Michigan Blog - Featuring Michigan Shopping, Travel, Business & People

Beware lest any man spoil you through philosophy and vain deceit, after the tradition of men, after the rudiments of the world, and not after Christ.

If you are a Christian parent, you will want to learn more about C28 Retail Store. It is a store with a mission and message that lines up with the beliefs of many parents trying to raise children as Christians in this day and age. But it does it in a language and style that teenagers and young adults like and relate to.

Very impressive.

The Mission of C28 - "TO GLORIFY GOD BY SHARING THE LIFE CHANGING GOSPEL MESSAGE OF GRACE, TRUTH AND LOVE FOUND IN JESUS CHRIST. "
He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the good news to all creation." Mark 16:15

Example Christian Music - Switchfoot

Switchfoot returns this summer with NOTHING IS SOUND, their 5th studio album and follow up to their breakthrough record, THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN. Picking up where THE BEAUTIFUL LETDOWN left off, NOTHING IS SOUND features 12 all-new songs that continue the band's unique introspective look at life, love, relationships, and faith.

One way to intepret the verse that this store is based on is as follows:

"Watch out for people who try to dazzle you with big words and intellectual double-talk. They want to drag you off into endless arguments that never amount to anything.

They spread their ideas through the empty traditions of human beings and the empty superstitions of spirit beings. But that's not the way of Christ."

If you are shopping for a gift for a teen or some Back to School Clothes or accessories - take a look at this unique store with a mission and values.

Labels: Teen Christmas Gift Ideas

A novel idea in computing - just in time for the holiday! The Zonbu is a dream come true for many. For only $99, you can buy this innovative new desktop computer that is preloaded with FULL versions (not trials) of 20 popular software packages. Sound too good to be true? Well read on...

The software that is included with the Zonbu is Open Source software that emulates the popular Microsoft packages:

• Word Processor - Open and save Microsoft Word documents.
• Spreadsheet — a powerful spreadsheet program with all the tools you need to calculate, analyze, and present your data. Open and save Microsoft Excel spreadsheets.
• Presentation — fast, powerful software for creating effective multimedia slide presentations. Open and save Microsoft PowerPoint presentations
• Draw — a drawing program that lets you produce everything from simple diagrams to dynamic 3D illustrations.
• Database — create and modify tables, forms, queries, and reports. (Similar to Access)
• Math — an advanced math program lets you create mathematical equations with a graphical user interface or by directly typing your formulas into the equation editor.
  Adobe Acrobat Reader — view PDF files.
• Personal Finance Manager - Manage your checkbook and your personal finances.
  Web Browser Firefox
• Full-featured Email and Calendar program - Emulates Outlook
• Single-stop Instant Messenger that works with AOL, MSN, Yahoo, ICQ and IRC networks.
• Pre-installed Internet phone service Skype Coupons -- Skype provides free calling from your Zonbu to any PC and low-cost calls to landline and mobile phones.
• Peer-to-Peer clients supporting Bit Torrent and other standard protocols such as eMule and eDonkey. Share video, music and other large files over the Internet.

This new PC, called Zonbu, automatically receives free updates of its software when new versions come out. It doesn’t require antivirus or other security programs like Norton or Nod32 because it runs on the Linux operating system, which has attracted very few viruses or spyware programs.

Zonbu’s overall goal is to simplify the process of buying and using a computer.

The biggest catch (if it is a catch at all) is that the Zonbu computer doesn’t include a hard disk for storing files (that’s one reason it uses so little energy). Instead, all of your files are stored online on the company’s servers similar to Mozy. That offers several advantages, such as the fact that the files are automatically backed up.

But you have to pay for the online storage. (Not alot, but still there is a cost). The $99 price for the Zonbu computer requires you to commit to a two-year contract starting at about $12/month.

If you opt to pay month to month instead of two years in advance, Zonbu will cost about $249.By comparison, you can get a Dell Inspiron 531s for just $529, after rebate. Dell Coupons

Also, the Zonbu monthly service fee is offset by some savings.

The $99 machine uses so much less energy than a typical PC that you can save noticeably on your electric bill - in addition to not paying for anti-virus subscriptions and other PC maintenance items. I strongly support Zonbu’s goals of making computing simpler, cheaper and more energy efficient.

The way I see it, the Zonbu can be perfect for:

• Teenagers and Children
• Elderly parents or people who are new to computers and need something a bit simpler to learn.
• People who travel alot or have vacation homes.

Labels: Computers and Software, Teen Christmas Gift Ideas