Tuesday 31 May 2011

Ergonomic Chair - fitness ball, office chair


I had a ball chair from a different company and was pleased with it until the front ball support snapped off and I landed on the floor on my tailbone. This chair seems much more secure and I have no fear of falling off. I don't know why any of them bother with a back rest. As you have to sit on top of the ball, it's not comfortable at all to try to lean back on the support. The wheels don't lock so one must make sure one is taking the seat right on top so the chair doesn't roll backwards as you are sitting down. But overall, I do like the much sturdier feel of this chair (the other was a plastic base) and it is very comfortable if you have lower back problems. Isokinetics Fitness Ball Chair - with Black 52cm Ball and a Pump

The ball chair is an alternative way of sitting - not as challenging as i originally thought it would be because the ball is supported by a chair frame. the back rest even lets you lean back when you want. i am definately more conscience of my posture - i really love it!

The chair works great for a short period of sitting. After about an hour of sitting, my butt starts to hurt. After a day, I can harldy stand up because my rear end is so sore. The ball is harder than a normal desk chair and rounded up and out instead of a typical rounded inward chair. If you are constantly up and down or just want it as an extra chair it is fine, but I would not recommend getting it for an office chair to use 8 hours a day. The chair is sturdy and made well and the ball works great as an exercise ball. The ball is a very good quility exercise ball.

I have been using this ball chair since purchasing it in Feb, 2009. The ball sites in a metal ring with 4 caster posts and a fitting for the seat back welded to it. The casters insert into the posts and has 4 holes for adjusting the seat height by about 2 inches. The back rest attaches to the fitting on the bottom ring using two curved metal pieces. The ball chair works as described - I use it all day and it promotes good upright posture. The welds that hold the back on broke in June after 4 months of use. Since I weigh 170 lbs this seems more like a manufacturing defect than a misuse of the chair issue. I have sent the company several emails requesting a replacement part but have never received a reply. So I like the concept of the ball chair but would buy one that was better constructed.

It's a great office chair. Follow the inflationn instructions to the letter. When you first get the chair it may seem the the ball is too small. You have to fill the ball partially and let it sit over night. The ball will be able to be inflated to the full size the next day. It's comfortable, holds your body in the correct alignment, and a conversation piece. I love it.

I LOVE this chair. After several months of back pain, I bought this chair to use at work hoping it would help my posture. Within 2 days of using it, the pain was gone. I have been raving about it to everyone here. I did get some strange looks at first, but everyone wanted to try it out and they all liked it. It was easy to assemble and I received it quickly.

This is a great chair. I chose this particular chair because of the adjustable legs. I use it with the legs in the lowest position because I have short legs for being 5'6" tall. I had no trouble putting it together and the ball sits in the frame just right. I have sat on just the ball before, but this give a bit more stability and control when I get up it does not roll away getting into others way. My posture has improved and no more backaches from a degenerative disk in my lower back.

Isokinetics Fitness Ball Chair - with Choice of 52cm Ball and a Pump



I'm a 5'6" female and I'm happy with the height of the chair. The legs and backrest are adjustable which is why I chose this particular model. The assembly is easy too.



I absolutely love this chair. I've always had upper and lower back pain from sitting in regular chairs, but not with this one. It's hard to believe that I can sit all day at my desk and not feel it in my back. As a bonus I don't get sleepy like I use to, especially after lunch. I find it comfortable enough to use all day.

I like this chair, it has really help my back and everyone at work loves it. The only problem I have had is that the ball goes down into the base of the chair and drags on the floor. I have put more air in the ball but I have to pull it out from time to time, it gets stuck. - Back Relief - Ergonomic Chair - Office Chair - Fitness Ball'


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Headphones - x11, headphones


I purchased the X11 for use with Xbox Live because of the problem of being able to use a mic if you also play with headphones for game sound. It seems there is a distinct lack of headphone-mic solutions that have the proper size plug to fit the mic jack on the controller, and that also have independent chat and game volume controls (kind of important if you want to be able to hear chat over game sounds). Thanks to Turtle Beach and their line of headphones this problem is solved. I went with these because I don't mind a wired solution since I play at my computer desk using my monitor and distance isn't a problem.



These headphones work exactly as advertised. If you follow the directions and set your chat settings on Xbox to work through the headphones and turn the volume up to 10 you will not have any problems hearing voice chat without having to crank your chat volume to max, as a previous reviewer wrote. After a week and a half of using these for various games (mostly Bad Company 2) I would say the sound is decent and the controls work quite well. The game and chat volume controls as well as the mute switch are all on the little inline control box for ease of use. The cord is very long so even if you are sitting across the room it should not pose a problem. There is even a velcro strap for tying up excess cord. The earpieces are nice and big so they cover the whole ear instead of crushing your ears plus they are nice and soft, overall very comfortable. The mic boom is much better than typical ones found on other headsets. It's a little longer than most and flexes easily to get it exactly where you want, yet is sturdy enough to stay in place. The pickup on the mic seems excellent also, plus with mic monitoring playing a portion of your talk back into the headphones there is no need to shout into it.



