I have done some thinking on this one. You know how much I love to write about new tech gadgets. Besides the fact that I like to write about cool things, I also try to write about items that are useful and solve problems as well. Today I am going to write about the first of 5 tech gadgets that can make your life easier.

The first is an amazing turntable – otherwise know as a record player- that can take your LP album collection or 45 records and convert them to the MP3 format right on your computer. It also will let you transfer to and iPod® by dropping the iPod® right into a docking station on the turntable. How Cool Is That!!!

Now you can get digital sound from your old record collection and preserve your favorite music forever.

The LP-to-iPod® Converter.
This is the belt-driven turntable that converts and saves your prized vinyl LPs to MP3 format directly to a 5th Generation iPod® or 2nd Generation iPod® Nano connected to its built-in dock. In addition to providing high-speed vinyl audio conversion to MP3, the turntable plays LPs at 33 1/3 and 45 rpm speeds (adapter included), and its adjustable anti-skating control provides increased stereo balancing. Includes 1/8″ RCA output and cable for connection to a stereo system equipped with either a CD or AUX input. It can also plug directly into your computer with its included USB cable, allowing you to convert your LPs to MP3 using the included recording software (PC/Mac) for the removal of scratches, hisses, and pops, but will operate with any software that supports USB audio input.

And how about this? The cost of this unit is less then $300.00! Preserving your entire record collection; Priceless!

To find out more about it or to purchase it direct just click on the following link. The LP-to-iPod® Converter

For the best free Home Improvement Advice, go to Showroom411.com where you can Ask Rick the Contractor any home improvement question and get and an answer from a real building contractor for free.

With home sales the lowest in twelve years, fixing up what you have is wise advice!

It’s is happening all over the United State and you can read about it all over the world. Existing homes are becoming more and more difficult to sell. Not only is the market saturated with homes, the economy is making it more difficult for people to buy. And, for those wanting to sell their homes, the price you want or even need to get for it may just not be a reality.

The Chicago Sun Times Reports:

Click on the logo above to read the entire article.

Year-to-date, Chicago sales were down 19.6 percent to 87,624 homes sold January through November 2007 compared to sales during the same period last year.

The Chicago median home sale price in November was $247,000, up 0.8 percent from November 2006. Statewide, the median sale price declined — to $193,000, down 3 percent from a year ago. The median is the price where half the homes sold for more, half sold for less.

Nationally, the inventory of unsold homes in November was 4.27 million homes. At the current sales pace it would take 10.3 months to exhaust that overhang.

From Guardian Unlimited:

Click on the logo above to read the entire article.

Wall Street economists had expected home resales to hold steady at October’s previously reported 4.97 million-unit pace. October sales were revised up to a 4.98 million unit rate, still a record low.

“Despite the good news in this report, we could just be in the eye of the storm, as a significant number of mortgages reset (to higher interest rates) early in 2008, (which) will likely increase delinquencies and foreclosures, driving prices lower and pushing buyers away,” said Benjamin Reitzes, an economist with BMO Capital Markets.

“This could get even worse before it gets better.”

Even The Australian News even reports of this issue.

Click on the logo above to read the entire article.

SALES of new homes in the US fell an unexpectedly sharp 9 per cent in November, while small gains reported for the previous two months were largely erased by downward revisions.The magnitude of the decline, reported by the Commerce Department, surprised economists.

Based on earlier sales data, some had hoped that the housing market might be beginning to stabilise.

Joshua Shapiro, chief US economist at research firm MFR in New York, called the report “stunningly weak”.

Plummeting sales are causing a lengthening backlog of unsold homes even as housing starts shrink. At the current sales rate, it would take 9.3 months to sell off the backlog of houses – a level exceeded only twice since 1981. That suggests that prices will continue to fall well into next year.

Sales of new homes last month fell to a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 647,000, down from a revised October rate of 711,000. New home sales last month were down 34.4 per cent from November 2006. That is the largest year-to-year decline since the 35.3 per cent decline in January 1991.

