Web and app developers are utilizing SMS texts for their programs more every day. I know, because I am using them all the time. I have always wondered how this is done (I am actually considering programming my own apps for the iPhone). There’s a nifty provider that supplies SMS Gateway capability for web and software programmers. The gateway is inserted into web apps or custom consoles. Think of all the nifty things such a little program can do– alert users of school closings, weather updates, doctor’s appointment reminders, church events and more. I am starting to rely rather heavily on SMS reminders for a lot of the things I need to do, and so I look for apps that have them. It’s a wonderfully convenient feature for very little cost.

If you are a developer or programmer, you may want to peruse the website. There’s a live demo, FAQs, and examples of the type of things you can do with this. I think it’s very cool!

So anyway, here’s really good news– Dragon Naturally Speaking 10.0 is on sale right now, for $37.00 (includes the shipping). I don’t think you are going to find such a low price for in-the-box software anywhere. It’s at Buy.com right now. The Dragon Naturally Speaking appeals to me because I’ve been wanting to try it out for a long time, and now that my dear friend Chuck at Secondary Roads is using it to alleviate his carpal tunnel (something that afflicts me sometimes, too), I’m ready to try it. I actually did advertisements for Nuance Dragon Naturally Speaking, a few years ago. It looked really interesting back then, but it was very expensive at $100. $37 is a great price! It also makes a GREAT gift for a grandma or grandpa, folks who can’t type but don’t want to be shut off from email and writing on the word processor.

So if you are interested, check out the software at Buy.com. They are having a great holiday sale on all kinds of software: Kapersky Internet Security 2011 is on sale for under $50, Windows 7 Family Pack Premium Upgrade is $125, Windows 7 Full Version is $200 (still very pricey, IMHO), and the video games are everywhere, on sale. Usually when prices are so low, things sell out quickly, so don’t wait if you need something.

I’ve tried quite a number of financial and budgeting software– MS Money, Quicken, and some free stuff online. Whoa, whoa! Waaaay too complicated. I just want to BUDGET, not plan my retirement, trade my stocks, cash in silver or gold, and chat with Bernanke! I *just* want to budget. How about you?

There’s some new envelope budgeting software in town, folks. You know that reliable envelope budgeting system? Where you tuck your paycheck cash in envelopes? That’s become more difficult, now that banking, bill paying, and direct deposit are done electronically. NeoBudget can help with it all. It manages your budget money with virtual envelopes, calculating expenses, and more. There’s a very informative video at the website. I like it. I think I may just try this. It’s free for 7 days, and after that it’s $2.50 a month (or less expensive if you pay per year). This could solve a lot of budgeting woes and it’s a very simple and straightforward program!

Remember, I’m a pro-blogger and I am sometimes compensated with stuff or money to review or mention products or services! This was one of them. :D You can read more about my blog policy on my My Pledge page.

This is a Sponsored Post written by me on behalf of GoViral. All opinions are 100% mine.

Now if this isn’t the most adorable thing!!!! It’s MyFelix and it’s a little animated cat for your desktop. It is SO cute!

My kids first saw MyFelix at a local library– the library is run by a bunch of crazy cat women, and they have cat stuff everywhere (plus a very sweet resident cat named Jesse). On the library computers is MyFelix. I just downloaded the little program and we’ve been having a blast with it! Here he is, surveying his new home (my desktop).

Looks like he wants out.

It’s just SO cute!! Felix runs around, he chases a butterfly (which my real cat Livvy noticed, too), breaks a flowerpot, gets fed, sleeps in his little cat cubby, and jumps around. You can click him and he’ll jump, and you can pick him up and drop him (my son suggested doing that!) and Felix lands on his four feet. He’s quite a remarkable cat!

The download is free. The program has a lot of options, like keeping Felix on top of all windows or not; and you can go into modes like “Play” and interact with him using your mouse. You can also shut the sound on and off.

MyFelix works only on Windows machines with XP or higher. It doesn’t take up a lot of resources on my machine, so I keep him running. It’s just too adorable!!! The kids will love him.

I’ll probably have my son do a review after we check it out for a while. I’ve heard good things about it, so if you have kids interested in LEGOs or in building stuff, there ya go.

