.

Its also nice that there is only one wire running from the head piece. So if the child moves suddenly and the headphones come off, the wire won't pull at them.

I would deffinately recomend these to anyone, as a childs first pair of headphones. Califone 2810-BE Listening First Kids Stereo and PC Wired Headphones Bear Design

We purchased these headphones before our trip to Europe so our toddler could watch the video ipod. The headphones are comfortable and rugged. She loves the bear ears and they held up to all her abuse. Two thumbs up!!

For a cheap pair of headphones these were fine. The "red" is more like brownish-maroon, but the character is cute. The volume control is useful and a bonus. The main - and only - drawback is that the headphones are not adjustable across the head: they either fit or don't. We bought two - one for a smallish 6-year-old, one for her larger 8-year-old sister, and both are happily wearing them. (They look real cute, too.)

These headphones, while very cute and comfortable for my son, are a piece of junk. We purchased the Bear headphones and the ears fell off with the first use. They were still functional so I decided not to return them. Then, after only a couple of weeks of use the cord frayed near the volume control and they no longer work.

We got these because it looks cute and encouraged our 2 year old to use it. Turned out to be a hit!

USABILITY - Sized perfectly for the little head and does not loosen up like other headphones do. They hold the size very well making it very comfortable for little kids. But it has good range as I can wear it myself without stretching it out so it'll be good for the next few years. The volume control works well and the volume is controlled to start with. You really make this too loud even if you wanted to.

QUALITY - Great sound quality and overall construction. The cushions are soft but in a sturdy casing.

OVERALL - Would get this again. - Stereo - Childrens Headphones - Headphones - Childrens Earphones'

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Carbon Monoxide - alarm, co

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This product was selected as a Best Buy by Consumer Reports based on value for your money. From what I can tell thus far they were spot on. The exterior looks like any other CO or smoke detector you might find in the hardware section of a store. The template and screws that are included make it extremely easy to mount. I especially like the LED display that tells you the current level of CO in ppm (parts per million) of the sampled air. There are other detectors out there that have some fancy talking alarms and other useless features but I don't think they're necessary. This CO monitor has everything a person should need for keeping track of the level of Carbon Monoxide in their house. Kidde KN-COPP-B Front Load Battery-Operated Carbon Monoxide Alarm with Digital Display

This Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm is great. Nice style and simple to install and use. The digital display is easy to read because it is backlit. Test/Reset button is easy to locate. The front load battery is the best, no more having to pull the unit to change batteries.

Thanks Kidde and Amazon.com!!!

I'm reviewing the Kidde 900-0146-004 Nighthawk Carbon Monoxide Alarm. This unit was incredibly easy to set up straight out of the box. It's also easy to hang. And for those that do no wish to hang it up on a wall, it has a small "kick stand" in the back that enables it to stand by itself on a shelf. The unit is simple to use and has an LED that is easy to read. I'm very happy with this purchase.

Battery in the front with a stand built into it makes this a nice product to move around and check and see different CO levels in different rooms of the house. The backlit LCD is easy to read. The reason I like this product is that it was on the lower end of the spectrum in price but still can tell you what the maximum amount of CO that was present since the monitor was last reset. I was interested to know not only when CO might be too high, but what the CO levels were when the alarm was not going off. I have not had the alarm go off yet but it has detected CO during certain times. It does what it says it will and is good for the price. Nothing exciting though. The only bad thing I can say is that there is a flashing green light that lets you know the unit is operating which can be annoying when you are trying to fall asleep.(small flash from a tiny LED every 1 to 2 sec.)

I placed a bell jar over a candle til it guttered. I moved the bell jar slowly, to cover the CO detector. Initially, there was no observable change. But after less than a minute, the digital indicator started climbing. The notes mentioned that below a cut off concentration, there is no indication at all, and that's what I found. It was attractively priced and functional and I can use it as a sampling meter at a pinch. It has a longish time constant, which is probably as it should be. I liked the peak concentration storage/display capability.

Neat!

This Kidde Carbon Monoxide Alarm is nice for one reason.

The batteries are in front and I do not have to remove to replace. I change the batteries every month during the heating season. Nice Product Kidde and Amazon.com!

I've only had this product for one month which isn't very long but what i really like about it is the digital readout. The digital readout takes any guess work out of the picture. Another nice feature is the low battery alarm that tells you when to replace the batteries. This unit should be replaced after seven years ( like most i suppose ) and it even will sound an alarm that tells you when it's time to replace it. I can't see any reason to buy any other Carbon Monoxide Alarm. So far i think it's worth every penny and i recommend it to everyone.

The first one I bought did not work correctly and as soon as I notified Amazon they sent me a second unit at no charge, even before I sent back the first unit. The second unit has worked flawlessly. I really like being able to move it to other rooms whenever I choose.

This is a good quality CO detector at a reasonable price. I like the LED indicator on the front. This feature displays the level of CO in the room rather than just sounding an alarm at a certain level. This way you know if there is a potential problem that is pending, before you actually have one.

