http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/Don Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:06:13 GMT Reviews by Don http://www.viewpoints.com/Zone-Labs-ZoneAlarm-PRO-2007-Full-Version-for-PC-637078082210-review-9b49 Protecting my computer from the outside world and keeping my information as safe as I can, prompted me to install Zone Lab's "ZoneAlarm" way back when it first became available. It's a comfort to look at its log to see how many attacks have been thwarted. That said, I'd not recommend this software to the faint-of-heart. — — There's a price to paid for the security ZoneAlarm provides. You absolutely must be aware that this software is turned on and what it's doing to you. I kid you not, it'll drive you nuts! I've gotten so used to it, that when some internet site isn't working the way it should, I automatically turn off ZoneAlarm and try again. Sadly, most of the time that does the trick! Along comes an unsuspecting family member who sits down and can't get an on-line seminar to work. Time is ticking off, the seminar is going on without them, and they want to toss the computer out the window. In desperation, they yell for help. The answer, "Turn off ZoneAlarm."... Tue, 22 Jan 2008 22:06:13 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Zone-Labs-ZoneAlarm-PRO-2007-Full-Version-for-PC-637078082210-review-9b49 Don 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Select-Comfort-Air-Mattress--122566-review-2ac00 A little over a year ago, after considerable shopping around, we upgraded from our queen-sized water-bed to a Select Comfort mattress. It fit nicely within our existing frame and we both find it extremely comfortable. We'd have liked to try the Temporpedic, but there's no "test driving" one of those -- once you buy it, you own it. That being the case, we went with the Select Comfort and haven't regretted it. — — Of course, the ability to control the firmness is the whole big deal with these beds, but truth-be-told, we seldom change the setting. We've each played with our individual settings, but always end up back within 5% of where we started. So take that into consideration before paying the extra bucks just for the controlability this product offers. If you're not a finicky sleeper, you may not need this luxury. — — Being used to a temperature-controlled bed, we bought the heated padded-mattress-cover as well, and that does the trick nicely. — ... Thu, 03 Jan 2008 22:28:43 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Select-Comfort-Air-Mattress--122566-review-2ac00 Don 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Holland-America-Line-Zuiderdam-Eastern-Caribbean-review-16452 This was a first cruise for my wife and I and we were blown away by the whole experience. We've since learned that Holland America is pretty much the cream of the crop for personal attention and (not having experienced others) I can't disagree with that assessment. We're saving up our coins for when we can do it again. — — Holland America is all about "up beat"! Every crew member you encounter will greet you with respect, a smile and a kind word. The crew will have a special "cookout" to show off their ethnic dishes and a special stage show to share their native talents. — — I can't imagine what it takes to coordinate 1100 meals a day, but the chefs and dining crew do it with alacrity. They too will give you a song and a show near the end of your cruise. If you don't care to be pampered in the immaculate (though somewhat noisy) main dining room, try a more private one, or have your meal delivered to your stateroom at no extra charge. — —... Fri, 21 Dec 2007 15:08:41 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Holland-America-Line-Zuiderdam-Eastern-Caribbean-review-16452 Don 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Fellowes-Screen-Cleaning-Wipes-review-7f791 I can't say these wipes are the most wonderful things I've ever encountered. They simply fill a niche. One needs something to clean LCD's and glass cleaner is right out. Considering LCD screens don't attract the dust and lint like its statically-charged CRT predecessor, one doesn't need to clean them as often. That, in itself, doesn't lend itself to this kind of dispenser system. Like others have pointed out, by the time you need the next wipe, they're already drying out. A better system would have been individually sealed wipes, or at least a flat-pack peal-apart system. With this kind of dispenser, the next wipe to be used is getting the most exposure to air while it's in the queue for next-use. — — Incidentally, the workaround I've used to combat the dry-out issue, is to occasionally add about a tablespoon or two of clean water to the bottle. Obviously that's going to dilute their "formula", but (at least in my case) it's not like there's a major cleaning job... Fri, 14 Dec 2007 20:07:35 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Fellowes-Screen-Cleaning-Wipes-review-7f791 Don 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Apple-iPod-Shuffle-Second-Gen-1-GB-MP3-Player-review-9a771 I'm too busy to sit down and read a book cover-to-cover, so I've become an audiobook enthusiast.  When the tiny Shuffle came out, I had to give it a whirl.  Of course, just like music, one can load up the little guy with an an entire audiobook.  Clip it anywhere that's convenient (it doesn't weigh anything) and play/pause your story with the touch of a finger.  Turn it off when you're done and when you turn it back on and touch 'play' it'll pick up exactly where it left off.  The only exception to this is after a long time in 'pause' mode, the unit does an auto-shut-off.  When this happens the story will pick up at the beginning of the current track, which means you'll have to fast-forward to where you left off.  The bad news is that (depending on how you initially load the audiobook) the beginning of the current track, could mean the beginning of that particular CD.  The good news is that the fast-forward feature allows you to actually hear... Thu, 13 Dec 2007 17:02:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Apple-iPod-Shuffle-Second-Gen-1-GB-MP3-Player-review-9a771 Don 4