distributed

OpenOffice.org 3.1.x Distributed by Flexiety Software
$17.95
I have been using Open Office for some time, so I knew what I was getting before I bought this. OO is an office-style productivity suite with all of the bells and whistles. It parallels MS Office in many ways and the switch over from MS Office is not especially trying. It is very customizable. You can also save your work in MS Word format which is great for passing documents, and if you ever do decide to switch back to Mr. Softee you won't lose your files. You do it this way:

In WRITER which is the word processor, go to the Tools Menu -> Options -> Load/Save -> General. In the lower right corner of the dialog box is a space marked "Always save as". Choose Microsoft 97/2000 from the pull down menu. You are in business.

Open Office does not have the plethora of after market manuals and guides that Microsoft does, but there are some. There is an on-line manual and some tutorials put out by the Open Office group. For those who are addicted to paper, you might consider these:

Beginning Open Office 3 by Andy Channelle

[...].

Both are respectable and available through Amazon.

Hope this helped.

Manfrotto (Distributed by Bogen) Modo Maxi Black Tripod Legs & Hybrid Joystick Ball Head Kit, with Adorama Tripod Case, Tripod Hanger
$65.16
Manfrotto has taken the professional features from their best-selling products and incorporated them into the Modo to create a high-performance, ultra-compact and lightweight tripod that packs into any bag or backpack. Now, even the amateur photographer can utilize the techniques of professionals and take high quality photographs and video. All Modo tripods feature a number of innovative design elements that come together to create a unique blend of stability, portability and ease of use. Developed with a versatile hybrid head, the Modo can be used with both digital camera and video equipment. With the touch of the safety button, the quick-release plate allows the user to easily switch between cameras and equipment, making capturing family, vacation and everyday moments simple. When stored, the Modo can fold down to fit almost anywhere. Extremely portable, the highly compact Modo 785SHB folds to a mere 14 inches while the larger 785B is only 4.1 in. longer when collapsed, measuring 17.1 in. The hybrid head allows the MODO to be used with either photographic or video cameras. However, while these tripods are compact, they can stand tall when needed. The compact 785SHB has a maximum height of 45 in. Towering over the 785SHB, the larger 785B is the tallest tripod in the Modo line with a maximum height of 59.2 in. All Modo tripods feature quick flip leg locks that allow the user to easily open, close and adjust them to any intermediate height.

Deluxe Lighted Handheld Magnifier with 2 Spot Lenses
$24.99
domes are great , for sitting at a desk only; they get very heavy. the ones with the bifocal spot magnify well, but that spot drives me batty. always in the way. now this deluxe one if the best! it is hinged which means you can move the viewing area side to side, for leftys and righties. always in he right spot. now the bifocal spots are hsnging off the sides, one on each AT THE BOTTOM. never in the way, and handy of you need the extra magnification. I only wish it were made in the usa and not in china, cause it beats the usa made ones hands down. now if it were only 3 or 4x stong. for those of us troubled by low vision, this one is a godsend. it also has a nice fat handle, for those of us with pained hands. battery is so easy to change. no screws! satisfied owner.

Distributed Systems: Principles and Paradigms (2nd Edition)
$127.00
There's lots of material that is presented; but the pace and presentation of the topics seemed "rushed" .