Product Review: RingingPhone.com cellphone ringtones

Posted on October 30th, 2005 in cell phones, ringtones by Oz

About the company: “Established in 2002, Ringingphone.com is one of the nation’s first cell phone ringtone websites. The popular membership-based site also offers customers the option of purchasing ringtones and cell phone wallpapers one at a time, or through a Value Plan, with which users can take advantage of greatly reduced prices. We offer ringtones for AT&T, Cingular, Rogers Wireless, Sprint, T-Mobile and Verizon cell phones.”

The big pitch: Thousands of ringtones to download to your cell phone, for as low as 47c each!

Ringingphone.com is one of the leading providers of cell phone ringtones, graphics and on-demand wireless information services in North America today, or so the hype says. It offers one of the largest selections of ringtones and graphics, which are broken down into different categories ranging from disco to movie soundtracks, pro wrestling themes to country and western, and everything in between, so you can quickly find what you’re looking for.

How are they able to provide customers with this type of service? RingingPhone.com has been able to assemble an array of content and technology partners, as well as a team of world class licensing agents and media partners, and the result of these combined efforts has been the creation of a cell phone content provider that we would describe as the slightly more buttoned-down, corporate version of Jamster.

Here is how it works: First you need to confirm that your cell phone is compatible with their service. Simply download a test ringtone to see if it works, and if it does, you will receive a message to your phone that confirms it. Once you have ordered a subscription plan, a membership is created for you, and you are set to go. Next time you login to the site, you can pick and choose which tones you want.

The cost for the download of the ringtones is $1.99 each, or you can choose the option of the Value Plan, which allows you to purchase 15 downloads for $6.99, a progam that includes ten ringtones and five wallpapers and breaks down to 47c per track, which is more than reasonable.

The Product Trends rating: If you are looking for ringtones or graphics as a way to express your individuality and keep up with the latest cellphone trends, this site is for you. RingingPhone.com can at times be a little slow, but it is updated all of the time, so you constantly have new options to choose from. Four stars. —Reviewed by Denise Seegobin

To try RingingPhone.com for yourself, click the image below:
Ringingphone.com

Product Review: NutriSystem Weight Loss Program

Posted on October 29th, 2005 in dieting, food, nutrition, weight loss by Oz

About the company: NutriSystem, Inc. provides a weight loss program based on quality foods and a nutritionally balanced meal plan; individualized counseling is the core of our commitment that customers always have the privacy, support and knowledge needed to reach and maintain their goal weight.

The big pitch: Purchase a 28-day program and get a free week of food!

I feel ethically responsible to state from the get-go that I am not a believer in diet programs. It is my personal opinion that the only way to maintain good health is by eating a well-balanced diet and exercising as much as possible. That said, I try to be open-minded about sensible solutions to a sensitive subject: losing weight.

The NutriSystem program is based on an established medical principle - the glycemic index. In a nutshell, when your insulin levels spike too quickly, your body tends to convert your food energy into fat. When this happens, you often feel hungry quickly after eating and thus you consume even more calories. By offering foods that contain “good carbs” (ones that do not cause blood sugar to rise quickly) and that are low in fat, the theory goes that you will be more satisfied with a smaller portion of food. And everyone knows that fewer calories equals fewer pounds.

Since the NutriSystem program provides all meals and snacks, you know exactly how many calories that you are consuming. Subscribers can choose from over 100 pre-packaged meals that are delivered directly to your door. The company also offers vitamins, supplements, and free counseling to help you succeed.

There are other programs on the market that offer similar services. Suzanne Somers’ ‘Somersize’ program rejects refined sugar (hence the need for ‘SomerSweet’ artificial sweetener) and complex carbohydrates. However, NutriSystem might be more appealing to busy consumers because the pre-prepared meals take the guess work out of making good food choices.

Programs are available for men, women, over-60’s, type II diabetics, and vegetarians, and all NutriSystem products can be ordered either online or through the QVC shopping network. A basic four-week package purchased from QVC runs at a cost of $184.25 (including meals for five days - eat what you want on the weekends), and NutriSystem is currently offering a 35-day program for $279.46, including free shipping.