So, now that I have got you all depressed – Guess what? You don’t have to be! The reason is because, for many who decided to stay in their existing homes, now is the time to get all those updated and other projects completed in your home.

Here are my two reasons to do this now.

• While the housing market is down, take the time to get your house looking better then ever before. Not only will this give you a sense of accomplishment but it will also give you an edge if you ever do decide to sell your home.

• Fixing up your home to make it look like new and adding new cabinets in the kitchen and updating to the most modern and energy efficient appliances may help to make you realize just what a nice home you have and this can give you the desire to stay right where you are.

And, in a few weeks, Showroom411 is going to go live and you will have at your fingertips a great advantage.

• Learn how to do just about anything around your home yourself.
• Find cabinets, appliances and other items on your computer without having to go all over the place to look for things.
• Keep updated on the latest news and info. on remodeling your home, buying new products and so much more.
• Become a free member and join the Showroom411 community and enter the world of interactivity on the site.
• Choose items from our huge extensive directory and put them in your very own MyShowroom Project file.
• Imagine finding everything you need to make your new bath or kitchen project the best it could possibly be.

I know I have told you about this before and it has been a long time coming, but in just a few more weeks, it will be a reality.

Until then, here are a few website that you can check out to find things for the next project you want to tackle around the house.

Appliances: www.oneclickappliances.com

Cabinets: www.cabinetrydirect.com

Home Theater: www.htmarket.com

Home Security: www.homesecuritystore.com

Wood and Composite Decking: www.decksupplies.com

Vinyl Energy Star Windows: www.vinylwindowsdirect.com

Just imagine, you will soon be able to access hundreds of thousands of products, ideas and information all in one place.

For the best free Home Improvement Advice, go to Showroom411.com where you can Ask Rick the Contractor any home improvement question and get and an answer from a real building contractor for free.

This USB Hand Held Microscope Really Gets Close Up!

Have you ever wanted to take a close up look at a bug, or your skin or your scalp? How about the change in your pocket, or a beautiful butterfly or just about anything that you can think of? Well…You can with the amazing Dino-Lite Digital Microscope!

Did I say digital? Yes I did! This amazing tech-gadget connects to your computer by way of USB 2.0 and whatever you decide to magnify will appear right on your computer screen. Read on.

“Dino-Lite Digital Microscope is an amazing and easy to use handheld microscope. It is ideal for various applications such as skin check, scalp check, science learning, visual assistance and industrial inspections. Features include magnification up to 200 times, capability of interfacing to PC, adjustable focus, quick and easy installation, and stylish design.”

Common Applications:

• Industrial Inspection
• Science Learning
• Skin Check
• Textile Inspection
• Jewelry Inspection
• Printing Inspection
• Reading Aid

Take a look at some of the actual photos of some of the items using the Dino-Lite touch capture feature.

Quarter at 20 times magnification

Letter Head at 30 times magnification

One strand of Hair at 150 times magnification.

With Dino-Lite, you can magnify up to 200 times depending on the model you choose – plus you will be able to capture pictures up to 1.3 MP and that means the detail will be AMAZING!

The Dino-Lite is not only fun to use but it is a great educational tool as well.

To find out more about this Amazing Tech Gadget just click on the following link: Dino-Lite Digital Microscope

To purchase a Dino-Lite on Amazon.com click on the following link: Dino-Lite at Amazon.com 

ChordSavers – Made In The U.S.A.

Wow! ChordSavers have really come a long way since I last wrote about them. The product is ever expanding with lots of variety to meet just about any situation where cord and cable protection is needed.  Think about it – they can be used in the home, at church functions, stage productions, concerts, Home Theaters, A/V and so much more. We recently used them during a 3 day convention to cover up microphone and projector cables.  They stayed in place because of the revlolutionary non-slip, non-skid strips on the bottom of the ChordSavers.

Not only do they protect the cords but they prevent tripping over loose cords or cables.  You just don’t trip over these things!

