Gateway 400 Series Notebook (2.20 GHz Celeron, 256 MB RAM, 40 GB Hard Drive)
Average Customer Review:
Personal Computers (01 November, 2003)

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Editorial Review

It wasn’t so very long ago that a sub-$1000 notebook was an underpowered, outmoded notebook. But with its new 400 Series, Gateway has brought speed and versatility to the entry-level mobile world. Though it shouldn’t be counted upon to drive ultra-demanding 3-D graphics or manage a flock of complex business applications, the Gateway 400 Series is certainly enough for most typical personal, light business and entertainment tasks. And at this price, that’s really saying something.

Gateway has turned to Intel for the unit’s CPU, a top-of-the-line Celeron 2.2 GHz. By no means a Pentium, a Celeron with this sort of clock speed is nevertheless a solid workhorse. At 256 MB, the system’s memory allotment is fair, and its 32 MB ATI Radeon Mobility video card is superior to the video chipset in many pricier rigs.

Surprisingly, the affordable 400 Series features a comparatively large 40 GB hard disk. This is more than enough room for an average mobile complement of programs and files. The unit does not offer DVD recording, but it does provide a DVD/CD-RW drive through which you can listen to and burn audio CDs, archive files and watch the latest Hollywood blockbusters.

At 13.2 by 10.8 by 1.7 inches and 7.53 pounds, the 400 Series is of average size. Flip open the top and you’ll find a spacious 15-inch active-matrix display capable of 1024x768 resolution, a full size keyboard with touch pad controller, and stereo speakers with emulated 3-D sound.

Connectivity options include two traditional USB 1.1 ports for linking to external devices such as scanners and optical drives, a high-speed FireWire port (commonly used for data transfer to and from digital camcorders), and a 6-in-1 card reader for interpreting memory and media cards from high-tech devices such as digital cameras and PDAs. For communication, you can use either the built-in low-speed 56K dial-up modem or the 10-/100-Mbps Ethernet Network card. The system does not feature wireless capabilities.

Your Gateway 400 Series will ship with a pre-installed copy of Microsoft Works Suite 2003. ... Read more

Reviews (1)

Good Laptop for basic computer needs
As a matter of fact, I'm using this laptop right now!!It works very good...no complaints here BUT-- this model is obsolete (I bought it off a friend) so getting parts and service is a hassle. A favor to any of you who have one...if u can't find battery packs or accessories for this laptop in Amazon...go to www.mundocorp.com <--they have everything for this laptop. It gets 4 stars due to the fact that it was a hassle for me to get a battery to begin with. Not even Gateway has it!! ... Read more

Asin: B0000DJZMN
Subjects:  1. Intel    2. (Intell)    3. Celeron    4. Notebooks (Note Books)    5. Notebook Computers    6. Laptops (Lap Tops)   

Lexar Media JD256-231 256 MB USB 2.0 JumpDrive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $69.99
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Features

• 256 MB of storage space
• Can hold any kind of data--MP3 files, pictures, video, etc.
• Data protection light that blinks until your data is safely stored
• Built-in hole where you can add an optional key ring
• PC and Macintosh compatible

Reviews (123)

Beware
I had a really bad experience with this jumpdrive. My original stick gave up on me in just 4 months. It just stopped working. The replacement died from a power surge within one week. Unfortunately, Lexar doesn't replace damaged jumpdrive so I have to by a new one. From my personal experience, I highly recommend against this flash drive. You may be more lucky, though.

Crashed On Me
Had it for 4 months and it was working fine. Always safely removed it. but after 4 months it stopped being recognized as Lexar Jumpdrive and when i tried to access it it said Drive not formatted. When i formatted it, it stuck halfway and said. unable to format drive. Maybe i got a bad stick {it happens sometimes} but then i checked it out and alot of people had the same problem. Bought a Kingston DataTraveller and Sandisk Cruzer Mini, had them for over 8 months and they're working perfectly.

this is the greatest thing if you're a college student
i am currently attending a distance-learning program for my undergraduate degree and this jump drive is the handiest thing i have ever come across.i have to transport several semesters worth of work and instead of having to cart around several disks or CD's, i have 4 semesters worth of papers etc. on one jump drive! it's all in one place for me when i travel - especially handy since i no longer own a laptop computer.Also handy for when you DO have a laptop or something with mot quite enough memory on it, you can have one of these and save everything that you don't need on your hard drive to the jump drive.This product is much better than floppies or CD's.. more durable, too.

of course, now that i bought this one last year and now they have 1 GB ones for the same price... oh well, that's just the way it is :) ... Read more

Asin: B00007K3A3
Sales Rank: 3258
Subjects:  1. CPU Upgrade Card (Cards, Upgrades)   

Lexar PD-128-231 128 MB JumpDrive Portable USB Flash Drive
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $49.99 -- our price: $27.54
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• PC and Macintosh compatible
• 128 MB of storage space
• Can hold any kind of data--MP3 files, pictures, video, etc.
• Data protection light that blinks until your data is safely stored
• Built-in hole where you can add an optional key ring

Reviews (131)

Handy Little Flash Drive
It worked great for me for about a year.The capacity was somewhat constricting but that's what i paid for....Not a good choice if your computer is on the ground.I barely stepped on it and it busted.So its time for an upgrade!!!!

Until it crashed - wonderful
Had one for just under one year. Worked well with a variety of media: music files, pictures, documents. Moved files back and forth between several pc's without any difficulty. Seemed fairly durable as well. Like with another reviewer, one day it just stopped working. Technical support tried walking me through several steps to no avail. As with any backup or transporting drive, do not have files only on the media. Even if it was still working, if I had lost it.....

