The countdown continues, and we're now less than one year away from that day when analog TV gets switched off — and you'll need to go digital.

A couple of weeks ago, I was wondering about those digital TV converter boxes, which can inexpensively breathe new life into an older analog TV. I could find a supply at only one retailer at that time.

But I'm happy to report that you should now be able to easily find a DTV converter.

On Wednesday morning, I observed a good supply of Magnavox brand converters at my local Wal-Mart in Frisco. They're charging $49.87 for the units.

If that sounds like too much, don't forget that your household is eligible to receive up to two $40 coupons from the government to defray the price of a digital upgrade. While you can use only one coupon per converter, the total cash outlay for Wal-Mart's offering is just $10 — a very reasonable price to pay to receive a sharper picture (even though it's not in high definition), more channels and improved audio.

Best Buy, RadioShack ($59.99) and Circuit City ($59.99) are also selling digital converter boxes.

Check the WFAA.com DTV Countdown page learn how to apply for coupons, and to get the answers to any questions you have about the end of analog television.

If you talk a lot on your cell phone, you may have received one of those shocking bills (you know, when you go over your allocation and slide into that "per-minute" zone? Yikes!).

But now, there's a way to talk all you want and to know exactly what you'll pay at the end of the month.

Verizon is leading the way with its new Truly Unlimited Calling plan — any number, anywhere in the U.S., for $99.99.

That may sound like a lot, but not if you regularly spend that much for overage charges (or on a high-minute plan that can cost even more).

Similar unlimited plans were immediately announced by rivals T-Mobile (still offering a 2,500 minute plan for $99.99; the unlimited plan will be available Feb. 21) and AT&T (listing a 2,000 minute plan for $99.99; its unlimited plan starts Feb. 22).

While Verizon is the first national cellular provider to offer an unlimited calling plan, two smaller companies have been offering a similar service in North Texas for several months now.

It all started with MetroPCS, which recently dropped its $45 unlimited plan to $35 a month; Boost Unlimited charges $45. But unlike the $99 plans, you can't roam outside your home calling area without paying a penalty. The MetroPCS and Boost networks are also less extensive than the larger carriers'.

The unlimited plans are targeted at mobile professionals who are on their cell phones all the time, but there are a lot of other people who fall into that category, including users who have abandoned their wired home phones entirely. Since most people spend at least $30 for a phone line at home (and often more), eliminating that expense makes an unlimited cell plan a more palatable proposition.

According to Microsoft founder Bill Gates, "There's nothing more fun than thinking about software."

If you feel the same way (and you're a student), you'll want to know about Microsoft's new project aimed at getting young people interested in digital engineering.

DreamSpark gives students free access to a wide range of Microsoft professional tools valued at hundreds of dollars, including Visual Studio 2008 (used to construct software), XNA Game Studio (for game designers) and Expression Studio (for building Web sites).

"I think it's a fantastic thing," Gates said in an online interview. "These are the tools that people can build a career around, or they can just build fun software for themselves."

You do have to be 18 or older, and you do have to prove that you're a student to get in on the free software (they'll check!). But DreamSpark is a very generous program that will help point a new generation of young people toward a career that could eventually benefit you and me.

Watch Computer Corner every week on News 8 Midday at noon (usually seen on Wednesdays), or online any time.

E-mail askwalt@wfaa.com