Thursday, April 30, 2009

My Best Friend is My Computer

“Ding Dong the witch is dead, the wicked witch, the wicked witch. . “ Do you remember that line from an American classic film Wizard of Oz? Did you know that Wal-mart was knocked off of its perch as the number one Fortune 500 Company? (I personally am so happy about that!) Did you know that doctors at major hospitals use Twitter while in surgery to help teach students in the class room by offering real-time instruction? By the way, thank you to all who have joined with us on Behind The Buy’s Twitter account!

All these questions have one common denominator, and that is Computers. I got these stories from ABC NEWS, Good Morning America, and Yahoo! I posted a Tweet today on twitter, checked my Myspace comments, and even learned how to reinstall the carpet that I flooded in my house last week. (Uhhggg—that is a story for another day!) I did all this and it’s not even noon yet!

It’s no secret that computers are a must-have in today’s modern and fast paced world. There are many to choose from! Whether it’s a Mac, PC, Desktop, or Laptop, there is a computer out there that can fit your lifestyle and be a great asset to you. Computers can save you time, money, and provide you with endless entertainment by offering you information on all the latest things to do, movies to watch, recipes to cook, and much more.

Behind The Buy can also help save you time and money, by making it quick and easy to find the perfect computer at a low price. Here is a link to the five best for the category I chose http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=565108 but don’t hesitate to enter your own search criteria. All you need is to choose your category and price!

Well as much fun as it has been to talk with you about computers and the knowledge it can bring, I have to get back to that carpet install! Thanks for your time and if you have any interesting, fun, funny, or down right embarrassing stories where a computer has helped you out, please do tell! Post your story here and share with us all. I look forward to hearing them!

Best,
Michael

Monday, April 27, 2009

Go Big or Go Home

This week I am going to have the opportunity to visit the home of the Senior Editor of BehindTheBuy.com and check out his Amazing Home Theater. So before I go, I thought I would take a moment to talk to you about the benefits of using a projector to enhance your viewing pleasure.

In the olden days projectors were extremely expensive and quite limited in the resolution they could deliver. Traditionally they were used for the office. Today you still can purchase data projectors but you can also get video projectors. Don’t be fooled though.--you can still use video projectors in the office as well. They just offer much better resolution and contrast. In fact, a video projector can be used with any piece of equipment (i.e.: DVD player, computer, iPod) as long as it has a video feed. Also prices have come down drastically and the picture quality is impressive. If any of you have a DLP or LCD projector and would like you to grace us with your input. Please post them here.

One thing to be aware of when purchasing a projector: you want to have an audio source to connect it to. Yes, some projectors do have a small speaker that is built in (usually for small presentations), but generally with a big picture you want to have big sound as well. I would highly recommend a surround sound system that can deliver sound that compliments the amazing picture quality, clarity, and size of the image you are viewing. If you do not have a surround sound system, you can also hook it up to your home stereo provided it has an available audio connection.

With all the components in place, the next time you watch a movie at your home may be the last time you ever think about paying to go out to the movies. My last theater experience was miserable. I paid $8.25 to have someone kick the back of my chair repeatedly and to listen to an agitated mother try and calm her screaming infant. So you may understand when I say I am excited to see a movie with theater quality in the comfort of an inviting home without all those “little distractions”! I have included a few links through BehindTheBuy.com for some projectors that I have chosen as well as some surround sound systems. All you have to do is find the one for you and get the popcorn ready.

DLP Projectors: http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=160355011
LCD Projectors: http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=160355011
Surround Sound: http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=160355011

Does anyone have a home theater at their home? How do you like it? What advice could you offer to others?