Unreliable
I've have one of the these and another, more expensive, Lexar flash drive just suddenly die on me, and I've read of others who have had the same experience. If you have one already, don't use it as a 'backup' - only use it to transport files. ... Read more

Asin: B00006I5FQ
Sales Rank: 2507
Subjects:  1. Flash Memory (Flashcard, Flashcards)    2. Compactflash (Compact Flash)   

Microsoft Works Suite 2004
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM
list price: $99.99
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Features

• With Works Suite you can qualify for discounted upgrade pricing for Microsoft Office 2003
• Six popular Microsoft home products in one, easy-to-use package
• Microsoft Works, Microsoft Word, Microsoft Money Standard, Encarta standard, and more
• Task Launcher brings all six products into an easy-to-use interface
• 500 pre-designed templates for personal, household, school, and community related tasks

Reviews (19)

works by itself
The program itself installed fine, but I need to print envelopes, wich some genuis did not program in, I use the other programs, but was forced to uninstall the works and go back to my older version. If you need spread sheets and the like it is fine but keep your old works it is much better.

Is it an upgrade or can it be a stand alone program?
I just recently purchased Microsoft Work Suite 2004 and haven't even open the box yet because I am confused about what is needed to run the program.It seems that it is not a stand alone program, but an upgrade to many different types of word processing programs.Can I install it and run it without other word processing software?Is it an upgrade?

I bought this for the Microsoft Word software
My computer(2001) model, HP. Walmart special, came with Microsoft Works 2001 installed on it.
My husband is starting a new job and to send his reports in he needed WORD, so this employer could open the attachment. they couldn't open the attachment being sent in Works, because I didn't have Word.
So far I have just installed the upgrade for Works 2004 and Word 2002.I think it is going to be just what we needed.
I am thankful that my computer came with Works preinstalled, because on the side of the box it states:
Microsoft Works Suite 2004 is an upgrade to Works, Word, or other word processing programs.
To be elgible for Microsoft Works Suite 2004, you must be a licensed user of any of the following applications:
Microsoft works(all versions), Microsoft Word(version 6.0 or later for MS DOS, Windows, and Windows NT(workstation)Wordperfect for MS DOS(4.0-5.1) Wordperfect for windows(5.1 or later) productivity suites from Novell or Corel which contains these wordperfect versions

Product activation is required for continued use of Microsoft Word, and may be done by internet or telephone, Instructions andMicrosoft
privacy policy will be detailed to the user during launch of the product.

So be sure and check to see if you qualify for this product or you may have Word, only briefly!!Thank goodness I had Works.

I plan on putting some of the other software on my computer at a later date.

Hope this helps you. ... Read more

Asin: B0000AOWWQ
Sales Rank: 1588
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Office Suite (Suites)    3. Bundle (Bundles)    4. Genealogy (Genealogical)   

Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $52.00 -- our price: $11.65
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Specially designed for PCs equipped with a USB port, the Proconnect compact USB four-port hub from Linksys offers instant connectivity for up to four USB devices. Plug in peripherals like digital cameras, Ethernet adapters, modems, printers, mice, keyboards, scanners, and portable data storage devices in seconds.

Ready to run, right out of the box, this compact USB four-port hub makes high-speed, low-cost expansion a snap. The hub allows four USB devices to be configured and ready for use as soon as you plug them in. Equipped with advanced hot-swap technology, the hub even lets you attach or detach USB devices while your computer is on, making it possible to switch devices on the fly!

The Linksys Proconnect compact USB four-port hub offers data transfer rates of up to 12 Mbps, which makes it perfect for speed-hungry multimedia, gaming, and Ethernet networking applications. For added expandability, you can daisy chain the hub to additional USB hubs. Use up to 127 USB devices at the same time. ... Read more

Features

• Plug and play
• Access up to 4 USB devices simultaneously
• Offers simultaneous access to all devices
• Fast 12 Mbps data transfer rate
• Daisy-chain multiple USB hubs together

Reviews (90)

Good for a laptop
For the price, this hub is a steal.

I've got a Dell laptop, so I've only got 2 USB ports to work with. This device is good for expanding a little bit, but you can't go overboard: the hub isn't powered.So far, I've had no problems with a printer/scanner/copier, optical mouse, and USB memory key all plugged in at the same time.

Just think about what you're jacking into it before you buy it.

Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub
I recieved the Linksys USBHUB4C ProConnect Compact USB 4-Port Hub exactly when I was told it would arrive. Great and quick service for Amazon.com,and the product was what I was looking for and at a good price too. I would buy from Amazon.com again. They have my business.

Wonderful
I love this little hub. When I sit at my desk with my laptop, I can connect my printer, usb mouse, scanner, and digital voice recorder cradle in one easy step. I was worried aout not having sufficient power through the usb based on reviews, but this has not been a problem. I have had it around 4 months and it works wonderfully. I've also used it on my desktop to make swapping the above mentioned devices between computers. ... Read more

Asin: B0000658CH
Subjects:  1. Networking (Network)    2. Hub (Hubs)    3. USB Hub (Hubs)   

Brother HL-1450 Laser Printer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $349.99
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Editorial Review

The HL-1450 from Brother is quite a solid desktop printer, suitable for a wide range of jobs. This monochrome electophotographic printer handles paper sizes from envelopes to B6 and paper types ranging from card stock and transparencies to plain paper and more.

A fast 15-page-per-minute print time is suitably impressive, while its 1,200 X 600 dpi resolution provides quality, easy to read images. A 250-sheet input tray is provided, as well as 150 sheet output and single sheet manual bypass trays. If all this isn't enough, Brother offers a wide range of upgrade options including a second 250-sheet input paper tray, 28 MB of extra memory, and a 10-BaseT Ethernet interface.

The HL-1450 is compatible with both Mac and PC and connects via either USB or parallel port. It also comes backed with a one-year warranty on parts and labor. ... Read more

Features

• USB, parallel, and optional Ethernet connectivity; PC and Mac compatible
• Prints up to 15 ppm
• 1,200 x 600 dpi resolution
• 250-sheet input capacity
• Fast 66 MHz processor; 8 MB RAM, expandable to 36 MB monochrome laser printer

Reviews (24)

Worked very well while it lasted....
I bought this printer for $300, so keep that in mind.After only 18 months and 2400 pages later, this printer breaks.It cannot pick up paper from the paper tray - I think a roller is broken.My one-year warranty is over, so the only thing I can do is to bring it to an authorized dealer to fix it.But these places charge $50-90 PER HOUR of labor, then add the cost of parts on top.So it is not worthwhile for me to fix this printer when I can buy a new one for the same amount of money.