The Product Trends rating: NutriSystem is a little pricey, but the nutritious meals are delivered directly to your door. And hey, what price can you put on good health? Four stars. —Reviewed by Teresa Wentz

To try NutriSystem for yourself, click the image below:
NutriSystem - Diet to Your Door

Product Review: Time-Life Music and Video Products

Posted on October 28th, 2005 in books, entertainment, movies, music by Oz

About the company: “Founded in 1961 as the book division of Time Inc., by 1966, Time-Life had combined its book offerings with music collections and packaged them as a sturdy box set. Throughout the ’70s and ’80s, the selection of books, music, and then video grew, diversifying into all genres. Today, Time-Life is one of the world’s pre-eminent creators and direct marketers of unique book, music, video/DVD, and multimedia products. The Time-Life name is one of the most recognized and trusted brands in existence today.”

The big pitch: A leader in the sale of music and video products, the Time-Life brand offers great value for quality entertainment products.

You are up late one night watching television and you come across a commercial for Time-Life music or video products, and wanted to order but didn’t get the number down in time. Hey, it happens - but now, Time-Life has created a website that you can visit and review all of the music, videos, and other product that they offer, without the need to dig behind the couch cushions for a pen that works.

How do you find that product you saw on television? Easy - just click on the “As Seen on TV" icon on the home page, category pages, and product pages throughout the site, to find the products advertised on TV. You can also search for the product that you are looking for by using the empty search box option that appears on every page. Just enter the product name and hit go, and all of the products will come up.

Want to listen to some of the music before purchasing? That option is also available on the site. If your product includes music CDs, you can listen to a 30-second sample of almost any song you choose - just click the song you want and it will play right there on your PC speakers.

Ultimately, Time-Life is the home of the various artists’ box set. With titles such as Legends: Ultimate Rock, Lifetime of Romance, and Classic Soul Ballads, you know pretty quickly what you’re in for. I mean, there’s just no confusing Superstars of the 80’s as being anything more than a collection of songs by the likes of Billy Ocean, Cyndi Lauper, Rick Springfield, Fine Young Cannibals and Huey Lewis and the News. But what may surprise is just how huge these box sets are. The Superstars of the 80’s set, for example, boasts discs for every genre - ten of them, in fact. In essence, with just one of these box sets, you could be purchasing enough music to get you from Jacksonville Florida to Spokane Washington without ever hearing the same song twice, or having to fiddle with a radio dial.

The video side of things is even more impressive, with DVDs of entire runs of classic TV shows, from Columbo to Murder She Wrote, Hee Haw to Second City Television. Even better, Time-Life regularly lists items for sale in their ‘clearance’ department, with prices dropping from the usual $16.99 to as little as $5.99. In addition, if you buy more items, you earn big discounts - buy 3 and get 10% off, buy 6 and get 15% off, or buy 9 and get a whopping 20% discount. That’s great stuff.

Customer Service is a number one priority for Time-Life. They are there for you before, during, and well after your purchase to answer any questions you may have, and to assure you are happy with our products and service. You have three ways of getting to customer service: Call Toll-Free: 1-800-950-7887. Call between 8 a.m. and 10 p.m., ET, Monday through Friday, and Saturday between 9 a.m. and 3 p.m., except holidays. Send an email using the customer service form provided on the website, or if you prefer the age old methods, mail ‘em a letter.

If customer service matters to you, then Time-Life has our heartiest recommendation. When I called and asked various questions about the products, they were very helpful and easy to speak with. The return policy is fair and clear to the customers.

The Product Trends rating: If fast, quick and quality entertainment products are what you are looking for, then Time-Life products are for you. Five stars. —Reviewed by Denise Seegobin

To try Time-Life for yourself, click the image below:
As Seen on TV - 120x90

Product Review: Boingo Wireless Internet Access

Posted on October 28th, 2005 in Internet, Internet service provider by Oz

About the company: "Boingo® provides software technology and roaming services that help bring the wireless Internet to the masses. The company has assembled a large and rapidly growing roaming system with tens of thousands of hot spot locations under contract around the world.”

