The Cutting Edge: COMPUTING / TECHNOLOGY / INNOVATION : Gifts to Give the Cyber-Bound on Your List
I’ve figured out the ideal present to give Santa this year: a database management program for “making a list and checking it twice.” But Santa is unique. Everyone else on my Christmas and Hanukkah lists is getting products that are fun and entertaining.
There is plenty of choice. The elves of the computer industry have been exceptionally busy over the past year, equipping lots of new machines with CD-ROM drives and modems and developing thousands of new home entertainment and “edu-tainment” programs for adults and kids. There are two new home computing magazines and more new computer books than Santa can fit on his sleigh. The PC has finally arrived as a mass-market consumer product, and that generally makes computer gift buying a whole lot easier.
Still, you still have to be careful. Most importantly, be sure that your gift is compatible with the recipient’s computer. Most people will have IBM compatible or Macintosh systems, but if you’re buying software, make sure they have enough memory and disk storage to handle the program. Compact discs (CD-ROMs) are extremely popular this year, but not everyone has a CD-ROM drive.
Buying someone a new computer is, of course, very generous, but be sure you know what the person really wants. Giving an IBM compatible PC to a Mac lover, or vice versa, could be like coal in their stocking. If it’s someone’s first computer, consider an all-in-one system like the Compaq Presario CDS520, or the Apple Macintosh Performa 570. These systems have built-in CD-ROM drives and speakers as well a modem and starter software. For those who like to mix soap operas with their spreadsheets, both companies also make models with TV tuners.
Whether you’re buying hardware or software, try to find a store that takes returns. Many software dealers refuse to give back your money for software programs that have been opened--an unfortunate policy considering the number of programs that fail to deliver what they promise or just don’t work at all. If you buy from a company that won’t accept returns, caution the recipient to check for compatibility before opening the package.
If you’re looking for low-cost stocking stuffers, both computer and office supply stores carry diskette holders, mouse pads, wrist rests, copy stands, or colored diskettes. You might also consider the current copy and a subscription to one of the ever-more-numerous computer magazines. I like both of the new family-oriented PC magazines, Home PC and Family PC, while NetGuide is good for on-line enthusiasts. For the propeller heads on your list, consider Windows, PC Computing or MacUser; those interested in the culture of computerdom might enjoy Wired or Computer Life.
It costs little or nothing to get someone a trial subscription to an on-line service, but after a month the person will either have to start paying about $10 a month or call to cancel. All of the services can be used to check news, weather, sports, stock quotes, movie reviews, encyclopedias, airline schedules and just about anything else. For free or low-cost starter kits, call Prodigy ((800) Prodigy), CompuServe ((800) 621-1258), America Online ((800) 227-6364), EWorld (Macintosh only (800) 775-4556) or GEnie ((800) 638-9636). Make sure the person has a modem. If not, consider an external 14,400 bps modem such as the Practical Peripherals 14400FXTM or the U.S. Robotics Sportser.
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Many of today’s best family and child-oriented programs are coming on CD-ROM. If you’re shopping for a CD-ROM drive, make sure it’s at least double-speed. All Macs have built-in sound, but PC users should look for a bundle like Creative Lab’s ((800) 998-5227) Discovery 16 CD (about $300) that includes a CD drive, a sound card, speakers and several programs--including the Grolier Multimedia Encyclopedia. Creative’s Digital School House has the same hardware, but the programs are hand-picked for families with elementary school-aged children.
If you want your kids to have fun sending and receiving electronic mail, consider KidMail from ConnectSoft. This Windows software package lets users of Prodigy, CompuServe or MCI Mail send electronic mail and greeting cards. Each family member gets to choose a personal “environment” such as “Outer Space,” “Secret Agent” or “Dino Communication Center.” Before giving this gift, make sure the recipient has a modem and one of the on-line services, and between eight and 16 megabytes of free disk space. Parents can control kids’ usage by issuing “stamps” required to send mail. It’s available on CD-ROM ($29.95) and floppy disk ($34.95).
My kids and I love Aviation Adventure ($40 to $50), a new Windows CD from Knowledge Adventure ((800) 542-4240). It has an aviation reference library, an aviation lab that lets kids examine the internal structure of planes, and a resource center that includes information about museums. There are flight movies, a paper airplane factory, a “crash and burn theater” and a great aviation trivia game.
Speaking of airplanes, Real World Math: Adventures in Flight ($39.95 CD-ROM Mac and Windows) from Sanctuary Woods ((415) 286-6110) teaches children about aviation while enhancing their math skills. You earn the ability to print out paper airplanes by solving real world math problems related to aviation. My kids learned a great deal about interpreting graphs while having a great time.
If you have any news nuts in your life, consider “CNN Time Capsule: 100 Defining Moments of 1994” ($29.95) available from Broderbund ((800) 521-6263). This CD, which runs on Windows and Macintosh, chronicles the six months of 1994. A final 1994 edition will be available in late January for an additional $4.95 shipping and handling. In addition to the footage from CNN, the disc includes written news reports from USA Today and U.S. News and World Report and also selected editorial cartoons from newspapers.