I was personally surprised when this printer broke down so fast!!Although I have to admit that this printer worked flawlessly during those 18 months.No paper jams, no smearing, excellent print quality, no problems installing it on Windows XP.Even the manual feed worked so seemlessly that I was impressed. I was expecting this printer to last me countless years.

It's just unacceptable for a printer of this price to break down only after 2400 pages!!!So my lesson learned is to buy HP for laser printers.

Short Lifespan
The printer is not very old, 1-2 years or so, but has the grey matting that many others seems to have found.Not through the first toner cartridge yet.A new drum and toner would cost as much as a new printer so I won't be taking that route.Very dissappointed.Would have rated 4-5 stars before this fault, but I now feel like I have been robbed.

Heavy Network Use
Fantastic printer works fabulously and flawlessly. We print over 10,000 pages a week and have no problems. Have had this printer for over a year and bought it here on amazon. Works with XP and I know because I am running XP pro. ... Read more

Asin: B00005MEPR
Subjects:  1. Laser Printer (Printers, Printing)    2. Mac Macintosh Machintosh Apple   

Complete Idiot's Guide to Getting Your Romance Published
by JulieBeard
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (21 January, 2000)
list price: $16.95 -- our price: $11.53
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Editorial Review

Romances account for more than half of all mass-market paperback fiction sold. Two thousand romances are published each year. Ah, a land of opportunity, the writer is prone to think. Not so fast, Swifty. If you aren't already a reader of romances, chances are you'll never write a convincing one yourself. But if you genuinely love happy endings, Julie Beard (My Fair Lord) is here to help you become the next, well, Julie Beard. Embedded within chapters about writing and publishing and promoting your romance are all kinds of juicy tidbits about the romance biz. Beard discusses each romance subgenre in detail, disclosing typical story lines, the appropriate tone to use, and authors whose work is worth checking out. She talks about current trends (the biggest one at publication is the "cowboy-rancher-baby-bride" romance) and how to spot future ones (hint: keep your eye on popular culture). She knows what to include in your book--irresistible heroes and heroines, for starters--and what to avoid: nontraditional locales, rape scenes, sadomasochism, infidelity. She defines such terms as black moment, regency, and clinch ("the passionate embrace that typifies the traditional romance cover"). And yes, Beard says, even men can get their romances published--though it may be the one field in which they can succeed only if they are willing to take on a pseudonym of the feminine variety.--Jane Steinberg ... Read more

Reviews (25)

Good resource for aspiring writers
Excellent advice on how to write, what to write, and where to send it once you've finished it. A realistic look at the romance industry.

Very Helpful
Having read hundreds, maybe even thousands of historical romances over the last 20 years, I always dreamed of one day writing my own novel.This book is an extremely helpful tool for anyone that dreams of one day becoming a bestselling author.Julie Beard shares information about the industry and the various tricks to getting published. For those aspiring historical romance writers bogged down by the research process, Beard also gives insight to resources with which to build your historical framework.

This book is a great read. It's funny and inspiring. I highly recommend this book to anyone wanting to break into the romance industry.

A Great Buy!
This is a veritable mine of information on writing a romance and also on the romance writing industry. I wish I'd bought this book sooner and saved myself weeks of research on the internet.

A definite must-buy for anyone considering writing a romance. ... Read more

Isbn: 002863196X
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Composition & Creative Writing - Genre Fiction    4. Handbooks, manuals, etc    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Love stories    8. Marketing    9. Publishing    10. Publishing Guides    11. Reference    12. Technique    13. Language Arts & Disciplines / Publishing   

The New Oxford American Dictionary
by Oxford University Press
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (September, 2001)
list price: $55.00
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Reviews (26)

Very nice but...
I love this dictionary, the way it's set out and its definitions and etymology, but what's the deal with the included software version of it. With all the really useful software dictionaries that are being included these days (like COD and Websters New World) it is really disappointing to find this queer little program that is so difficult to use with this dictionary.For your next version you should make a program similar to the COD.

Very Handy
This is my third favorite dictionary - behind the 20 volume OED and the Shorter OED. There are several things I like about this dictionary - first, it is a convenient size, not too unwieldy to carry from room to room. Second, the innovative way of defining the words (using core meanings and distinctions of these meanings) makes the dictionary very readable and accessible. The layout is clean and organized, with occasional drawings or photos.

The emphasis of this dictionary appears to be contemporary usage. There is a brief origin listing after many words, which is useful; however, the historical quotations that are descriptive of the OED or shorter OED are mostly absent.

An Excellent Reference Book - One Minor Flaw
I love the layout of this dictionary!For its price, it can't be beat in my opinion.No - no colored pictures, but this is a dictionary, not an encyclopedia -- you use it to look for words.There is a bonus "reference" section at the end which has several uniquely American things like the Declaration of Independence, the Constitution, and various other goodies.
While this dictionary excels in ever aspect I am concerned with over the American Heritage Dictionary, it has a minor problem in that several of the pages throughout the book have an almost imperceptable bleed of print (almost like they closed the book before the print was dry or something) from one page to the page opposite.Affects about .5% of the pages and is barely noticeable -- but I checked the library's copy and they have the same problem.Barely noticeable, but still a minor nuisance.I installed the CD on my computer.It is fun to punch in a word every once in a while and see what the definition is, but I still will use the book more often simply because my computer is not always on -- and of course with Scrabble at the kitchen table, nothing beats having the authoritative tome at your elbow -- ready for a challenge from your ignorant opponent! ... Read more