This is a very useful tool. I live in an 50-year old house and sometimes I fear that there might be a gas leakage somewhere. The first day, a cold winter day and all the windows and doors were closed all day long while the heater was on, it showed a peak value of 24, which means that at one point there was a bit of CO floating around but within safety limits, and the unit was likely functional. - Home Safety - Co - Alarm - Carbon Monoxide'

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Physical Therapy - ankle weights, exercise

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I've been weight training for years and even do competitive stairclimbing. I bought these with the idea that I would use them to train for stairclimbing.

I'm not a small woman...5 feet 8 inches, 135 lbs, but these weights were almost impossible to keep on my ankles...they just don't seem to be made for an average woman's ankles.

I may pass these onto my husband who is 6 feet 2 and 220 lbs. I would not recommend these for an average sized woman. Valeo AW20 Adjustable Ankle / Wrist Weights (10-Pounds Each, 20-Pound Total)

While ten pounds on each wrist or ankle may not sound too extreme, any extended period of time with these weights on is going to fatigue just about anyone. Having said this, it should be noted that adjusting the amount of weight is a simple matter. Given the range of weight options, the overall appearance is somewhat large and bulky. If you are wearing these things, you really can't hide it. However, if you want to give a turbo shot to your daily walk or other activity, these things can't be beat.

I bought these with the idea of doing various exercises I had been doing at physical therapy. The bulkiness of the individual weights was not what I expected. The first time I used the weights, I had a bruise the size of an orange on the back of my leg.

I still use them, but wish I had different ones.

I use these as wrist weights while using a Nordic Track Ski Machine. For this purpose they are great. I took four neoprene soda can coolers and slit them down the side to use as inner padding, two on each wrist. Stacking a cotton wrist band for sweat absorption, can cooler, can cooler, then pull the wrist weight tight on each wrist and they fit nice and snug and don't move around at all. Took a few times to get the sequence right but now it's a snap. Not sure the material the product is made of will last a real long time but I'm happy with the product and the price is right, plus ten pounds on each arm for an hour will give you an awesome workout.

edit 3-15-09

After using these great weights for a time I can offer some advice on handling. Be gentle with these. If you toss/drop them on the floor after you take them off you'll eventually rupture the plastic sand bags inside and leak sand out a little at a time. Still-- a very nice product.

I'm 5'4" tall and weigh 135#. The weights were way too big for me & slipped off the lower legs & on to the heels. Couldn't make them any tighter. The outside construction is good. However the weight inserts are verly flimsily covered & poorly sewn & very difficult to re insert. I would be afraid that they would split open after a few handlings. If you larger than I & wouldn't want to remove the weights then it's fine. For me it wouldn't work. I have seen other products with insert bags that are sewn much better & out of stronger material. Unfortunately it's not that easy finding 20# ankle weights.

I'm rather large (6'3" and 240lbs) and I needed more weight than the average person.

These fit the bill. They are comfortable and adjustable (2 lbs at a time).

They go well with Jumpsole shoes.

I get a really good workout with these, an X vest, and Jump sole shoes. I walk my dogs twice a day and on at least 1 of those walks I'm loaded with weights. More exercise in less time. These ankle weights are the key to a great workout since you must lift your leg with every step.

I don't know that running in these would be a good idea though. May be bad on the joints. But I'm no doctor.

Great quality and great comfort.

I wanted a set of adjustable weights for physical therapy and strength training for my back, core, and legs. I am a lean female, and I knew that 10lb weight each on my legs were going to be over the top, but I figured it still would come in handy for leg lifts and what not, and for just walking around I can decrease the weights to just 2~6 lbs each leg.

I received the item today, and I must say, while I am impressed how sturdy they look, with adjustable velcro all the way around, it is HUGE. I look like I have gorilla feet, even when I remove 3 weights off from each. They look durable and long lasting, but the velcro is almost too strong to be taking it on and off frequently... in fact my thumb's sore from tring to rip the velcro off.

I think my husband (160~170 lbs martial arts buff) would be happy to make better use of this, but I might need to order something a bit smaller and formfitting for everyday use.

I have two sets of these weights for leg workouts a ten lb. set and this 20 lb. set. This set is 10lb. each thus 20lb. They are bulky and very hard to strap on, they slip around a lot and are not comfortable. I need more then the 5 lb. ankle weights so I put up with these because I really do notice a difference in the workout using these, I just wish they were easier to get on and not so clumsy. The 5lb. each set is far more comfortable on the ankle and easier to put on, maybe I should have gotten to pairs of those and used two on each leg, hmmm. - Ankle Weights - Weights - Exercise - Adjustable Ankle Weights'

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Aceo - trading cards, sleeves

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High quality plastic transparent sleeves for baseball card sized content.

The sleeve is sized 2 5/8 X 3 5/8, so any 2.5" x 3.5" fits nicely with a little room to spare.

