“Protect your iPad or tablet without hiding its beautiful design with our Kicks: Small, thin, silicone-rubber rails that prevent your iPad from slipping, scratching and damage. The protective rails run along the backside, providing minimal safekeeping for your valuable life tool. Adheres to your device using 3M Damage-Free adhesive. Easy to use and apply, even comes off without leaving any marks.” – BlueLounge product page.

I found out about Kicks earlier this week and quickly placed my order.  At $11.95 (plus shipping) for 2 pairs, these great new add-ons won’t break the bank and the BlueLounge track record made clicking on the Buy Now button a no-brainer.  I’ve already purchased several items from their catalog, including the CableDrop (featured here), CoolFeet and Refresh.

KICKS REVIEW

I’ve only had the Kicks in place for a few minutes now, but I can already see the benefits of these protective strips.

• Beautiful Design – light grey color blends into the iPad, thin enough that they don’t look out-of-place
• Easy to Apply – works exactly as advertised – holds on strong but easily repositioned without leaving any kind of glue marks
• Protective – you can set the iPad down anywhere without fear of scratching the back
• Work With Smart Covers – you can still angle your iPad and (if you place the Kicks properly) you can even protect the edge of your iPad

My Ipad2 with the Kicks in Place

HOW TO GET YOUR KICKS

If you are an iPad owner (or know someone who is), head on over to the Kicks product page at bluelounge.com to purchase or check for local stores that might have them in stock using their store locator.  Here in Houston, BlueLounge products are carried at the Container Store.

Be sure to look around their website a bit.  If you like the idea of Kicks, you’ll be amazed at some of the other items in their catalog.  And don’t forget to follow BlueLounge on Facebook and Twitter.  Who knows what they will come up with next.

If someone slid a piece of paper in front of you right now and said “give me a list of items you would want to unwrap this holiday season,” would you be able to do it?  Better yet, would you be able to provide a range of items and an idea of what they cost?  Honestly, Grandma is probably not going to buy you that new iPad, so you better have some other options for her to choose from.  Putting together a list like this takes more than a few minutes, and that is where an online holiday wish list comes into play.

Last November, we took an in-depth look at 5 services you could use to build your wish list.  Amazon edged out the competition with their feature-rich Universal Wishlist and I still think their tool is the best option on the web.  The features I found most impressive were:

• Add to Wish List feature (quick add button for browsers)
• Notes section for each item on your list
• Public access

This year, Amazon has improved the Wish List tool by adding more sharing features (including a unique URL that you can share however you like) and a new WishList Wish & Win Sweepstakes.

Next Steps

To get the most out of your Wish List and increase your odds in the Wish and Win Sweepstakes, you’ll need to get started right away.  Here are a few steps to help get you started:

1) Set up an account on Amazon.com

2) Get the Universal Wish List Button or Browser add-on/extension.

Wish List Button

3) Choose items that you want on your Wish List (from any website)

4) Share your list with friends and family or print it out for the less tech-savvy

Share your Wish List with Friends and Family

5) Continue to add items to your list for the next month

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 18

School starts in a matter of days and you have some shopping to do.  The great state of Texas is offering a tax-free weekend to shoppers that runs from today (8-20) thru Sunday (8-22) and many of you will be heading out to fight the crowds.  Arm yourself with the best information by researching before you leave the house.  Being prepared can save you time, money and frustration.

Many retailers are extending their back-to-school specials to their web sites and/or offering coupons to their “fans.”  In order to receive these offers, you’ll need to do a little homework (maybe from the office today).  We’ve prepared a list of a few sites and links to get you started.  Just don’t forget to “like” or “follow” the other retailers you visit as well.

JCPenney has been offering specials and online coupons all year, but they have really ramped things up for this big back-to-school weekend.  While their Twitter feed and Facebook pages don’t offer much help in getting the best deals on items for you student(s), they do have email updates, mobile coupons and ads online for you to review.

SPECIAL NOTE: Head on over to the official JCPenney web site (link below) and view the store ads.  Our local ad (Houston, TX) has special coupons for up to $15 off of your purchase.  That is in addition to a tax-free weekend and sale prices.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/jcpenney
Web Site: http://www.jcpenney.com
Get Connected: Page for email updates and mobile coupons
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/jcpenney

The JCPenney Online Ad is Full of Great Deals and a Valuable Coupon

Target, one of my all-time favorite retailers, seems to operate much like JCPenney.  Their Facebook and Twitter pages don’t offer much in the way of savings or bargains, but regionally they are offering some pretty great deals in-store.  You can also shop online for some great back-to-school savings (with free shipping on purchases over $50) or sign up for “email exclusives” and “mobile reminders.”

