So I'm staring at these things and I cannect it up to my work computer to see how and if the things will synch up. OK, the critters use MS ActiveSync over the serial port. No problem, although I also use the serial port to Hotsync to my other development targets: Palms.

Two syncs both demanding the serial port and me too damn old to keep crawling under my desk to switch cables. But I notice that the mini-notebooks have a USB port and I make the Executive Decision that I will use THAT connection for ActiveSync.

Except the notebooks came with a serial cable and a USB adaptor but not a USB cable per se. I look at the adaptor. One end is a proprietary P.O.S. connector. The other is a standard female. So I would need a male-to-male (A-A) connector. No problem.

I went online and everywhere has it: CompUSA, Staples, Frys, Best Buy, and so on. I should order through the company but they only order twice a month and I want the cable NOW. So I figured to pick up a cable after my Orange-line Metro commute. My stop in Woodland Hills was literally down the street from Best Buy, CompUSA, Staples, Circuit City, and Frys.

Right. I decided to go to Best Buy first. Found the cables section and, and, and they're sold out of it. Even at the rip-off price of $29 they're out. They have a bazillion (A-B) USB cables but not mine. I cornered a worker and he slyly pulled rank on another worker who grudgingly looked on their computer which I assumed was tied to their inventory but could have been Minesweeper. He said they may have some in back and he disappeared for about five minutes. He came back. Nope, no A-A cables.

Fine, CompUSA was right across the street. They'd have it. Good old CompUSA. I went in, found the cables section and nada. Not even an empty placeholder. Same with Staples. Nothing. And in both places no one came to help me, although I stood in the cables section looking like a lost idiot. No help.

Circuit City was better. No cables, but within a minute of finding the cables someone asked if he could help me. Even better, he explained why they didn't carry the cables (not enough profit margin and the A-A cables were somewhat obsolete) and suggested an alternative: Fry's. Kudos to Circuit City.

Fry's. I used to love the place. Now it's a mix of love and loathing. Sure, they have a great selection and their prices are sometimes unbeatable but to return stuff there is hellacious. But I digress.

I found the cables section and sure enough they had a snazzy, gold-plated, A-A USB cable for only $29.99. Of course. Typical. But the cable section was a mess and - what the hell - I continued looking and, and, and - BINGO! - a cheapie, no-name A-A cable for $9. Perfect.

And lesson learned: when you need the obsscure and obsolete, try Fry's first.