Isbn: 019511227X
Sales Rank: 170215
Subjects:  1. Americanisms    2. Dictionaries    3. Dictionaries - General    4. English Language Dictionaries    5. English language    6. Reference    7. United States    8. American English   

Dangerous Men & Adventurous Women: Romance Writers on the Appeal of the Romance (New Cultural Studies Series)
by Jayne Ann Krentz
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 December, 1992)
list price: $16.50 -- our price: $16.50
(price subject to change: see help)
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Editorial Review

Why read 'em? Why write 'em? Some of us may scoff at romance novels, yet they make up 35-40% of mass market paperbacks. They have a language and a genre all their own that non-readers don't (or won't) understand. This series of essays by popular romance novelists explores the unique qualities and purpose of romance novels. ... Read more

Reviews (8)

It's a start...
I enjoyed reading this collection of essays exploring the themes, types, symbols, and (most of all) the appeal of romance novels. In a time when cultural studies is turning its attention on sit-coms and daytime television, should we ignore what romance writing has to teach us about our selves and our culture? I think not. I didn't find definitave answers here--no gospel of women's fiction--but there are a plethora of perspectives. I was challenged to evaluate how and why I read to see if my experience matched up with the authors'. It is a bit of an apologetic...I guess many of the people who read and write romance novels (like myself) are well-adjusted and well-educated people, and we wonder why we're so attracted to books commonly described as "trashy." It probably won't convince any "outsiders" (as the earlier review said) of the value of romance writing, but if you love romance and you don't know why, give this book a try.

repetive,but occaisional good points
There were a few points discussed in this book that I had never really thought about before and appreciated reading about.For instance, I liked Laura Kinsale's essay "The Androgynous Reader: Point of View in the Romance".She argued that the reader of a romance novel doesn't neccessarily identify only with the heroine, but also with the hero, maybe even moreso with the hero.It made me reconsider why I was so unhappy with the books that never explained the hero's point of view very well.The essays in this book cover a lot of things, like virginal heroines and alpha males, and the "happily ever after" ending that's so important for romances.At least a couple of the writers made comparisons between the mystery genre and the romance genre, something that I thought was interesting.I didn't always agree with what the essays were saying, but, for the most part, I enjoyed reading them.

That said, it seemed that there wasn't a great deal of communication between the various authors in this book.If there had been, there would, hopefully, have been less repetition of ideas.There's a great deal of overlap between the essays, and the mystery vs. romance bit is only one example - most essays talk about the alpha male, the ways that romance writers were once asked to change their writing and how those changes would've hurt the genre, the type of feminism in romance, etc.Im just glad that the book was short, and a relatively quick read, or the repetition would've been much more aggravating than it was.Also, I'm not entirely sure that this book would reach the sort of audience that the introduction mentioned: people with biases against the romance genre.I was once a part of that group,and I don't think I would have picked up this book - it took reading a really good romance, recommended to me by a friend, to change my mind about romance.

Interesting...
I found this book very interesting reading.From each author, I gained new insight into why I like to read romance, and why it's written the way it is.Many of us readers do like the "alpha" hero, or even as in Anne Stuart's words--the vampire hero.Why the authors like them, write about them, and entertains us with these heroes, fascinates me. To read about the balance the adventurous heroine needs, entertains me. And, I love Laura Kinsale's place-holder heroine, her writing on point of view, as well as Jayne Krentz's defense of the genre, in general. Excellent book, worth reading and keeping. ... Read more

Isbn: 0812214110
Subjects:  1. American - General    2. Authors and readers    3. Books and reading    4. Fiction    5. History and criticism    6. Literature - Classics / Criticism    7. Love stories, American    8. Romance - Contemporary    9. Romance: Modern    10. United States    11. Women   

New American Roget's College Thesaurus in Dictionary Form (Revised &Updated) (Signet Reference)
by Philip D. Morehead
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (02 July, 2002)
list price: $6.99 -- our price: $6.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (6)

A Very Formidable One!
I came across this one long time ago.....it is really addictive....and very beneficial too.....helped me a lot to improve my english.....I have got this one and the roget's 21st century thesaurus in dictionary form by Barbera Ann Kipler.....and would suggest people to buy both of them......i am quite experienced in the matter of thesaurii....and as far is this book is concerned.....it isvery very concise,handy.....and...user friendly.....and written in a detailed manner...

User Friendly!
As other reviews have said this is an excellent thesaurus that is very handy and user friendly,it is very clear, concise and well organized and it is so far the best thesaurus I have come by and the one that I recommend.

The Best!

The preferred first stop thesaurus
This very handy and useful thesaurus is one of my most valuable aids to the English language. It makes me write with more impact while steadily enhancing my command of words. Its the first step to making words work for you. ... Read more

Isbn: 0451207165
Sales Rank: 9886
Subjects:  1. Dictionaries    2. Dictionaries - Synonyms/Antonyms    3. English language    4. Reference    5. Synonyms and antonyms    6. Thesauri    7. Reference / General   

The New Well Tempered Sentence : A Punctuation Handbook for the Innocent, the Eager, and the Doomed
by Karen Elizabeth Gordon
Average Customer Review:
Hardcover (10 July, 1993)
list price: $16.00 -- our price: $10.88
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (12)

Loona is with us again!
From the author of "The Deluxe Transitive Vampire" and "Torn Wings and Faux Pas" comes another humorous reference for remembering and learning proper punctuation.This edition is a revised edition of "The Well-Tempered Sentence" and adds guidelines for dealing with those pesky apostrophes, slashes, and italics.

Although I love reading about the escapades of Loona and have recommended this book to others, this book is not for everyone.If large or uncommon words frighten you, then you will be frightened by this book.Even if I tell students that once you are used to the language, this book is great, many don't want to take the time to acclimatize themselves.This is a shame because this is a great book.

If only more grammar books were a treat to read!I would highly recommend adding this book to your reference collection or taking the time to refresh your punctuation skills.