ChordSavers™ are a unique solution for protection of all your cords and cables.

Specifically designed for protecting guitar, microphone, XLR, patch, PA, RCA, DJ equipment, digital, fiber optic, extension cords and cables, ChordSavers™ come in 36″ lengths and interlock to any length of run required. They eliminate the use of expensive duct or gaffers tapes that provide zero protection.

Use them over and over again for the most demanding stage and sound reinforcement rig, studio, home theater, trade show exhibit or heavy traffic area. They are reliable and simple to use while providing the ultimate protection that your equipment demands.

ChordSavers offer a unique solution to address the unwanted, untimely and unnecessary damage inflicted on your cable and cords. Providing the ultimate reusable cord protection for any musical stage, studio, or home theater setup, they come in an easy two piece snap together system and interlocking design to make them ideal for any length of cable run.  And…with the dual adhesion strips that help reduce slippage,  they offer the ultimate in protection.

Besides the original ChordSavers they now offer:

• StudioSavers
• WallSavers

And Coming Soon!

• GlowSavers
• ClubSavers
• ConcertSavers
• LightSavers

I have seen some prototypes of some of these up-coming products and they will blow you away!

Watch a great video about ChordSavers by clicking the following link: ChordSaversVideo 

To find out more check out their newly update website: ChordSaversUSA.com

Squeak-Ender is the easy and effective way to get rid of those annoying floor squeaks!

Over the years I have had more clients ask me how to get the squeaks out of their floors. We have used many methods over the years and where the problem really became challenging was when the squeak was in a wood, vinyl or tile floor.

In a carpeted floor, once we located the area of the squeak, we would find the location of the floor joists, and then spread the fibers of the carpet apart and either screw down through the floor with trim head screws or use finish nails by driving them through the sub floor and into the joists.

Almost all floor squeak are caused by the sub floor coming loose from the floor joists and the result is the sub floor moves up and down as people walk over the floor.

Now there is a new and pretty simple and easy to use product that solves the problem of squeaky floors and is especially useful on wood, vinyl and tile floor or any non-carpeted floors, although it will work on carpeted floors as well.

There is 4 step easy to install system and here is a photo of how it is done. Click on the photo t o enlarge.

Finally an easy, low cost and effective way to solve one of the most annoying home problems – squeaky floors!

Click on the link following link to see a video of how the Squeak-Ender works. Squeak-Ender Video

To find out more about this product and other products from Squeak-Ender click on the following link. Squeak-Ender.com

Back To Nature Products – Paint and Varnish Stripper Really Works!

There are so many products out there that I am sure we all have tried to remove paint and varnish. It is so frustrating when you work for hours with a product and you just don’t get the results you want.

Now imagine that there is a product out there that works – and guess what?, You found it! Back to Nature Products, Ready-Strip Paint and Varnish Remover is here!

Imagine a paint remover that could actually remove multiple layers of paint or varnish. On top of that what if the product…

• Was safe for the enviornment

• Had no harsh solvents

• Was non-flammable and non-combustible

• Could cling easily to vertical surfaces

• Was biodegradable

• Was virtually odor free

Plus this product can be brushed, rolled or sprayed on and depending on the Back to Nature remover you use, it can strip from 5 to 20 layers of paint or varnish – And, are you ready for this?, All in One application!

To find out more about all the Back To Nature Products go to:

http://www.ibacktonature.com/Pages/strippers.html

QuiteRock Soundproofing Wallboard Really Works!

For many years I have been building Home Music Studios and Home Theaters with the real challenge being how to keep the sound in the room and quite outside the room.

We have used many types of “Soundproofing Insulations” with moderate results. There are very expensive sound absorbing panels on the market and these work pretty good as well.

Finally there is a new product that can be used just like drywall and installed either over the stud walls or over the drywall and it really does work.

Enter QuietRock!

