Posts tagged as:

office supplies

Sweet! Staples Study Shows Shredders Shred Stress

by Joi on February 11, 2009

I thought this was beyond interesting. One of my favorite companies, Staples, conducted a survey recently that led to the following revelations:

47 percent of respondents felt their stress level diminish after the simple act of shredding.
85 percent of the people felt smarter.
83 percent felt more organized.
80 percent felt more in control of their lives.
92 percent felt safer after shredding.
42 percent felt calmer.
86 percent loved the fact that shredding allowed them to rid themselves of clutter.
Nearly half of the participants said that shredding helped them maintain a balanced life.

Maybe we’re onto something here! Could the innocent-looking Royal KS7 7-sheet Cross-cut Shredder pictured above could put therapists and spa owners out of work?

“Staples’ consumer survey confirms what we have found in our research,” said Consumer Psychologist Richard Feinberg of Purdue University. “Consumers use products like a shredder for utilitarian purposes but then these products have very significant and positive emotional and psychological impacts. These psychological impacts may not even be known by the consumer, but they can unconsciously improve their life. In a world where people are time deprived, increasingly stressed, and feeling more and more out of control, shredding may provide positive psychological fuel.”

I wonder if the feelings of euphoria that come with paper shredding are similar to the joy ride my cat gets when she shreds the daylights out of her scratching post. In all seriousness, there must be something therapeutic about it.

I don’t know if it’s therapeutic or not, but I challenge you to say this post’s title 4 times fast. Just be sure no one else is around – it won’t be your finest hour.

Click HERE to read more about the Staples study and the following link to learn more about the Royal KS7 7-sheet Cross-cut Shredder.

Cat scratching the smack out of a scratching post.

Cartdesk Wants to Give You the World

by Joi on February 8, 2009

The good people at Cartdesk.com would like for you to take a look at their modernlicious CartDesk. I’ve only seen a picture of the desk, myself, but it looks pretty sweet.

Cartdesk

Cartdesk has appeared on “The Today Show”, received the Travel Goods Association “Product Innovation Award”, endorsed by American Airlines as one of the best travel products and is currently featured on MGM’s Stargate Atlantis TV series.

Cartdesk is a light weight carrier that converts into a fully functioning desk in seconds. Extended desktop can hold up to 20lb and carrier can transport up to 50lb. When collapsed it measures just 17.9″ x 6″ x 15.5 ” for easy storage. Cartdesk seems to be perfect for today’s mobile laptop user whether they’re working on-the-go or using limited space.

I love their motto: “With Cartdesk, the world is your office.” What a view!

Adjustable Ergonomic Laptop Computer Cart Desk

by Joi on January 20, 2009

I am officially in the market for a laptop computer desk. I want one with wheels, so it can keep up with me as I motor from one room to the next.

When I’m not at my PC, my laptop and I like to make the rounds. We’ll set up our workstation at the kitchen table in the morning, because big windows, in the front of the room, allow for an excellent morning view of birds. I feed them first thing, then watch them jockey for position as they campaign for the largest seeds (the male cardinal is the most tenacious eater since the male human). I wouldn’t get in either’s way.

However, in the evening, I’d love for my laptop to join me for my favorite television shows – The Biggest Loser, Fringe, LOST (Finally back tomorrow night – yesss!). You know how it is.

I really like the Adjustable Ergonomic Laptop Computer Cart Desk, pictured at the top of the post. It’s available on Overstock.com for under $80 (although this is a special price that doesn’t intend to stick around).

Product Description:

Simplify your home office with this mobile laptop caddy.
Laptop cart desk constructed of MDF with powder-coated steel.
Adjustable laptop cart desk is a great addition to any room setting.

They’re available in Mahogany, Espresso, Woodgrain, and Graphite.

5 Universally Useless USB Gadgets

by Joi on January 16, 2009

Parrot

The following guest article was written by Holly McCarthy. I’m not sure I want to know what it says about me, but I think I love the parrot. My cat Alexa would make it especially entertaining – right up until my husband threw Polly out the back door.

There’s no denying the fact that the computer has made life more convenient and entertaining. But you have also agree that with the advent and omnipresence of this device, there’s been a proliferation of gadgets meant to be used in conjunction with the computer, most of which are more of a nuisance than of use. Many of them are linked to the ubiquitous USB port, the bridge that helps connect other devices and appliances to the computer. Some gadgets are useful, while others are just weird or eccentric and serve only as a means of amusement at a boring office where there’s plenty of time to kill. So here goes, my list of five universally useless USB gadgets:

• The Mouse Jiggler: If you’ve got the lazy gene in your DNA buildup and if you have $30 to waste on frivolous expenses, then this is the gadget for you. It moves your mouse around after a certain period of time so that your computer does not go into the sleep mode as you catch a quick 40 winks at your desk. It prevents the screensaver from being displayed so that people around you are fooled into thinking that you’re actually working.
• The Disco Ball: If you like blinking lights and think they’re really cool and not the nuisance they actually are, this gadget is your cup of tea. At $16, it’s virtually useless, except as a possible conversation piece that serves to highlight the fact that you like tacky objects.
• The Humping Dog: Now this is for those who like their daily dose of undiluted adult humor and certainly not for those who have a sensitive nature. If talk of sex turns you off or makes you go red with embarrassment, you’d be wise to steer clear of the desks with these accessories – the USB humping dog mimics a dog that’s having sex when it’s in the process of transferring data between your computer and the flash drive. Oh yes, did I forget to mention that the only saving grace of this gadget is that it has some internal flash memory as well?
• The Ferris Wheel: If you’ve got kids, this is one gadget that will entertain them as you work. If not, it’s just another distraction with its lights and the incessant music that it plays. One thing’s a certainty though with this $30 gadget – you’re never going to be taken seriously with this multi-colored contraption strapped to your USB port.
• The Parrot: The last on my list, but certainly the most entertaining of the lot. Polly makes life a nuisance and more than a little embarrassing for the owner of the computer by recording random bits of talk around the desk and repeating them at random intervals. If you’re a born prankster, this makes the perfect gift for those you want to embarrass, especially if they don’t know what it does. At $54, it’s a bit on the costlier side, so you’d be a fool if you buy it and then have the conversations with your secret girlfriend or the abuses against your boss on record.

By-line:
This post was contributed by Holly McCarthy, who writes on the subject of job search websites. She invites your feedback at hollymccarthy12 at gmail dot com.

Thanks, Holly. But, seriously, I want the Parrot.

How Does a Paperless Office Sound to You?

by Joi on January 15, 2009

in⋅ge⋅nu⋅i⋅ty –noun, plural -ties
1. the quality of being cleverly inventive or resourceful; inventiveness: a designer of great ingenuity.
2. cleverness or skillfulness of conception or design: a device of great ingenuity.
3. an ingenious contrivance or device

Change, change, change. It’s the buzz word of the moment and the mindset of our generation. Granted, there are some things that are changing that aren’t necessarily for the better – but from where I sit, most of the changes are positive.

One very positive change is the move toward wasting less, using less, and being smart about how we go about our daily lives. You know, the change that dresses in green and demands that we all do our part to keep our world beautiful for all of its occupants – the ones with skin, fur, feathers, fins, or all of the above. But enough about my inlaws*.

ipaperlessoffice.com is a website I think you’re going to love.

From their website:
WorldSoft Corporation (WSC), a privately held Delaware corporation, has been in busines since 1987. The company has exclusively focused on the business and personal document imaging marketplace since 1994. We have offered to more than 9,000 customers all of the major manufacturer products of both software and hardware in the document capture, imaging and management industry.

Our staff is constantly attending industry educational experiences to further their expertise in order to serve our customers with the latest and most mature market recommendations. WSC are authorized resellers of products from manufacturers such as Fujitsu, Kodak, Canon, Panasonic, BOWE Bell and Howell, Kofax, Xerox and Visioneer to mention a few.

WSC sales office is located in the Dallas Ft. Worth Texas area and through our industry relationships ship out of 8 locations across the USA.

WSC strives to offer a value based offering of products and services where price is only but one factor. We have received continuous positive comments from our customers and have enjoyed a high repeat business from these valued customers.

In 2004, WSC has expanded its business further by offering personalized printing of hundreds of unique gift, award and promotional products for family, schools, team sports, civic, fraternal organizations, religious groups and business.

The printing process is specialized and has the ability to take digital photography and/or a choice of fonts/lettering to uniquely personalize a truly one-of-a-kind gift or an award for most any family occasion, school function or business purpose. Visit our on-line store: http://www.justmakeitpersonal.com

The staff at WSC looks forward each day in serving our customers needs for digital imaging or specialized digital printing.

Brands You Trust:
ipaperlessoffice.com has the best of the best when it comes to name brands. You’ll find Kodak, Canon, Jujitsu, Panasonic, Visioneer, and Xerox. It reads like a who’s who of tops in Office Supplies, Office Technology, and Office Machines.

I just noticed that they have a special offer going on right now. How does a free scanner sound? Here’s the deal: Purchase a documentINDEXER+ OCR Barcode Version Bundle and get a Kodak i1220 Scanner FREE! or a documentINDEXER+ Advanced Forms Recognition Version Bundle and get a Kodak i1320 Scanner FREE!

Click over to their website and find a whole new way to make changes for the better: ipaperlessoffice.com. They’ll be launching a blog in just a few weeks, I’ll let you know when it’s ready to roll.

* I love and have loved all of my inlaws. They have each had skin and not one has sprouted feathers, fins, or fur. That I know of.

This Week Staples Brings Back Dollar Days

by Joi on January 5, 2009

I smell the skeptism on your breath. I know, I know – Dollar Days usually mean bins of cheap pens, rubber bands, erasers, and notebooks so tiny Smurfette could nap on them.