I hate this book
The author attempts to be witty, but just ends up being unclear.This sentence is supposed to be an example of comma use:

The disconsolate child picked up the rubber remnants of his glorious red balloon and felt, in the flabby skin of such pathos, a darkness in the depths of his rubber soul.

Here's another:

The oleaginous hors d'oeuvres were followed by beakers of vodka, remorse, and cold soup.

Here's a very classy example of the use of quotation marks:

The tampon ad read: "First she was a woman - then she was a teenager."

I was puzzled that the author chose to explain that in Spanish the question mark comes before the sentence, inverted, and also right end up at the end.In the section about the exclaimation point she also explained about the use of the explaination point in Spanish.I have no idea why.The rest of the book is about English.

I also hate the fact that the back page of this book is an ad for another one of her books.

I did learn a couple new things about punctuation from the book, but it was a very winding path getting there.This book has all the pathos of a bunch of oleaginous hors d'oeuvres.

just what the writter needs!
To comma or not to comma that is the question...whether it is nobler to use a semi-colon....well you get the idea.
Writers just starting out can really use this, people needed a little stylish brush up this will be your cup of tea. Prose are everything, but those little dots, dashes and slashes can enforce the prose or sink them. But what to do what to do?...well here is a very easy to understand and absorb and apply 'Robert's Rules of Order' for all those punctuation marks that often seem contradictory. Gordon gives you the rules the differences and then offers you quick to grasp examples.

So, for young writers needed extra insurance or people away from the school room too long and needed a refresher course....
you cannot do better!!

Go ahead...make your editor happy! ... Read more

Isbn: 0395628830
Sales Rank: 19009
Subjects:  1. English Grammar    2. English language    3. General    4. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    5. Punctuation    6. Reference    7. Writing Skills    8. Reference / Writing Skills   

2004 Writer's Market (Writer's Market, 2004)
by Kathryn S. Brogan Robert Lee Brewer
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 August, 2003)
list price: $29.99 -- our price: $29.99
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (20)

great resource!!!
I have no idea what jas-webb is talking about!!! This book is a reference book that is great for all writer's not just wanting to get published, but for all types of writer's. Freelance author's, poets and columnists can all benefit from this resource.

If anything, the book gives all the contact information to reach these publishers that JAS-WEBB was referring to. Please don't let someone who has been obviously soured by the publishing process wreck your dreams or think it's a waste of time. Using this book helped me write a great query letter that DID get the attention of some publishers who requested my manuscript for consideration. 2004 Writer's Market lists 100's of publishers that recieve unagented authors and requests proposals and writing samples from all categories. Don't expect the book to get you a publishing deal, you have to put in the time and energy and 2004 Writer's Market helps you do that.

DON"T BELIEVE JAS-WEBB!!!

waste of energy
Save your money.And your time.And the anguish.These agents and publishers will not read your work.They have no time.Don't believe me, they will tell you in their listing.They rarely accept new clients from cold submissions.Definition of rarely: 99.44% of cold submissions are rejected.If they say they accept 5% of cold submissions they are exaggerating.If they get a thousand submissions they MAY ask to read one manuscript.(I'm being generous.)They WILL read your work if it recommended by someone they know.Otherwise you're doomed.All the how-to stuff in the front of these Writer's Market-type-books, and there are a lot of them is popcorn filler--the good query letter, the bad query letter.There is no good query letter.They don't read them.
Call them up.Ask them specifically if they are accepting the genre of fiction or non-fiction you've written.If the agent will talk to you thell him/her the plot, briefly.BE READY.Write down what you're going to say if you have to.Same thing with publishers.Most of them will take your call.Even an assistant can be very helpful.Sometimes more so.If they adamantly say in their listing "No phone calls," pass.All of them have too many clients already.If you're in L.A. or New York find out what functions the agents attend, show up, be cool but persistent. Maybe your personalities will click.If you HAVE to send a query letter, if you absolutely need to confrim this all for yourself, for heavens' sake go to the library and use their copy of Writer's Market.Good luck.Luck is what it's all about.Don't be encouraged by the one or two writers who succeed with the cold submission.For better odds try winning the lottery.

Outstanding Resource!
A great resource for all types of writers. This book along with Mahesh Grossman's "Write a Book Without Lifting a Finger" have helped me to land a whopper advance. I highly recommend "2004 Writer's Market" and "Write a Book Without Lifting a Finger" if you are tired of wanting to be a professional writer and are ready to get it done! ... Read more

Isbn: 1582971897
Sales Rank: 16900
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Canada    3. Composition & Creative Writing - General    4. Directories    5. Handbooks, manuals, etc    6. Language    7. Language Arts & Disciplines    8. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    9. Publishers and publishing    10. Publishing    11. United States   

2004 Novel & Short Story Writer's Market (Novel and Short Story Writer's Market)
by Anne Bowling Michael Schweer Vanessa Lyman
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 October, 2003)
list price: $24.99 -- our price: $24.99
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Reviews (10)

This guide sucks
After ascertaining that this was the best market guide for me to purchase in order to get my novel published I gladly ordered it. Well, they don't include a great deal of reputable literary agents (who are constantly in the trades). Example: Trident Media, ICM, William Morris-even Gloria Loomis (Walter Mosley's agent---and he wrote an intro article "Connecting with the rest of the world through words" on page 6 (!!!). In addition they don't even list major Science-Fiction awards, the Hugo and Nebula-what else are they missing. I feel robbed. Then to make matters worse, I went to their website to complain (filled out their form) and got a bounce back that said, "This is an automatically generated Delivery Status Notification. Delivery to the following recipients failed. anneb@fwpubs.com"
LAME!!!

Great book, one problem
In at least one instance (an important one when looking to submit scifi or fantasy novels to big publishing companies), the entry for a company (Daw Books) conflicts with the submission guidelines given by the company website.While it's not a huge problem, it serves only to confuse the writer.All in all, this book has been a valuable resource, well worth a writer's money.