I do have three gripes with these headphones though. One is that the cloth lining on the inside of the right earpiece ripped on the second day of use for no apparent reason. All I did was wear them a few times and just placed them on my desk when not in use. I have no kids or pets who could have damaged them. I fixed this by taking a covering off another headset I had, cutting it down a little and placed it inside the earpiece. I did this because the plastic that was exposed was bothering my ear and this solution worked great without degrading the sound at all.



My second gripe is that there is a constant hiss in the headphones when they are plugged into the USB port for power, even without the volume turned up much at all. I tested it on various ports on the Xbox and on my PC also and it remained. It is not overpowering and does not detract from game play once game sounds are going because you don't notice it over the game sounds. It's just a bit annoying during quiet times when you can hear it. I feel a wired version of headphones should not have this problem if proper noise reduction is put in to counter the powering of the amplifier.



My third gripe is that when I wear these for awhile and then place them down on my desk a blackish type stain is left behind after awhile. I think it might be sweat interacting with the dye on the headphones then dripping out. It is still doing this even after a week and a half of use.



Overall I am satisfied with the headphones because they do the job and fulfill a need for Xbox Live that most other headphones and mics do not, combining both into one. The gripes are minor except the hissing so I took a star off for that one. Otherwise they have decent sound, a pretty good mic, and are simple to use.



PROS:



+ Decent sound, certainly loud enough to hear both game and chat.

+ Very long cord.

+ Independent volume controls for game and chat, and mute switch, all in the same place for ease of use.

+ Excellent mic with great pickup so you don't have to shout.

+ Comfortable to wear long term with big earpieces to cover your whole ear.



CONS:



- The right cloth lining inside the right earpiece ripped, exposing the plastic (maybe just bad luck on my part).

- Seems to leak black dye from the earpiece, possibly interacting with sweat.

- A constant low level hiss when powered, not bad enough to overpower game sounds but still shouldn't be a problem on more expensive headphones.



EDIT (5-10-2011)



I have been using these headphones for over a year now and they still work just as described in my above review. I would have to say that speaks nicely as to their durability. Ear Force X11 Amplified Stereo Headset with Chat

I bought my X11s to improve my gameplay in Modern Warfare 2 and to play at night while my family is asleep. I am so glad that I did. They have accomplished both objectives with flying colors. The sound quality is excellent. I can hear absolutely everything, even the faintest sound cues I could never hear before. Just the ability to hear footsteps, the direction that they are coming and what they are walking on makes all the difference in multiplayer. Before ordering them, I read many reviews that mention a hiss when the headset is plugged in and was a bit worried that this might be an issue. There is a hiss, but it is so negligible that it isn't even worth listing as a con. Almost all the other reviews that I've read that mention this hiss also mention that you can't even hear it during gameplay. Doesn't that pretty much disqualify it as a con? Honestly, these things could play Home On The Range until I put my MW2 disc in the drive for all I care. There has to be absolute silence in the game in order to hear the hiss. As soon as any music or in game action starts, it is gone, in no way hindering your gaming experience. I also didn't have any problem hearing this hiss while using the X11s with my iPhone for music or YouTube. The ability to control both the game and chat volumes works very well. I've played several very long MW2 multiplayer sessions with friends and I haven't had any issues with my friends hearing me or vice versa. I love that when you raise the game volume, it automatically adjusts the chat volume so that the game audio doesn't drown it out. Which is a good thing, because these bad boys are loud as hell when you crank them up. I have literally jumped in my seat during unexpected explosions. The volume and quality of the sounds make for a very immersive gaming experience. They are also extremely comfortable. Most of the time, I can barely tell they are there, even when I've had them on hours at a time. My old headset sat right on my ears, which would make my ears very sore, very quickly. Overall, I have to give these a five out of five. For the price, they just can't be beat. - Xbox 360 - Headphones - X11 - Gaming'


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Cpu Cooling - arctic silver, thermal paste


There is no doubt that Arctic Silver 5 is effective at reducing CPU thermals. This is a great kit because it has relatively generous quantities of product. The CLEANER is handy for quickly wiping off old nasty compound from the heatsink and CPU. The follow-up liquid simply and effectively drives off the remnants of the orange-based cleanser so that the heat compound can make excellent contact with the porous metals of the heatsink and CPU cop heat spreader. The tiny micro-fiber cloth is great but it'll be clogged with relatively little use. You can easily substitute similar cloths or Bounty quality paper towel squares. Just don't use cheap tissues or toilet paper or nasty linty economy paper towel material! HINT to rookies: do not apply too much compound; the heatsink already fits fairly tight, so there isn't a whole lot of gap to make up -- it's just the slight surface imperfections that hold air and thus prevent good thermal transfer. I suggest you smear a small glob in the center of the CPU and then spread it around with a gloved or Saran-wrapped finger until the surface is dirty with Arctic Silver, but not piled high as if laying bricks. Lay down the heatsink at a slight angle and jiggle it side-to-side a tiny bit. This will help release any trapped air bubbles, the kiss of thermal death. Secure the HS and run the PC. After a few days/weeks, the compound will seal the surfaces and you'll achieve optimal heat transfer capability. Arctic Silver 5 Thermal Compound 12grams with ArctiClean 120ml Kit (Includes 2 30ml ArctiClean 1 and 2 30ml ArctiClean 2) with Bonus DB Roth Microfiber Cleaning Cloth