Web Site: http://www.target.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/target
Twitter: https://twitter.com/target

Target Has Great Deals on the Items You Need

Zappos.com - What kind of computer site would we be without bringing you something available only online.  Zappos.com, which I thought was a shoe store only, has tons of options when it comes to clothing and school uniforms.  Save big when you buy from the Zappos uniform area.  Many of their items come in 2-packs or 4-packs, which makes perfect sense when you are buying clothes for students who must meet certain dress-code policies.

SPECIAL NOTE: Buying from Zappos.com also means great customer service.  They offer a standard 365-day return policy (yes, a full year) and all shipping if FREE both ways (meaning you can receive and return for FREE).

WAIT, THERE’S MORE: Zappos.com is currently offering FREE VIP memberships to customers.  A VIP membership gets you FREE overnight shipping on all purchases.  You better hurry.  The FREE VIP enrollment ends in just over 4 days.

Web Site: http://www.zappos.com/
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/zappos
Twitter: http://twitter.com/zappos

School Uniforms with FREE Shipping and 365-Day Returns

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

With the highest sales tax in the U.S. hovering at about 10.75% (California), you have to ask yourself if the savings are worth the effort.  Crowded stores, long-lines, uncooperative kids and driving all over town might save you that 10%, but what if you could save more from the comfort of your own home or office?  I think it is possible to save on your back-to-school shopping and, if you start today, you can still have your student(s) stocked up and ready to head off to their first day.

Start With Amazon.com

No other online business makes shopping as easy as Amazon.com.  Take that required list of school supplies provided by your school district and head over to the Back-to-School Savings area.   Items on Amazon.com are typically less-expensive than their big-box store counterparts and you don’t pay tax, ever (at least in Texas).  Become a member of Amazon Prime (FREE trials available, $79 a year) and you can take advantage of unlimited fast shipping, including FREE Two-Day shipping and One-day shipping for $3.99 per item on all eligible purchases.

I myself have been an Amazon Prime member for the last year and I will never go without it again.

Shop Competitvely

I’m not saying you need to put on a helmet and pads, but you do need to flex your tech skills to get the best prices on the more expensive items on your child’s list.  Whether your college freshman needs a new laptop or your middle-schooler needs a backpack, you can use online or smartphone shopping tools to compare prices from other retailers before making your decision to purchase.

For those of you with smartphones (iPhone, Android, BlackBerry) there are numerous barcode scanning apps that you can download.  ShopSavvy (my favorite Android tool) is just one of these apps, which allows you to scan a barcode and get instant comparison results from over 20,000 retailers and 200,000 products.  In many cases, the online price of an item can be 20%, 30% or more off of retail.

Coupons, Coupons, Coupons!

No matter where you end up shopping, don’t forget the coupons.  “But why would a blog about computers and tech write about something as traditional as coupons?” you might ask.  Coupons have evolved as much as shopping over the last few years.  Not only can you find coupon codes for just about any website (thanks to RetailMeNot.com), retailers like Target and JCPenney are distributing digital coupons that cam be redeemed right from the screen of your smartphone.

For Next Year

Unfortunately, it’s too late to take advantage of this great service I found while doing my research.  Next year, stay ahead of the game and order your supplies from a company like School-Pak, Inc.  They have been preparing and shipping packaged school supplies since 1991.  You email them your list and they send you a quote for all the items and delivery.

If you have school shopping left to do, just open a new tab in your browser and get started now.  You could be done with it all before you leave the office today.  If you know someone else with school-aged children, forward this article on.  They’ll thank you later.

If you have ever taken your laptop with you on a trip, you’ve had this issue.  If you’ve ever taken more than one gadget (iPod, PSP, GameBoy, Camera) to work, you’ve been frustrated by this issue.  If you’ve ever used a laptop or messenger bag to transport your tech, you’ve fought this issue.  Carrying any kind of electronic device(s) means carrying the power cable and any/all other accessories with you wherever you go.  As soon as the second item hits your bag, things get complicated.