Here are some additional resources to help you learn more of the technical aspects of LCD and DLP projectors:

http://www.projectorpoint.co.uk/ProjectorLCDvsDLP.htm
http://www.dlp.com/includes/video_demo.aspx

http://syndicate.sellpoint.net/Epson_America__Inc_/11433/1545-0TNGL8-36-player-T1_MP/MPPlayer/__MPPlayer.html?r=1240172788226&ParentUrl=http%3A//www.projectorpeople.com/lcd-projectors/

Enjoy the show,
~Michael~

Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Behind the Buy Tweets at Twitter

We’ve got Facebook, Myspace, and now… Twitter? For those of you who don’t know…Twitter is the new cultural phenomenon that everybody is taking part in! It’s a great way to let others know what is currently going on in your world with short statements, notes, ideas, or information. Tweeting is the new thing to do, and because Behind the Buy likes to offer you the most up to date information, what better way then to tweet with you about it on Twitter.com!

That’s Right! You can now tweet with Behind the Buy at Twitter and if you “follow” us you can get updates on the latest and greatest consumer products! If you have questions you are welcome to post them right on our profile page (http://twitter.com/BehindTheBuy) and we encourage all of you to let your friends know the best place on the net to get the best gadgets on the market (behindthebuy.com)!

Friday, April 17, 2009

"The Five Best"

In the past couple of weeks a few people have asked me, “How come when I want to look for something specific, for example a 27” television I can’t find it?” Since the purpose of this blog is to pose questions and gain insight—for you and me- I thought I would take a moment to answer that question.

The answer to how come I can’t find specific item’s is simple…YOU CAN! You, as the consumer, have access to every item available on Amazon.com. When you look something up through behindthebuy.com we offer you the five best items based on the category you’re looking for and the amount of money you want to spend. These five items are taken from Amazon.com’s trend reports, which list items based on the most purchased, highest sales volume, and fewest returns (hence the greatest level of satisfaction). This takes the guess work out of the equation: I know what I want to buy and I know how much I want to spend but I just don’t know what would be the best one to purchase.

So essentially what you are getting is the best buy for the dollar, based strictly on the numbers from Amazon.com and, as we all know, the numbers don’t lie. You can rest assured that when you purchase an item through Behind the Buy you are getting the Best! No need to worry about someone else’s biased opinion or lack of knowledge. You can be comforted by the knowledge that not only are you getting a quality product from the most respected online retailer in the world but also, that hundreds of thousands of consumers just like you and I have purchased that same exact item and remain 100% satisfied!

I hope I was able to shed some light on this subject for you and if there are any other questions all you have to do is ask. I encourage all readers to post their comments, ideas, feedback, or whatever else comes to your mind and it is my promise that, even if I don’t know the answer, I will find someone who does so that I can give you an answer as good as the purchase you make here at behindthebuy.com.

Best,
Michael

Wednesday, April 15, 2009

Digital Cameras

How often do you use your digital camera? What prevents you from taking it with you when you are out and about? What features would you want in a camera if you were to purchase one today? These are the questions that you need to ask yourself when purchasing a new digital camera.

I know that when it comes to my circle of friends, a digital camera practically deserves a seat at the dinner table. We don’t go anywhere without one! I think in some sick way it brings out the celebrity in all of us. Knowing that the flash could go off at any moment keeps you on your toe. But sometimes the best pictures are the ones caught on the fly or in a split second when the uninteresting becomes iconic in a picture that will last a lifetime. In these little moments… time is of the essence. To me, the less delay time a camera has from the time you press the button until the shutter snaps and captures the image, the better. The camera I currently have takes great pictures. Unfortunately, it is more then a few years old and the delay time can span approximately three seconds. Newer cameras are quicker-- with most having a delay time of only one second. I know that, traditionally speaking, the cause for the delay in all digital cameras is because once you hit the shutter button there are a series of computer functions that must happen before the camera is actually ready to capture the photo. (http://www.streetdirectory.com/travel_guide/104310/photography/understanding_shutterdelay_in_digital_cameras.html) Although, there are settings I can turn off or on to limit the delay, I really don’t see too significant of a change. Unless, there is some trick out there that I am not aware of, it looks like a new digital camera is in the future for me.