I bought this product to replace an accidental mix of two other heat sink transfer pastes. I had mixed the material included with an Intel Quad 4 I7 processor and an older version of this product. Well, what can I say? The Intel processor instructions ignored the fact that it already had a heat-sink paste (evidently, a wax type) on it and the motherboard book stated that an application of heat-sink grease was absolutely needed. The mixing of two greases caused the processor to run at about 96 degrees C and that, by all accounts, was too high.



I bought the kit, which includes the cleaner, specifically because I thought that using the recommended cleaner might be a plus. I have many solvents at hand and some would have been adequate, but the recommended, included solvent would be guaranteed to be compatible. It might also be friendly to the surrounding area, should some stray.



The instructions were clear and the applications of the cleaner and heat-transfer grease were well explaind and straight-forward. The cleaning phase required a few cotton-tipped applicators, a couple of paper towels, and the included microfiber cloth was a plus for this event, too.



The end result was that, after the application of this product, the processor ran at 62 degrees C. That is an immediate benefit of 34 degrees C. I expect that the initial temp may lower with continued use, as it is apt to do during what is apparently an application "settling-in" process.



Do use this product, as it works.

For those that swap heat sinks enough to be here, looking for a product like this, you need to look no further. Surface cleans very well with the 2 step system. Leaves the die surface prime for a fresh coat of whatever TIM you are wanting to use.

Reoommended! - Thermal Paste - Cpu Grease - Thermal Compound - Arctic Silver'


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Ipod Docking Station - ipod docking station, ipod accessories


[Update: In answer to some questions, this stereo has a conventional audio input, so you can easily use it with sound sources other than an iPod. As someone has observed, the Cyber Acoustic web page claims the Nano 3g can't be charged by the CA-421 dock. Au contraire! When using electrical power and the included dock adapter, I had no difficulty charging a Nano 3g with this CA-421 dock. In fact, contrary to the company's description, it did the same with a Classic and the Touch (I don't own an iPhone, though.) Since writing the following, I've "gone through" other speakers, including the most popular rechargeable Altec Lansing and Logitech, both of which balk at playing the newest Touch. This inexpensive iRhythms model actually sounds competitive and continues to be the only portable I can depend on (no doubt due to the well-constructed adapters and the provision for using regular AA alkalines). As for the outdoors volume limitation, even the very pricey, much lauded Tivoli iPal falls flat on its face when used outside. These battery-operated machines simply are not backyard party animals. Finally, these are far and away the best labeled and designed adapters I've seen.]



After becoming attached to a JBL Micro, I decided I could use another, more affordable version. The Cyber Acoustics dock-speaker seemed like a worthy candidate, especially at a half to two-thirds the price of the JBL. Frankly, I wasn't expecting a unit as good as the vaunted JBL but was willing to sacrifice some quality to save a few bucks.



Surprise. If anything, the Cyber Acoustics sounds better than the On Stage Micro! Tastes will vary, but the CA-421 is slightly warmer, has deeper and fuller bass, and is less inclined to distort when playing files recorded excessively "hot." The Micro is a bit more crisp-sounding with a slight edge in treble frequencies (as noticed while comparing the drum's hi-hats and ride cymbals on the two units). I'm finding the Cyber Acoustics unit "wears" better for extending listening stretches.



Aside from the sound of the two units, the Cyber Acoustics-421 will seem agreeably light and trim--unless you've owned a JBL Micro, which wins on style points (the impressiveness of the Micro's sound is partly due to its coming from such a tiny saucer). The JBL also gets points for finishing touches and detailing--the look and feel are less "plastic" (even though, unlike the boxed CA, it comes sealed in virtually impenetrable plastic laminate). Also, the JBL's carrying bag is supple and cushioned (with interior pockets and velcro straps to keep Micro, iPod, and cords tightly and neatly packed); the CA's is basically a functional "sack." On the other hand, the Cyber Acoustics has clearer labeling of the plastic inserts for adapting different iPod models; the JBL comes with the inserts, but the user has to pick the right one through trial and error.



Even if the cost of the two units were the same, the CA-461 would still be competitive, if for sound alone. Perhaps the most compelling reason to go with the JBL in that case is its inclusion of a remote--admittedly handy for starting, stopping, and changing tunes when the speaker is on the other side of the room. But even without the remote, I doubt you'll find a better value in an iPod dock-speaker than this little Cyber Acoustics overachiever.