A little correction
As the editor of this book, I think I have to make a slight correction to the comments of littleredheadsmom. She recommends Writer's Market Online, and while it is an extremely authoritative and comprehensive resource, if you're only writing fiction, Novel & Short Story Writer's Market makes more sense for your use. With NSSWM you'll get ONLY fiction markets, and not pay your money for listings you can't use--trade journals for nursing and farming, for example. Just a heads up. ... Read more

Isbn: 1582971935
Sales Rank: 80087
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    3. Directories    4. Fiction    5. Language    6. Language Arts & Disciplines    7. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    8. Marketing    9. Publishers and publishing    10. Publishing    11. United States   

Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 1999-2000 (with CD-ROM) : Who They Are! What They Want! And How to Win Them Over!
by JEFF HERMAN
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (08 July, 1998)
list price: $49.95
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Editorial Review

So you've got this idea for a book, but you don't know where to begin to look for a publisher. With information on more than 400 publishers in the United States and Canada, the Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 1999-2000 is the perfect place to start your search. Though the alphabetic listing of publishers is somewhat daunting, the index (with its select range of general topics) can narrow down your list.Once you've compiled a listof publishers interested in your topic, you can turn to the in-depth, individual entries to learn more. These profiles include information on the houses' recent successes, its imprints, and its staff--including the names of the people to whom you can send query letters.

The book also contains a list of over 200 top literary agents (the author, Jeff Herman, is a successful agent who has sold nearly 350 titles) and what they're willing to represent, along with essays on the necessity of finding the one who best suits you. Other essays on the merits of different types of publishers, how to write query letters, and how to develop a proposal package round out the book. Perhaps the finest feature of this work, however, is its honest, straightforward tone. While the book remains upbeat, there's no sugarcoating of the truth--that only a small percentage of good writers get published. While offering no guarantees, the Writer's Guide to Book Editors, Publishers, and Literary Agents, 1999-2000 will certainly help you in your search to find the one for you. --C.B. Delaney ... Read more

Reviews (35)

a great resource for the beginning writer
I'm trying to get a book published and this book is an excellent resource on how to write the proper query letter and assemble the perfect proposal submission to a publisher.

And, of course, this book has an exhaustive list of publishers of all kinds as well as literary agents. My only complaint would be that I wish they had an index organizing the agents by the genres they accept. It's a minor quibble on an otherwise flawless book.

wonderful book!
I love the resume format for each literay agent! Helped me tremendously in making a decision.

Just the Facts, Please.
Leave out the pretensious testimonials and preachy "Do's and Don'ts" section and you have yourself the ultimate reference tool for would be and struggling authors.Every literary agent, editor and publishing firm is listed along with contacts, email addresses and each firms "likes and dislikes" which can save you months of trial and error when submitting materials for publications.There are interspersed within this reference advice from published authors stating, sometimes in a boldly condescending fashion, how you "must" do things if you ever hope to be a published writer.Of course, I've never heard of most of these so-called writers and I would take their advise with a healthy grain of salt.But for pure informational reference, this is the book no writer should be without. ... Read more

Isbn: 076151354X
Subjects:  1. Book editors    2. Directories    3. Editors    4. General    5. Language Arts & Disciplines    6. Language Arts / Linguistics / Literacy    7. Publishers and publishing    8. Publishing    9. Reference    10. Reference / General   

Romantic Times Book Club
Average Customer Review:
Magazine
-- our price: $29.95
(price subject to change: see help)
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Features

• Magazine Subscription

Reviews (7)

Preview the titles that will soon be released.
This book will give you one or two months notice on what books are due to hit your favorite retail book stores. It USED to tell ONLY about Romance books. However, within the last year "Romantic Times" changed its name to "RT Book Club". With the name change, came a change in what the magazine carries. It still focuses on romance novels (historical romance, modern contemporary, super natural romance, time travel romance, series such as Harlequin books, etc), but the magazine also includes Thrillers, Fiction, Sci-Fi, Fantasy, Christian, Mystery, and more.

About 90% of the reviews/previews of books are done by the magazine's OWN reviewers. So if you are looking for reviews done by independent reviewers and readers like yourself, you will not see many in here.

The magazine hosts a yearly Male Model Contest and convention. People are invited to join the "RT Convention". You can meet all your favorite authors, publishers, and other reviewers and readers in a 3 - 5 day/night convention. Several classes are given by publishers and authors to show and tell how to write books, how to get published...in general, several "how-to" classes each day. You choose which, if any, you wish to attend. No extra fee is required to attend the classes. But you must pay the 3 or 5 day conference fee, your travel to and fro home (though the convention often gets deals from certain airlines for those attending), and for your hotel stay (which they also get great deals for).

Each year the convention is in a different state. Within the last few years I, personally, went to the conventions in Texas and Florida (and plan to go to the St. Louis convention in 2005). I can vouch for how amazing these conventions are! The high light is the Male Model Contest where several men compete for the title of Cover Model. The winners normally get a contract with Kensington publishing company to become the male models ladies see on the cover of their favorite romance novels. (And yes, the men look even better in person than on those hot covers!) The audience chooses the winner! The contest is a lot like a male beauty pageant. Lady Barrow is the hostess each year and does a WONDEROUS job! BRAVA! The contest is held while you dine (included in the convention fee) on exotic meals. You may even forget to eat due to all giving the show all your attention. Witty, romantic, and SO MUCH FUN! The men really show their sense of humor!

When the magazine first began, it looked like a tabloid newspaper. But the popularity of the magazine too off running and never slowed down! Once the company could afford to, the magazine began having glossy covers, look like an actually magazine (instead of a newspaper), but still had newspaper quality inside. Now, it has been perfected. Glossy, high quality paper inside and out.

Want hard back? Paper back? Electronic? This magazine has it all. Loaded with articles about and by the authors you look for on the book shelves.

It is more expensive than most other magazines. But you get to choose whether you pay for first class or media shipping rates.

