TidBITS#659/12-Dec-02
=====================
Happy Holidays! We're pleased to continue our tradition of
offering end-of-year gift suggestions from the TidBITS
community. If you're still on the hunt for that perfect gift
for your Macintosh-using friends and relatives, read on for
hardware, software, and a host of miscellaneous ideas, some
of which are appropriate for anyone, whether or not they use
a Mac. (Of course, feel free to tack a few items onto your
own list, too!)
Topics:
GiftBITS/12-Dec-02
2002 Hardware Gift Ideas
2002 Software Gift Ideas
2002 Gaming Gift Ideas
2002 Miscellaneous Gift Ideas
2002 Gift Ideas for the Macintosh-minded
<http://www.tidbits.com/tb-issues/TidBITS-659.html>
<ftp://ftp.tidbits.com/issues/2000/TidBITS#659_12-Dec-02.etx>
Copyright 2002 TidBITS Electronic Publishing. All rights reserved.
Information: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> Comments: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
---------------------------------------------------------------
This issue of TidBITS sponsored in part by:
* READERS LIKE YOU! You can help support TidBITS via our voluntary <- NEW!
contribution program. Special thanks this week to Kevin Fong,
Scott Darlington, and Peter Miller for their generous support!
<http://www.tidbits.com/about/support/contributors.html>
---------------------------------------------------------------
GiftBITS/12-Dec-02
------------------
by Adam C. Engst <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
In an industry where everything changes constantly, it's good to
have a few traditions, and one of ours is this annual double-size
gift issue. Filled with numerous gift suggestions from TidBITS
readers, it's safe to say that there's something for everyone
here, even if they're not a Mac user. No matter what holidays you
may (or may not) celebrate, we hope these suggestions will help
you bring joy to others in a tangible way. Though they're even
more important, the intangibles are up to you.
Before we jump into the full list of suggestions, there are a few
gift ideas that also support TidBITS. Gift subscriptions are free,
easy, and provide top-notch reading every week without imposing
more paper on anyone. Before you use our subscription Web page to
sign someone up, however, make sure they know you're going to do
it so the confirmation message doesn't take them by surprise.
<http://www.tidbits.com/about/list.html>
If you're looking for a computer book, Jeff Carlson, Matt Neuburg,
and I have all written a number of well-received books on topics
like wireless networking, iPhoto, iMovie, Palm handhelds, Adobe
GoLive, and REALbasic. Plus, if you follow one of the links on
the page below into Amazon and purchase anything else, TidBITS
receives a few cents of your purchase as our affiliate cut.
<http://www.tidbits.com/bookbits/staff.html>
Although we realize it seems unthinkable that anyone remotely
related to the Mac industry could need another t-shirt, we also
have a wide range of other TidBITS-branded goodies like
sweatshirts, mousepads, mugs, hats, and baby clothes available via
CafePress. Gift contributions to TidBITS are always welcome, and
you can easily make a contribution in someone else's name via our
Kagi contributions page. As an added bonus, contributors receive
discounts on all the TidBITS goodies.
<http://www.tidbits.com/store/>
<http://www.tidbits.com/about/support/contributors.html>
One powerful way to support TidBITS while you're doing your
holiday shopping is to use our sponsors where possible, and to let
them know you appreciate their support of our mission. Our current
sponsors can definitely be of assistance in finishing off your
list: Small Dog Electronics, Bare Bones, Dealmac, and easyDNS.
Don't overlook those companies that have helped support our work
over the last year either, including MacAcademy, Sustainable
Softworks, Weaknees.com, Creo, Now Software, Karelia, Dantz
Development, CS Odessa, and APS.
<http://www.tidbits.com/about/support.html>
Lastly, my sincere thanks for the primary support that each and
every one of you provide throughout the year merely by reading
TidBITS. It truly means a lot to us that you devote precious time
to our words and our ideas, and we hope that what we write will
continue to play an important part in your lives.