Finally, give the Cyber Acoustics people credit for making the power adapter light and compact, easily deployed whenever the user wishes to save on batteries (I returned a JBL On Stage II because the power adapter was practically the size and weight of a small boat anchor, making it clumsy for use even with some electrical installations.) Cyber Acoustics Portable Digital Docking Speaker for iPod (Black)

I was looking for something cheap to listen to podcasts while I was working in the garage. This thing plays loudly with no apparent distortion. Very well designed with digital volume control. Recharged my iTouch in less than an hour. At the present it has adapters for all iPods regardless of what the descriptions may say. Had I paid twice as much I would have still regarded it as a bargain.

These speakers have great sound for their size. If you're looking to spend this amount on speakers, then they are great. I listen to dance music when I'm travelling and the sound is good when it's played reasonably loud. My only (small) complaint is that I have a white iPod and only black speakers are available. But apart from that, I'm really happy with these.

This is exactly what I was looking for. I wanted something small, w/ good sound and portable. This docking station delivers. The sound quality is great considering how small it is. Of course to much of anything is bad, so if you decide to turn it all the way up, you may blow the speakers. I don't think it was made to serenade the whole neighborhood. It fits all IPODS, even the Iphone, and the best is that is doubles as a charger.

Some things to keep in mind. It does not have controls on it (only for volume) so most controlling (skipping, repeating, searching, sound) is done from your IPOD. This could be a good or bad thing, depending on what your wants are. Also, it has great sound, but again, this is used more for a small area, like a dining or kitchen or garage area. Not for music heard all over the house. For that you may want to consider buying a stereo system w/ a docking station. Also, it comes w/ no remote. This didn't bother me, but keep in mind that you have to walk over to it to change settings, songs, etc. A little exercise never hurt anyone! Finally, the speakers don't carry. If you've ever had a Bose, the speakers are constructed around the docking stations allowing them to carry sound further. Not this one. For example, I had the docking station in the kitchen and as soon as I went to the next room, the sound was muffled a bit by the wall. Really not a big deal because it satisfied my needs in the end, but if you are looking for projection, check out a stereo system instead.

All in all, this satisfied my need for a docking station and I'd buy it again any time of the week and twice on Sunday. The price was great, the quality is great and the docking station is simple, problem free--perfect for an electronically challenged person like myself ;)!

Monica - Ipod Dock - Ipod Dock System - Ipod Accessories - Ipod Docking Station'


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Camcorder Batteries


The adapter is smaller in size than the original and fits better in our camera case, but works just as well. I had been hesitant to order it, since the price was quite a bit lower than purchasing it directly from Sony, but there appears no difference in the product. It works great! Sony AC-L200 AC Adapter for A, P & F Series Info Lithium Batteries

This charger is only about 2/3 the size of the AC adaptor which comes with the camera, making the AC-L200 an excellent choice to keep in the camera bag, especially if the camera's dock is continually used in the same location in your home, in which case the "standard" sized adaptor can remain plugged in to the dock. As can be seen in the photo, it can break down into two pieces, allowing various packing configurations.

This is what I needed to bring my HDR-HC3 back to life. It is a little expensive for a power adapter, but the shipping was fast. Note that the product description is a little misleading: you can use this adapter to charge the Info Lithium batteries directly; the charging will have to go through the camcorder.

over all good customer service but this wasnt what I thought it was. I searched for a sony charger and this is not a charger only and adaper to plug into the wall and turn on. Mistake on my part I guess, the packaged arrived on time and my complaint was responded to quickly and offered to help fix the problem.'


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Access Points - wireless, wireless access point


This access point is an excellent router when it is working well. The streaming and download speeds were fast. The set-up however is not as easy as the average computer user would like to deal with, but if you know what you're doing it will be painless and quick.

Aside from the great performance and the set-up process, this router is very unreliable about keeping devices connected to the network. I have up to 8 differerent products connected to this access point, and of the devices I use the most (laptops, iPad, gaming consoles) it is constantly kicking them off the network. Not only does it kick them off, but the only solution to reconnecting them seems to be to reboot the access point. I had to do this at least 5 times a week up until I got sick of it and replaced it.



Apparently this seems to be a common issue among owners of this particular access point, so I would suggest to avoid this access point for those reasons. It can be a real inconvienence to your network. NETGEAR Wireless-N Access Point

While setup and use of the wireless access point was easy. I'm quite disappointed with the performance speed and intermittent connectivity. It was slow compared to an older access point I purchased a few years ago, and of the connectivity issue was maddening. - Wireless N - Wireless Access Point - Access Point - Wireless'


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Klein Jsds02 7 Piece Journeyman Screwdri...