The big pitch: Unlimited connect time for a low monthly fee on the easiest-to-use worldwide network of wi-fi hotspots.

Boingo was founded in 2001 by Sky Dayton, previously known as the founder of Earthlink, and has since won countless recognitions as one of today’s best startup companies as well as one of the fastest growing electronic companies on the planet. Boingo’s goal from its onset was to create the largest network of highspeed hotspots in the world. They are currently growing quite rapidly to offer extended services such as connection software and internet phoning through its partners.

With over 20,000 hotspots around the world it is clear that Boingo is geared toward travellers. They have set themselves up so that a customer can log on to the internet using their laptop or handheld device while at the airport, hotel and even on the airplane. While at any given destination there will often be Boingo hotspots at local cafes, bookstores and even campgrounds. A subscriber to Boingo will only have to turn on their computer, launch the free software and they’re online.

As for the wi-fi networks themselves, Boingo offers download speeds that are 100s of times faster then dial-up. They are constantly increasing access points making it easier and easier to find locations to connect from. For someone who’s always on the go this is a dream come true.

The software they provide is easy enough, though like any software there are posted reports of bugs or users who can’t seem to get it running. It searches for hotspots around you and makes connection a breeze—even if your using it for a network other then Boingo and even in your home. For Boingo subscribers, the software also contains a directory of worldwide connection points.

For the average internet user though, this is all flash. Windows XP users will find connecting to various hotspots is easy enough already and connecting to the internet from your house is all most people need. Those that venture to local coffee shops on occasion can often find free hotspots with ease and some companies have already launched wi-fi services that use advertising for income. One can even find hotels that offer free internet access to their guests. But if what you want is something more secure, vast and reliable, or you are in a business that sends you travelling a lot, then Boingo is highly worthwhile and will payoff tenfold.

Boingo Wireless has received praise from newspapers and ezines around the world. Their monthy fee of $21.95 is in the ballpark of what regular in-home internet providers charge. They also offer 24hr option for under $10 and have package deals for all sizes of business, which is really where their biggest appeal would come from.

The Product Trends rating: Four stars. An occassional traveler could research their trip and find cheaper alternatives, but if you travel a lot or simply want the best then Boingo Wireless is for you. —Reviewed by Phil Pivnick

To try Boingo for yourself, click the image below:
Unlimited 125x125

Product Review: SunRocket internet phone service

Posted on October 27th, 2005 in Internet, Internet phone, cell phones by Oz

About the company: Founded in early 2004, SunRocket is changing an industry, bringing you new choices, better value, and ultimate control of your home phone service. Powered by the Internet and designed to replace the overpriced, obsolete services from your old phone company, SunRocket Internet Phone Service harnesses your home high-speed connection to deliver a radically better suite of customized features at an amazing value.”

The big pitch: Turn long distance calls into local calls, with no contracts, no hidden fees, and no gotchas.

Everyone has busy lives filled with daily obstacles; reliable phone service should not be one of them. When you travel, you want to be able to make and receive calls without having to think about it. Sun Rocket seems to understand that, and has created Bottom-Line Pricing, so you pay no more than they say you will, free of hidden charges, add-on fees, and other rude surprises that normally show up on your phone bills monthly.

SunRocket utilizes the new technology of Voice-Over Internet Protocol (VOIP), which takes voice conversations and converts them into data that can be transferred across the World Wide Web. The data is then converted into a signal that the telephone system can deliver at the other end, turning your long distance phone call into a local call. After you connect any touchtone phone to your SunRocket gizmo, make and receive calls to any phone in the world, just like you do with a traditional phone, and you won’t be charged any more than a local call. It’s that simple.

Using this technology, SunRocket passed on these savings to customers so they will never be confused with complicated rate plans, or price increases when you’re not looking, or charge outrageous prices whenever you need to place an occasional international call. The concept of local calling zones is removed, so you no longer need to understand confusing boundaries between calls that are free and calls that are not.