Cables tangle, screens get scratched and everything in your bag drops straight to the bottom.  This makes finding any one item next to impossible (without dumping the contents of the entire bag) and, most likely, it is going to shorten the life and look of your gadgets and devices.  For any tech/gadget nerd, this is just not acceptable and, if you are anything like me, you want to take care of the items that you paid so much for.  There is a bit of pride in owning an iPod that is 2-years old, but looks like you just bought it.  Throw-in the fact that “no scratches” and “like new” make great tag lines for any product you want to sell on eBay, and you’ve got yourself a good set of reasons for taking care of your gear.

That is exactly where Cocoon comes in. Their line of products is available “to protect and safely transport our most precious virtual cargo as we navigate the real world.” At the heart of the Cocoon line is the GRID-IT! system, “an internal organization system that allows the user to customize and reconfigure the interior organization as their needs and cargo evolves.”

The GRID-IT! CPG8 (just one of many available)

Pure genius! This year you are carrying an iPod Classic, a PSP 2000 and a Canon PowerShot Digital Camera.  Next year, when you switch to an iPad, a GameBoy DS 3D and a Flip HD, you won’t have to go out and buy a new GRID-IT!, or any other system.  Your items will still fit and stay protected in their Cocoon, thanks to the GRID-IT! organization system – “a rubberized woven elastic object retention system for gadget organization.”  There are a limitless number of configurations you can use to store your tech toys.

The Organization System is Available in Different Colors

GRID-IT! is going to find it’s way into my shopping cart today, but that might not be the only item I’ll be ordering from Cocoon.  They carry of full line of products aimed at creating “a place where the technological extensions of our lives and work could be kept safe and organized.”  There are hundreds of products, including:

• iPad cases
• Airport friendly cases and bags
• Blackberry cases
• Messenger bags
• Slings
• Laptop cases
• Totes
• Backpacks
• Camera Bags

By the way, I was not paid or compensated in any way for my review of Cocoon and their product line.  I am simply a fan of protecting my gadgets and I thought you might share that passion.  Check them out today and share this article with anyone you know that might be interested in doing the same.

Cocoon Web Site: http://www.cocooninnovations.com/

JumpstartMyPC.com has decided to bring FollowFriday to our blog. Read on and, if you are so inclined, add these “interesting people” to your own list.

FollowFriday – Round 15

We’ve focused on gaming news and reviews in the past (see our #FF on Video Games), but with all of the video game talk of the last month (E3) we thought it would be good to revisit the topic.  This time, instead of simply wetting your appetite with information, we’re gonna give you some details on saving money on video games, consoles and accessories.  After all, video game setups can get quite expensive if you aren’t careful.

The XBOX360, PS3 and Wii are all currently in their prime and new toys are on the way for summer and Christmas.  The problem for the big three is that disposable income is not what it was 2 or 3 years ago, competition is at an all-time high and people only have so many hours in a day.  That creates the perfect storm for the consumers.  Deals, deals and more deals are everywhere you turn.  Today’s list focuses on some of the best places to find these gaming deals, so you can spend less and own more.

LogicBuy.com is one of my favorite bargain-shopping sites.  We’ve talked about finding deals on LogicBuy before, but did you know that they have an entire area of their site dedicated to gaming? LogicBuy employees and site visitors hunt down the biggest bargains of the web and post them here for everyone to enjoy.  Amazon, Steam, NewEgg, Buy.com, Dell, GameFly…. The list of sites represented goes on for days.  If there is a bargain out there, LogicBuy has it.

One of the best features of LogicBuy is the ability to set Deal Alerts.  Do you know a specific game, console, accessory or item that you want, but aren’t willing to pay full retail?  Set up a Deal Alert and get up-to-date information on deals, coupons and more delivered right to your inbox.  I did this when we first bought a Wii and saved $100’s on new games and accessories.

Twitter: http://twitter.com/LogicBUY (not specific to gaming, but gaming deals are included in feed)
Web Site: http://www.logicbuy.com/categorydeals/20/Gaming.aspx
Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/pages/LogicBUYcom (again, not specific to gaming)

Just Look at These Deals!!!!!

Cheap Ass Gamer (CAG)

CAG is also giving away 5 brand new XBOX 360 250GB Slim consoles.  Follow them on Twitter, create a wish list, check out deals, etc. to earn entries into the contest.  This is a great way to get familiar with the site while getting your name into the drawing.  What do you have to lose?  I earned 7 entries into their contest in under 30 minutes.

