Santa Will Be Carrying Sackful of CD-ROMs : They are expected to be hot gift items, as more and more home computers are equipped with multimedia systems.
Retailers expect CD-ROMs to be one of the hottest-selling gift categories this holiday season.
The trade magazine MacWeek reports 80% of all personal computers currently being sold are purchased for the home and have CD-ROM drives, allowing families to enjoy software that integrates text, audio and sophisticated graphics.
For computer owners who do not have a multimedia system, a variety of easily installed sound kits are available at consumer electronic stores.
Once the CD-ROM drive is installed, the question becomes, what software to buy? Consumers who grew up in the B.C. (before computer) age will be lost in a maze of titles: interactive games, reference guides and, for everyone from children to adults, educational entertainment products.
To help make buying a CD-ROM an easy and enjoyable shopping experience, here are some tips:
* Software must be compatible with the computer system; before you buy, find out if the child has a Mac or PC.
* To avoid buying a duplicate or similar title, have a list of the child’s current software in hand when you go to the store. Seeing what titles the child has already purchased will also help the clerk guide you to something similar.
* Avoid purchasing software that requires a large amount of disc space or memory; the disc capacity of many PCs is limited; insufficient memory can result in slow speed game play or stop the user from loading the program onto the computer.
* Consider what type of software title you want to give: education, reference, simulation, sports, action or adventure game. A clerk can explain different types.
* Be sure the selected game is appropriate for the child’s age; specific age groups for which the title is designed will be indicated on the package.
* Interactive entertainment computer games are rated on violence, sex/nudity and profanity; check the package for a seal offering a brief title content description and rating the content on any or all of the three areas.
* Check the price; software titles are generally available for between $29.95 and $69.95. The best prices will be at computer superstores, software-only stores or general merchandise/discount stores.
* If possible, view the software program before purchasing to make certain it is what you expect. Most consumer electronic and software only stores have demonstration systems available.