Other benefits are also included for customers that you can get with traditional phone services, including:

  • Enhanced Voicemail: which allows you to manipulate all of your messages and receive instant notification
  • Call Logs: which keeps track of all your calls from your account
  • Find Me: which will automatically call various phone numbers in trying to locate you.
  • These are just a sample of the extensive services that would be available to you with a SunRocket account. The Signature Service includes unlimited calling in the US and Canada, free international minutes, a free extra phone number with the area code of your choice, over 10 enhanced calling features, two free directory assistance calls per month, and a free Uniden cordless phone worth over $100.

    If you’re unsure of whether this will work for you or not, SunRocket allows customers to try the service risk-free for 31 days. After that you can cancel the service and receive full credit to your account and never incur a penalty, or you can select your Signature Service; either sign-up for the Annual Edition, or the Monthly Edition. Each option offers the same all-inclusive service, they’re just giving the customer more options.

    If you have questions, no problem, a 1-800 number is provided so that you can get you answers from a real human being. The only problem is that they are only around from 8am-Midnight, though they are available seven days a week.

    The Product Trends rating: SunRocket was named 2005 DigitalLife Innovator by Ziff Davis Media, and we agree with their assessment: Five stars. If you are looking for the best service and outstanding customer service, with no hidden costs, optional plans and a money back guarantee, then SunRocket is the service for you. —Reviewed by Denise Seegobin

    To try SunRocket for yourself, click the image below:
    468 x 60 with phones

    Product Review: Cambridge Soundworks

    Posted on October 27th, 2005 in electronics, entertainment by Oz

    About the company: "At Cambridge SoundWorks, we sell our award-winning speakers direct from the factory, eliminating distribution costs and passing the savings directly to you, our customer. This same high value formula allows us to match our high-performance speakers with electronics from brands like Sony, Onkyo, Samsung, Toshiba and Marantz, and offer incredible deals on great-sounding complete audio systems.”

    The big pitch: Cambridge SoundWorks sells a great product for less because they cut out the middleman.

    These guys were one of the first businesses to be selling online. Cambridge SoundWorks sold their first stereo product on the internet back in 1994. The company itself was set up over 15 years ago as a catalog business, and would later open retail stores based on their online success. They are still powered by their philosophy that “…the only good value is when you get a great price on a great product."

    Naturally their business is founded on speakers and subwoofers, but their stereo products include all kinds of home electronics, including LCD televisions, DVD players, radios, multimedia units, soundcards, digital cameras, flash players and more. They have a wide variety of portable music players which includes a large selection of MP3 players, and if you’re looking to build yourself a home theater system, you don’t have to look any further than these pages.

    The layout of their online store is simple and easy to navigate. Every product is logically categorized and can also be found through a search bar. Product pictures are clear and easily enlarged. Items can be viewed in all of their available colors, but the only thing lacking is a 360 degree view of the electronics, which you find on many other manufacturers websites these days. That said, the written descriptions are as good as you’ll find on any home electronics store website.

    When you’re trying to narrow down what radio, flat-panel TV or subwoofer you want look at their “good-better-best-wow” rating system. This helpful tool will instantly identify which products are entry-level and which ones are fully loaded with all there is to offer. If you have more questions then the site seems to answer, their customer service offers more than most. Email them at one of several departments or phone them up during their generous business hours.

    Cambridge SoundWorks has been given high ratings from consumers and reviewers alike. Their products stand up to the test of feature quality and durability. If you like to shop around, they offer a price guarantee. Once you’ve bought it, you have a 45 day satisfaction guarantee. If you like what you see, there isn’t much to lose by trying these guys out.

    Unlike a lot of small startup companies these guys are able to offer a lot of other great shopping benefits. There are frequent clearance specials and even an online outlet store for people who don’t care if they have the latest gadget or don’t mind if it’s from an open box. Best of all there is free shipping on most purchases, and for customers with approved credit there is a great monthly payment plan for larger purchases.