CAG also allows you to create a “collection list” of games that you currently own and might want to trade or sell.  Other CAG users can offer up their games for trade or make you an offer.  If you are sick of losing out on trade value at your local game shop, simply pay the price of shipping to swap games with others throughout the country.  This could really save you some cash in the long run.

Web Site: http://www.cheapassgamer.com/
RSS Feed: http://feeds.feedburner.com/cheapassgamer
Twitter: http://twitter.com/videogamedeals

Cheap Ass Gamer Has a Top Notch Site

Amazon.com offers several ways to save on your gaming needs.  There is an area dedicated to Video Game Deals, A Deal of the Day (one or more gaming products at a very special, low, one-day only price) and Warehouse Deals (used games, consoles and accessories).  Patience and a Prime membership could mean big savings on purchases for past and upcoming games.

Also, don’t underestimate the power of being a loyal Amazon.com customer.  Case in point, I just pre-ordered the game Crackdown 2 for XBOX 360.  Amazon was offering $4 off, FREE shipping (on release day) and $10 off of my next game purchase.  Also, I didn’t have to pay sales tax.  Total up the savings and I saved somewhere in the neighborhood of $25.50 on this purchase. (4 + 10 + 7 + 4.50).  The next game I buy or pre-order might offer a similar deal, so I’ll keep the savings rolling with each and every purchase.

Finally, did you know that you can trade in your games on Amazon?  Look up your games, print a shipping label (for FREE) and receive an Amazon.com Gift Card that will be deposited into your account upon receipt of games.  The offers seem to be fair, when compared to other retailers like GameStop.  You can always use the tools on Cheap Ass Game (links above) to compare values between the two.

Web Site (Video Game Deals): http://www.amazon.com/Outlet/b?ie=UTF8&node=40956
Web Site (Deal of the Day – Gaming): Click Here
Web Site (Warehouse Deals): Click Here
Twitter (AmazonGames): http://twitter.com/amazongames

Amazon.com Offers Up Great Deals

Try out one or all three of the sites we recommended today and check back next Friday for more great #FollowFriday recommendations. Don’t forget, if you want to share this article with friends or family, all you have to do is click on the ShareThis button below.

Father’s Day

First off, Father’s Day is Sunday (June 20th).  While it may seem like you still have plenty of time, you really don’t.  Save yourself the headache of going to the mall or running all over town looking for that perfect parent-pleasing gift and simply order something online. Many online retailers have made it easy for you to browse their selection of gifts for dad and we’ve got the rundown on what sites to visit:

Amazon.com is offering FREE two-day shipping to help you out, if you are willing to start your trial of Amazon Prime.  I am a member and I can assure you that this is one of the best “clubs” you will ever join.

Amazon has put together a Father’s Day page, to help you figure out what to get dad and they are giving away 5 LG 55-inch High-Def TVs and Blu-Ray players in their LG Infinia Father’s Day Sweepstakes.  If nothing else, sign your dad up for the contest and maybe he’ll win.

Amazon Prit is a No-Brainer for Online Shoppers

Target.com has put together a Father’s Day Gift Page of their own and they are offering FREE SHIPPING on over 100,000 items on their site.

Buy.com has an entire section dedicated to Dads and Grads.  There is no mention of FREE shipping here, but Buy.com has great deals and you can often find coupon codes that will knock $5 and $10 off of your order.  A quick Google search for “Buy.com coupon code” will do the trick.

Toy Story 3

Pixar is releasing Toy Story 3 on Friday at a theater near you.  Why pay for tickets when you can get FREE tickets for buying things that you and your family might already use.  We covered these items in our full article, but here is a CliffsNotes version of the same deals.

Buy Toy Story 1 and 2 – You don’t need a Blu-Ray player to get the most out of this deal.  Buy both Toy Story and Toy Story 2 Special Edition Blu-Rays and get 1 ticket for each to see Toy Story 3 for FREE.  These special edition copies come with BOTH a Blu-Ray copy and a DVD copy, so you can still benefit from this deal if you are still watching regular DVD’s at your house.  When the time comes to upgrade to a Blu-Ray player, you’ll already have 2 great movies to get you started.

Amazon.com has the best deal for these special edition copies.  You can get both films** for $41.98 and earn yourself $8 in Amazon Video on Demand credits in the process. ** You’ll need to scroll down to the “Best Value” section to take advantage of this special offer.

