http://www.viewpoints.com/aboutme/usnnc Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:37:29 GMT Reviews by usnnc http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-DSC-P71-Digital-Camera-review-69145 In 2001 we purchased our first Sony Cybershot Digital Still Camera (DSC-P71). This camera has photographed everything from the frosty deep-snow mornings working the winter season in Yellowstone National Park, to tolerating the heat and blowing sand of summer in Qatar (near Bahrain) while assigned there with the Air Force. If someone needs a camera, Dad will loan his out. Everyone in the family has used this camera in every situation, and it has never failed to produce photos treasured by the family. — The DSC-P71 is getting to be quite ancient in the line of Cybershots. It's body is bulky compared to the palm-sized W-80 that I keep in my pocket. This bulkiness makes it difficult to take quick, one-handed photos, but that doesn't affect the quality of the picture. Picture quality - we never intended this camera to produce the big framed pictures printed on canvas, but you know what? That can happen with the 3.2 mega pixel quality of this camera. What's even better is that we... Fri, 11 Jul 2008 02:37:29 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-DSC-P71-Digital-Camera-review-69145 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Verbatim-Store-n-Go-1-GB-USB-2-0-Flash-Drive-95138-review-09604 Back in 2004, I returned to my teaching position at a technical college. Attached to my key ring was a $30 (now available for $10) "Store 'n' Go" USB flash drive. That meant that I could put all of my lectures, supplemental material, exams, class roles, grades, and dozens of other files in one convenient place. The only requirement was that I remember where I put my keys (always a problem!). The one thing I don't like about this portable storage unit is that my early version had a cap over the USB connector, which I lost about a week after I put it to use. I'm always worried about causing damage to the unit. The newer versions have a retractable USB "male" connector. Ingenious!Situation 1: I hated carrying 3.5 'floppies' from my home computer, to my office, the library and the academic help room for the tutors. I can't tell you how often the floppies degraded before I could get them to the next computer. The ones I made available for the students - I always got complaints that the... Tue, 24 Jun 2008 23:06:52 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Verbatim-Store-n-Go-1-GB-USB-2-0-Flash-Drive-95138-review-09604 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Quest-4-Cameras-review-c3831 Ordering from them twice, I really don't know what to say about Quest4Cameras.com. The first time the order went through without a hitch. The second time, I ended up canceling the order.The site: It is user friendly, very personable, a search block at the top of every page and chapter links down the left side. When you go to a chapter such as "digital camera", they have aides in the right column which help narrow down the selection from 832 different cameras to the one you need according to color, make, relevance, etc. The site is fun to use and has a large inventory primarily of cameras and accessories, but also binoculars, printers, televisions, clearance items, specials, etc. When you get to the exact item, you are presented with a good picture, standard description, price, and below that, suggested "add-ons" in case you need extra ink cartridges, additional lenses/filters, etc. The site is certified McAfee "Hacker Safe" and by VeriSign. The site is FUN to use! —... Fri, 23 May 2008 23:16:38 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Quest-4-Cameras-review-c3831 usnnc 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Digital-Bundle-com-review-f3e13 Web warehouse would be the description I would give to DigitalBundle.com, which is based in Lakewood, NJ, but only operates through the Internet. As the name implies, you can find all kinds of digital age items here from cameras and accessories of every type, GPS devices, printers/scanners, cellphones and similar conveniences, but they also have kitchen, household, outdoor and sporting goods available. It is “McAfee Hacker Safe” certified, and offers PayPal as a nonintrusive way to pay. They customer service is available by phone or e-mail (yes, they do reply). Policies concerning returns, warranties, etc. are explained in easy-to-understand language on their “about us” page. The search block is available at the top of each page, and the site map is a continuous run in alphabetical order of all their products, each with its own hyper-link. — Customer service: never had to use it, but a friend of mine did. Of course, this is just hearsay, but... Tue, 20 May 2008 22:29:30 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Digital-Bundle-com-review-f3e13 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/TriState-Camera-review-753b4 Tristate is a misnomer as this company owns mortar-and-brick stores in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Delaware and Connecticut and four of the NYC boroughs. Established as a camera supply store in 1977, TriState Camera has since spread its wings to include video equipment, computers, printers, copiers, fax machines and all supplies for the home and office. Utilizing the website is as easy as walking through the aisles of the store. The only thing missing is a flesh-and-blood to ask questions of, but I have found that if I cannot find my answer somewhere in the webpages, I can call the customer service numbers or send an e-mail, and all questions will be answered. Have people had problems with customer service? Yes. I haven't. I have heard of customers and store personnel butting heads and not coming to a reasonable solution, but doesn't that happen everywhere at one time or another?Visiting any page, at http://www.tristatecamera.com, a new customer can see that this is not a... Mon, 19 May 2008 14:41:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/TriState-Camera-review-753b4 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/HP-DeskJet-920c-review-d7713 If you are just starting out as a crafter or in a beach kiosk, the DeskJet 920c is a good printer to buy. It is inexpensive (around $170), it prints with black ink (refill kit: $10) and color (tricolor refill kit: $15), and it DOES accept heavier paper as with invitations and flyers. The receiving tray folds up, and the sleek, dome design allows this little critter (17x16x8 inches) to be transported easily (it weighs 13lbs) without fear of breaking off pieces here and there.The DeskJet 920c features PhotoREt III color technology, so that quality pictures are available at a lower cost. This makes it possible to instantly print family photos to pass around at a reunion. For the entrepreneur, tourist souvenirs can be produced in less than 10 minutes (get a photo or take a photo, print and transfer to mugs, t-shirts, keychains, etc.). For organizations, flyers, booklets, and minutes of a meeting are reproduced faithfully. And for teachers, you can print transparencies with this... Sun, 18 May 2008 15:36:45 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/HP-DeskJet-920c-review-d7713 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Simply-Irresistible--151857-review-2fb83 In 1999, Sarah Michelle Gellar (now Printz) took a break from her Buffy character to make a silly little chick flick, Simply Irresistible. I don't even remember seeing the trailer, but that didn't stop my hubby from picking up the DVD at the flea market as a $2 "I think she might like this one" movie. One rainy Saturday afternoon we sat down to see what it was all about. Gellar's co-star is Sean Patrick Flannery - I knew him as the Young Indiana Jones. — — The story concerns "the girl" who is about to lose her family restaurant because she can't cook, and her only customers are elderly, just-like-family patrons. Her best friend is her sous-chef. "The boy" is a man-about-town who dumps his ladies after the third date. His confidant is his personal assistant who acts more like a motherly sister. The two principles are brought together via a fairy godfather and his familiar - the ever present crab. Add a large dose of magic and silliness, and you have a cute... Mon, 12 May 2008 06:36:14 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Simply-Irresistible--151857-review-2fb83 usnnc 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/B-B-Bistro-West-Annapolis-MD-review-e8e01 My sister and I were visiting family and old haunts in Annapolis when we decided to cross the highway into West Annapolis for lunch. My sister took me to a little middle-of-the-block, middle-of-the-shopping-area coffee shop called B.B. Bistro, which is open for breakfast and lunch. — — The menu can be found at the website: http://www.bbbistroannapolis.com — — I had the tuna sandwich and my sister chose the veggie sandwich. Ordering took a while. We were given our choice of breads (several to chose from), condiments, and I had to chose from among 10 different teas. My sister kept changing her mind. She had eaten there before, and wanted all of her favorites (the entire menu). We did have a wait a while for our sandwiches, but probably no longer than it took to order them. My tuna sandwich tasted like home, meaning that it was not the