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It's the most wonderful time of the year - unless you're looking for that one item that you know will be the perfect gift, and it's sold out. After all, if everyone's talking about it now, you know it'll be harder to find than Larry Ellison's Microsoft stock.You know the stuff we're talking about. Grim Fandango. The Barbie Digital Camera. Bill Gates' Visa number.
We at Quid'·nunc feel your pain. So that's why, no matter what the item - whether it's this year's hottest games (Starship Titanic, for instance) or that DVD drive you promised your mate, or that screaming fast custom-built computer that you promised yourself for a Christmas gift - if you put just 20% down, we'll guarantee you'll have it in your hot little hands by December 24.
That's 20% down on anything. Quake 2? Just one-fifth of $49.95. That 3DFX Video card? Just one-fifth of $189.95. A 300 MHz dreamer computer system complete with 128 Mb of RAM? Just one-fifth of $1995.
For that down payment, we not only guarantee you'll have it by December 24, but that if, for some reason, we don't, we'll find it for you. One catch: Computers must be ordered by December 14 in order to be delivered to you by Christmas Eve. We're already getting quite a few orders for our computer systems.
Christmas is the season of giving, and giving a gift that makes someone happy is just as much fun as receiving one. So insure good times for the people you love and for you - reserve your gifts today!
Index
Bill's Byte
Holiday Gift Ideas
Your own Home Network
Barbie's Digital Camera
Mouse Pads
17-inch Monitors
Scanners
Microsoft Natural Keyboard
Games!Games!Games!
Software for Kids!
Encarta Reference Suite
3DFX Video Cards
Gifts For Macintosh Users
Software For Just $9.95
Software For Just $4.95
Register Your Christmas Gift List at Quid'·nunc
Ancient History Sale: Prices Drop Daily Week Of Dec. 14-18!
The Quid'·nunc Philosophy And You
Quid'·nunc Best Sellers (October/November '98)
The Mac and Eastern Philosophy
Classes Resume In January
Calendar & Schedule
Classes
Coupon Specials
Bill's Byte
Holiday Gift Ideas
Your Own Home Network. If you have more than one computer at home, there's every reason to link them on your own home network. It's easy and it's affordable with Network In A Box. It's got the cables and network cards - in short, everything you need - to complete the connection, enabling you to send data from one machine to another. It's really cool for games, because you get to shoot at a real opponent, not just a computer one. Just $74.95.
Barbie's Digital Camera. It's cute, it's got a flower….. and it digitizes any image you can put in its viewfinder. And, at just $79.95, you might be tempted to use it yourself!
Mouse Pads. Check out the Aqua Pads, with great designs and moveable pieces (a puzzle of Botticelli's Birth of Venus….. South Park…. and more). And, just so you know, they're exceptional mouse surfaces, too, all for $12 & under.
17-Inch Monitors - under $300. If that special someone in your life has been Really Good, one of these big monitors is perfect. Whether it's to be used in page layout and design or for really souping up a favorite game, these monitors have dropped way down in price just in time for the holiday season.
Scanners - under $100. Publishing to the web? Sending a photo of Junior to Grandma? Playing a practical joke on a friend at school? As each day passes, we want to use graphics in our documents more and more. Now scanners are priced so affordably, you can hardly deny anyone you love his or her own.
Microsoft Natural Keyboard. You can type in a way that's uncomfortable - or you can type naturally. This keyboard may just be one good way to keep someone you care for from getting carpal tunnel syndrome…. all for around $65!
Games! Games! Games! The hottest ones, like Grim Fandango….. Railroad Tycoon 2.... Microsoft Combat Flight Simulator.... Half-Life.... Fallout 2.... Shogo.... and more!
Software For Kids! Blue's Birthday Adventure.... Teletubbies.... Backyard Soccer.
Encarta Reference Suite. Homework is easier and more fun with Microsoft's excellent reference package. Anyone in school will appreciate this gift.... as will anybody who thinks at all.