Heads up on what's up
This book can be compared to about any "industry specific" magazine. For those inclined to read this "genre" it is best to plan ahead, and what better way than to read reviews, upcoming fairs, contest information, and advertisements from like minded people. Get a jump on the market; plan your budget. I have to admit that occasionally I find an interesting article.

I love this Magazine
It is partically the only magazine that I read, but don't buy it here, do directly to romatic times, and you can get special offers, I have had the subscription for 3 years now, and I don't pay over $25 because of a special offer. I love reading the preview for the new books of the month and and getting excited abotu a new series, or that my author has something new out.I also Ilike the tips for budding writers, interviews of authors, columns, and Q&A's it's a fun read and very enlightning.A MUST! ... Read more

Asin: B00006KVNW
Sales Rank: 1661
Subjects:  1. Literature    2. General    3. Periodicals    4. Literary    5. Women's Interest    6. Romance   

PDF Converter for Microsoft Word
Average Customer Review:
CD-ROM (08 September, 2003)
list price: $49.99
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Features

• Convert PDF files to Microsoft Word documents
• Eliminates the need to re-key and re-format PDF documents
• Accurately retains the layout of the original PDF file
• Open PDF files downloaded from the Web or received as e-mail attachments
• Does not edit encrypted PDFs

Reviews (14)

Great product to help save time
I have been using this product for a few weeks and it works great for me.When you consider what it does, the results are pretty amazing - it reconstructs a document with formatting from a picture!It does not work perfectly on every single document, but usually any clean up is minimal.I am very happy with it.For $50 it has saved me hundreds by not having to retype stuff from PDFs.I noticed someone made a comment about it not working on encrypted files - it says that one the box and on the web site.The stupidity of people never fails to amaze me!

PDF Converter with Potential
Having used this product on large (more than 500 pages) and complex documents, my conclusion is that this could be a very good product.Unfortunately, the software has some logic flaws that cause it to fail repeatedly on specfic text formatting.For example, consider the following listing:
a. Data Element
b. Data Element Tag
c. Element Number
d. Group Number
The application always fails on this and similar listings by randomly deleting the new paragraph marker and setting the right margin incorrectly.Too bad that Scansoft support, which could alert developers to this type of problem, is the worst I have ever encountered.Perhaps someone from Scansoft will read this review and fix this problem and other problems encountered by customers.

PDF Converter - Warning
This software only works on NON-ENCRYPTED pdf files.I paid too much money for something that did nothing for me.It read the pictures or scanned files, but not the text oddly enough.It was a waste of my money and my time to install and attempt to convert the file.I wish I would have checked to find out if it was encrypted or not.I might just end up selling it and hopefully get most of my money back. ... Read more

Asin: B0000ALFBD
Sales Rank: 2560
Subjects:  1. Computer software (programs)    2. Document Tracking (Inventory    3. Document Management    4. File Conversion (Convert)   

Self-Editing for Fiction Writers
by Renni Browne Dave King
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (01 March, 1994)
list price: $14.00
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Editorial Review

There's not much of the old-style editing going on at publishing houses today.Renni Browne, veteran of William Morrow and other publishers, founded the Editorial Department in 1980 to teach fiction writers the techniques professional editors (many of whom have gone independent) use to prepare a manuscript for publication. In this book, she and senior editor Dave King share their accumulated expertise in a series of brilliantly compact lessons. One page from their simply and markedly improved version of a scenefrom The Great Gatsby alone would make a compelling advertisement for their techniques. Very highly recommended.--MTB ... Read more

Reviews (59)

The best book on self-editing I've seen
Before you spend money on How To writing books, put this at the top of your list. This book is a must. Most books on writing seem to me to be about ten percent useful information. Written by two editors who worked when an editor actually "edited," this book is pure gold. I can say that there's genuine "meat" in every chapter of this book. It is worth careful study.If you have a modicum of talent, this book can help you avoid a slew of pitfalls that could ruin your chances at publication.

Excellent primer, helped me edit my first novel...
This book served to facilitate my editing process during a time crunch. I read Self-Editing with an awareness that writing "rules" don't apply in all cases, and I came away with numerous ideas to strengthen my first novel. Publishers and writers alike will be grateful for this book. Additionally, Self-Editing makes for a wonderful macro companion to Elements of Style!

Wish more people read it
None of the rules in this book need to be strictly followed, however many new authors seem to think that the rules given here are useless. They are not. By carefully reading this book, and following it's rules most of the time, you can greatly strengthen your writing. ... Read more

Isbn: 0062720465
Subjects:  1. Composition & Creative Writing - Fiction    2. Editing    3. Fiction    4. General    5. Reference    6. Technique   

Lexmark PhotoJet Z705 Printer
Average Customer Review:
Electronics
list price: $79.99
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Editorial Review

The Lexmark Z705 Photo JetPrinter offers stunning color print results from a streamlined, compact desktop design. It supports optional networking for office applications, as well as optional six-color printing for high-quality photos.

The Lexmark Z705 can handle a wide variety of media types and sizes, up to 8.5 by 17 inches, including transparencies, labels, many envelope sizes, Japanese Hagaki and Kakugata, as well as the usual letter, legal, and executive sizes. All media input is directed through the auto-sheet feeder on the top of the printer, which accommodates up to 100 sheets of paper or 10 envelopes at a time.

Maximum print speeds are rated at 17 ppm for black, 10 ppm for color (both in draft mode), and resolutions can be as fine as 4,800 x 1,200 dpi on photo paper, or up to 2,400 x 1,200 dpi on other paper types.

The Lexmark Z705 offers standard USB connectivity for both PC and Mac users, while optional networking and wireless support is available with the separate purchase of Lexmark's N1 Ethernet Adapter or N5 Wireless Adapter. The Lexmark Z705 comes backed by a one-year warranty on parts and labor.

