Marcster

Grocery stores. Seriously, though... What state are you in, my grocery store chains aren't yours... Or go here: http://www.internationaldelight.com/where_to_buy.php to find what grocery stores sell International Delight, the ones that sell the regular flavors are more than likely going to have limited editions.

Last year PepBoys did too (yeah, the car parts place).

Done deal -- rated, commented + subscribed.

Actually, the reverse can happen: stores order less because they don't have as much foot-traffic and they don't discount as much because they're hurting due to lack of sales and need to maintain as much profit as possible. I'm just sayin'... http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Rude/pom.gif

Towing is typically $4-5 per year per vehicle on your insurance policy. AAA is nice because it is assigned to the person named on the card -- so if you are with a friend and their car breaks down, or in a rental vehicle.

Maybe you live too far away?

It was on the flyer I got in the mail.

I just got the mailer from Target: $5 off $25 and 11 coupons for money off of specific grocery store items, ranging from $.25 - $1.00. No major deals...

Walmart is no fun. And Brad, you need a scanner, j/k.

Slim case will severely limit your ability to upgrade. They typically have proprietary power supplies (which means if you need to replace it, the manufacturer can charge astronomical prices). A slim case will typically allow for just a few low-height video cards, if any at all. Also with a slim case, you can forget the possibility of ever being able to add a TV tuner (which for me is one of the most fun things about having a computer -- using it as a DVR). The height of the TV tuner card will be too thick (too wide actually). Premium edition is all most people ever need... That's what I have x3. Only get Business or Ultimate if you need the ability to encrypt your hard drives. Business loses the ability to be a DVR, but Ultimate has both the encryption and the DVR capability. Compare Vista editions here: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/windows-vista/compare-editions/default.aspx (Don't bother with Basic -- it's just "basic") I say capability because unless you add a TV tuner card (and a video source), you won't be able to use it as a DVR. The DVR in Vista Premium or Ultimate allows your computer to do everything that TIVO can do, and more since you can burn DVDs. If I've peaked your interest, this is the card I have: http://www.leadtek.com.tw/eng/tv_tuner/overview.asp?lineid=6&pronameid=351 (I bought it from Newegg).

Prediction? At office stores -- Office stores will have the equivalent computer to what you are seeing for just $500, but with a 19" LCD widescreen monitor and an inkjet printer. Walmart, Best Buy and Circuit City will have doorbuster computers that are built for a price (not performance) that would retail for around $350-$400 on any other day marked to $150. But, they are slower, less capable and/or built of lower-quality components to make that price point.

I am guessing that you tried Vista prior to the release of Service Pack 1? We have 3 computers running Vista -- two 32-bit and one 64-bit. I have no problems with any of them and I chose Vista for the computer I built back in July (the 64-bit one). The sidebar functionality and the built-in ability to work as a DVR (just add a TV-tuner) are nice improvements over Windows XP.

Oh, shoot... Sorry, I forgot to answer that portion of your question. If you go to Staples , OfficeMax or Office Depot about 60-90 minutes before they open you should score one of the $400-$500 desktop deals -- no problem. If you live in a remote area, you could probably just show up 30 minutes prior to opening. They do tickets for items like desktops, laptops and digital cameras. I've been doing this for years -- I just go to the office stores. I won't step foot in a Best Buy or Circuit City, it's not worth the stress and headaches, but that's just me.

We have a new Target opening nearby at about the same timeframe.

Not to shoot your suggestion down, but $399 is pricey for a no-name computer with no monitor, no keyboard, no mouse, no speakers and a dated video card. And it shows as $499 for me.

Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot will all have deals like that, nicely outfitted computers at very attractive prices. The $150 deals from Best Buy and Circuit City are typically the lowest-performance computer currently offered (around $350-$400 on any other day). But they'll require 24-36 hours of camping out. And if you are only upgrading your computer every 8 years, I'd go with something that will last that long, not something built to be a "doorbuster" at $150. Now, the Mac Mini is just the computer for $599. boblabontefan will need a new monitor for about $200 (because who wants to use a VGA-only 8-year-old 15" monitor?) Don't forget the Apple Keyboard & Mighty Mouse for $98 And don't forget that you need to buy the copy of Windows Vista, another $100. So that "GET A MAC MINI!" quickly becomes $1,000.00.... No discounts. I still say that boblabontefan would be better off buying another Windows-based computer from Staples, OfficeMax and Office Depot. Oh, and boblabontefan, no matter what you do, you might need a new printer. Your current printer's manufacturer (HP, Brother, Canon, etc.) may not have drivers for Vista (or Mac OS, if you do go that route).

Our local Rita's Water Ice have had Pumpkin Pie flavor for about a week now. It's not bad... It is more like ice cream than water ice.

"Second tier" GPS units: (for lack of a better description) Updated 10/27/08.

