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News You Can Use:
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   Are you reading this on an archaic 8088 based machine? It may be 
time for you to take a Pentium leap into the future! Besides, Christmas 
is right around the corner. Increases in performance found on the newer 
machines, compared to the 386/16mhz or even older 286 machines, will 
astound you.    

  Since the Pentium based machines entered the marketplace there have
been some very good discounts placed on the lower-end 486's. A little
shopping around, especially at the discount electronic stores, will show
excellent systems can be found for under $1,000. If you are a novice to
computers, I would recommend you spend a few dollars and purchase a book
or magazine that gives an overview of computers -- so you can make an
informed decision -- and be a wise shopper. Spending $15.00 on a book to
be informed may save you a few hundred dollars. Some of the salespeople 
are more concerned about what they can afford for Christmas, by boosting 
their commissions, than your choice in equipment!

  Pentium systems consisting of: 2xCD-ROM player, 250 to 450 and larger 
Hard Drive, 14" Super VGA (.28) color monitor, 256k Cache, 8 Meg RAM,
3.5" Floppy Drive, and a 14,400 baud modem are selling for under $2,000.     

  Also, if you've never shopped mailorder, you may be missing a good 
opportunity to save even more money. If you're making your purchase by 
credit card, you can feel pretty safe shopping mailorder. You can dispute 
the charge and the credit card company will investigate if there was a 
problem.  
  
  Tell Santa it's probably the time to upgrade, and don't forget to leave
his little treat -- gin and cookies, er, sorry . . . milk and cookies. 
                              
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Interesting StuFF
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  Did you download RUNE'S RAG using a 2400 baud modem? Maybe it's time 
to speed things up a bit. Good news for you. The 14,400 baud modems are 
now selling for as little as $70 (perhaps less by the time you read this). 
Your enjoyment of modeming will improve along with download efficiency. 

  The 14.4B modem will actually save you money in the long run, especially 
if you make very many long distance calls. A 100,000k file downloaded at 
2400 baud will take a little over seven (7) minutes. The same file with a 
14.4 modem will take a smidge over one minute. Quite a savings if you are 
a long distance file junkie, or if you are connected to services charging 
by the minute. 

  Yep, election time. With your fast 14.4B modem, maybe you would like to 
complain or maybe you would like to congratulate the winning candidate for 
whom you voted. You can obtain Political Information from an organization
called Project Vote Smart. They offer files covering the positions of both
party candidates. From the Internet (gopher to gopher.neu.edu) or from
their BBS at 503-737-377, you will be able to obtain political information.

  Another source of interesting files can be obtained from the White House's
Internet connection: publications@whitehouse.gov and request instructions
to obtain listings of publications available. Or if you just want to go
right to the top: president@whitehouse.gov or perhaps the number two man
is enough for you: vicepresident@whitehouse.gov
  
  Maybe you would like to be on the bleeding edge! The newer 28,800B V.34 
modems are available now. Don't be confused with the lower priced and less
reliable connectivity of the 28.8 V.FAST models. The latest international
standard is the V.34. You can find the modems with the latest v.34 standard 
available for around $300.00, and possibly less.   

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E-Publishing StuFf
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  Heard from a mother, "Electronic books for children typically come 
in CD-ROM format. Most feature a human voice that reads the story aloud
as you view "pages" of the book." This concerned mother, Robin Raskin,
editor of PC MAGAZINE, feels children's e-books should offer much more.  

  I agree. There are educational opportunities galore that could be 
easily included in children's e-books. These titles are priced from 
$30 to $60 and sometimes higher! 

  Looks like an excellent opportunity for fierce competition from some 
concerned Electronic Publishers. Publishing on floppy would greatly reduce 
the sale price, could include a higher degree of educational interactive 
information, and also open this medium to those children who don't have 
access to CD-ROM based systems.

  Are you the author of a children's book that you would like to see 
published electronically? Contact the editor of RUNE'S RAG, E-mail:
Fido/EPub/Author's Nets: 1:2601/522; or BBS, WRITERS BIZ 412-LUV-RUNE
Internet: 75537.1415@compuserve.com.
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More StuFf
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  It is that time of year again! Time to take an interest in 
your community, your future, and the future of your children. VOTE!    

  In primary elections, less than fifty percent of Americans vote.
A disgusting sign of apathy. In local and state elections some of
the voter turn-outs show only 4% to 7% of the community is concerned.
Change is your responsibility, initiate some action in your community;
make a difference -- VOTE!
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Even More sTufF
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              YOU can save a tree -- read Electronically!

                     Buy E-Books and E-Magazines!
               
                     Support a  "Green Industry!"
                     
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Have tips and hints that would be of service to others? Share THEM; send 
to: RUNE'S RAG, PO BOX 243, Greenville, PA 16125 or DATA (412) 588-7863
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  As always, seek competent advice from your legal advisor, doctor, maid,
dentist, accountant, beautician, lawyer, bartender, neighbor, priest, cat,
pastor, social worker, contractor, engineer, Dr. Spock, AA, AAA, AAAA, dog, 
NWU, military advisor, coroner, mechanic, mother, father (both for totally 
different answers), gardener, tax advisor, HARLEY DEALER, travel agent, 
roofer, computer dealer (haha), insurance man, and don't forget the butcher, 
baker, and candlestick maker! Talk to your kids for the best advice!
  Any and all information found in this magazine is taken entirely at the 
risk of the individual, and as always wear a condom for complete protection 
-- against missinformation, and other things. Any and all similarity to real 
persons is purely fictional coincidence, especially the editor -- who is 
merely a figment of our collective consciousness. Remember -- keep on RAG'n!
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