The positives in my opinion are that they feel great in my hand, they fit the screws I have used them on very well and they are attractive. The negatives are that I would have wanted them to have a metal striking cap in case you need to tap it lightly with a hammer and that the blade type indicator on the back seems to rub off easily. With that said, the biggest issue is the tip durability. They seem to be noticeably weaker than the standard klein screwdrivers I bought about eight years ago. This seems to be a sad trend with klein drivers in general... If they could bring the tip durability back to where it was about a decade ago I'd rate these drivers 4 or 5 stars. However, as it stands I'm more likely to look to other brands such as the german or swiss made ones such as Felo, Wera, Witte or PB Swiss among others... These brands are often LESS expensive than this Klein set, even when they are on sale for under forty dollars... Klein JSDS02 7-Piece Journeyman Screwdriver Set

I have been using these Klein Journeyman Screwdrivers since they came out and just love them! They are very comfortable to use and feel great in your hand. The design of the handles are some the best I have used and grip really well. I use these in conjunction with the Klein cushion grip screwdrivers, both are excellent! The tips fit the screw very well without slipping or stripping out the screw. Klein uses a very hard/durable steel in there screwdrivers, I have been using them for years and am extremely impressed!

I have had this screwdriver set for about a year and I have found them to be quite durable and well made. The handle design is very ergonomic, so it is easy to put a lot of torque on it. I have had no issues whatsoever with the tips bending, breaking or chipping. The only complaint I do have about this product is that the handle material has a very pungent odor to it. I thought initially it would wear off after a while but it hasn't. I don't usually notice it when I'm working on something but when I go to my toolbox to get anything I smell it. And no it's not something else in my toolbox, it is very obviously the handles. I would recommend this to anyone who is looking for a quality product but not at the professional level.

The Journeyman line is no disappointment. The tips of these screwdrivers are machined well so they fit screws properly. The tips also appear to be very hard and unlikely to fail. The handle is a good fit. They are not as soft as the regular Klein cushion grips but anyone who does a lot of work wit their hands probably won't mind. These are huge step for anyone who has been using Chinese garbage tools. I would buy these again.

I have always used the cheap Stanley and no-name screwdrivers that you get at very low prices, or free with a rebate, and none of them last. I purchased this set a couple years ago and they have not failed me. The handles feel good in my hands, the design is sturdy, and I am glad I spent the money I did.'


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Klein Jsds02 7 Piece Journeyman Screwdri... Klein Jsds02 7 Piece Journeyman Screwdri... Klein Jsds02 7 Piece Journeyman Screwdri...

Facelift


this stuff is amazing, believe me, I am the hardest person in the entire world to please and have fallen victim to commercials, ads, magazines and spent so much money on products that I am embarrassed to say the amount. this is the only thing I have used that actually made a difference. I am 51, been using it for a month now. People say I look ten years younger. I love the way you can actually feel it tightening your face, and yes it is true, you actually do notice the difference after the first treatment. NO LIE. I trust Swisa Beauty completely, and also love their body lotion. Just wish they would get the fragrance "Joop" back. It was my favorite. Don't buy this stuff in the Mall, they charge too much, and I don't trust some of them. Get it here on Amazon for great prices or their web site. Its worth the shipping wait, which is super fast. If someone has complained about it they are either lying or have had too many skin problems during their life. This stuff is all natural, and pure. I have been using their products for several years. Teri in Houston, Texas Swisa Beauty Non-Surgical Face Lift Kit

Wow! The first time I used this product I thought "I don't have time to sit or lie down for 30 minutes for this to dry." After getting through the 30 minutes, I couldn't believe my own eyes. I saw a huge difference and decided that 30 minutes was nothing for what this kit does for your face. The results were so remarkable that I purchased another Non-Surgical Face Lift Kit for my mother on Mother's Day. All I can say is Wow! A must try!

I purchased this kit because of the strong reviews. When I received it, I saw that the primary ingredient in the mask in ALBUMIN (egg white). Some people are sensitive to albumin, although not allergic.



I followed the instructions precisely, even adding a second layer as directed. I did not feel any pulsing or throbbing of my face or neck. The mask pulled DOWN on the outer corners of my eyes and eyebrows.



When I removed the mask I was red and blotchy. I could not have gone to work or gone out in that condition. But more to the point, there was no difference in the smoothness or tightness of my skin. I'll be returning the kit.



I AM POSTING A PHOTO ABOVE, SHOWING WHAT I LOOKED LIKE AFTER THE TREATMENT.

I love this product. After reading many positive reviews I decided to give it a try. The product arrived quickly and was beautifully packaged exactly as shown. I was anxious to try it right away! Mixing up the face lift was simple and took only moments. The enclosed brush made it very easy to apply. The directions are simple and easy to follow. I sat back and watched a movie while the product worked its magic. You feel a slight pulse as the mask dries and tightens. After 30 minutes the mask rinsed off easily with water and left no residue. I then applied the moisturizer and serum. I use the moisturizer twice a day. It is non-greasy and leaves the skin feeling soft. Since receiving the product I have used it three times and love the way my skin and face feel afterwards. I am 52 years old and look much younger than my age, but was starting to see sagging jowls and deepening smile lines. I had cystic acne in my youth and have many scars on my face which accentuate age lines. I can see a very subtle softening of the scars and the age lines aren't as prominent as they used to be since using the Dead Sea Face Lift Kit. I will continue to use this product in hopes that it keeps working its magic. It's also an inexpensive and safe way to feel great!