2002 Hardware Gift Ideas
------------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
We doubt anyone would object to receiving a snazzy new iMac,
PowerBook, iBook, or Power Mac as a gift this season (certainly
not your humble editors). But this year's hardware gift
suggestions focused on peripherals ranging from essential
additions (better mice, more storage) to clever spins on
mundane devices (a FireWire-breathing thunder lizard).
For a few more ideas, be sure to check out past hardware gift
suggestions; everything on last year's list would still be welcome
to most Mac users. You can purchase many of these items from
TidBITS sponsor Small Dog Electronics, a philanthropic-leaning
company which includes an option at checkout to match donation
amounts to a number of charities. Also, visit another TidBITS
sponsor, Dealmac, to find daily hardware deals. Finally, our
friends at DevDepot have set up a special page containing many
of the items suggested along with some other similar gifts.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06656>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06236>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05715>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05214>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=866+1240+1534+1804>
<http://www.smalldog.com/tb/>
<http://www.dealmac.com/index.html?ref=tb>
<http://www.devdepot.com/tidbits>
**Stomp l'Oeil** -- We all think of toys at Christmas, computer
and otherwise, and Derek Miller highlighted his favorite
combination of both. "Many people have whimsical toys atop
their desks, but these toys rarely have any real use. So how
about FireWire Dino (formerly known as Hubzilla), a FireWire
hub that's well, lizardly? I'm not sure if it's available for
Christmas, since CharisMac seems to keep selling out of them."
<http://www.charismac.com/Products/firedino/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06940>
We're hoping to see a horde of Dinos at the holidays, if only
because we want to support any company that includes the following
disclaimer on its Web site: "Charismac claims no responsibility
for broken personal or business related property should FireWire
Dino go on a rampage. As always, a clean and fed FireWire Dino
results in a happy FireWire Dino."
**Expand Your Horizons** -- Adding screen real estate to one's
computer has traditionally been an expensive proposition, but
prices of second (or third, or fourth) monitors have continued
to slide downward. CRTs seem slowly to be going the way of 8-track
tapes, though if you need color calibration or displays larger
than 19 inches, prices can be found below $300. For general
purposes, LCDs are now the way to go, with 15-inch models going
for between $200 and $250 and 17- and 18-inch LCDs dropping below
$500. Chris Pepper pointed out that "the power and space savings
over CRTs are significant. I've bumped my old display to secondary
status several times after getting new LCDs, and I've been happy
each time."
<http://dealmac.com/search.html?search=LCD+monitor>
<http://www.smalldog.com/category/x/x/Monitors+and+Video/
monitors/video/display/>
When comparing higher end models, Chris suggested looking for
dual inputs (VGA and DVI or two VGA ports) for sharing between
computers, USB hubs, and built-in speakers; some monitors also
work as TV sets.
In the same spirit, Alpha Walker recommended Dr. Bott's $150
DVIator, a DVI to ADC adapter that enables the use of two Apple
Studio Displays with one Power Mac G4. Let the salivating
commence.
<http://drbott.com/prod/db.lasso?code=0111-DVAD>
**A Mouse in Every House** -- The humble mouse received numerous
nods from TidBITS readers, whether for adding a second button,
going on the road with a laptop, or cutting the ubiquitous tail
connecting it to the computer. Best of all, mice are relatively
inexpensive and slip easily into a stocking. David Weintraub said,
"In this era of sudden layoffs, how about something light on the
old pocketbook like a Logitech Wheel Mouse Optical? The cost is
about $25, and it is a two button mouse with a wheel that makes
scrolling much easier - great for Mac OS X. What's really neat is
that it glows. You can see the red LED through the sides of the
mouse."
<http://www.logitech.com/index.cfm?languageid=1&countryid=19&;
page=products/details&;CRID=3&CONTENTID=4992>
For PowerBook and iBook owners, Andrew Cohen and Peter Haglich
suggested Kensington's PocketMouse Pro, which we reviewed in
TidBITS-630_. "With a gentle tug," said Andrew, "the cord and USB
connector completely retract into the body of the mouse and snap
securely behind the cover. The mouse is small and light enough
that I keep it in my computer bag at all times and never have
remember to pack a mouse. The body of the mouse is large enough
that even with my large hands, I can use it comfortably for
extended periods. It's a reasonably priced gift at $44."