I am an artist that sells my own art work, some of my pieces are artist trade cards which are the size of the baseball card. I sell them packaged in these sleeves and they look very professional. The sleeves protect the art from elements and finger prints. So these nice sleeves are not just for baseball cards! 100 Soft Sleeves by BCW - Penny Sleeve for Baseball Cards & Other Sports Cards (Gaming Cards) - Sleeves - Trading Cards - Trading Card Sleeves'

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Watercraft

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I tried out the 330 deluxe for the first time today and was impressed. I went to a local lake and set up on the beach. No one had a clue as I walked up with this bag what I was up to, as they were swimming. 7 or 8 minutes later, a kayak magically appears! That was fun in itself. It was easy to set up with the foot pump. It took 35 to 40 pumps to fill each of the 3 chambers, and no air escapes from the one way valves AT ALL. Then it's just a couple of pumps each for the spray shields, and 4 to 5 pumps for each of the 2 seat chambers, also with one way valves, and your ready to fish. I test drove in the shallows for 3 or 4 minutes to get a feel for the kayak, which was the first time for me in any kayak, and I was off to the nearest patch of lilly pads, and within 10 minutes caught my first pickerel, and then bass out of my new sea eagle. Sure beats car topping a canoe. Then after 2 hrs., back to the beach, unscrew the valves, roll it up like a sleeping bag, put it in the duffle, and back in the pick-up. The deluxe seats are extremely confortable, very firm and support your back better than most office chairs, let alone canoe seats.

This is a great way to fish any where you please,just on a whim. With no planning. Thats the only way to fish.

Sincerely, Mark S Sea Eagle 330 Inflatable Kayak with Deluxe Package

I cannot say enough good things about this kayak. I have owned mine since 2000 when I purchased it while living in Atlanta, GA. Inflation is simple, the bag properly stores everything you need, and the fit and finish of the boat are superb. In its time I have taken my Sea Eagle on calm lakes and rivers in the south numerous times without incident, but I have also tested it a fair amount. We have run it on Section III of the Chattooga in SC including Bull Sluice and also on the Nantahala including the Falls. While this is not the most demanding whitewater out there it is class II and III and I want to back up the mfr. claims that this boat can handle this water. We have also had it in the Atlantic Ocean numerous times and it's a ton of fun to ride waves and crash if you're not careful. We now live in Indianapolis and take it on the White River during the warm months and it is holding up just fine. I can recommend that if you are interested in this boat to look into alternative paddles, as my personal kayak paddle does a much better job for me than the included paddles. We also installed the skeg on the underside of the boat and have found that this improves the yaw of the boat considerably, although it is not a make or break addition. I hope this review helps anyone considering investing in one of these boats. Enjoy the water!

Got one of these and tried it down Stanislaus River (Calif) with my son. The raft actually did pretty well in a Class 1-2 river. The built-in skegs (2 of them) helps to stabilize the boat. I have 2 complaints about the supplied inflatable seats. First of all, they have the pool toy inflation valves (not one way Boston valves) so it's a real struggle to inflate them . Secondly, the seats can hardly provide any back support. Another thing about this kayak is that it can barely fit 2 people--in my case, me (5'7") and my 10 year old son and we already feel pretty crammed.There is no way to fit 2 adults weighing 500 lbs.

1. The boat is much heavier than advertised. Amazon says 29 lbs shipping weight. Sea Eagle officially says 26 lbs. I put it on a scale with all parts (boat, paddles, pump) inside the duffle bag and it's 38 lbs. This makes it very difficult to backpack or hike in to locations not accessible via car (which was my purpose in purchasing).

2. The boat is perfect for certain purposes: floating in calm lakes, streams, etc. Our test run was on the choppy Chesapeake bay in 1 ft waves and 20 mph winds. It handled adequately. In such conditions, the boat is difficult to point, but it's really not meant for this.

2. It fits 2 people and gear for an outing comfortably.

3. The seats require full inflation and good posture. The seat backs are fairly useless.

4. Inflation and deflation is very easy. It takes appx. 10 minutes to put together and take apart.

5. The material is quite strong. You don't really have to worry about rips and tears unless you're running serious rapids -- which you shouldn't be doing anyways in this boat.

6. Comes with a patch kit.

Overall, a solid little boat for relaxed, fun purposes. If you want to do any serious whitewater, you should look elsewhere.

This is our first inflatable kayak. It is quick to inflate, takes less than 10 minutes, & quicker to pack up. Seats & spray guards are a little tricky because of the valves though, you have to pinch it at the base & plug it quickly, but otherwise it's a cinch! We fit fine going tandem, my husband's 6' & I'm 5'5", he likes it better without the rear seat. We've taken the kayak out 8 x so far, mostly to Huntington Harbor & Anaheim Bay. We've gotten good at our synchronicity & can go pretty fast when we want to! We're in Southern California so no rivers nearby but are looking forward to catching some waves in the summer. Feels very durable, but make sure you screw the Boston valves on tightly. The 2nd time we took it out, we didn't realize it right away but the right side was deflating, we were about a 1/2 mile out when paddling & keeping it straight had seemed to get harder & harder, I thought we were in a current or something until I noticed the fold on the right side. We turned around to head back but it was very hard to paddle fighting with the strong pull to the right, but we made it & we're alive to laugh about it now! My fault, I didn't tighten it well enough. Lesson learned. Have fun!

