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Did you Know??
Hedwig Eva Maria Kiesler was born on November 9, 1914, in Vienna, Austria. If you rely on a wireless network, own a cell phone, or converse on a cordless phone, you owe her a debt of gratitude.
In 1942, this young woman worked with composer George Antheil to patent an invention they called the "Secret Communication System". The frequency-hopping device that they envisioned was originally designed to make radio-guided torpedoes harder for enemies to detect or jam. As so often happens in the world of science, their idea was about 20 years ahead of its time.
American military forces would not adapt this technique until the Cuban missile crisis in 1962. Back then, it was used to secure military communications during the blockade of Cuba. Further developments of this invention eventually led to the creation of the spread-spectrum technology thathelps power modern communication systems. The system attributed to her is known as CDMA, the communications system most common in the US and used by such cell phone companies as Verizon Wireless.
Unfortunately, this invention did not make Hedwig rich or famous.
She found another way to achieve those goals. She became an actress. In 1937, she left Austria and journeyed to the United States. MGM movie mogul Louis B. Mayer signed her to a $500 a week contract and he changed her name. Within a few years, Hedy Lamarr would become one of Hollywood's brightest stars.
Usually cast as an elegant and enigmatic dark-haired beauty opposite some of the silver screen's most famous male leads, Hedy Lamarr captured the heart of America's movie-going public. During one World War II War Bond event, her presence helped raise $7 million. To put that number in perspective, that's the equivalent of about $100 million today. |
 Reminders A couple of reminders from previous articles:
- We can still build computers and laptops with Windows XP
- XP will go end of life around May of 2008.
- Office 2003 is already end of life. We may still be able to get you copies.
- Be sure to use adware and spyware protection such as AdAware and Spybot
- Make sure your computer is set up for Daylight Saving Time changes
- A 17" standard LCD monitor screen is taller than a 19" widescreen LCD!
- Make sure all your computers have battery backups to avoid data loss and damage from sudden loss of electricity.
- Rent a laptop for short term use, instantly. See ad below.
- Be sure to have backups of all your valuable data.
- Fax us your business telephone bill to see if we can save you money. We usually can!
Click for previous Newsletters |
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Click on these links for some products and services we have found very useful. No obligation, of course.
High Speed Internet is a must. Available from Comcast and Verizon.
Don't let your visiting brother-in-law mess up your computer. Use Promo Code MSMD06 at checkout and save 10%
Connect to your home or office PC from anywhere in the world with an Internet connection. Get $10 off!
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Quick Links...
Call us at 410-922-2962
Fax us at 410-609-4677 |
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Dear
Reader,
Ho Hum. Another New Year. More broken resolutions. Confetti to clean up. Back to the office after a few days off. Back to a full schedule after all the December office parties. This all can be pretty taxing on the brain, as well as on the body.
Speaking of taxing, we have a couple of articles that deal with the subject. These include the changes in the Maryland sales tax, and income tax preparation software.
In addition, we have some specials from our sponsors to talk about that can save you some money if you want to take advantage of them.
We have a new feature this month. Instead of some of the many ads in the left hand column, we have a "Did you Know?" article that you might find interesting. We certainly hope you do. But don't worry: we still have plenty of ads for products and services we think you will find useful. Plus, you can always get to our complete list of Recommended Products and Services on our web page.
Just a reminder, even though Office 2003 is end of life, we still may be able to get some for you, especially the Student/Teacher 3-PC version. Windows XP, which was supposed to be end of life by the end of 2007, has been extended for about 5 months, so we can still get that for you on new computers. We still recommend AGAINST Windows Vista.
If you are an astute reader, you might have noticed that there was no December issue. With the holiday season coming up, and a number of you loyal customers keeping me busy, I just didn't get the time to write a newsletter, so you were spared more of my scintillating prose. I hope to get back to the once-a-month pace, though. We'll see if I can do it in 2008.
Meanwhile, happy reading! |
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Taxes, Taxes!
 As you may have heard, the Maryland General Assembly, in special session, has authorized an increase in the general sales tax from 5% to 6%. This tax increase is effective January 3, 2008.
Proponents of the tax say it is only a 1% increase (from 5% to 6%: A $1.00 item now costs $1.06 instead of $1.05). Opponents say it is a 20% increase (the tax on a $1.00 item is now 6 cents instead of 5 cents). Whichever side of the coin you are on with respect to the sales tax, it is now a fact of life.
