I’ve always been the type of person who believes that you can, at least 99% of the time, find a free alternative to everything.  Specifically when it comes to software there is usually someone who spent the time to come up with some similar free software that does what you want it to do.

Awhile back I remember reading a lot of talk about something called BANS (build a niche store).  Here is an excerpt from their site:

BANS (Build A Niche Store) is a website builder which enables you to create a network of traffic pulling, money making niche websites focused around the eBay affiliate opportunity.

And it looks like the software costs $97.00.  I was moderately interested in the software but not enough to actual go and purchase it.  The concept seemed so simple that I could have created something similar if I wanted.

However, after looking over at WF today, I saw a post about something called McJiffy.

McJiffy EASy is an open source project for quickly creating dynamic storefronts for the eBay affiliate program. Sites made with EASy can either be used as stand alone websites or included within an existing website.

What does it cost?- Nothing!  After all, you can’t beat free…
So you see, most times you can find a free alternative to most programs.  And if you can’t then maybe you aren’t searching hard enough…

I received this mouse a few days ago and have nothing good to say about it.

As you can see, you hold it like a Wii Nun chuck- buttons on the bottom, and a navigation ball on the top.  The concept is great, the reviews seemed okay, but nobody told me the thumb-controlled ball was sticky and non-responsive.  First of all, you have to understand that I use a trackball mouse on my desktop (previously posted image) and it will fly from top-to-bottom, left-to-right, and all over the screen.  Flip your thumb and the ball has a lot of “give” (if that is what you call it).  Nonetheless, the fish mouse ball is its major problem.

I probably won’t return the mouse anytime soon.  I’m thinking about using grease or graphite to get the sticky rollers working better.

So if you are thinking about a hand held mouse, then stop already.  The whole reason I needed something like it in the first place was for my laptop.  I actually changed my opinion on the mini-mouse and bought one for about $30 that works wonderfully.