6/4/10 Update, took my 50 lb Aussie Shepherd, unclipped claws & all, on a 2 hour tour in the harbor. Just laid a towel on a board, which she didn't stay on. She was all over the place, she's pretty excitable & not a water dog. Not a single mark or scratch on the kayak though!

10/01/10 Got another SE 330, they changed the pinch valves to Boston valves. Excellent improvement!

8/11 Took these to Kern River for whitewater, extreme thrills! Up to class 3 rapids from upper Powerhouse to Lake Isabella. Wear good life jackets & tie down your seats. Ocean kayaking is great, relaxing once you get past the waves. You can get pretty close to dolphins. Catching waves is fun but I always seem to end up sideways. I still take my dog kayaking in the harbor, she absolutely loves it & can't wait to hop in! I don't bother putting anything on the floor anymore. Overall I've probably had over 100 uses by now & had 2 small repairs, definitely got my monies worth!'

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Metal Bars To Hang Files - folder accessories, file

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When I purchased this for my office I failed to measure the depth of the drawer. When it arrived the bars were much too long, a good 4in past the adjustable part. A coworker was able to use pliers to hold bar in place and bent the bar back and forth until it was the correct length. Super easy to adjust (even with my lack of measuring) and they work great. Smead Hanging Steel Letter Size File Folder Drawer Frames 2 Count (64870)

not "easy assembly, or ready to use." I wish I had known it would involve pliers ( those that can cut ) to make them fit the cabinets. Fortunately I had a set handy, but again, need a fair amount of strength to make the cut to allow these to work in standard cabinets.

While it is true that you can adjust the length, the pre-crimped tabs that you can snap off only allow you to adjust between 23 and 27 inches. In theory you can make it shorter if you feel handy, but you'll need some tools to do so. I used a pair of wire cutters to make my own crimp at the correct length and snap the rail off, so it did end up working, but the manner that I adjusted the length was not the way the manufacturer intended. While most commercial filing cabinets meet the longer length, the inexpensive ones (like mine) that you get at discount stores are on the order of 18" deep. The end pieces in my package were also a little bent so the finished assembly wanted to sit crooked in the file cabinet. In the end it worked fine, but left me a little unimpressed.

This product is great for converting old file cabinets with no hanging folder capacity. However, when Smead says that you can "easily snap the rods to the desired size", this actually translates to "you can bend-break the rods with some elbow grease and a vice grip (heavy-duty vice grip pliers)at each pinched interval".

Thought you'd want to know. Also, doing this bends the end of the rod, so you'll also need to use the vice grip again to bend it back into the proper shape.

I bought a file cabinet for my business and it did not have the hanging file system installed. These are a cheap way to get your hanging folders in standard filing cabinets. Easy to assemble, and pretty sturdy. I have probably 10 pounds of weight hanging on each one of these and they do not appear to be overly strained.

Highly recommended.

This is from a woman's point of view. This is a horrible product and I would never recommend it. The rail that has the notches....and you are just suppose to be able to break is absolutely ridiculous, I had to take the rails to a neighbor MAN and I thought he would never be able to snap them to the correct length. He ended up having to use a chisel and a hammer to get them off so IT ISN'T EASY TO DO. I still haven't been able to put the frames together. I would NEVER, NEVER buy this product.

This item works great for the price. There was a bit of cutting because the bar was too long even after breaking it off at the perforated end. I am handy with tools so there was not a problem at all. You will pay 4 times the amount of this product if you go to an office supply store.

This is a Smead product that fits perfectly in my HON 2 drawer file cabinets. I bought 2 boxes with 2 frames in each box for a fraction of the co$t that one file hanger would have been had I purchased it from my local Office Depot or even WalMart. The quality of this product is every bit as good if not better. Breaking the hanger sides down to fit was not difficult. Just use a straight edge to bend (up & down several times to break it) at the preferred mark for the length size of the drawer. The only tool I used was a flat blade screw driver to tighten down the side runners to the front and back stand. Easy Peasy! - File - Hanging File Folders - Hanging File Folder Bars - Folder Accessories'

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Laser Printer - brother, home office

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I bought the HL-2170W from Amazon at the beginning of 2008. I found it very easy to configure for both wired and wireless networks, although I use mine on a wired connection out of convenience. I print mostly plain text, and the quality is very good.

I have but two complaints:

First, the paper comes out slightly curled, but this is a fact of life for a printer this size.

Second, Brother has programmed the printer such that when its thinks the toner is empty, it stops working. This happened to me when I was printing some important documents. I did some internet searches and examined the toner cartridge. There is a clear plastic circle at each end of the toner cartridge. The printer shines a light through to see how full the toner is. Simply cover one of them with a piece of opaque tape, and the printer will think that the toner is full. I've already gotten 1500+ pages out of the starter toner that was "empty" at 983, with no difference in printed quality. Brother HL-2170W 23ppm Laser Printer with Wireless and Wired Network Interfaces

Recently I bought a Brother All-In-One Inkjet and have been very happy with it. Since it had all the controls on the printer itself, I was able to set up the wireless connection quickly and without any problem. Plus, all the other features worked well. I needed a laser printer to replace my very old NEC. Based on my experience with the Brother Inkjet I decided to buy this Brother 2170W.