3DFX Video Cards. They're 8Mb-16Mb of blazing fast video RAM. Whether you play on a Windows PC or a Mac, we've got the 3D card that will make your game action as real as can be. And these days not only can it enhance most games, but a large number of them even require one of these cards.
Gifts For Macintosh Users. Start with Mac OS 8.5, which is getting rave reviews (when they say it's like buying a new Mac for under $100, it's oh-so-very-true!). Add Tomb Raider 2 and Unreal to your favorite Machead's list, too.
Software For Just $9.95! The Sim Classics collection (for Windows and Macintosh).... Hexxen Death Kings.... Absolute Zero (Macintosh).... Wing Commander III (Macintosh).... KKND.... Magic Carpet II.... Orion Conspiracy.... Wild Turkey Hunt.... Gabriel Knight.... Mac Mindgames.... Warren Miller's Ski World.... The Dame Was Loaded.... Monster Truck Madness.... Bicycle Bridge.... Full Tilt Pinball.... Sim Earth (Macintosh).... Sim Farm (Windows and Macintosh).... Dragon Dice.... Realms of the Haunting.... Azrael's Tear.... Extreme Pinball.... Relentless.... and many more!
Software For Just $4.95! Warlords II.... Cyberia 2.... Bureau 13.... Star Trek 25th Anniversary (Windows and Macintosh).... Blackthorne.... Dragonsphere.... Ghosts (Windows and Macintosh).... Battle Arena Toshinden.... Links LS Trial Nine.... Queensryche Promised Land.... Star Trek Judgment Rites.... Entomorph.... and many more!
Plus hundreds of software titles under $20! So give, give, give!
Register Your Christmas Gift List At Quid'·nunc
Okay, so you're the one in the family who loves computers. So what do you get every Christmas?
Socks? Bath oil? Ray Conniff CDs?
Then, because you like the gift-giver, you have to pretend you like the gift. And sometimes even Robin Williams couldn't act that happy.
As usual, Quid'·nunc has the solution. It's the Quid'·nunc Holiday Gift Registry. Just complete one of our forms below (or grab one from the counter, or on the Quid'·nunc Web site) and we'll keep a list of your wants at the store. Then when your favorite aunt asks what you want for Christmas, just tell her you're registered at Quid'·nunc. When she comes in, we'll tell her what you've requested, she'll buy it, and, faster than a T1 connection, you're a happy camper come Christmas Day.
Just remember to buy your aunt something nice, too. I mean, we haven't met her and all, but we suspect she hasn't been writing to Santa for a navel ring.
Ancient History Sale: Prices Drop Daily Week Of Dec. 14-18!
First, there was the wheel. Not long after came our first shipment of software.... and some of it is still here.
We want it out of here.
For five days, we'll be digging deep into the back room for all sorts of old stuff. How old? You'll probably see some 5-1/4-inch disks, a lot of DOS software.... and yet, you'll see a lot of titles that were very popular, including Who Shot Johnny Rock? and JFK Assassination. Lots of productivity titles, too.
How much do we want it gone?
On Monday, everything is priced at $5. If you're here at 10 AM when we open, you'll enjoy the best look at what's here.
What's left goes on sale Tuesday for just $4.
What's left goes on sale Wednesday for just $3.
You get the idea.
If there's anything left, we just put it in a box on Saturday and you can take it away for absolutely nothing.
Mark your calendar. Get your pickax and pith helmet. Get ready to score some exceptional bargains the week of Dec. 14-18!
The Quid'·nunc Philosophy And You
As Quid'·nunc builds more and more computers, I thought it would be useful to share our philosophy on their assembly, their pricing and their service.
First and foremost, we use products we believe in. We research and test all components before we decide to use them. We'll never put second-quality hardware into the computer that you'll be working with every day. You'll be doing important stuff with that machine. Stuff like homework. Taxes. Business plans. Letters to loved ones. Novels. All sorts of stuff that you don't want melting on you.