Energizer Batteries – Buy a few packs of batteries (something you need anyway) and get FREE tickets to Toy Story 3.  Just make sure that the batteries are Energizer MAX in AA or AAA and have the Toy Story 3 offer sticker attached.  I saw these packages (on sale) at Target just yesterday in the toy section.

Kellogg’s Cereal – You would need to buy quite a few boxes to make this deal worthwhile, but for cereal fans out there this might not be any trouble at all.  There are 14 different cereals available as part of this deal and you’ll need 6 points (1 point per box) to get a FREE ticket.  Check your pantry, stock up for the next few months or raid the shelves of your friend’s and family to get the points you need.

** If you have Kellogg’s Cereal codes and don’t plan on using them, make a donation to the Wish Upon a Hero web site and help those in need by providing them with your codes.  There are currently 14 different requests for children and families that would like to see the movie this weekend. “This is a one of a kind service designed to connect those in need with people that can truly change their lives.”

Below is a list of ways to obtain your FREE tickets to see Toy Story 3.  Before we get started, there are a few things you need to know about the options listed:

1. These offers are not from JumpstartMyPC and we in no way guarantee the tickets, offers or programs.
2. You are going to need a printer, or at least access to one, to print out the FREE tickets.
3. You must take advantage of these offers and print the tickets quickly (most expire at the end of August).

Offer 1: Buy the Original Movies

If you already own Toy Story 1 and 2 (Blu-Ray), then go check your cases for the “Magic Codes” that might be included.  According to the official Toy Story 3 Movie Ticket Offer page, the discs must have been purchased between 3/23/10 and 7/31/10, but I received my copies at Christmas and both copies came with the FREE movie ticket offer and a code.

If you don’t own the first 2 parts of the Toy Story Trilogy (on Blu-Ray), then there is no better time to buy them.  Run out to Best Buy, Target or purchase them online from Amazon.com and have your codes well before Friday.  Here are some prices we dug up from around the web:

• Amazon.com = $41.98 for both movies! – Purchasing both movies (Toy Story and Toy Story 2 Special Edition) from Amazon gets you a hefty discount.  $41.98 (and it looks like shipping is FREE) buys both movies, which include the following:
  • Blu-ray copy of the movie
  • DVD copy of the movie
  • FREE Movie ticket offer
  • Disney Movie Rewards points (earn points with Blu-rays & DVDs then use them for rewards from Disney)
  • BONUS: Amazon is going to also give you $4 worth of eligible movies and TV shows from Amazon Video On Demand for each purchase.  Buy both and you get an extra $8 to rent or buy movies and/or TV shows from Amazon.
• Target = $29.99 each – Target will cost you more than Amazon.com, but you would have the discs in hand today.  These are the same 2-Disc Special Edition copies from Amazon.com, which include the Blu-Ray and DVD copy, but you pay more and you don’t get the $4 in bonus cash.
• Best Buy = $29.99 each - Best Buy is matching the Target pricing on this one.  Same edition, same discs, same price.  You can earn some RewadZone points with this purchase, but that is still a high price to pay when Amazon can have it at your door by Wednesday for much cheaper.

Offer 2: Energizer Battery Purchase

Who doesn’t need batteries?  Whether it’s the remote control, the kids’ toys or hurricane season, you need to stock up.  Energizer is offering FREE movie tickets for Toy Story 3 or any Disney/Touchstone movie with the purchase of certain Energizer MAX packages:

• Energizer MAX AA-10, AA/AAA-12 – 1 offer code each
• Energizer MAX AA-20 – 2 offer codes each

** Note that it takes multiple codes to equal a free ticket, but 2 codes will get you $6 off of your ticket price.

You’ll need to make sure these battery packages have the ToyStory 3 logo on the package, so ordering online might not be the safest bet.  Here are a few local prices, to give you an idea on what you’ll be spending:

• MAX AA-10 = $7.49 (Best Buy)
• MAX AAA-12 = $11.86 (Sam’s Club)
• MAX AA-20 = $12.49 (Best Buy)

Offer 3: Kellogg’s Offer

Purchasing specially-marked Kellogg’s cereals can earn you points that you can redeem for great stuff, including movie tickets, inspired by Toy Story 3. There are about 14 different cereals that will earn you 1 point each and 6 points equals a FREE movie ticket.  If you are a cereal eater, check your pantry and just purchase what you need to make up the difference in points.  Much like the other programs, you only need to enter some codes online to print your tickets.  This means that it is not too late to get the codes and get the tickets before the weekend.