regular tuna salad from a can that is normally served at other establishments. — — The small room is well lit... Mon, 12 May 2008 05:30:58 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/B-B-Bistro-West-Annapolis-MD-review-e8e01 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Torpedo-Factory-Art-Center-Alexandria-VA-review-da6b4 I asked my sister, who has lived in Alexandria, Virginia, to take me on a trip to the past. I wanted her to find the officer’s housing from the old Navy Gun Factory. All she could show me was the Torpedo Factory, and that didn’t support personal memories, but started all new ones. — This Torpedo Factory was established at the close of WWI in 1918. It served our country until it was sold to the city in 1969, and on September 15, 1974, after extensive renovation, it opened its doors to the public as the Torpedo Factory Art Center. — Within are three floors of old military structure cubicled into little shops and artistic display of all kinds representing 165 visual artists. We wandered among stained glass, fiber, sculpture, photography, ceramics, Asian influence, African influence and more. — My sister was wearing new shoes, which were wearing blisters on her ankles. She asked if I had brought any band aids with me. I had not. A gallant... Mon, 12 May 2008 04:46:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Torpedo-Factory-Art-Center-Alexandria-VA-review-da6b4 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Lebanese-Tavern-Arlington-VA-review-c69e2 The Arlington location was the first Lebanese Tavern of this local restaurant chain. We were just a short walk away, but if you drive in there is limited parking behind and in the side streets of the bunch of shops where the tavern is located. Dinning is in two major rooms, and spills outside under a vine laced canopy. My friends had eaten here many times before, but this was my first experience. Our wait time was only 15min. We had wanted an outdoor table, but we were seated comfortably at a table in the middle of a decorated room which buzzed deafeningly with the many different conversations of the patrons. The tables, amazingly, were far enough apart that I did not notice any of the other customers (we weren't back-to-back), except for the noise. — — Due to a confusion just prior to seating, we had several visits from the manager and our waitress was attentive. We order hummos for an appetizer. Although it reminded me of eating Hawaiian poi, it was very nice. ... Sun, 11 May 2008 17:00:26 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Lebanese-Tavern-Arlington-VA-review-c69e2 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Chart-House-Alexandria-VA-review-cf103 I ate lunch at the Chart House in May 08. It is a well-known for romantic dinning, but has always been a little too demanding of my pocketbook. However, I was in Alexandria for a special event, I had heard a lot about the restaurant, so I took my sister out to lunch. — — After getting a quick tour of all the dinning nooks available inside (for the view of the water, there were a huge number of seats available in this establishment - I was impressed), we decided to wait for a table out on the deck since it was a beautiful day with just a hint of a breeze. We were seated by the railing for an unobstructed view of the sailboats, should any float by, and all the tables were covered by huge umbrellas, so we were protected from the direct sun. — — Our waiter appeared to be new at his job, so we allowed for that. A more experienced waitress at the next table, was much more attentive to her table's needs. My sister ordered a salad which filled the plate, and,... Sun, 11 May 2008 16:22:21 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Chart-House-Alexandria-VA-review-cf103 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Doubletree-Hotel-Crystal-City-National-Airport-Arlington-VA-review-481e2 Spent 4 nights at Doubletree Hotel in Arlington (Crystal City) in May 08. — Scroll to the end for what I really liked about this hotel. — — I met my sister at National Airport, rented a car, and proceeded to the hotel. It was very easy to find - it is right off an exit and the Skydome can be easily identified amongst the tall buildings. If my sister hadn't already been familiar with the Doubletree, because of the many meetings she has attended there, we would never have been able to find the parking area. Parking was $18/day. The front desk personnel gave us a pass which had to be presented to the ticket taker whenever we made a trip out. Don't rent an SUV! Even though there were several parked there, I would never have had the determination to do so. There are two levels and the