Because I use my camera mostly when I go out to social events with friends, I tend to dress in more flattering apparel on these occasions. With today’s fashions it’s not so easy to conceal items in your pockets unless you’re fortunate enough to have a girl with you who will allow you to store all your stuff in her purse. (and trust me, I’m probably more likely to be caring her purse than she is to be toting around all my belongings!) With that said it would be nice to have a camera that is sleeker in design. So when it comes to design does practicality meet functionality? Let’s face it, if it looks nice and doesn’t cause an unsightly bulge in my overcoat, that is one thing, but if it takes horrible pictures it’s not really worth it, is it? I would be interested to hear from you--what camera do you have and what do you like about it? What kind of pictures do you take? What brands do you like and which cameras do you feel deliver the most satisfaction and dependability? If you were to help someone buy a camera today, what features would you recommend?

Smile and Say Cheese!

Michael

Thursday, April 9, 2009

"The Guiding Light"

Whether you ride your bicycle around the block or across the country, many of you know that two wheels and a seat are just the basic requirements to begin your adventure on the road. There are many accessories which can make your trip more pleasurable and, more importantly, safer.

Last weekend I realized that I needed to add a little light to my life--otherwise my next road trip might just be in an ambulance. Let me back up: a couple of nights ago I decided to take my friend’s dog on a little pleasure cruise around the block. I filled up my water bottle, grabbed the leash, and saddled up my bike. We started off down the street and everything was great but as soon as we came to the first stop sign, a car decided to cheat the corner and almost ran me over. (Don’t worry the dog is fine!) My first thought was, “Gosh, can’t that guy see where he’s going?” Well, the answer to that is yes! He could see perfectly well--he just couldn’t see me. In this particular situation I was just another shadow in the night.

Once I got home I instantly went to behindthebuy.com to look up different ways to become more visible on the road. Did you know that behindthebuy.com actually has an entire link devoted to sports and outdoor recreation? I found an array of reflectors, blinkers, and yes, even the LED headlight that I was looking for! There was even a mini computer for your bicycle that could turn your simple joy ride into a super-workout by tracking your speed, distance, time, and calories burned (by the way, that is just four of its 17-functions!). I also upgraded my water bottle to one that has thermal layers so that I can keep my beverage of choice ice cold while I expend some calories on my bicycle.

So whether you’re in the dark about which big screen to buy or you just need a guiding light (no pun intended), I’m sure you can find what you’re looking for here at behindthebuy.com.

Enjoy!

Michael

Thursday, April 2, 2009

Grill-Meister

Finally-- spring is here! How many of you think that this is the best time of the year? I know that it is my favorite season. As the weather warms up and our thoughts turn to the beach and other outdoor activities, I can practically smell the hamburgers cooking. Oh, yeah, I guess a grill is essential at this time of the year!

I don’t currently have a grill and to be honest, being a recent college graduate, I don’t have much “to” grill either (lol). I am, however, in the market for one and, of course, want to get the best “bang for my buck”. So please, if you have a grill that you couldn’t live without, let me know.

I was thinking about starting small and working my way up. That way I can see if I’m any good before investing in some of the larger grills. I am a huge beach bum! I love surfing and wakeboarding, as well as other outdoor activities like biking, and hiking. Concerts and sporting events are other activities that I enjoy! I usually do these things with friends so I feel that I need something portable and compact, and I definitely don’t want to mess with any charcoals. PROPANE BABY….that’s what I need! So with that said, does anybody know of a great propane grill that is portable, compact, relatively inexpensive (Biggest Bang for Buck), that could grill up enough food for four?

I’ve seen some good recommendations at behindthebuy.com (http://www.behindthebuy.com/reports/?browseNode=738460), but I would love to get some feedback from you.

How many square inches of cooking surface should I require? What preferences do you “grill masters” require in your grills? What accoutrements should I expect if I hope to perfect my grilling abilities?

My Dad is an awesome griller in fact I could say he’s …. (Don’t get mad at me)….the Best! My grilling experience really comes from watching and enjoying, so one more important criterion for those of you who can help: please...nothing too complicated!! (I majored in Business not Thermo Nuclear Mechanics!)

Thanks,

Michael