GPS Units that provide Voice Prompts (A voice will say things like "Turn right in 500 ft.) ~~Garmin Nuvi 205~~ Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels, POI: nearly 6mil Maps: 48 states, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (No Canada or Alaska) GPS Type: ??? Pros: Compatible with TMC traffic updates service (but at an additional cost), compatible with MSN Direct service (gas prices, traffic, weather, etc.) Features a fast 333 Mhz Microprocessor which greatly enhances the map drawing and routing capability. In addition, satellite reception is even faster than before thanks to Garmin's new HotFix eature which automatically calculates and stores critical satellite information and can use that information to quickly calculate a position without waiting for data collection from the satellites. Cons: Current retail @ Amazon.com = $152.69 w/free shipping. $124.99 @ Sears http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/garmin-nuvi-205-gps/4505-3430_7-32902381.html http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/017195.php http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2008/09/garmin-nuvi-205.html ~~Magellan RoadMate 1200~~ Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels, POI: only 1.3mil Maps: 48 states, Hawaii & Puerto Rico (No Canada or Alaska) GPS Type: ??? Pros: Simple design and basic navigation features at an affordable price. Consider this a "bare bones" device. Cons: System is sluggish with route calculations and recalculations. There are no pedestrian and bicycle routing modes. Limited POIs. Current retail @ Amazon.com = $117.07 w/free shipping. $99.99 @ Sears http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/magellan-roadmate-1200/4505-3430_7-32733573.html http://www.navigadget.com/index.php/2007/10/28/magellan-roadmate-1200 http://gpstracklog.typepad.com/gps_tracklog/2007/10/new-entry-level.html ~~TomTom 125~~ Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,POI: ??? Maps: Just the 50 states GPS Type: ??? Pros: (based on the features of the TomTom 130) -- The mount folds up easily for storage. Free map updates for the first 30 days of activation (if you give this as a gift, they will be able to download the latest maps). Optional fuel prices or traffic (both availalble at additional cost). Choice of routes: such as quickest, shortest, avoiding toll roads, pedestrian and bicycling routes (most GPS units only allow choice of the quickest or the shortest), optional warning when exceeding recorded speed limit (available on most highways and major roads), car speed linked volume: volume of voice instructions will increase/decrease depending on speed of car, sign post information: exit sign info displayed in navigation mode, "HELP ME!" feature, which apparently includes everything from directions to the nearest hospital to car maintenance information to first aid instructions. I have personally used the "Help Me" feature when calling AAA to have my car towed from the side of the road -- it allows you to specifically answer the tow service when they say "Where is the vehicle located?" Allows you to be able to say, "Well, I'm on Route 222 between Main St. and Front St." You can even give them latitude and longitude. Very nice! Cons: New unit, no reviews. Appears to be some incarnation of the TomTom 130, which in itself is an update of the TomTom One version 3, but with an updated mount. Current retail @ Amazon.com = $149.49 (for the TomTom 130) $99.99 @ Sears http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/023062.php (TomTom 125 vs. the 130) Note that the 130S model adds text to speech Updated 10/27/08.

GPS Units that provide true Text-to-Speech (A voice will say things like "Turn right onto Buckeye St. in 500 ft.) ~~Magellan RoadMate 1412~~ Screen: WIDESCREEN4.3", 480x272 pixels, POI: 6mil Maps: 50 states & Canada GPS Type: ??? Pros: Features a large, widescreen, 4.3-inch anti-glare touch screen and a simple, intuitive user interface, with premiere features including Quickspell™, for fast input with a minimal amount of keystrokes. It also features a newly designed easy to view menu and map screens that incorporate easy to identify, stylish icons and graphics that are clear and crisp to the user. Consider this to be an entry-level unit with all the features you "need" (widescreen, text to speech, and 6 million POIs). Cons: No optional for traffic updates. Current retail @ Amazon.com = $184.00. $149.99 @ Sears http://pebuzz.com/review/553.html http://www.gpslodge.com/archives/015959.php http://reviews.cnet.com/car-gps-navigation/magellan-roadmate-1412-gps/4505-3430_7-33020345.html ~~Sony NV-V44~~ Screen: 3.5" with 4:3 aspect ratio, 320x240 pixels,POI: ??? Maps: 50 states, Canada & Puerto Rico GPS Type: ??? Pros: Dual-View, similar to the Navigon GPS displays. Cons: New unit, no reviews. I am not 100% certain that this has text to speech, but for the price, it probably does. Current retail @ Amazon.com = ??? (new unit) $179.99 @ Sears Updated 10/27/08.

http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Non-Smiling/secret.gif Here is a one-stop for all the GPS Navigation Units that are being offered on BF. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Things/excl.gifBecause of the limitations of the amount of text that you can put into one post, I have split this "report" into 4 posts. Just scroll down to see everything. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Things/excl.gif http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Non-Smiling/Clever.gifNOTE: All GPS units have either Voice Prompts (A voice will say things like "Turn right in 500 ft.") --or-- Text to Speech (A voice will say things like "Turn right onto Buckeye St. in 500 ft.). How to decide if you need Text to Speech? Last year I bought a TomTom One LE from Best Buy. It doesn't have text to speech -- that becomes a problem when driving in confusing areas that may have a lot of short blocks (think of downtown cities) and/or needing to take your eyes off the road for confusing highway interchanges. If you have the money, I recommend text to speech, but if money is a concern, then you can (or your gift recipient) can do without it. http://s23.photobucket.com/albums/b399/Marcster2005/Smileypad/Happy/biggrinbounce2.gif As you read this, POI stands for "Points of Interest". That's every bank, restaurant, gas station, post office, store, school, etc. that you can search for and map to. The more the better. Marcster's Short List: (Updated 10/27/08 (As more BF ads become available, I'll recommend specific GPS units here...

In the fine print on the coupon, it probably says "Participation may vary."

I used that coupon and got the breakfast sandwich. I thought it needed a little honey sauce or something. Biscuit + chicken filet + zero sauce = dry mouth. I had the lunch one when it first came out, I think it's a little better. Maybe the pickle provides the moisture... Either sandwich is a little pricey compared to Chick-Fil-A's offerings, IMHO.

Just finding it on a store shelf is a challenge, so I'll second a lack of discounts. The manager at my local Gamestop told me to reserve any games that are coming out between now and Christmas as availability for games will be very tight as well. They take a $5 deposit to hold any game title.

I can always use more Flash Drives... (I have 10 already) And hard drives.