You may have also heard that the General Assembly has passed a sales tax on computer services. That is true. However, this new tax does not go into effect until July 1, 2008. In the past and through June 30, 2008, the sales tax applies to actual merchandise that is sold (hardware, software, licenses, cables, accessories, etc), but not to labor. Beginning July 1, 2008, the tax will also apply to labor.
Master Software must collect sales tax on all taxable transactions. We have been charging sales tax on merchandise items, and will continue to do so. However, we will now have to increase to the 6% rate. Beginning July 1, 2008, we will also have to begin charging the 6% sales tax on labor. We have no choice. We appreciate your understanding of this situation.
There are several efforts afoot to have the computer tax, and even the sales tax increase, repealed. Some Republicans are challenging in court the legality of the laws passed in the special session based on an obscure provision in the state constitution that says lawmakers in one chamber cannot adjourn for more than three days without a vote of assent from those of the other. Ah, the technicalities! Click here to read about it in the Baltimore Sun.
In addition, some are trying to repeal the computer service tax based on the lack of discussion that was permitted in the General Assembly before the vote, and the problems other states have had in the past trying to implement it.
If you want to voice your opinion on the sales tax increase, the computer tax, or any other tax increase that was passed in the General Assembly special session, or on any other legislative issue for that matter, contact your state senator or state legislator. (Don't know who they are? Click this link.) Let them know how you feel about their hands in your pocket. |
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Tax Time
If you have been paying big bucks for a tax preparer to do your taxes, you might be able to save some money this year by doing them yourself with the help of some income tax software.
Master Software got started in 1982 by writing income tax software, called Tax Master, for Commodore computers. That's why we have "Software" in our name. We marketed this software nationally for about 15 years until the Commodore market, and our customer base, essentially disappeared.
For the last several years, we have been using Tax Cut by H&R Block to do our taxes, and we really like this program. Tax Cut can load your last year's tax information from Tax Cut, Turbo Tax, or from some other financial programs. It uses an "interview" method to find out about your income and expenses, and also will do your state taxes.
The easiest way to obtain Tax Cut is by clicking this link and downloading the program, or ordering a CD. We recommend buying Tax Cut Premium + State, which will give you the software and forms for Federal Income Tax and for one state of your choosing (when you install it):
Please let us know if you use Tax Cut and what you think of it. |
 Now that the holidays are over, all of the new electronic gadgets that you acquired over the last month are going to eat you out of house and home by consuming batteries faster than you can say "Down with Taxes"!
Yes, you can scour the stores for sales on batteries, but there is a better way. One of our sponsors, Ebatts.com, is offering a coupon for savings on all types of batteries this month.
Ebatts.com is offering 15% off your entire order through January 31, 2008. Just enter the coupon code CHDYJ at checkout and 15% will be deducted from your total. Ebatts.com also offers FREE SHIPPING. They have batteries for laptops, camcorders, cameras, PDAs, cell phones, cordless phones, power tools, and even ordinary alkaline batteries, too. You can't beat this deal, but hurry-it's only through the end of January!
TIP1: You can keep your unused batteries fresher by storing them in the refrigerator.
TIP2: Check your battery powered items frequently to make sure that the batteries are not leaking and oozing acid that will destroy your device.
Kodak Gallery is offering 20% off of enlargements (no coupon necessary) and 20% off of photo gifts (use coupon code HAPPY2008) through January 25, 2008. Now is the time to do something nice with those thousands of photos you took with your new camera over the holidays.
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Buyer Beware: On a sad note, CompUSA has announced that it will soon be closing most of its stores, including the only two in the Maryland/Northern Virginia area: Towson and Columbia. While you may still get ads and emails from them, it is no longer "safe" to buy anything of value from them.
According the the Better Business Bureau of Greater Maryland, CompUSA will not honor refunds, rebates, or exchanges on any merchandise sold after December 12, 2007.
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Well that's it for this month. I hope the information we provided is interesting and helpful. Let us know what you think. Keep those cards and letters, and emails, coming!
Don't forget to forward this newsletter to a friend who might be interested. A convenient link is located at the bottom of the page. And if you're not a subscriber (yet), just click the "Join Our Mailing List" button on the left near the top or bottom of the page and enter your email address for your free subscription.
Now I better get started on next month's newsletter so I don't miss another deadline! |
Steve Leven
Master Software
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Dell Home and Dell Small Business have specials that last from one day to a week or more. We have created a special page at the Master Software website that we will try to keep updated with the Dell specials. Remember, you don't have to be a business to buy from Dell Small Business!
Also, you need to buy from Dell Small Business if you want Windows XP!
 
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