OK anyway– there’s this new software program called Weekend Project, and it looks great! It features Kristan Cunningham from HGTV. Weekend Project helps you handle the smaller projects around the house, like installing a new sink vanity, adding some new lighting, and how to paint pretty faux effects, etc etc. The nice thing with software is that you can plan your design ahead of time– so if you think that the salmon-pink walls and sea foam green trim will look just luscious in your dining room, you can try it out with the software FIRST instead of changing your mind and having to repaint the whole room again. :D Now how would I know that? Here’s a quick video rundown of the software’s features:

It’s really nice software. Punch! is the #1 design software for homes, and I think it’s very intuitive. There’s a sale going on for the Weekend Project software, just in time for the holidays! Spruce up your home, it’ll look so gorgeous!

Well, I found it!!!! I am flipping, absolutely flipping! I did an extensive review of the Roxio Creator 2010, and it is the best software EVAH! Check out my post at my tech blog, Mrs. Mecomber’s Scrapbook Reviews Roxio Creator 2010.

Thanks for making an incredible product, Roxio!

New Roxio Creator 2009 is everything you need to easily create and share the stories of your life using your digital audio, photos, and videos.
New Roxio Creator 2009 makes it easy for family members of every age and experience level to transform photos and video from digital cameras, camcorders, and camera phones into awesome photo and video stories to share with family and friends – safely online on your personal Roxio web page, on DVD or Blu-ray Disc, or on-the-go — on an iPod, mobile phone or another portable player.

# Create engaging stories using your photos, video and music
# Preserve your memories and important files by easily burning or copying* CDs, DVDs and Blu-ray Discs
# Burn high-def video on standard DVDs for playback on your PlayStation 3 or other Blu-ray player
# Auto-mix the perfect playlist to enjoy on CD, iPod, or mobile phone
# Transform your photos into one-of-a-kind calendars, greeting cards and collages in just a few steps
# Delight family and friends by sharing your slideshows on DVD

Then it goes on to tease me by including THIS:

# Input Formats:
# Video: AVI, DV, HDV, DV-AVI, MPEG-1/2/4, MPEG2-HD, DVD-Video, IFO/VOB, DivX, DivX HD, XviD, DVR-MS, TiVo, ASF, MOV, WMV, QuickTime, 3GP, MPEG2 Transport Stream, AVC (H.264), AVCHD

I’ve tried another software program (ULead) that says it supports .MOV files, but in reality– ULead is so slow and bulky that my teeth gnash when I use it. This Roxio sounds good… if you have tried it, PLEEEEASE leave me a comment.

And also– check out Buy.com this week! They have tremendous sales right now for back-to-school. I am on a school shopping hunt myself– I’ll let you know about any more deals!

Don’t ya think that by now you should get rid of all those software programs that will only run on Windows 95 and 98? Hello?!
:duncehat:

Download.com is one of my favorite websites, I go there to find new programs several times a month. But it is so frustrating to have to sift through thousands and thousands of download pages because there is so much outdated clutter!! Dump the old junk, C|Net!!

There. Now I feel SO MUCH better.

TERRIBLE so far! Gah!! Those jerks who create viruses and trojans should be incarcerated for life and be forced to listen to old Flock of Seagulls music from the 80s as torture. GRR! (In case you are wondering, I think my friend has the Antivirus2009 virus. sighhhh)

So I’m doing this all on the phone, long distance. My pal does not know his way around the computer very well (which accounts for why he got a virus- he has no firewall nor anti-virus). So it’s been very difficult helping him through this, the poor guy. The stupid virus won’t even allow him to update anything, go on the Internet to download a virus-killer, nothing. So he has to buy a spyware-killer/anti-virus at the store. But the price tags on those things are breath-stopping. They want HOW MUCH for a CD program?! $50, $80?! He can’t afford that.

Wait until I tell him what I found today at Buy.com: Webroot SpySweeper and Anti-virus 3!! It’s on sale for…. are you ready?…. for…. oh my gosh this is so timely…. $14. Yes, $14! Can you believe it?! Buy.com is my new favorite store. They have a Weekly Sale page that I check out every week. There is something about the word “sale” that makes me quiver with delight. The deals are very, very good, and Buy.com offers free shipping for a lot of the products. Believe me, the place is a Frugal Hacks DREAM. I’ve also found that it is a good idea, once you find what you want at the price you want, to order as soon as possible, Things get sold out sometimes. I regret hesitating on a very cool headset/microphone set that selling for a phenomenal price. A few days later, it was gone.

Anyway, I’m REALLY hoping this virus-killing escapade is over soon. It’s kind of taking over my life at this point. I, like, have children to raise? People to feed? Ya know? Mr. Virus Inventor, I hope they catch you…