The Brother laser printer is very small, yet holds 250 pages which is far more than my old one. It wakes up in less than 10 seconds then prints pages lightening fast. The print quality is sharp and clear. I have the printer in my office and connected it directly to my PC with the USB cable. However, I also have a laptop about 10 feet away that I wanted to setup wireless to the laser printer. Well, that is where the problems began.

I tried for several hours to connect the laser printer to my laptop and never could get it right. I was able to connect wirelessly directly between the printer and laptop without going through the router. However, doing it this way I could not be on the internet and printer at the same time. Also, the connection would keep dropping. Try as I may, I could not connect the printer through the router like my other Brother Inkjet. I am convinced that I am simply doing some little something wrong. Therefore, I can not blame the printer for something that is my fault. Since I do have the printer wired to the other printer in the office and that printer is connected to the router, then I can still access the laser printer through the other computer.

I am still giving the Brother 2170W printer high marks because, except for the connection problems, it is an excellent printer.

UPDATE: I was trying to setup the printer wirelessly, without plugging the cable in. Bad idea! I finally decided to wire the printer to the router as recommended in the manual. After setting it up I unplugged the wired connection and now the printer works wirelessly from both of my computers. The whole thing took less than 3 minutes. Lesson for today: Read the manual and do what it Recommends.

It would benefit most people to have a laser printer in addition to their inkjet printer. And this is why. Keep track of just how many documents and letters you print that do not require color. If you print more than ten percent in black and white then you can save a lot of money on ink by using a laser printer. Here are some figures to consider. The cost of toner (ink) for a laser printer is higher than inkjet, but a laser can print many more pages. The cost per page on a laser printer can be as low as 3 cents. Whereas, the cost of ink for an inkjet can be 11 cents or more per page, and that cost can be ten times more for photos. Therefore, if you only print a few things that do not require color then you may only save ten to twenty percent on ink. However, if you do a lot of black and white printing then you could save fifty to seventy percent on ink using a laser printer. And if you decide to buy a laser, then this Brother is one of the best because of the speed and print quality.

ANOTHER UPDATE: After using this printer for several months I must give it 5 stars. It has worked all this time with no problems at all and I love it. However, I still give the overall rating 4 stars because of the install problem. I even contacted Brother several times and followed their directions on how to set up the printer without using a cable. Both Brother and myself finally gave up because it just would not work unless I used a cable, even though Brother said it would. Brother never did figure out why it wouldn't work that way. But, it doesn't matter. When I want to change my WiFi key, I just use a cable.

I've been buying Brother laser printers for several years now - first the HL-1240, and then the HL-1440. Both were used in my home network via the Windows printer sharing function, which means that the computer to which the printer is attached must be up and running in order to print. The 1440 recently started malfunctioning, and rather than deal with its problems I decided to get something new that I could connect directly to the network.

I went looking for the HL-2070n, but these are no longer stocked in local stores, and I wanted a printer quick. Instead I found this model and the larger, more expensive HL-5250dn. After playing with both of them for a few minutes, I felt that the 5250 was too noisy and clunky sounding, and kind of big. It's probably a good printer, but I went instead for the quieter and less obtrusive HL-2170w.

The wireless capability is a nice feature, but not really important to me right now, since the printer sits only three feet from my Linksys WRT54G router and I don't need to move it around the house. So even though I'm able to use the easy wireless setup, I went with a wired network connection instead. Setup on my three computers was a breeze. I followed the easy instructions and everything worked as expected. If I try the wireless installation later, I fully expect it to go just as well.

Now that it's in place, the printer seems to be doing what it should. Output is fast, paper is not badly curled, and quality looks fine. The printer driver also has the advanced features I've been accustomed to with my earlier printers. My only minor gripe is that I don't like the minimalist control panel that consists of just three LEDs and one big button. Since my earlier printers had the same kind of thing, I know I'll have to keep referring to the user manual in order to perform routine control panel functions and interpret any unusual alerts.

It'll take a while to know whether or not the printer has any serious shortcomings, but I'm more than satisifed so far. Considering the low price, the hassle-free installation, and the results I'm seeing, I'll give it five stars. - Home Office - Brother - Network Laser Printer - Wireless Printer'

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Toner Cartridge - brother, toner

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This product worked better than the original factory unit. The printer would spit out a blank sheet every 10 time or so with the original cartridge. It may be coincidental, but that hasn't been a problem since installing this toner cartridge. How long it will last remains to be seen, but I am hopeful it will print at least as long as a Brother brand unit. Very satisfied for under $20. plus shipping. New Compatible Brand Toner (High Yield Version) Replaces Brother TN360 High Yield And Brother TN330 Standard Yield Toner Cartridges

If you want a premium black print laser toner cartridge at a bargain basement price, this is one you should be looking at. I print out hundreds of sheets of paper for my research and am not interested in having to pay hundreds of $ in cartridge costs every few months. Let's face it, the cost of this "generic" cartridge is about a third of the cost of the usual name brand many feel like they have to purchase. The installation is under a minute and, in my case, twenty or so sheets I had backed up in the queue came out. The print was clear, crisp and clean.

