When I found an unbelievable deal at a retail level, the risk factor reduces greatly. It’s a latest product, with warranty and an actual physical location where one can walk in and see and touch the product before buying it.

Lately, I was at a computer exhibition, where I bought up 2 used SoundBlaster-compatible PCI sound cards costing $10. It was a very good deal, till Micro Center provided a special on their Inland SoundBlaster compatible PCI sound card for only $6.99, with one-year warranty.

The standard Ethernet network connection needs a general RJ45 Category 5 (Cat 5) cable and network adapter PCI expansion card. I purchased one of these, taking benefit of 1 of its general full-rebate specials. The adapter was with a full rebate. I bought the GigaFast 10/ 100 Mbps at the local Micro Center costing . I found out that the Proxim Symphony wireless adapters, but then refound them on uBid, costing only . At first, I decided to check, as I was doubtful about what I could get wirelessly for . I bought 1 network adapter for 1 of my towers and 1 PC card for the laptop; both costing only about 0. It was easy to install; and after downloading the Windows 2000 drivers, I connected both my PCs without wires, within minutes.

Because of the constant explosion of wireless technologies, one can easily find products that can turn the server in a wireless Internet gateway. By configuring the server with a wireless network adapter and setting up Internet sharing for the adapter, effective access from the wireless network Internet from any place.