<http://www.kensington.com/html/1211.html>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06821>
Kensington also sells a wireless version for $50, though Ben
Rubinstein notes a potential snag for frequent travellers: "I've
not come across this on a U.S. airline yet, but I was on an
Italian airline last month and 'wireless mouse' was included in
the welcome video's list of things that may be not used at any
time on the flight."
<http://www.kensington.com/html/1743.html>
Back on the ground, but not for long apparently, Don Foy recently
bought a Gyration Ultra Cordless optical mouse. "I love this mouse
and recommend it for any gadget lover," he said. In addition to
working out of the box (after you charge it), the Gyration mouse
has two buttons and a scroll wheel, which can also be clicked as
a button. It's rechargeable, so there are no batteries to buy. But
that's not all. "What makes this thing special is the gyroscope
inside that allows you to use it in midair," he said. "It has a
range of 25 feet. I love it. I can even play Bejeweled on it."
The $80 mouse requires a USB port and an electrical outlet for
the battery charging dock.
<http://www.gyration.com/>
**The Gift of Power** -- It may not glow, beep, or entertain
your friends, but having more power for your laptop is often a
worthwhile investment. If you know someone whose laptop goes back
and forth from home to office, Bill Raush suggested giving them a
second Apple power adapter ($80) so they can have one plugged into
the wall at each place.
If you're looking for power you can take on a trip, or looking
for another replacement option, Kevin van Haaren recommended
MadsonLine's $76 MicroAdapter. It's lighter and smaller than
Apple's adapters, encased in aluminum for protection, and the plug
is bent at a 90 degree angle to avoid fraying caused by constant
bending and flexing.
<http://www.madsonline.com/>
**Stay Cool** -- Julio Ohep attempted a bit of reverse psychology
when bringing up potential gift ideas for himself: "As usual, my
suggestion is something I would love to have but am probably not
going to buy for myself (there's no way I could justify it). The
FlyFan, by Kensington, particularly here in the tropics of
Venezuela, looks like a great gadget to take to the park or
beach with your iBook."
<http://www.kensington.com/html/1265.html>
**Go Wireless** -- Nik Friedman painted a lovely holiday postcard:
"Nothing says the holidays like sipping eggnog and surfing the Web
from in front of the fireplace. Wireless is the gift of the year,
if you ask me. Access points can be had for under $100 and can
bridge together all your home Macs. Set up an older machine to
dial in (or splurge for a real AirPort Base Station) if you
have a modem connection and all your computers can share access.
Another good trick is to take advantage of the Mac OS's software
base station support, so you can just get an AirPort card and
get going.
"For Titanium PowerBook G4 owners upset with their lame AirPort
range, take a look at Sony's beautiful and slim wireless PC card
(model PCWA-C150S). It matches the TiBook's brushed metal look
perfectly, and has a slim antennae so you can leave it plugged
into the PC card slot 24/7 without worrying about knocking it off.
It also works fine with the various open source wireless drivers."
<http://www.sonystyle.com/>
<http://wirelessdriver.sourceforge.net/>
Folks with different PC Cards than those supported above can try
a driver for Mac OS X from IOXperts.
<http://www.ioxperts.com/80211b_X.html>
While you're wirelessly downloading movie trailers to the latest
batch of holiday movie releases, be sure to add to your list
Adam's new book, The Wireless Networking Starter Kit, coauthored
with frequent TidBITS contributor Glenn Fleishman.
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321174089/thewirelessne-20/>
**The Key to Better Memory** -- Remember all the fuss when Apple
decided years ago to stop using floppy drives? If you or someone
you know is still grumbling, the time has officially come to move
on: for less than the cost of an external floppy drive, you can
buy storage "keys" that plug into any USB port. The devices
include a memory card in sizes up to 1 GB, don't take up much
more room than a fat pen or key chain holder, and are perfect
for making quick file backups. They draw their power directly
from the USB port, and most don't require the installation of
special drivers.