    The Product Trends rating: If you’re in the market for a sound system or other home electronics this is a great place to shop but it wouldn’t be fair to say that each of their products is as good as the next. You’ll likely find yourself looking for individual product reviews before making your final purchase. On almost all counts though, this is a great store with great products so it’s an easy four stars. —Reviewed by Phil Pivnick

    To try Cambridge Soundworks for yourself, click the image below:
    logo_120x90

    Product Review: McAfee Anti-Virus software

    Posted on October 27th, 2005 in Internet, computers, software by Oz

    About the company: "Under the McAfee® Protection-in-DepthTM Strategy, we deliver the industry’s only complete set of system and network protection solutions differentiated by our intrusion prevention technology, which can not only detect, but block attacks. The McAfee System Protection Solutions and McAfee Network Protection Solutions portfolios are designed to assure the security and availability of the technology that powers our customers’ businesses - from the desktop to the core of the network and across the servers that our customers rely on to deliver their competitive advantage."

    The big pitch: Proven, comprehensive PC protection for home users.

    Here’s the thing, you already have enough problems worrying about the possible avian flu pandemic and terrorists and killer bees and hurricanes - why lose additional sleep over computer viruses? McAfee designs computer protection programs for corporate entities as well as home PC systems, and even wireless technology, which are considered the benchmark in the industry.

    McAfee’s software can be instantly downloaded from the website or purchased from a retailer, such as Best Buy. Either way, the cost is about the same - the current online price as of the time of writing was $59.99 for the internet bundle (with a $20 mail-in rebate). This provides basic anti-spam, anti-spyware, anti-worm, and anti-pop-up ad protection. All services can also be purchased separately if you prefer, and a handy-dandy checklist allows the website to recommend the level of security you will need depending on your average computer usage.

    In addition to filtering that pesky online junk, McAfee also offers automatic system scans and security updates that continually monitor your pc for new threats. When a new outbreak is detected, new security measures are downloaded immediately.

    So while you are dozing softly in dreamland, the Anti-Virus Emergency Response Team (AVERT), a dedicated band of technophiles, are on duty 24 hours a day, monitoring potential worldwide viruses that could harm your computer, and sending out software patches to keep them at bay. Additionally, the customer service center provides free around-the-clock technical assistance for any questions you might have, so relative newbies can get the same protection that advanced users can get.

    It all sounds great - but what about that new internet software you just received in the mail? Didn’t they say something about FREE protection………?

    Yes, AOL 9.0 now offers a security edition that features complimentary McAfee protection (separate activation is required). However, for maximum PC protection, the McAfee internet bundle ($59.99) is definitely the way to go. The AOL/McAFEE software only offers firewall protection on broadband services and their other services are not as extensive as the bundle.

    McAfee is a great product and, according to their website, one of the largest subscription providers on the internet. If you store personal records and financial information on your PC, be advised that hackers can access this information even when you are not on the net, and the peace of mind that McAfee brings is well worth the money. The downside is the subscription price. Norton Anti-Virus (a leading competitor) offers the same bundle service for $39.99.

    So yeah, you may find virus protection that is cheaper, but you won’t find virus protection that is more comprehensive, more readily updated, and more effective than McAfee.

    The Product Trends rating: Both McAfee and Norton websites provide detailed charts that list the services included in each of their packages, but personally, if I am getting the same thing for my money on either option, I would rather save $20 immediately and forget about a mail-in rebate altogether. For this reason only, McAfee gets 3 ½ stars. —Reviewed by Teresa Wentz

    To try McAfee for yourself, click the image below:
    VirusScan_120x90

    Product Review: Musicnotes downloadable sheet music

    Posted on October 26th, 2005 in music, music downloading by Oz

    About the company: Musicnotes.com offers more than 45,000 pieces of instant digital sheet music from major publishing companies such as Warner Brothers, Universal, BMG, and EMI. Their online store features over 260,000 books, CDs, and videos, and recently the site passed the one-millionth download mark in the summer of 2005. The Rolling Stones even used their patented MusicNotesXtra technology in their newly released singles box-set to teach fans how to play “Sympathy for the Devil” (the official theme song for aging rockers).
    The big pitch: Printable sheet music that is instantly accessible at more than reasonable prices.