spaces are just right for compact cars with very little room to spare. As it was, there were several times we wondered how we were going to make it out of the parking space when... Sat, 10 May 2008 16:04:05 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Doubletree-Hotel-Crystal-City-National-Airport-Arlington-VA-review-481e2 usnnc 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Toastess-Toastess-TFC-25T-one-cup-coffee-maker-review-a1171 I have bought 3 of these Toastess TFC-25T one-cup coffeemakers. One was for my son at Christmas, and he has not reported any problems. In fact, last I heard, he absolutely loved the coffeemaker. — — HOWEVER, the other two are not working, and I doubt if we will ever get them to work again. — Thing is this is the PERFECT coffee maker for someone like my husband. I drink tea. I got tired of the 11-cup Mister Coffee sitting on the counter. This little thing takes up half the space, is cleaner, makes my hubby a fresh pot of coffee in just 2 minutes, AND it has an automatic shut-off. Not only that, but he doesn't have to buy any of these fancy little pods filled with expensive coffee that he doesn't like. He can use his regular military-strong brew in the permanent nylon filter (not wet paper filters all over the kitchen attracting fruit flies!). It's a coffee-lover's dream. . . . . almost. — — The 15-ounce,spill proof, stainless steel travel mug that comes... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:55:50 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Toastess-Toastess-TFC-25T-one-cup-coffee-maker-review-a1171 usnnc 3 http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W70-digital-camera-review-7cef5 — I bought this Sony - Cyber-shot DSC-W70 for my daughter at Christmas 2006 for $350+. It is now down to the $250s. It is amazingly simple to use, produces quality pictures, and she takes it everywhere. I have even stolen it for quick pics when my SLR refused to accept the conditions I had for picture-taking. Her little Cyber-shot stepped up to the plate and gave me a very satisfactory photo. — Herein lies one problem. If you don't take care of a camera, you will end up having to get it fixed. Even though she has a perfectly good camera case, which can be attached to her belt, she chose to carry the camera in her well-used purse. Easy access. I have seen her drop it 3 times, and she carries it in all weather conditions, as well as to dusty barnyards and sandy beaches. Finally the lens cover froze in a partially opened state, and the camera had to be sent to Sony for cleaning and repair. It cost her $178. Add another $20 and she could have thrown her camera away and... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:48:28 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-Cyber-shot-DSC-W70-digital-camera-review-7cef5 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-Cyber-Shot-DSC-w-80-review-27c64 This pocket camera, the Sony - Cyber Shot DSC w-80, is my first non-SLR since I gave up my Brownie camera in 1973. Love my SLRs, but I needed a camera I could take anywhere. My daughter has had a Cyber-shot for two years, and I was impressed when her totally amateurish, I-don't-care attitude produced some amazing photos. My husband did some research and decided the DSC-W80 would be adequate for quick photos. — LOVE IT! — Love my SLRs, but I needed a camera I could take anywhere, use anytime and no one would really know I was taking their picture. Since it fits in the palm of my hand, I don't have to raise it to my face and can take candid photos without anyone knowing that I have "pressed the button" (I took it to the flea market this morning, and a daytime birthday party last week - the camera was inconspicuous, and I took many pics "from the hip") — Limitations? If you are a picky photographer, maybe, but I have taken some very impressive... Sat, 26 Apr 2008 13:30:51 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Sony-Cyber-Shot-DSC-w-80-review-27c64 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/TigerDirect-review-0ef60 I have been shopping with TigerDirect for 3 years, but the way time flows by these days, it's probably is more like since the day TigerDirect came online. My wife can't think of a time when their periodic e-mails didn't show up on the in-box listing. I am a very satisfied customer, and I belong to a group of guys who constantly scan the catalog for new ideas and innovations. — — What I order: electronics, computers and computer parts. The largest item was a desktop computer. The smallest I just ordered last night: computer memory. I can count 15 separate orders, but there have probably been more. — — Shipping: They package the item with