Judi Carter wrote, "I have a son going to school in Ireland this
year. He bought a Titanium PowerBook G4 and an iPod right before
he left. Since Queen's University is a PC school, one item which
has been invaluable to him (he doesn't have a printer) is a
DiskOnKey, which was a stocking stuffer last year. He writes a
paper on his PowerBook, puts it on the DiskOnKey, and goes to the
computer lab to print it. I am also a school district's Technology
Coordinator and have found this device to be invaluable in my
work. I travel between buildings and can easily move files around.
The DiskOnKey or any USB flash storage device is my first choice."
<http://www.diskonkey.com/>
For a variation, Larry Wink suggested the SanDisk Cruzer, a
portable storage device starting at about $45 with a unique
advantage - upgradable flash memory. "Using removable SD (Secure
Digital) flash memory cards (with capacities up to 256 MB), the
Cruzer has infinite expansion possibilities and the flash memory
cards can also be used in newer Palm PDAs and some digital cameras
and camcorders."
<http://www.sandisk.com/consumer/cruzer.asp>
When looking into USB memory, keep in mind that most people have
multiple USB devices, and the size of a memory key might obstruct
other ports.
**Pick a Card, Any Card** -- When our colleague Glenn Fleishman
got married last year, he knew many wedding guests would bring
digital cameras. To capture the day's events in pictures, he set
up an iBook with a USB memory card reader and was immediately able
to get a copy of pictures taken by anyone who wanted to share
them. (As a bonus, he also used iPhoto's slide show feature to
display all the pictures for people who wandered by the table.)
Such USB card readers proved to be popular gift suggestions this
year for transferring all types of data. Peter Haglich wrote, "One
of the best gifts I received last year was a Zio USB card reader.
This small $30 USB gadget allows me to mount a MultiMedia/Secure
Digital (SD) card on a Mac or Windows PC as a removable hard disk.
I have found this to be the fastest way to put Palm files on the
SD card. I have also used it to share files with a PC via a kind
of sneaker-net in several business settings."
<http://www.microtechint.com/zio/>
Kevin van Haaren uses his card reader almost as a portable
computer: "I keep my SSH digital keys and a Windows SSH program on
one card so I can control my servers remotely from any Windows XP
or Mac OS X computer in the world (other operating systems need
drivers first). Another card has the VLAN software for my office
and the drivers for the Linksys wireless card I bought to use in
the Windows laptops I bring home from work."
If you must deal with multiple memory formats, there are several
USB card readers that handle many types of cards. "We purchased
the Acomdata multi-card reader for $40 for use at work," said
Kevin. "I prefer a smaller and lighter single card reader for
carrying around with my laptop, but the multi-card reader has
really come in handy with visitors carrying around the odd memory
chip we don't normally use."
<http://www.acomdata.com/scripts/products-showdetails.asp?id=62>
**PowerMate** -- Mark Kottman made sure we got our shiny knob fix
this season (see Kirk McElhearn's review in TidBITS-653_). "The
$45 Griffin Technologies PowerMate is the perfect accessory for
the Mac," he writes. "It has multiple uses such as scroll wheel
and volume control, a great high-quality feel, and it looks as
cool as any Mac. It's USB, so it works with any recent Mac and
it's a perfect companion to the Apple Pro Mouse, which doesn't
have a scroll wheel. If you haven't seen one in person, stop
by an Apple retail store and take a test drive - that's what
sold me!"
<http://www.griffintechnology.com/products/powermate/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06974>
**One-Handed Keyboard** -- For those revelers whose idea of
chording is more high-tech than a performance of Handel's Messiah,
Paul Durrant pointed to a small one-handed keyboard. "The CyKey is
the latest incarnation of the Microwriter keyboard, previously
seen on the Agenda PDA. It's now a small unit that communicates by
infrared, either to a Palm or to a Mac via a USB/infrared adapter.
Suitable for left or right handed use, it's an entire keyboard for
a single hand, using multiple-key chords for each letter you want
to type."
