And now a word from our sponsor... us! Despite our dedication to
the truth, justice, and electronic computers, just like you we
have to pay the bills, buy the groceries, take the cat to the
vet, and otherwise make a living. We've never been shy about
trying to make a buck with this newsletter while keeping it a
free publication. And making a dollar on the Internet is a tough
trick these days. Just look at the way high-flying "new economy"
business sites are crashing and burning.
That's why we carry the ads you see in every issue. That's why we
use Amazon and Beyond links, because the revenue generated by
these links helps defray the not inconsiderable cost of sending
60,000 or so emails out to our friends (that's you) every other
week. A great many of our readers already know this and help
support TNPC by making their Amazon purchases via our links even
when picking up something we haven't recommended (like a DVD copy
of the "Nightmare Before Christmas"). And we APPRECIATE it too!
In fact, now that I think about it, that's a pretty good movie:
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/322/tr.cgi?amazon1
To that end, we had been kicking the idea around here at the
Underground Labs about having a TNPC "store." There we could sell
official TNPC coffee mugs or mouse pads or other such drek. It
seemed like a fun thing to do but we couldn't decide on what to
do with the idea. Lee balked at the idea of putting a T-shirt
silk-screening machine in his garage and while the idea of a
coffee mug with a cartoon naked guy sitting at a computer sounded
funny, would you really like to have one sitting on your desk? Us
neither. So the idea just lay on the shelf gathering dust.
Cut to TNPC issue #3.16, wherein Dan wrote an in-depth review of
a gizmo the size of a twenty-five cent piece called a Photon
Micro-Light as the Featured Product. He badgered me into getting
one for my wife, who is taking night classes, so she could have a
personal flashlight on her key ring when going to her car in the
parking lot after dark. So I got one. Then I got several. I took
our Cub Scout Pack on a night hike with the local Boy Scout Troop
and let the kids "field test" a set of these lights. The results
of this outing you can find on the Micro-Light FAQ page of the
Store but suffice it to say that I felt we'd found something that
we could put in our newsletter "store" that was a darn sight
better than a coffee mug with a cartoon on it.
And that brings me to the official TNPC Store. When you buy
stuff there, you help support TNPC. Right now all we have
for sale are Micro-Lights. (Available in seven amazingly
bright colors; honestly, these things are too cool to be
believed.) If we come across anything else useful, fun, or
destined to tickle the gizmo lover in us all, we will put
that (whatever it may be) in the store as well. Know that
whatever you purchase at the TNPC Store helps support the
newsletter and helps keep it free.
Oh, if you've already bought a Micro-Light be sure to stop by the
Store and get a Super Value Micro-Light Accessory Kit. Anyone who
purchases something from the TNPC Store between now to
Thanksgiving will receive a free copy of the "Official TNPC
Screen Saver."
http://www.TheNakedPC.com/t/322/tr.cgi?store
You can reach T.J. Lee at:
mailto:tj_lee@TheNakedPC.com
Copyright © 2000, PRIME Consulting Group, Inc. and Dan Butler.
All Rights Reserved.
The Naked PC is a trademark of PRIME Consulting Group, Inc.
ISSN: 1522-4422
You may reprint an article from TNPC as long as you show the
entire article and include the authors byline, excerpt and
subscription information as shown:
Announcing the TNPC Store
by T.J. Lee
(This article originally appeared in The Naked PC
newsletter #3.22, subscribe at http://www.TheNakedPC.com)