Second, we believe in service. Buy a computer at one of the big-box computer retailers, and you'll get a service warranty with one, maybe two years of parts and labor included. Sounds like a good deal, until you realize a computer is the sum of its parts, and the modem in their machine comes with a 5-year manufacturer's warranty that they're ignoring.
We honor all manufacturer's warranties, no matter how long. So if we build you a computer with a hard drive whose manufacturer builds so well it believes it will still be working in 2003, we'll guarantee it, too. And that goes for every bit of the computer we build for you.
Additionally, we like to think that we provide a superior level of service to our customers. Judging by the fact that we see a lot of repeat customers - bringing us different problems - we think you agree.
Quid'·nunc Best-Sellers
October/November '98
Indicates second consecutive month as best seller
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The Mac and Eastern Philosophy
by Rob Lear
Macintosh computers have a reputation for being easy to use. So why are so many people having difficulties with them?
The following story may illustrate:
Long ago a young American was intent on becoming enlightened. Finally, he traveled to China to meet a great Zen Master. The journey was long and filled with perils, but the American eventually completed the journey. Soon after, he was overwhelmed when he spotted the Zen Master. The American ran up to the old Master, shouting "Teacher, teacher, teach me!"
The old man looked at the American, then replied with a question. "Did you eat your porridge today?"
"Yes," the American replied.
"Then," said the Master as he smiled, "You had better wash your bowl."
Over the years I have told that story many times. Not once have I met an American who understood it.
Here is its meaning: There is plenty to learn, but little to teach. Most things are simple until we complicate them.
Macintoshes are so simple that the user is tempted to discard the Macintosh Reference Manual. Thereafter the user attempts to "figure everything out." This path will only take one so far. It's like building a house without a foundation; it's only a matter of time before the structure collapses.
So I strongly recommend that the user start with the Macintosh Reference Manual. Additional knowledge can be laid upon that foundation.
Instead, people are too impatient. They want to fly before they can walk. It can't be done.
Sure, the manual is boring, as are the files labeled "Please Read Me" that come with new software. (One customer told me, "Nobody wants to read that crap.") To this I say: If you want excitement, go bungee jumping. Apple trees will never bear oranges, so please put your alchemy kits away and learn to eat the apples. You'll certainly enjoy the apple pie, apple strudel and apple turnovers.
When will the user know enough? Never. Once the Macintosh user accepts the concept of lifetime learning, he or she then becomes teachable. Don't let your own intelligence become a learning disability.
Bill's Note: What Rob says about Macintosh also applies to Windows machines, too!
Classes Resume In January
Holiday season means most people are busy buying stuff.... which means they're ready to learn how to run their new hardware and software come January. As usual, Quid'·nunc is there for you! On Tuesday, January 5, we start our class in Windows 98, aptly named Beginning Windows 98. Class lasts for four weeks and costs just $165. And if you're looking at a spiffy new computer - perhaps even one we built for you - then take our Introduction to Computers class. It starts on Wednesday, January 6, and also runs for four weeks and costs just $165. At the end of each, you'll be ready to rock. (Or at least laugh at all the people suing Bill Gates.)
Keep your eyes out if you're a little more advanced. We're working out the details for two new classes: Intermediate Windows 98 and Build Your Own Computer.
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Calendar of Events December 14 -18…...Ancient Software Sale On Monday, none of the special sale merchandise will cost more than $5. By Friday, what remains will cost just a buck....and Saturday we give away what didn't sell! Come down and take a look at the software we found that dates back to our earliest days in business
Class Schedule
Introduction to Computers. Wednesdays, 7:30PM. |  |
| HAPPY HOLIDAYS from Quid'·nunc A Special Treat for those of you that save trees by receiving this newsletter electronically |
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| What Now? The Official Quid'·nunc Newsletter Published by Quid'·nunc......Your Neighborhood Software Store
4306 SW Oregon Street - Seattle, WA USA 98116 Tel: 932-8795. Fax: 932-8183 quidnunc@quidnunc.net
24 hour Quid'·nunc Internet Status Line: 935-4783
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