The kit should have involved dead sea powder, and an activator, so that you can make a mask. When the package arrived I had the moisturizer, the activator, the serum, but no powder. Just called Amazon customer service, and a new package was at my door next day! Nicely packaged product, looking forward to using it after these reviews.'


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Bike Tube - bicycle tube, cycling


This is a decent tube at a fair price. It's not especially thick, so it's really better suited for road riding than trails because it really won't afford much protection against thorns. But the modest thickness is also convenient, because it fits better in a tool pack.



I've bought quite a few of these tubes and they've lasted well. I haven't had to replace them very often. I'll continue to buy these, because they've kept me very satisfied. Avenir Bicycle Tube Schrader Valve - 26 x 1.90-2.125 Inch

This baby is tough compared with those cheapos from the box stores. Thick rubber holds up around punctures instead of tearing, greatly improving the odds of a successful repair. Made in Asia (but not China).Buy this tube!

Good Price, bought as spares so all I can say is they look OK to me. I dont expect much at this price. If it blows up the first time I air one I will change the rating, also did not check for dry rot but the boxes are in perfect shape." I paid under 5 bucks for 2, now I see the price is well over 6 bucks, I will say I would not buy them at that price I dont know why the HUGE price change but quality tubes with sealer are available for less $$.

Received tube and installed it. Tube was dry rotted around stem, had crack all the way around the stem and wouldn't hold air, went to examine crack further and stem came of in my hand. JUNK DO NOT BUY> recommend the Avenir Bicycle Tube Presta Valve - 26 x 1.90-2.125 Inch. much better product.

I thought I was being clever when I bought the cheapest tube I could find on Amazon. Instead, I just got the cheapest tube on Amazon. One time when I went to put air in one of them, the valve stem broke off. Now, I'm a little uneasy about the fact that I have two of these tubes on my bike (the only spare I had when the valve stem broke was another of these tubes). - Cycling - Bicycle Tube'


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History - world, history


Some books, you read, place on a shelf, and never return to them. This is not one of those books. As my library is overflowing with Civil War and WWII books, there are now TWO that I use for study and reference. "Battle Cry of Freedom' by James McPherson is, in my opinion the best one volumn overview of the Civil War ever written.

"A Short History of WWII" is in that same category as far as a complete, one volumn acount of this period of history. It is in depth, yet very readable. When I finished, my copy was tattered, dog,eared, high-lighted, and contained many of my personal observations in the columns.

I will return to it as I continue my study of WWII. The only reason I didn't give it 5 stars is that I would have liked to had more complete maps denoting troop movements. If you're reading my review, you must be considering buying this book. My recommendation is "Buy it, without a doubt. You will not be disappointed." A Short History of World War II

This book sets an impossible task...and very nearly succeeds. The rub is in the phrase "short history." If there's one central lesson to be drawn from this book it's that World War II was immensely complex, with ramifications so vast that it's impossible to discuss them all at any depth in a "short" book. At 150,000 or so words, this book is a lot more than an outline, but it's still forced to abbreviate. If you're interested in details about any given campaign, or any given individual, you're going to be disappointed; if you have a favorite World War II topic or personality, you're bound to feel that it's been given short shrift. Even the most famous battles rarely rate more than a page or two. Where this book triumphs is in putting presenting the big picture--military, political, and to some extent cultural--and in drawing interconnections such as why the North Africa campaigns sucked the Allies into a nightmare slog down the Italian peninsula, or how Germany's conquest of Norway helped tip the scales in the Battle of Britain.Overall, this is a masterful achievement. Is it flag-waving, as some would say? Perhaps--but remember, the author's writing from Nova Scotia, which gives him a Canadian-eye view that allows some detachment in his references to "the British" or "the Americans." (Given the fact he was writing in 1980, that might also explain why he takes a dim view of De Gaule, whose post-war association with French Canada stirred many resentments.) Stokesbury clearly views this war as the crowning achievement of "The Greatest Generation," even if the book pre-dates that phrase. And maybe he's right. Highly recommended, especially to those wanting to put recent World War II movies into context.

Simply a superbly written broad history of World War II. I loved this book because it reads much like a novel and has the proper amount of detail without becoming mired in it. Pre-war causes and crisis were given a great amount of emphasis, and focuses on all aspects of the War. Interesting focus on Axis mistakes which cost them the War. Proper emphasis on the Eastern front is given as well as the falicy of French defensive tactics and frankly, this is the best easy reading, broad topic, book on World War II that I have found so far, suitable for beginners and people with extensive WWII knowledge.

For someone who doesn't know much about World War II, this is a recommended book. It gives you just enough history to understand the different aspects of the war, but doesn't flood you with too much technical information. I'm glad I read this, and recommend it to anyone else that is new to this period of history, or just wants a nice summary to begin with.

