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Try OfficeMax next time. They got a lexmark inkjet printer for 30 bucks. Thats less than most ink carts:

Lexmark Z13 Color Inkjet Printer.
Item # 20154752 , Style # 16E0000
$29.98

If Microsoft adapted many of the good technologies from Apple, Linux, etc. then I would probably start using it more often.


Ok, then go get XP! Recycle bin? "Built-in support for high-performance multiprocessor systems." "A reliable foundation you can count on - keeps your computer up and running when you need it most." "Remote Desktop - remotely access your Windows XP Professional PC, from another Windows PC, so you can work with all of your data and applications while away from your office." "Internet Connection Firewall - automatically shields your PC from unauthorized access when you're on the Internet." "Encrypting File System - protects sensitive data in files that are stored on disk using the NTFS file system." "Access Control - restrict access to selected files, applications, and other resources." "Group Policy - simplifies the administration of groups of users or computers." "Multi-lingual User Interface (MUI) add-on - change the user interface language to get localized dialog boxes, menus, help files, dictionaries, and proofing tools etc." Hell, there is even multi-user support! Even an 'administrator' account!

How about when they come up with something on their own... use the products.

Oh, don't forget:

4. Company B goes out of business

5. Customers loose rights to technology C

6. Company A is the only product in town.

*Italic quotes are from MS themselves

If you are looking for Dirt Cheap, I have exactly what you are looking for. I got this desk from OfficeMax for less than $200. It has just enough room for 2 19" monitors on each side. I it is just big enough to fit my 2 monitors, speakers, tower, and laptop on it. It could squeeze another monitor on it if necessary. And is just small enough to fit in my crowded room. It really doesn't have anything in the way of drawers, but I got what I paid for.

What about a wire-rack type shelving unit? BED BATH & BEYOND has them.

I use a wire-rack shelving type unit for am all-in-one desk, entertainment center and computer stand.. I purchased Fellowes Wire Shelving from OFFICE MAX (hope that link works)..

Consider this hypothetical situation. You go to one of the numerous electronics or computer retailers across the fruited plain and you buy a computer off the shelf. (Please...you can stop laughing now at the absurdity of this possibility.) The thing's preloaded with the latest bluescreen inducer. (We're also assuming that, for whatever reason, thinking different isn't an option.) You'd rather replace the preloaded software with something that's a little more reliable. You borrow a copy of $LINUX_DISTRO|$FREEBSD_DISTRO from a friend and blow away Win$YEAR when Billy sends some attack lawyers down from Redmond and slaps you with a lawsuit for depriving him of any future revenue when Win`expr $YEAR + 1` comes along.

How is the above hypothetical any different than what Gracenote is trying to pull off here? They seem to be under the impression that once you use their service in your software, you're stuck with them forever.

(Does anybody have a tool and/or a project (probably of a distributed nature) going to brute-force CDDB for all possible data and pass the info along to one of the free (as in speech) alternatives?)

Granted, they don't call them post-it notes, but they're exactly the same thing! Now, are you really a lawyer? Care to continue the conversation?

I was in a similar situation not long ago, though my monitor is 21" and my computer a full tower.

More folks should consider ergonomics -- especially furniture manufacturers. Most of the truly ergonomic furniture is extremely expensive, but if you're mindful of the seat-desk-keyboard-monitor relationship, then even lowly stuff can be made to work.

Here's what I bought:

OfficeMax#:01215553
Product Name:Cherry Corner Desk
Dimensions:29-5/8"h x 47-3/16"d x 47-3/16"w

I also purchased a 36" Desk from this collection -- the Bush OfficePro Cherry Collection -- to complement the right side of the corner desk; that way I can place my printer and some other devices nearby but away from the general work area on the corner desk.

OfficeMax#:01215688
Product Name:Cherry 36" Desk
Dimensions:29-5/8"h x 26-13/16"d x 35-3/8"w

The corner desk costs US $179; the 36" desk costs $139. I also purchased on clearance a retractable keyboard arm that normally sells for about $225 for about$100 but still haven't installed it; the combination of a good chair and the corner desk orientation gives me loads of depth so that I can rest my arms on the desktop. (The high-quality office chair w ason sale for $99 from $170).

Though we're fortunate to have an IKEA nearby, they didn't have a desk with the depth that I required. Also, the Bush furniture has been of decent quality -- and it's far cheaper.

Good luck.

Go to OfficeMax and follow the links to "Desks - Modular Office Systems" for more info.