If you would like to see more information on the Kellogg’s offer, simply head on over to their Free Stuff site.

Organizing this collection of digital data and keeping track of what we have becomes more and more difficult as time goes on.  Storage cabinets, boxes, shelving units, entertainment centers and other furniture options are available at every store from Walgreens to Ikea and everyone has owned a few in hopes of keeping their collection organized, accessible and visually appealing.  No matter what you have to hold your data, it is most likely a temporary solution, as you’ll soon be purchasing that latest album, movie or video game.

What do we do next?

There are several options available to the TV, movie, music and game lovers of the world, but before we jump into the details, let’s take a look at the specifics of what we need to organize:

• The discs themselves – they need a home that will protect them from the elements and their worst enemy… scratches.
• The cases and artwork – depending on who you are and how “particular” you are about your collection, you might be concerned about the packaging of these discs as well.
• The contents of your collection – no matter how you store the physical discs, you’ll need a way to store the names of all of your individual titles.  At some point, you won’t be able to remember what all you have.
• New items – no matter what solution you decide on, you’ll need to be able to easily update the collection with new physical media and keep your list of titles updated.

Digitizing Your Media

If you are a techie type and really want to get organized, you can always convert your physical collection into a digital one.  Other than a familiarity with computers, there are several hurdles to this plan-of-attack that you should consider before jumping.

1. Storage – converting DVD’s, CD’s, etc. means you’ll need space for them all.  DVD’s can go over 4GB each and Blu-Rays as much as 25GB.  Of course you can shrink those file sizes, but that comes at a price.
2. Equipment – chances are you already have a computer, but do you have one that is powerful enough to rip through DVD’s?  Do you have a Blu-Ray reader on your PC?
3. Software – there are hundreds of programs out there that will help you “backup” your collection, but they each come with a price and their own limitations.  For instance, iTunes can help you back up your music collection, but you’ll find it incredibly difficult to back up your movies, not to mention time consuming.
4. Quality – Making backup copes of your media to a hard drive or storage device means you will probably need to compress the files.  Doing so can have a negative impact on the sound and/or picture quality and chances are you didn’t buy a Blu-Ray player to watch movies at a lower quality.
5. Types of Media – Assuming you get past the other issues listed above, you’ll still have one major hurdle.  Certain media types cannot legally be “backed up” or digitized.  The biggest limitation will be games for the major consoles.
6. Time – Converting hundreds or even thousands of discs could take months.

Benefits of converting your collection include easy access, limited physical space requirements (since you can now toss or store your physical media), and minimized risk of loss.  You could even free up some valuable storage space by simply backing up those older formats, like CD and DVD.  Keep your Blu-Ray discs and games in a physical storage device until technology advancements make it a little more feasible to convert them.

Verdict: It’s just not worth the hassle.

Physical Storage with Digital Cataloging

It may seem a little dated, but storing all of these discs for easy access is the least expensive route and will save you hours and hours of your valuable time.  There are several options out there, but I am going to focus on the solution I implemented.

Part 1: Storing the Physical Media

I received a discgear storage solution for Christmas last year and, at first, thought it was something I wouldn’t use.  As it turns out, this was one of the best gifts I ever received.  My Selector 120 HD (shown below) is now home to the majority of my movie collection.

Selector 120HD

My movies are kept secure, protected from scratches and, thanks to the slide out Disc Index, I know exactly what movies I have and which slot they are located in.  Software included with the unit made it easy for me to type in the names of my movies, print out a listing and insert it in the slide-out drawer located below the discs.

My Selector 120HD - Filled With Movies

The artwork that originally came in the case for each of my movies has been added to the provided book (shown below) so that I can flip through my collection visually and decide what I want to watch.

Provided Cover Book for Selector 120HD

CONS: Although this system is great, there are some downfalls that you should be aware of before you get started:

• Size – you can only put 120 movies in the holder before you’ll need more space or another holder from discgear.
• Time – I spent about 5 hours on this project, from start to finish.  Who knew it would take that long?
• Titles – There is no database or list for entering the movie titles.  You’ll have to type them all out yourself.
• Updating – I put my movies in alphabetical order (for easy location).  That’s great until I want to add a new movie to the holder.  Then I’ll have to reprint my listing and move the covers around in the book.