    Buying sheet music is now easier than purchasing a book online. Can’t remember the title or artist behind your favorite track? Just make like the La-La Lady from “Name That Tune” and type in a few lyrics, and the advanced search engine will tell you what you’re looking for. It also allows you to look for songs by instrument, style, scoring, level of difficulty, composer, or lyricist.

    The instant download, purchase, and print technology bheind Musicnotes is perfect for professional musicians, teachers, or anyone who wants to learn a new tune right away - but doesn’t want to schlep to the music store or wait for a snail-mail order of sheet music to arrive. Download the free viewer and player to see what your music looks like before you purchase - it couldn’t be simpler!

    Indulge your inner rock star and learn the guitar with Musicnotes’ online help. The guitar guru section provides instruction as well as virtual fret boards, adjustable tempos, CD-synch technology, and printable tab for beginning students. A recent tie-in with Guitar Player magazine also gives their readers the chance to pick one free download per month from a list of fifteen selections.

    As an amateur musician, I was amazed to find sheet music for the trumpet as low as $1.95 (“Stairway to Heaven”), and the site offers an amazing genre of music - everything from Christian pop to classical to AFI’s 100 best movie songs. Whether you play piano, drums, bass guitar or the harpsichord, Musicnotes’ books of sheet music are much cheaper than my local music store, and the selection is much larger.

    And that’s not all - Musicnotes also offers a discount card for 10% off all purchases, and they offer monthly specials to keep things fresh and inexpensive. If you play any sort of music instrument, you really need to take a look at Musicnotes today!

    The Product Trends rating: Five stars! Incredible catalog of music, free software, well-priced sheet music books, one of the best music search engines on the web, and complimentary customer service for all services. Musicnotes doesn’t need to blow their own horn - there are already too many fans willing to do it for them with their own downloadable sheet music. —Reviewed by Teresa Wentz

    To try Musicnotes for yourself, search for your choice in the search box below:

    sheet music search

    Product Review: UpgradeMemory.com

    Posted on October 26th, 2005 in computers, software by Oz

    About the company: “UpgradeMemory.com is a computer upgrade sales and information provider offering memory upgrades, great content about upgrading and links to other popular upgrade resources. We use a low cost, highly automated model to provide the ideal memory upgrades sought after by the on-line memory buyer and consumer markets. ”

    The big pitch: UpgradeMemory.com specializes in memory upgrades for Laptop memory and Desktop memory upgrades for Dell, HP, Compaq, IBM, Gateway, Apple, e-Machines, Sony and Toshiba computers.

    This online enterprise was founded by four computer memory industry veterans who, combining their thirty-five years of experience working with RAM, decided that memory could be sold at low prices online more inexpensively than it could be through stores. The result is UpgradeMemory.com, which now boasts one of the “most comprehensive databases in the industry”, with memory solutions for almost 15,000 laptops, and servers.

    Their website is a pleasure to navigate, designed simply and without clutter. On the home page, the consumer is offered three ways to find the best memory product for their particular computer. Option one lets the consumer find a memory product by selecting the computer’s manufacturer, option two involves entering a manufacturer, model, UM part number or word from a description to be found in a box below the option, and option three suggests clicking by choosing from a list of major manufacturers listed below the directions for the option. The options are well laid out and it’s pretty obvious how to use them. That’s great, particularly for those of us who are not computer geeks.

    There is no guess work for those coming to this website sure of only one thing–the need for memory. The company provides a memory configurator which is a tool for locating the exact memory product needed to upgrade a particular computer, installation guides, memory buying guides, product spotlights, warranty and guarantees, as well as a section dubbed information and resources.

    As well as providing comprehensive information on their products the section of questions and facts provide information on their policies to do with customer service, ordering, payment, contacting them, products, returns and shipping. UpgradeMemory.com has done a very thorough job of covering every contingency thus providing the prospective client with all the information needed to make an informed purchase.