PROS:

* Definite savings, approximately 2/3s less than the name brand!

* The print is nicely regulated - no smearing, clean, bright, and legible.

* Manufacture to expiration date is one year (if you are purchasing this cartridge, chances are you are a heavy user and this won't apply).

* Works with the TN360 (360) DCP 7030 / 7040 / HL 2140 / 2150N / 2170W / MFC 7320 / 7440N / 7840W

* It comes in a fully recyclable air-cushioned inner packaging was a big plus in my book. With high humidity in the air at this time of year, the inclusion of a moisture absorbent packet was greatly appreciated.

* Excellent 24 hour customer service (can't go wrong with that!). If you aren't satisfied, they'll make it good.

CONS:

* No installation instructions. It is assumed that you know how to do this. Consulting your printer manual or finding instructions on the Internet is a must if you don't know how to install it.

This is a highly competitively priced product that actually is a great value. The cost of this compatible cartridge is about one third of the cost of a comparable named-brand cartridge purchased from a major office supply store. The delivery time was only a couple of days and was to my front door; I didn't have to drive to the store.

This cartridge was compatible with my Brother printer, but after printing about 20 regular sheets at most my computer now tells me that the print toner cartridge is empty and must be replaced. I took it out and shook it and got a few more sheets out of it, but not much. When I e-mailed the seller they never replied to me. Waste of money.

I bought three of these and despite some of the issues that tend to arise with remanufactured or generic toner I am not seeing any issues.

Very satisfied with the product so far and at an unbelievable price ($17.92 each). I have the light hole on either side of the drum unit covered with black electrical tape so I get as much print out of my cartridges as it will allow before the developer wears out and toner starts dropping to the page causing pages to come out dirty (no early low toner warning). This is maybe only my 3rd high yield toner I have put into my printer which is the Brother MFC7840 wireless multifunction printer and I have had the printer almost 3 years now. 2 cartridges in 3 years is pretty darn good/ lasts forever! Last printer I should ever have to buy! - Recommend - Toner - Brother - Toner Cartridge'

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Retractable Cable - wall charger, ipod accessories

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I picked this sucker up for $30 from Fred Meyer, after they made it clear that they had no other options available for charging my iPod from my computer (I was on vacation with no cord and a dead battery). I was only expecting it to last throughout the vacation, but I've been using it ever since.

I keep the car charger in my car, with no extra cables to burden it, and I keep the wall charger plugged into the wall. The cable retracts easily, with a design much like that of a window blind (pull until you let go, where it locks, and then pull a bit more and let go to release).

It's a small, unobtrusive, and incredibly convenient device for your iPod, and at this price, it's a steal. You'd pay two or three times this at some electronics stores for the wall charger or car charger alone, let alone one that is so solidly constructed.

No question -- if you own an iPod, purchase this product. I was impressed enough to come and write this review -- perhaps you will be too. Universal Apple iPod USB Charger Kit - USB Retractable Hotsync Cable - USB Ho...

This kit is one that no iPod user should be without. The pieces are well constructed, and the wall charger beats Apple's own overpriced model. Also reasonably priced. I am very satisfied with this product.

The product was exactly as pictured, and I am VERY pleased with the construction and price. I am THRILLED that I can use the same cord for different components - this saves on storage space!

This is a WONDERFUL product at a fantastic price! I highly recommend it to any iPod owner!

NOTE: as of 11/30/08 the car charger attachment does NOT seem to charge my iPod. I haven't done anything to it to make it not work, it just won't work anymore. Since I am way past the warranty I guess I need to buy a new one. Not a problem since it is so inexpensive.

On paper (i.e., computer screen) it looks like an unbeatable deal. In person, though, it looks and feels cheap, and performs accordingly.

I used both chargers with the retractable dock cord on several trips. They worked fine for about 3 months, then the car charger died.

When I called BargainCell for a replacement, they told me I'm out of luck. The items are only guaranteed by BargainCell for 30 days, and they can't even refer me to the manufacturer because the product "comes from China and there is no warranty."

Luckily I'm only out a few bucks because this package is so cheap. But I now have the hassle of researching and buying a replacement. Don't make the same mistake I made!

One thing nice to say: I love the retractable USB dock cord, as it eliminates cable clutter in my car's glove compartment.

Everything seemed poorly constructed when I got the set in the mail. Then things started falling apart. The car adapter comes apart everytime you try to unplug it. Every time! So I stopped using it so that I don't get the parts stuck in the cigarette lighter plug. The home charger was fine at first, but it too fell apart. One of the prongs came out in an outlet! it is so dangerous. I almost got shocked.

I thought I was getting a real deal on this. Unfortunately, I made the mistake of leaving the seller a good feedback rating before I'd actually tried the product.