extreme care. I have never had a ding, break, crunch, or mistake on the specific part. Usually my orders arrive by the "best means", which here in the rural netherlands means UPS. Unbelievably, the items take no more than 2-3 days to arrive at my door. My only complaint is that they still use those darn, infuriating Styrofoam... Thu, 24 Apr 2008 22:27:23 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/TigerDirect-review-0ef60 usnnc 5 http://www.viewpoints.com/Amazon-com-review-53a43 I am an avid Internet shopper. If there is a cheaper price, I will find it even if it takes me all night. I am well aware that the cheapest price may come with a hefty shipping price. The more I look, the more often I come back to Amazon.com. It's amazing the depth and breadth of items available. — — I teach at the college level, and have helped innumerable students find textbooks at the last minute that are within their limited book budget. I have to admit we have run into problems: [1] sellers lie, — [2] sometimes these books are listed as Ohio and are really coming from the UK — [3] descriptors (text book vs study guide) or ISBN numbers are not correct (again, sellers lie in order to sell an old or useless book to the unsuspecting buyer), but 99% of the time my students get their books within a week and in good condition. — — Personally, we have ordered egg incubators, an HD television, clothing, DVDs, wedding gifts and funeral... Tue, 22 Apr 2008 21:39:20 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Amazon-com-review-53a43 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/13-Going-on-30-review-2d273 I was NOT going to waste my time watching 13 Going on 30, or so I thought, when I saw the previews back in 2004. I mean, of all the silly ideas. I'm a fan of the fantasy "What If?" movies, but this was over the edge. — — My husband brought it home from the store this weekend since it was [1] on sale [2] he got it confused with another movie and [3] there was nothing new on the TV. I said, "Sure. Let's watch it. Jennifer Garner is pretty, I want to see Mark Ruffalo in another movie, and what can it hurt?" — — We were both pleasantly surprised. Sweet kid of the late 80s becomes the prima 'biotch' of the new millennium. Throw in a bit of wishing dust, and the world corrects itself as the innocent 13yr old sees what an awful 30yr old she became, and how she had hurt the boy-next-door who adored her (and now he is "unavailable"), as well as the parents she abandoned. Made me take a moment and think. It was a nice movie, good lines and I enjoyed... Sun, 30 Mar 2008 18:29:44 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/13-Going-on-30-review-2d273 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Game-Plan-review-14fe3 CUTE MOVIE and I rate The Game Plan  "E"  for EVERYONE can watch it! — — It is so very obvious how this movie will turn out, but it is fun watching the twists and turns and how little Madison Pettis wraps "The Rock" around her wee finger. Can you imagine Dwayne Johnson as a tree in a children's ballet recital? — — Fun for everyone. I saw it in a theather filled to capacity. The 6-10 group was howling. The parents seemed happy. My 70yr old husband was impressed, and he is rarely impressed by a movie. No socially redeming value, no sex scenes, no embarrassment for kids or a first date. — — Hubby is planning on buying the DVD, so he can watch it again. He really enjoyed it. I don't think it was the sexy Roselyn Sanchez he wants to see again, do you? . . . Hummmmm. — ... Sun, 30 Mar 2008 17:57:54 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/The-Game-Plan-review-14fe3 usnnc 4 http://www.viewpoints.com/Birds-Blooms-review-70d51 Featuring the two things I love most - after my husband and children - Birds and Blooms is for folks like me -- I love to look at the pictures. No matter how often I have looked at them, I enjoy them even more with each additional viewing. — — The short articles are nice too. There are tips, hints and "help me!" sections, but basically I love looking at the purty pictures - page after page after page. — — For a person who loves words, I am having a problem describing this every-other-month collection of color. I guess the best way is to tell you that I give 4 gift subscriptions to older relatives who are unable to get up-and-out as easily as they used to, so I make sure they still get some of the beauty of the outdoors at their fingertips. This is not to say that the issues can't be enjoyed by the younger set, but I think the older you get the more you appreciate and value the beauty of nature. — —... Sun, 16 Mar 2008 05:30:49 GMT http://www.viewpoints.com/Birds-Blooms-review-70d51 usnnc 5