    In setting their website up in such an orderly, comprehensively informative manner, they also inspire confidence that the rest of their services are provided in the same way. A clumsy website probably indicates less than sterling business practices whereas this group inspires confidence that a transaction with them will result in a quality product, backed by their expertise and acumen.

    Their customer service department boasts actual human beings answering the phones. As one customer put it, “a knowledgeable, intelligent, professional and articulate person” responded to her call. Such a feature is a major plus in these days of automation and lengthy waits forcing us to listen to a recording, consoling us with repetitious statements declaring that our business is important to them and they’ll be with us shortly.

    Shipping is facilitated through Federal Express with the customer deciding which of their many offerings they wish to use. Orders received prior to 2PM PST will be shipped that very day, provided the item is in stock. If the product ISN’T shipped that day, UpgradeMemory.com will ship it out the very next day, automatically upgrading the shipping, at no additional cost to the consumer, in order to make sure it arrives in the prearranged, specified time. You’ve got to love that kind of dedication to customer service.

    The Product Trends rating: I was impressed with this company’s attention to detail and its informational resources. Offering an easy to use website coupled with outstanding customer service, speedy shipping, fair pricing, and a vast inventory of quality memory components earns UpgradeMemory.com the best rating we can give - five stars. —Reviewed by Jane Lytle

    To try UpgradeMemory.com for yourself, click the image below:
    125x40White

    Product Review: WriteExpress.com

    Posted on October 26th, 2005 in computers, publishing, software by Oz

    About the company: "WriteExpress.com is one of the world’s largest software writing companies. It is owned by the WriteExpress Corporation and has been selling writing software since 1997. We offer assistance with letter writing, rhyming, and editing."

    The big pitch: WriteExpress offers the perfect letter in just minutes, as well as a 30-day money back guarantee, and free shipping.

    In 1989 Dr. Melvin Luthy and Robert Stevens created a rhyming dictionary for Word Perfect. In creating this project, they realized that non-writers had a real problem with respect to writing, and there were no tools available to help amateur writers sound like experts. It took until March of 1997 for them to make their breakthrough, but that month the pair released the WriteExpress Interactive Business Letters program as a tool to assist amateur writers, which eventually eveolved into the WriteExporess website. The company has won a number of awards, including the Zdnet 5-star Editor’s Pick, which means they’re not fooling around.

    WriteExpress.com offers software with ready to use business letters, sales letters, and Microsoft Office templates. Additionally, they offer software that helps edit styles and creates rhymes. New offerings include novel writing software, dictionary software, a living will writer, e-mail help, instruction manuals, and PowerPoint templates.

    In terms of delivery format, the website offers its product via software download, or you can purchase the CD and have it shipped to your home or office. If you have an Office Depot or Fry’s Electronics nearby, you can also pick up a copy at those venues.

    There are no surprises with WriteExpress. The company offers samples of their work on the site, so it’s possible to see what you’re getting in advance and avoid any ugly surprises. Moreover, your satisfaction is guaranteed, since they will gladly refund your purchase price within 30 days if you are unhappy with the software for any reason. At all. Like, for anything. And since the company is a member of the Better Business Bureau, it is a fairly safe bet that they will ensure your happiness with their product, one way or another.

    The product catalogue of this corporation is incredible. It seems to be growing by leaps and bounds, almost daily. For professional writers, these products can be a real time saver for ‘grunt work’, but for amateur writers, or simple businessmen who need a boilerplate business letter in a hurry, this software can greatly assist with expansion and the improvement of long term writing skills.

    Their letter products, which are the most popular items on site, cover a variety of topics. These range from $20-$50 in price. If you choose to download the software, the download time can be a bit slow with a dial-up connection, but live in the now, slowpoke, and get a cable connection already!

    The Product Trends rating: Five stars. If you’re looking for software that keeps you from writing some of your correspondence, this is it. They offer a great product to meet most writing needs. — Reviewed by Mindy Matter

    To try WriteExpress for yourself, click the image below:
    WriteExpress Award Winning Software

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