BillyKnowsBest

The Best Surge Protector for Your Computer:APC Power Saving Essential SurgeArrest

My college buddy David Pogue wrote about this in today's New York Times.  The APC Power-Saving Essential SurgeArrest is a surge protector that also detects how much current your computer is drawing, so that when the computer is shut down, it cuts off power to three plugged-in peripherals that would otherwise continue to suck and waste power.  For those of you... um, us too lazy to reach down and flip the switch on our surge protectors to shut off our external hard drives, cable modems, printers and whatever else, this is the perfect solution.  It's in stock, and low-priced at PC Connection for $23.58.

The Best Domain Registrar/Email-Web Host: Godaddy.com

Their name hardly inspires the kind of corporate seriousness that Network Solutions does. And their superbowl ads are really cheesy.  But if you're looking to register a Domain Name - either to run a buisness, or just for a vanity email address, like billy@billykolber.com, godaddy is the place to go.  Their prices are super competitive and their service is excellent.  Find your own domain name today at GoDaddy.com

The Best Computer Memory Upgrades: Crucial Technology

If your computer is running slowly, it may need more memory.  As applications (including your web browser) become more sophisticated, they use up more memory, and start bogging down your computer.  You can buy memory from the computer manufacturer, but you can save lots of money by buying directly from the memory manufacturer.  Crucial Technology offers excellent pricing on guaranteed-compatible memory, with a great widget that will scan your system to find the memory you need, and a 10% discount when you click from this link.

Best International Travel Plug Adapter: Kensington International All-in-One Travel Plug Adapter

Although most business-class hotels offer 110v outlets and outlet adapters from the concierge desk, I've always found it helpful to carry a plug adapter of my own, so that I can plug in my laptop in airports, budget hotels and local homes.  I used to travel with a bag full of plugs, but now just one.  By sliding out the appopriate blades, this plug adapter works in 130 different countries.  Remember, it's not a voltage converter, but since most laptop power supplies work from 110v-220v, you may not need one. $12.99 from Amazon.com. (FYI, when referring to a device, either adaptor or adapter is correct.  When referring to a person, adapter is the correct spelling.)

The Best Retractable Cables: Zip-Linq

It's Road Warrior week at Billy Knows Best, with seven posts this week dedicated to the frequent traveler. If your briefcase is starting to look like a snake pit of cables, it's time to discover Zip-linq.  Zip-linq makes retractable cables, like USB, iPod and Ethernet, that stay conveniently spring-coiled when not in use.  They also make "charge and sync" cables, so you can charge (and often, sync) your cellphone or PDA using the USB port on your laptop, which means you may be able to leave your cellphone charger behind as well.  Find a great selection of Zip-linq cables at tigerdirect.com.

The Best Wine Cellar Software: Personal Wine Curator

If you like wine, and have more than a couple cases of it at home, you need the Personal Wine Curator software.  Not only does it inventory your wine in a searchable database, but it prints ID and neck tag labels, custom dinner and wine tasting menus, and eighteen detailed reports on your cellar.  It provides over 7.500 food and wine pairing suggestions, and does it all with an easy-to-use, internet-saavy interface that works on Macs and PCs, and can import/export exchange data with Excel and many text formats.  It $34.95 from PersonalWineCurator.com.

The Best PowerBook/iBook Repair

It happens so quickly. Your bag slips open or the dog trips on the power cord. Then the thud. The first thought that races through your mind is thank god I backed up last night (yeah right). You hold your breath as you press the power button. As it starts up, you vow to start backing up your data regularly. And to be more careful. You exhale. And then you see it. The screen isn't cracked, but the image is. You blew your LCD. If you twist the screen just so, you can still read enough to look up the address of the nearest Apple Store. Cool. You have a plan. Until the pimply geek behind the Genius Bar tells you it's gonna be $1,300 to replace the LCD on your 2 year old Powerbook.  The only thing Genius about that is Apple figured out the perfect price point to get you to buy a new machine.  And if not, they make a killing on the repair.  Either way, they've got you by the balls, and they don't even have to squeeze. They just wait.  But they're not the only ones living on Genius street. You pull out your cell phone. You call Wegener Media (803/926-1555) . They're going to send a DHL courier to you that afternoon to pick up your damaged puppy. They're going to repair it the next day, and give it back to DHL whose yellow truck delivers it good-as-new to your door the day following. You're up and running again 48 hours later, and you're only out about $500, and, if you've got BuyersAdvantage, you're getting $100 of that back*. Who's the Genius now? 
*Technically, repairs due to accidental damage aren't covered, but they seem to pay them anyway.

Bluetooth Laser Virtual Keyboard

I don't use a PDA, but if I did, I think I'd have to get one of these.  It projects a laser image of a full-size QWERTY keyboard on any flat surface, provides simulated key click sounds, and transmits your typing to your PDA via Bluetooth. $179.99 from ThinkGeek.com.

The Best Mac Utilities: DiskWarrior and Drive Genius

Although Mac users generally don't have to worry about viruses and spyware, we're not immune to the occasional glitch.  Some of these can be scary: the blank screen, the sad Mac symbol, the blinking question mark, and strange beeping and flashing -- I've seen them all in the 24 years I've been working on Macs.  Fortunately, repair is usually pretty easy.  Ironically, after reading about Tony's Powerbook trouble at GenEx last week, my Powerbook suffered a similar fate. Fortunately, I travel with my disk utilities, and a couple of hours later, I was back in business. Apple includes a Disk First Aid program with every computer, but third-party repair programs are better.  The best I've used is DiskWarrior, rescuing damaged drives when nothing else would. My second line of defense has been TechTool Pro, although in writing this, I've just read better things about Drive Genius. I just ordered it. All three (plus Buyer's Advantage) are the best computer insurance you can have.

How To: Comparison Shop for Electronics

Comparison shopping for electronics requires learning the SST (Shipping and Sales Tax) dance. With very slim profit margins on most electronics, the biggest savings are often found in not paying hefty add-ons. 

Sales tax is the easy one.  Online and catalog retailers are only required to charge state sales tax for items delivered in states where they have a store, office or physical presence. This is bound to change someday, and some retailers are already voluntarily collecting additional taxes. And technically, some states require you to pay a "use tax" on items purchased out of state on your tax return. (Does anyone do this?) But for now, it remains a big savings opportunity. Many sites clearly identify where they charge tax. If they don't, a quick check of their "about" or "contact us" page will usually let you know.  Find a retailer outside of your home state, and you're halfway home.

Shipping charges can be more complicated.  Some sites require you to complete most of the transaction process before calculating these charges.  Many sites use a "free shipping" come-on, but then scare you into paid shipping with (often fictitiously) long estimated delivery times.

Some comparison shopping sites offer good "best total price" calculators, which can be an easy way to find the best deal. Be sure to view all stores, and sort by total price; some comparison sites default to paid placements first. And the lowest total price isn't always the best deal. Sometimes, it's worth paying a few extra dollars to go with a known retailer, especially if they're also part of a bonus shopping points program. The three I use most often are CNET, Pricegrabber, and Shopzilla. 

Finally, don't be seduced into buying extended warranties. Enroll in Buyer's Advantage instead.