It doesn't work. The LED on the AC adapter lights up when you plug it in, but the iPod never charges. It's not worth messing with trying to get a refund for less than three dollars - I'll just avoid doing business with the seller again.

Guess there's a reason the official Apple chargers are so expensive - they actually charge the iPod.

LED lights (wall plug and car adapter) however neither ipod nor iphone are charged. The retractable USB cable lasted exactly 5 times... then the spring went flying.

This is not worth your time ordering it.

Not a very high-tech item. However, the retractable cord, on the Ipod attachment side was badly bent, right out of the box, totally unusable. Since it was a good deal, something like $6, I decided to lump it, rather than the hassle and cost of returning it, which would likely cost more than $6. I will be much more careful about who I do business with and will not do business with this vendor again and I realize that a good deal might be too good to be true, even with a low tech item like this one. - Travel Charger - Ipod Accessories - Ipod Car Charger - Wall Charger'

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Corded Rotary Tools

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Let me say for starters that I haven't been a big Black/Decker fan for a long time(Black and Decker quit making tough power tools around 1990-1991).If I wanted a power drill currently....I'd buy a expensive/sturdy drill.Secondly,I've used Dremel 395 models for a long time,yes I've found them to be expensive but they do the job.So what could be better than a Dremel tool?A Black & Decker RTX-these are twice the motor power of a Dremel Tool,very well designed and comfortable to use(has a very nice rubber grip for extensive handling options during use),has a universal collet to except a massive range of dremel and aftermarket accessories(including a threaded section for the Flex Shaft),and a cool Flip Lock system to making changing bits a one-handed operation.Did I mention the RTX is half the price of a Dremel Tool.This tool is huge competition against Dremel,and my hopes for the RTX model is that it will become a main staple by Black/Decker and more advanced models will be released years down the road.Get a B&D RTX and save yourself some money :) Black & Decker RTX-B 3 Speed RTX Rotary Tool with Storage Case

This is an outstanding tool, cheaper and stronger than Dremel. The shaft lock defeats the power switch when applied, well thought out.

It is a variable speed even though there are 1,2,3, divisions. My only gripe is that awful cord that is showing up on many appliances.

It is permanently kinked. It causes trouble using and storing the tool. I have been replacing these cords on my tools with good quality wire,

the kind that used to be standard. These kinky cords are more trouble than "REBATES", which also cause me not to buy.

If manufactures want to make buyers angry, these kinky cords will do it every time!

This would be five stars except for the cheap cord.

This is my second Rotary tool. I used the first one for almost 5 years without a hitch. The tool did not break, I miss used it. I could not wait to get my new one. I am a mechanic in a welding shop, have a home handyman service and, make knives as a hobby. I use my Black and Decker almost daily. I have purchased more accessories for it than all my other tools combined. I look at projects with how I can use the Rotary Tool in mind.

I ordered this as a replacement for my Dremel rotary tool that died after using it for various art tasks 20+ years. I looked at Dremel's selections but didn't want to buy a whole kit, since I still have plenty of little bits, sanders, etc.

I only wanted the rotary tool itself, so when this one came up in my search I decided to buy it. The price and user opinions were big motivators.

So far I like this tool just fine. Noise is a little more than the Dremel... or perhaps it's simply a different pitch that I'm not used to yet. Although there are only three speeds on this Black and Decker tool, I really don't see a need for more. I like the thumb control for on-off better than the Dremel's variable switch on the side, which always felt a little awkward. The power cord on the B&D is slightly longer too, which I like.

One bit of advice if you're planning on using this with tiny drill bits like Dremel accommodates. You'll need to order a keyless chuck for this rotary tool, as the chuck that comes with the B&D only works with larger shafts. I simply robbed the keyless chuck from my old Dremel but if you don't have one, you'll need to buy it.

I still have and use my Dremel #245 and my Dremel cordless MiniMite 750, but after reading the other reviews on this black and decker I gave it a try and bought one. My Dremel 245 gets burning hot fast. Wow what a great alternative to Dremel models. My Dremel #245 would heat up tremendously after a short period of use. (Yes I checked the bushings on my Dremel 245 and they are still good on this unit). The black and decker with the 3 speeds was powerful and relatively not too noisy as well. It has a good feel to it, sure its only slightly more girth than a Dremel but the weight distribution and the rubberized plastic where you can hold it made it very comfortable in the hand. Black and Decker has a great alternative and it fits many of the Dremel accessories I have. I have yet to encounter one that didn't fit yet. I used it with my Dremel Chain Saw sharpening tool and it fits and screws on perfectly. Note the amazon description says storage case, its not a carrying case that comes with your Black and Decker, its a draw string black plastic pouch bag. The tool sort of fits in that bag. I guess to keep the cost down they opted to give you a pouch bag instead of a hard plastic carrying case, No matter. The tool itself is excellent. It has a 3 speed dial labeled L (12,000), M (24,000) , H (30,000) . Who needs more than that? I'm very happy with it. If you always had a dremel like me, give this black and decker a try and you will be surprised at the high quality of this rotary tool.'