I guess I'm a little bias because I was a student of Prof. Stokesbury at Acadia University in Wolfville, Nova Scotia, Canada in the late 1980s. He was my honors thesis advisor and also a great lecturer. His death in 1995 has left a void for me and many others who regarded him as a mentor. The book was the basic text for his WWII history class and serves as a great example of what can be accomplised with a massive topic in an abbreviated manner. There are tens of thousands of books written on WWII and millions of documents, to read or even find it all an impossible task for any student or historian. The book, like the others in his short history series, is not meant to be a detailed, footnoted account to argue a point or rewrite history. Its a narrative and great narrative it is, with insightful wisdom and a breezy manner of writing that is a far cry from the usual stiff academic writing. Stokesbury's tome is a great starting point, with all the famous players, battles, heroes and villians, controversies, and results of the greatest tragedy in human history. He also gives the reader a list of research materials and books at the end to further their studies. It has been on my bookshelf for almost 20 years now, wore out and scribble through, tatter and beaten, through my use of it for my own history lectures in 20th century history at St. Mary's University in Halifax, Nova Scotia. Overall, a great staring point for any student of the war and a perfect classroom text.

If you want to know about WW2, but you dont have much time to spend on reading, this book is for you. Without missing the necessary details this book pretty much covers WW2. And if you want to dig deeper, there is a huge list of references where you can continue your research.

If you are looking for a well written and informative one-volume account of WWII then go no further. This book will probably not just meet your expectations but surpass them. If you have a penchant for history, I strongly recommend the other Stokesbury books as well.

I must admit to being amazed when I read this book. I must also admit to being wrong. When I was first given a copy, I took one look at it, saw the size of the book (about 400 pages) and said, "yeah, right, a short history of World War II all in one relatively small volume...what a waste of time this one will be." Good grief, I was wrong. If an individual is looking for a very concise and readable overview of this world changing event, that is extremely readable, well researched and hold the readers interest from cover to cover, then this is the one to buy. Now granted, there is no way to compact the information of thousands of volumes of information in to a mere 400 pages, but the author has certainly made a good stab at it and it is astounding the amount of information he was able to pack into this one.



The author has treated all sides of this war with a pretty equal hand, more or less calling it as most reliable historical documents indicate. I do note that at least one reviewer did not appreciate the way the author treated French involvement. About the only thing you can say to this is "hey, read your history." The author certainly did not make this stuff up as there is ample evidence at this time of pretty well who did what to whom at the time.



Like another reviewer, the only objection I had to the entire book was the lack of maps. This work could have been greatly enhanced by a nice set of maps. Now this is a pet peeve of mine and may not bother others as it did me. The author does have a wonderful writing style with syntax that is easy on the eye and quite simple to follow.



This is a very nice, one volume survey type study that is quite readable and quite informative. Even for the individual who knows absolutely nothing of this event, it should stimulate that reader to find more, other volumes to follow up with and goodness knows there are plenty of them out there. Buying them has kept me on the verge of complete poverty for the past 40 or so years. Recommend this one highly. - American History - World - History'


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Hanging File Folder Bars - office supplies, hanging folders


Not much to say about file folders, is there? I mean, they lasted all year (no tearing, some wearing), holding my students' classwork and various other paperwork. They seemed a bit expensive, but these days I order pretty much everything I need through Amazon for the convenience. Plus, now that I'm a Prime Member (best thing ever), I can think I need something, and actually have it within 2 days. Can't beat that. Smead Expandable Hanging File Pockets, Letter Size, 3-1/2-Inch-Capacity, Assorted Colors, 4 Pack (64290)

When I ordered this file pockets I thought that the concept was a good idea. File pockets that expand, yea that could work instead of the traditional pockets that, when they become over loaded, tend to bulge, lose their shape and fall off the file brackets.



Pro...they expand

Con...you have to place the files within the accordion like folds. You cannot just put a file in the pocket, you have to strategically place them in order for them to fit correctly.



I haven't actually expanded the file pockets to the maximum, so I don't know if doing so would fix the problem that I seem to have with them.



Other than that, they are file pockets. They hold files. That's what they do.