<http://www.bellaire.demon.co.uk/newcykey.htm>
**Digital Cameras** -- Our digital camera guru, Arthur Bleich,
will return next issue for his yearly take on the latest
developments in the digital camera world, but a few TidBITS
readers took their shots before we could. Iain Anderson wrote,
"This didn't occur to me at first, as it seemed almost too
obvious. A digital camera will revolutionise the way you take
photos, so if you haven't already made the switch, think about
it. I bought one for my wife (no, not for me at all) last
Christmas and we've (um... she's) taken over 3,500 photos already.
We far prefer an iPhoto slide show to a heavy album, and we can
send as many photos to as many relatives as have computers. Plus,
since we can back it all up, we can't lose these memories as
easily as a negative can be misplaced or scratched.
"Many models are available, so refer to a current digital camera
review magazine for the latest. Don't be afraid to try a cheaper
2 megapixel option either. With a 2.1 megapixel Fuji, we've had
results roughly equal to some of our regular 35mm film and
developing (shot on an SLR) without the cost or delay. Oh, and
if you make the leap and you're still not sure what to do, I'm
sure a copy of Adam's iPhoto book wouldn't go astray."
<http://www.fujifilm.com/XDCameras/finepix.html>
<http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/0321121651/tidbitselectro00>
Dan Cottler cautioned that the digital photo bug can be an
entertainingly dangerous creation. "There is a slippery slope
here, folks! We started with a single 1-megapixel Olympus camera
for Christmas two years ago. We've moved up to 3- and 4-megapixel
cameras and handful of SmartMedia cards (which make great stocking
stuffers!). Now, we're looking at our Wall Of Slides... 30-plus
years worth. This Christmas, we've asked Santa for a slide
scanner, a bigger hard disk, and a faster CD burner!"
**Eyes on TV** -- After all the relatives have gone home, what
better way to spend the latter part of a holiday vacation than
watching a bit of telly? Judy Bell raved about her favorite
device: "One of the best pieces of hardware I bought this year
was EyeTV from El Gato Software. It's a digital video recorder
that compresses TV signals onto a CD, making either a Video CD or
QuickTime movie - one hour of TV onto a standard CD that can be
viewed on a DVD player. But wait, there's more! For those of us
who admit to watching, it's a TV tuner, so you can watch TV on
your Mac. It's a whole lot of fun and a great way to archive
those upcoming episodes of Six Feet Under.
<http://www.elgato.com/eyeTV/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06885>
<http://www.hbo.com/sixfeetunder/>
"Oddly, although the current software allows QuickTime but not VCD
to be watched on a Mac (and I'm sure El Gato will remedy that in
the next update), a shareware program called MacVCD fixes this."
<http://www.mireth.com/>
**Ears on Mac** -- Cool as EyeTV is, way more Mac users listen to
music on their Macs than watch TV. Fred von Lohmann believes that
everyone should have clean, digital audio output from their Macs,
and since many inexpensive stereo receivers have digital inputs,
you can make a digital connection between your computer and your
stereo. Fred was amazed at how much better things sounded when
compared to the analog audio output on his Mac. As how to
accomplish this feat, he wrote, "I've been extremely happy with
the $70 DG2 from Xitel. Smaller than an iPod, it's generally
marketed as an accessory to facilitate a computer-to-MiniDisc
connection, but it works perfectly well with any receiver or
other outboard D/A converter that accepts an optical Toslink
digital signal. No drivers to install, no hassle, just a simple
USB-to-Toslink optical audio output from any USB-equipped Mac.
<http://xitel.com/subset_MDPDG2.htm>
<http://minidisco.com/miniordermp3.html>
"M Audio's Sonica may also be worth considering. It requires
drivers and costs $75, but it offers both digital and analog
outputs, plus support for more surround sound."
<http://minidisco.com/minispecs/sonica.html>
2002 Software Gift Ideas
------------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
It doesn't matter type of Mac you own, old or new, you're running
a wide variety of software. This year's suggestions ranged from
software that makes you more productive to enhancements that
tailor your Mac experience to your own tastes.