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Green Living - raw, raw food recipes

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I've been a vegetarian since I was sixteen. In the late eighties, that was rough- even more difficult than being a vegan now. In the last year, I made the transition to vegan, but thanks to the work of innovative cooks like Isa Chandra Moskowitz, that just isn't hard anymore. The next challenge? Going raw- very difficult because apparently you need a Vita-Mix, a dehydrator (I don't think I've ever even seen one of those), a food processor, a grinder, and a bunch of other esoteric equipment I've never even heard of- right?

Ani Phyo earned four stars right off the bat by making almost every one of her recipes doable with a blender or, in many cases, a knife. There are maybe three recipes that absolutely require a dehydrator- and even that can be gotten around. For this reason alone, if you've been thinking about raw but you've been intimidated by all of the required equipment, check this out.

The recipes that I've tried- and I've gone a little crazy in the last few days- have been not only simple but really, really good. So far I have made her Miso Soup, Almond Yogurt, Black Pepper Cheeze, Nori Rolls, Coco Kream Pie (oh wow- so good), a bunch of her shakes and my version of her Sunflower Bread (hmm- how did I do that without a dehydrator?). Almost all of this has been accomplished with a blender, and I don't even own the legendary Vita-Mix. In other words, the majority of households can do this.

Every chapter opens with her thoughts and recommendations on environmentalism. I liked most of her suggestions, but I was a little put off by her statements that hers was not a "bargain body" and that she is thus willing to pay more for her premium produce. I applaud her- I even envy her and others like her- but I am disappointed that she doesn't touch on the readers who can't afford organic produce for the most part and live in areas with lousy public transportation systems and recycling. I shudder any time I read something that makes it seem as if health is only for the wealthy.

However, she didn't lose a star for that because her tone, as strident as it may have been at times, inspired me to find a work around for my dehydrator- and I did. Ever make yogurt using a heating pad? If you have a small enough pan- think one that fits into a toaster oven- and some tin foil- congratulation, you have the guts of a make your own dehydrator. I'm still tweaking mine, but I was very inspired by the results with my Sunflower Bread.

This is a soup to nuts guide to going raw, and it won't require you to reoutfit your kitchen. It may, however, inspire you to rethink your approach to food. Ani's Raw Food Kitchen: Easy, Delectable Living Foods Recipes

This truly is a beautiful raw foods book - in more ways than one. It's beautiful to look at, it's colorful, has lots of beautiful pictures of Ani and her friends, and most importantly - contains some amazing raw foods recipes. Every page is filled with Ani's little tidbits, useful information, and her thoughts and beliefs on doing all we can to make this world a better place to live in. I tried 4 of Ani's recipes, and all I can say is that if the rest of the recipes are anything like the ones I tried, then it's money well spent.

So why did I give it only 4 stars ?? Well, for starters, Ani repeats a lot of stuff in her book. Here are some examples : Reasons to shop at farmers markets, to eat organically, not to put something into your body just because the item is cheap or free, etc etc. Ani says these same things in several different chapters. She probably just wanted to get the message across loud & clear.

Don't get me wrong, I still think this book is a GREAT BUY, and I would recommend it to anyone interested in raw foods, or in eating healthfully. I would also recommend it to anyone interested in "treading lightly" on our planet. If you can only read one book, and want to get information on "living green", eating organically, healthfully, learning about raw foods and enjoying your meals, then buy this book!

One more comment: I thought that it was strange that Ani's book was not printed on recycled paper (I looked 3 times to find some information on that in the book, but couldn't find it anywhere). Consdering all the information she's provided on living as responsibly as possible, I was disappointed to think that she didn't insist that the book be printed on recycled paper, or at least to state somewhere that it's printed on recycled paper - if it is.

i really wanted to like this book. it's got a cute concept, the author seems great, and there seemed to be a good number of recipes within. however, after trying several of them, i have to give the book a big thumbs down. i made one of the breakfast "scrambles", and it was a rather unpleasant texture as it was simply pulverized seeds, with seasonings. i also made a recipe she raved as being so yummy, one of her favorites, a faux mashed potato. what was it ? pureed broccoli with a few seasonings. maybe you have to be in a certain mindframe to get something out of the food offered in this book. the final recipe i tried was the baja nacho cheese. this is by far the worst raw food item i have made thus far. it was pulverized brazil nuts, water and a few spices. how in the world is that even comparable to cheese ? i understand it's raw, but i have tried other raw cheeses, and they were much, much better. this one was gritty and flavorless.

i own four other raw cookbooks, and this one is my least favorite, and i will probably never use it. i really believe that vegetarian/vegan/raw food can still be delicious, gourmet, enticing, etc to the palate. i've made many raw recipes, and they rival the most high end fare you can find. when i have people over for dinner, i want them to be amazed and delighted that they are eating healthy food that's also delicious. i'm afraid with ani's selections, they would either laugh or be spitting it out in their napkins. - Vegan - Raw Foods - Raw - Raw Food Recipes'

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