What's in the Box
Lexmark Z705 Color Jetprinter, #50 black print cartridge, #20 color print cartridge, installation software, installation software CD (drivers and software), online user's guide, setup sheet, power supply with cord, Lexmark Photo Center Software; USB cable ... Read more

Features

• Vivid 4,800 x 1,200 dpi resolution on photo paper, 2,400 x 1,200 on other media
• Fast 17 ppm black, 10 ppm color document printing
• Prints a 4-by-6 inch photo prints in about 60 seconds
• USB interface, cable included; PC and Mac compatible
• Optional 6-color printing; optional Ethernet

Reviews (5)

worst printer ever
I've had this for two weeks and already it's stopped working; it started losing alignment, and the paper started jamming for no reason. Don't buy this unless you like to fight with your printer for an hour the day a paper is due.

Bad printer, setup was not easy and print quality is lousy
I have a Canon i550 which was much easier to install and quieter than this Lexmark that I received with a laptop purchase. The cartridges are difficult to snap in place, and until they are perfectly snapped in, the printer will not work. Print quality is fair to mediocre. Print speed is slow.

Easiest printer ever for photos; slurps ink
This printer comes with the easiest-to-use photo organizing and printing software we've ever seen.This is the first setup that my wife is actually willing to use.That's no small statement since we bought our digital camera three years ago -- which takes excellent photos -- but it's always been too complicated before installing the Lexmark software, which is a snap.

We printed about 100 borderless 4x6 photos before the ink ran out.Definitely we'll buy the high-capacity ink next time.With the high capacity ink I think it will come to something between 20-30 cents per photo.

At high resolution, the printer is super-slow.That's okay for us.Overall, it's a great purchase, but time will tell if the cost of ownership is too high due to the ink consumption. ... Read more

Asin: B000098YD0
Subjects:  1. Multifunction devices    2. Laser Jet (laserjet)    3. Ink Jet (inkjet)   

Writing a Romance Novel for Dummies
by LeslieWainger
Average Customer Review:
Paperback (26 April, 2004)
list price: $19.99 -- our price: $13.59
(price subject to change: see help)
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Reviews (4)

A great place to start
This is the perfect book for a beginning romance writer that may need an overview of the romance novel market.I found it a quick and easy read filled was lots of good advice and some entertaining stories as well.This will never be the last word on the subject, but certainly worth reading and keeping on the shelf.

disapointing
I only made it through the first 1/3 or so of the book, and skimmed the rest.I assume that I am missing some great gems of romance writing wisdom, but I kept wanting to throw the book across the room.There was some really bad advice, early on, which undermined the book's credibility for me.The bit that sticks out in my mind is where the author advises getting the biggest, fastest computer with the best screen out there to work on.Does she not know that text and word processing files are TINY in the world of 21st century computers?A high-power computer is wasted on word processing.

I admit, this has very little to do with romance writing, and yet there's a big section on equipment in the book, much bigger and more directive than it needs to be.Maybe that's the "Dummies" formatt/formula talking.Parts 2 and 3 are the sections of the book that focus on romance writing.I was not convinced by some of the author's advice in that section, either, though it wasn't as bad as the bit about the computer.I haven't written a romance novel yet, but I've read quite a few good ones which don't line up with the advice this author/editor gives.

The sections on manuscript format, again, are much longer than they need to be and would only be useful to someone who's never read anything on how to submitt a manuscript, and/or can't use the internet.

There must be a better how-to-write-a-romance-novel book out there. There must be.

Outstanding how-to book on writing a romance novel
In my experience of Dummies books in general, they all fulfill beautifully a major requirement of the self-help genre: clarity. In specific, Writing a Romance Novel (WRN), as do all Dummies books, offers an outstanding table of contents, an extensive index, and an accessible layout that allows you to skip from topic to topic if you don't choose to read the book cover to cover. One thing that is unique in each Dummies book, though, is what it contains, and I can sum up the quality of this book's content in one word: superb!

I shamelessly confess that my shelves contain every book ever written on how to write romance, along with 50 or 60 books on writing popular fiction in general. Add to that dozens of other fiction how-to's I've read which did not merit "keeper" status, and if I haven't read everything ever written on how-to-write fiction, I'm pretty close. Based on all that reading, I would rank this book in the how-to-write-fiction genre at least in the top 5. And in the sub-category of how-to-write romance, I would rank it Number 1--that's how good it is.

Author, Leslie Wainger, knows whereof she speaks on the subject of what makes a quality romance novel: she's been editing romances professionally for 25 years, in the process working up from editorial assistant at Silhouette books to executive editor for Harlequin/Silhouette. Based on all that experience, she's provides in WRN exhaustive information on the qualities editors seek in publishable romance novels. There is something here for romance writers at every stage of their career, from raw recruits who've may not even be sure what constitutes a romance novel, to disciplined, experienced writers who've been plugging away for years and are close to selling their first romance novel. Many of the topics in WRN are essentials in any how-to book on fiction of any genre: characters, plotting, setting, research, and marketing your completed book. However, Ms. Wainger's take on each of these topics adds information specific to the romance novel in the form of practical, clear insights that are simultaneously down-to-earth and quite sophisticated. My particular favorites among the various sections of the book are Chapter 8 on author voice and Chapter 9 on unique character voices. These chapters contain the most profound understanding of how the author's voice impacts narrative that I've ever seen. In addition, Ms. Wainger offers extremely useful insights on feeding in research information and physical movements of characters in a way that doesn't slow the story's pacing. Finally, the all-important topic of love scenes in the romance novel is handled with insight and unblushing finesse.

In short, if you can afford only one how-to book on romance, make it this one. It's easy to read and packed with essential information on how to write a romance novel that has a very good chance of getting published. ... Read more

Isbn: 0764525549
Sales Rank: 29746
Subjects:  1. Authorship    2. Fiction    3. Language    4. Language Arts & Disciplines    5. Love stories    6. Novel    7. Reference    8. Romance - General    9. Technique    10. Writing Skills    11. Creative writing guides    12. Encyclopaedias & Reference Works    13. Reference / Writing Skills