But Staples is stepping things up in a big way. Check out the following items that are just $1 this week.*

Writing pads, perforated, letter size, wide-ruled, 3/pack, it’d take a Smurf Village to fill these up
4/Pack Dry-Erase Markers
4/Pack Sharpie Permanent Markers
6/Pack Highlighters
Medium Binder Clips (24/Pack)
Gold Paper Clips (100/Pack)
Quartet 8-1/2″ by 11″ Magnetic Dry Erase Board

In addition to the Dollar Days specials, there are a lot of office supplies that qualify for “Buy One, Get One Free.” There are binders, notebooks, filler paper, plastic storage boxes (great for storing Christmas decorations, cans for recycling, etc.), photo paper, etc.

Finally, Staples is getting ridiculously generous with their chairs. There are savings upwards of $50. Click the button below to research their various brands and see which are marked down the most. I noticed that the Sealy Semia Leather Executive Chair was marked down $70 this week.

* While supplies last and limit 2 per customer.

Pad Folio Office Pack is an Instant Mobile Office

by Joi on December 6, 2008

The Pad Folio Office Pack has the mobile, busy, forever on-the-go person in mind.

This deluxe folio is the perfect way to stay on top of all your office work even when you’re not in the office. Come on, who wants to be chained to their desk all day? The Pad Folio Office Pack includes expandable file folder, multi-sized storage sleeves, lined notepad, calculator, memo pad, and more.

Size: 10 5/8 inch x 1 3/4 inch x 13 1/2 inch high.

The Office Organization Shop Can Be Your One Stop Shop For Office Organization Supplies

by Joi on November 12, 2008

OfficeOrganizationShop.com, a leading distributor in online office supplies and products, has launched a new website. You can find trusted name brands and just about everything you need to bring a little organization to your office. That’s always a great thing, right?

From the Website:

OfficeOrganizationShop.com is one of the world’s premier distributors of office supplies and office products that simplify lives in homes, offices and schools. Shop for innovative office supplies including a broad range of office products like file folders, desktop organizers, presentation products, paper sorters, PileSmart® products and more.

Be sure to check out their Today’s Deals feature for special savings on office supplies.

I excitedly noticed that two of today’s special deals involved hanging folders. You have no idea I how much I love hanging folders. Forget about it – they’re too, too cool.

They’re offering the ReadyTab® File Folders, Assorted colors, 50 per box for under $25 and the EasyView™ Hanging Folders, Letter, 10 per pack for under $10.

Be. Still. My. Heart.

Office Organization Shop.com

The Clever Office Freak Knows that Home Office Organization is the Key to Buying More Stuff

by Joi on November 2, 2008

If you’re anything like me, you’re sitting at your computer desk in pink pajamas nursing your third cup of coffee while Alexa (your youngest, fattest cat) sleeps in front of you, apparently dreaming of running to one of her suppers.

Okay, so maybe you aren’t just like me. Not everyone can make pink pajamas work, after all. But if you’re reading this blog’s posts, I’m pretty sure you have one thing in common with me: We buy office supplies as though we may never be able to again.

Now, generally, that’s a great thing. But when it comes to finding a place to put everything.. or, Heaven forbid we try to organize anything… then, we question our fetish.

Thanks be to God that people make organizers such as the CART HOMEOFFICE 2BIN BK. We get to keep our stuff, and then we actually get to find it!

We actually need one of these in our own home office. I went to organize one of our shelves yesterday and couldn’t find it. I suppose it’s there – underneath the mountain of things I couldn’t live without, but I dunno.

The great thing about the CART HOMEOFFICE 2BIN BK
is that you can see the contents. If you put books in it, you can look through and see the titles.

I really like crates like this for books. I write a lot of book reviews for my blogs, and I like to keep the books that are “pending” book reviews all in one place. This would get them the heck off of my desk and make more room for Alexa. She could… um…. use more room.

Click through the one of the links to take a closer look, as well as to browse around at all of the other organizers. I’m all about organizers lately. I’ve found that they make your life so much easier and tidier. Best of all —- now, lean in close so you don’t miss this part —- you get to buy more stuff!!

Staples Loves Post It Products Like the Rest of Us

by Joi on October 26, 2008

Oh no they di’nt. My much beloved Staples has dedicated space in their stores for those little wonders that set a true Office Freak’s heart aflutter. Of course I’m talking about Post It products!

They’ve made some in-store enhancements that include 3M “Post-it Shops.”

Another cool move they’ve made is this: Staples new “Mix it Up” merchandising setup allows customers to buy office products in bulk easily and according to their highly personal preferences (candy store concept) rather than buying entire boxes of supplies. Plastic tubs are sold for a preset dollar amount, and customers can load them up with paper clips, binder clips, push pins, etc.

Now that is easy.