“Award winning QuietRock products revolutionized the building of high STC walls when introduced in 2003. Today, with 25 million square feet installed, the latest generation of QuietRock products continue to exceed builders expectations in ease of use (including our simple score, snap and hang products) and proven lab and field results in over 25,000 projects.”

“QuietRock replaces older techniques such as resilient channels, clips, sound board and mass loaded vinyl and offer lower cost solutions than other methods for equivalent STC ratings. From 1/2

Feel safe and secure with the No-Contact Jacket!

Here is a shocking statement:

• According to the Senate Judiciary Committee, three out of four women in the UnitedStates will be victims of one violent crime during their lifetime.

• Now there is an amazing new way for women and even men to take protection against would be attackers and feel more secure. The No-Contact Jacket is a wearable defensive jacket created to aid women in their struggle for protection from violence.

• When activated by the wearer, 80,000 volts of low amperage electric current pulses just below the surface shell of the entire jacket. This exo-electricarmor prevents any person from unauthorized contact with the wearer’s body. If an assailant were to grab hold of the wearer the highvoltage exterior would interrupt their neurological impulses which control voluntary muscle movement.

• The neuromuscular system would be overwhelmed causing disorientation and loss of balance to occur and of course pain. The pain experienced is non-lethal but is enough to effectively and immediately deter contact with the wearer and provide a critical life saving oppurtunity for escape.

• The No-Contact jacket allows the wearer to press a button and emit the electric current to anyone who tries to touch or grab them – and it does it without shocking the wearer.

• To find out more got to: www.no-contact.com

Add Hours Of Storage Space To Your Cable DVR Box

If you have a HD DVR from the cable company, then you might have figured out by now that recording HD programming takes up considerably more storage space then standard definition programming.

Sometimes you find out the hard way after a program you recorded previously has suddenly vanished from your list.

If your cable company uses the Scientific Atlanta 8300HD Cable Box there is a product available from Maxtor called the QVX Expander Plus -Quickview, which can be connected to the cable box and provide you with up to and additional 500GB of programming storage.

A 300GB Expander recorded with standard definition television can store approximately 200 hours of content. A high-definition television signal is roughly 8 to 10 times larger than standard definition. Therefore, if you record the same 300GB drive with high-definition content, you will get about 20-25 hours of recorded HD content.

This unit is actually a SATA hard drive that connects to the cable box with the included eSATA cable and comes with an AC power adapter. The connection is easy and it works with many companies/8300HD boxes, but not all. It depends primarily on which software is running on your cable box.

To find out more about this product and get information on if this Expander will work for you, click on the following link; www.weaknees.com/maxtor-quickview-expander-qvx.php

To find out more about differenet types of DVR and TiVo upgrades go to www.weaknees.com

UNI-SOLAR – Has Them Now!

Can you imagine a shingle that produces solar power for your home? It’s true. There are many different types of solar powered panels on the market today. Most of us are familiar with the large panels that protrude up from the roof of a house and some of the newer versions have a very low profile. It used to be that saving energy was much more important to some people then the actual appearance of the panels on their roof.

Now comes along a very unique product from a company called UNI-SOLAR.

Each SHR – which stands for solar home roofing – shingle utilizes the proprietary Triple Junction solar cells manufactured by UNI-SOLAR. These cells are made in a roll-to-roll deposition process on a continuous roll of stainless steel. The result is a unique, flexible, lightweight solar cell.

The UNI-SOLAR PV Shingles are encapsulated in UV stabilized polymers making them exceptionally durable. Bypass diodes are connected across each cell, allowing the modules to produce power even when partially shaded.

The Solar Shingle will replace the conventional shingle. The shingles are UL Listed both as an electricity generator and as a prepared roofing cover. Each shingle has a pair of wires coming off the back of the shingle that will be fed through the roof deck for wiring inside the attic. The solar shingle wires can be “shorted” during installation. The wires from adjacent shingles are connected together using moisture resistant butt splices. The shingles are mounted over 30 lb. felt or a fire resistant underlayment.

To find out more about this truly unique building product go to: www.oksolar.com/roof/