High Technology Briefs

Journal Record, The (Oklahoma City), Mar 16, 1995

Hastings tracks prices of new and new equipment. American Computer Exchange serves as a middleman in the resale of used computer equipment and can be reached at (800) 786-0717. . . If you've ever wished you could just wave a magic wand and have your income taxes done, the folks at Kaleidospace are offering the next best thing _ an on-line tax wizard.

Created with the Los Angeles accounting firm Hargarve Hargrave, Kaleidospace's TaxWizard site offers on-line tax preparation service; you fill out an organizer and they'll do your return. Fees start at $80 for a Form 1040 with standard deductions and $140 for itemized deductions, with additional charges for extra schedules. The site also has an "Ask the Wizard" section where people can post queries and read answers to the most interesting ones; a "Tax Information Search" section with links to other tax resources on the Internet; a "Tax Collection Agencies" with links to the IRS and state agencies that have an Internet presence; and a section on tax-law updates. The URL (Uniform Resource Locater) is http://

taxwizard.com.

TaxWizard isn't the only web site offering tax help. Another excellent resource is Global Financial Network's site at http://efiling.com/efiling/efiling.html. Global Financial offers electronic filing on the Internet, but its site also has links to all sorts of tax help, including federal government sites at which you can download tax forms in various formats to print on your own laser or inkjet printer. . . Computers can get you out of a lot of tight spots. But MediQuest, a Duluth-based service, hopes to convince you its computers can save your life.

The service works like this: You fill out a medical profile with information such as blood type, allergies, medical history, doctors' and family members' names. You are then issued an identification card. The notion is that if you are injured and in shock, emergency medical personnel can get complete medical information in a hurry _ no matter where you are treated. The card contains information on how to contact MediQuest, which faxes information from its database. The company also offers identification bracelets and pendants, which have the same information as the identification card. The service costs $40 a year. More information may be obtained by calling (800) 822-4300. Low-end audio equipment is getting amazingly affordable. How about $69.95 for a sound system that includes amplifier, cassette recorder, AM/FM stereo, two speakers and connections for an add-on CD player? The system is no bigger than a breadbox and is offered by Parsippany, N.J.-based Emerson Radio Corp. The target audience for this low-priced gear _ the MM7215 _ includes college students for the dorm, and as second systems for dens and kitchens at home. The new system is expected to be on shelves this month.