First of all, I wish the product page specified that these folders are made of cardboard. It only says it's made from 10% recycled material. I thought it was made of recycled plastic. I bought these because they are expandable and I store a lot of files. They are sturdy enough and having different colors is a plus in organizing. I would give it 5-stars because Smead is a good brand but the price is a bit steep, especially since it's only cardboard, just like any folder. - Office Supplies - File - Hanging Folders - File Folders'


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Shopping


This contains mostly the same information that is in her previous book "Cashing in at the Checkout" except that she adds some new information regarding automatic coupon dispensors and other technological advancements. Other than that, this book contains a more extensive write up on competition between major grocery chains, wholesale clubs and food companies. This is used to explain why food companies make coupons and why grocery stores have sales. Simply put, they want loyal customers who will always shop at their store or buy their products. Susan Samtur points out however that the super shopper does not fall under the spell of store or brand loyalty. The super shopper stratigically shops so that he will maximize savings without sacrificing quality. There is not too much of a difference in quality between major name brands and coupon users always buy name brand products.There are hardly any people who wouldn't benefit from reading this book except the extremely rich. Most would like to save more money. Cutting down one's grocery bill puts a lot of money in the bank. Through using rebates over the years, the author was able to put $35,000.00 into her son's college fund. One of the most extrodinary stories given in the book however is that of a man who purchased $869.79 of groceries on one trip using coupons with only $2.16! It sounds a bit too good to be true, but after looking into it, I can see how something like this is possible with some effort. People don't save nearly as much money on groceries as they could because they simply don't want to go through the trouble of sitting down and strategically planning for a shopping trip using coupons. The Super Coupon Shopping System: Ingenious New Ways to Save $$$$ on Every Shopping Bill

Wow! I'm a struggling college student, and a co-worker showed me this book. After I read it, I just had to get the other two written by Susan as well! This book outlines her amazing plan for saving up to 90% on your grocery bill! She has bought $130 worth of groceries for only $7.00 - isn't that amazing? My first shopping trip after reading, I saved $19.00 on a $60.00 purchase.That's almost 30%. But as you get more familiar and comfortable with her system, you'll be consistently saving 60 and 70% on your grocery bills. Exciting to read, and well-formatted, this book is a definite stay in my personal library!'


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Shopping Shopping Shopping

Cargo Pants - primal play shirt outdoor clothi, cycling


Having semi-retired, I realized that I could start wearing what I want to wear instead of worrying about what looks right. After several false starts, I discovered these pants, and when I need to wear pants (about 4 months a year), I will be wearing these. The rest of the year I will wear the lightweight tactical shorts. They have all the pockets I need (and useful pockets). The pocket-inside-the-pocket is not a gimmick. It keeps my wallet secure. The hook and look fasteners all work well. The tough but light cloth is a joy to be in (you could run in them quite comfortably). They come with an excellent nylon belt that is better than the polyester D-ring belts I previously used. Sizing is true, but there is some elastic in the waist that allows a little cheating. I am now a Propper customer for life. Lightweight Tactical Pants - Khaki - 40 x 30

I don't use the belt. However the pants are comfortable. I actually use the "cell" pocket for a 3d magazine for my Taurus 24/7. Although light weight they feel sturdy. My biggest gripe about pants is pockets wearing out and things falling through. I don't think that is going to be a problem with these but if it is I'll update. Also they arrived sooner than projected, which was great.

First, the bad:

The first time I wore these pants, but fly snap came apart (the two pieces of the male part of the snap came apart). I retrieved the pieces and reassembled them by hammering on the flange (not on top of the snap). The second time I wore these pants, the snap came apart again, so I used superglue to assist in the reassembly. The 3rd time I wore them, they stayed together. I'll update this review if they come apart again.

The ugly:

The hip pockets are a pocket-in-a-pocket thing which may be useful, but they look weird. Since I'm wearing these as business-casual office clothes, I'd prefer a more conventional appearance.

The good:

I do like the extra knife and cell phone pockets. There's a D-ring on the front-right beltloop which is good for hanging my car keys on, but I'd prefer it if the D-ring were around to the side. The fabric is fine in a business-casual setting - the ripstop isn't obvious and it doesn't scream "tactical". The belt that comes with it is nice, seems strong and utilitarian, but I'm not using it - I use a normal leather one.



I wanted some pants that I could wear to the office that would last a long time and provide a bit more utility than the normal khakis or slacks and these pants fit that mold. The snap issue should be easily QC-able, but because of it, I won't be buying any more Propper items. I'll have to try the Tru-Spec, 5.11 and Blackhawk items next.

These pants are great, water runs right off of them and they are easy to keep crisp and ironed. I own the 5.11's as well these are better. They are light and very easy to get around in. The side pockets don't open up like BDU's and are on the small side but they still work great. Could use a couple more belt loops on the sides as well. These are the only complaints I have and its not even a big deal. Buy these pants and you will not be let down.

I got both the standard tactical pants and the lightweight ones. Both are excellent and durable pants, I slightly prefer the lightweight version, partially because they came with a free belt (which I never use) and partially because they have an extra coin pocket that happens to work great for reining in my keys (which are attached to my belt with a retractable lanyard). The cell phone pocket is great and a good fit for my Blackberry Storm or my Nokia E51 or my Nokia N900, whichever I prefer to have in the pocket at the time. It actually holds the Storm and E51 simultaneously if I so desire, though I usually have one in a belt holster.



The elastic portions of the waistband make them comfortable for extended wear, and the velcro pocket closures work great for keeping items in the front cargo pockets. - Primal Play Shirt Outdoor Clothi - Cycling - Sap Gloves - 511'


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