Verdict: At a price tag of $69.95 (unless you catch it on sale over at QVC.com – last price was $54.75) this storage unit is well worth the price.  I would have spent so much more on software and storage if I went the digital route.  Also, the Selector 120HD is attractive (leather finish) and makes a great conversation piece.  Anyone can walk up to the holder, find a movie quickly and get the disc in hand without training or technical skills.

UPDATE (posted 3-09-2011 @ 9:30am) – QVC apparently stopped carrying the Selector 120HD, but I just located another website, with a lower price.  Check out CSN Stores, where you can pick up this unit for $47.99 + shipping (a flat $7.95).  That’s about $15 off the retail price.  If you find it cheaper, be sure to leave us all a link in the comments below.

Part 2: Digital Cataloging

Because all of my movies would not fit in the Selector 120HD and I still have another 100+, including Blu-Ray discs (kept separately), and box sets (that I wanted to keep in the box they came in), my collection is still all over the place.  I need a way to catalog my list of titles, both for easy referencing and location.  After all, once I figure out if I own the movie, where do I go to get it.

There are several software solutions online that meet these requirements, but I will be going with Movie Collector from collectorz.com.  That’s right, I WILL be going with this software.  This is something that I have been putting off and now it is time to tackle it head on.

Movie Collector from Collectorz.com

Once I have my collection of movies entered and ready to reference I’ll follow up with a review of this handy software.

Consider this your official warning

Now that you know when it is, let the gift hunt begin.  Buying a gift for dad can be pretty simple, as far as picking out the right item, but what if you are trying to save money?  Limited resources do not have to mean cheap gifts and homemade cards you know.  Stretch your dollar and complete your Father’s Day shopping early using some of the sites and tools we have provided below.  Your dad and your wallet will thank you!!

Amazon.com

Amazon, one of my favorite shopping sites of all time, is home to several different Father’s Day gift-buying tools.  Search by category, keyword or simply browse the deals available to find the perfect gift for dad, at the right price.  As an added bonus, you can become a member of Amazon.com Prime and get FREE Two-Day shipping on all eligible orders.  Membership to Prime costs about $79 a year, but you can try out a membership with a free trial.

• 3 Days of Deals for Dad – Sponsored by Black & Decker – If your father is the outdoor type (hunter, camper, outdoor cook), then the “Lightning Deals” section of Amazon is just the place.  Browse the deals and check back often, as new items are added every hour.  Savings on name-brand, premium gifts are often 50% or more.   To see the latest item from the Lightning Deals section, simply check out our “Great Deals from Amazon.com” section to the right.
  

  The Deals go Quick, Better Check Back Often

• Gold Box High-Def Week – If your dad is more of a home theater, computer loving, gadget guy, then you’ll want to focus on the “Deal of the Day” section of Amazon.com, where there is a “New Deal. Every Day.”  Savings are great here as well, but the price tags are a significantly higher than the Lightning Deals section.
  

  Bigger Ticket Items With Big Savings

Gifts.com

Are you looking for something unique and different to get you father for the big day?  Are you having a hard time thinking of anything at all?  Well, gifts.com might be just the place.  From personalized items to an”acre of land on Mars,” gifts.com brings you a huge variety of items from outside the box.  The items shown on this site are often links to other web sites, but gifts.com often provides promotion/coupon codes to help save you money on the site in question.

Gifts.com Can Help You Find Something Different

Crafts for Dad

If your little ones want to make something for dad or you are simply on a budget of $0.00, then maybe you should put on your creative hat.  Make something for your father that he can put on his desk, in his office or carry with him every day.  The web is full of ideas and projects for children of all ages.  Here are links to a few DIY ideas.

• Homemade/Printable Cards – You can create one from scratch, or print one out for the kids to color.
  • Martha Stewart’s Card-Making Center – Father’s Day
  • American Greetings June Printables
  • Fisher-Price Print and Color Cards
• Do-It-Yourself Photo Frames – Make a frame and put your favorite picture in it for dad!  He’ll love it.
  • Nick Jr. Paper Plate Photo Frames
  • Martha Stewart’s Father’s Day Cutout Frame
• Scrapboxes – Turn a special moment into a scrapbox.
  • Tools and Techniques for Darcy’s Scrapboxes