Don't assume that software gift ideas from previous years are
irrelevant just because almost all new development is being
done for Mac OS X. Classic programs from the past are often
still available and run fine on the older Macs that so many
people have.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06658>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06238>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05716>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05215>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=867+1241+1536+1802>
**ArtMatic** -- Computers and art have had a long history
together, and Peter Miller suggested a program that you can use
to generate your own beautiful images. "Although this is a repeat
suggestion from me, from quite a few years back, U & I Software's
ArtMatic is worth a new look. ArtMatic is a kind of visual
synthesizer that allows you to make astonishing images and movies
at any resolution. It has an interface that is unique and simple
to explore but offers an incredible depth of experimentation (the
software is written by Eric Wenger, one of the developers of KPT
Bryce). There is nothing remotely like it.
<http://www.artmatic.com/>
"ArtMatic 3 was just officially released and is now fully Mac OS X
native (there's also a Mac OS 9 version). It's a very different
beast from when I last suggested it, now incorporating a keyframe
animation system, 3-D effects, amazing and flexible professional
level RGB colour-manipulation, the ability to import and process
still pictures and QuickTime movies, and lots more. The trial
version is fully functional but save-disabled. Take a look at my
ArtMatic galleries to see what you can do with this great tool."
<http://www.perpetualocean.com/artstuff.html>
**CandyBar** -- Steve Jobs may want to lick Mac OS X's Aqua
interface, but for those people out there who would prefer to
take a big bite, Nik Friedman offered CandyBar. "Jazz up your
loved one's computers with CandyBar from The Iconfactory and
Panic. It lets you change all your system icons to beautiful
holiday icons (or others). At $13, it's cheap, too!"
<http://www.iconfactory.com/cb_home.asp>
**ThinkFree Office** -- Turning from the delightfully frivolous
to some serious productivity, Tom Gewecke offered this idea.
"ThinkFree Office is a Java-based, Microsoft Office-compatible
suite of word processing, spreadsheet, and presentation graphics
applications. It works on both Mac OS 9 and Mac OS X. Depending
on your needs, Think-Free Office could be a good alternative to
Microsoft Office because it costs only $50 and includes a year
of free online upgrades."
<http://www.thinkfree.com/>
**A Jaguar Kitten?** Having just made the jump to Jaguar himself,
Maarten Festen wrote, "If your loved ones are still on Mac OS 9
and have an appropriate computer, give them Jaguar this Christmas.
Toss in some extra RAM and it'll feel as if you've given them an
all new computer.
<http://www.apple.com/macosx/>
**CodeTek VirtualDesktop** -- Chris Pepper's suggestion of a
second monitor is an excellent one (see "2002 Hardware Gift
Ideas" above), but if finances or desk space preclude adding
another screen, consider Paul Schatz's suggestion of CodeTek
VirtualDesktop. "For the person with several simultaneous projects
or lots of windows: CodeTek VirtualDesktop 2.0.1. This application
lets you set up numerous multiple desktops ('work spaces'). It's
easy to jump from one to another, or drag windows between
desktops. Thus, you can have different projects or applications on
completely separate desktops, and you can designate certain items
to appear on all your desktops. CodeTek VirtualDesktop is great
for reducing window clutter and even if you already have multiple
monitors it still works well. Although the price has just jumped
from $20 to $40, it's still very worthwhile for people who are
juggling many different projects."
<http://www.codetek.com/php/virtual.php>
**Expand That Cursor!** Not everyone has great vision, so Saint
John mentioned a simple tool that can make using the Mac
significantly less frustrating. "RJ Cooper & Associates's control
panel, Biggy, brings to the Mac (System 7.5 through Mac OS 9)
something that has been sorely lacking since we got monitors
larger than 13 inches: a larger cursor. Even for normal-vision
users, finding that 16 by 16 pixel arrow on a cluttered desktop
can be a hassle; think about a low-vision user. Biggy provides
a variety of different pointer, watch cursor, and text I-beam
cursors up to 32 by 64 pixels in size. Some are even animated!
While many are cutesy, a few are subtle and can attract attention
to themselves for that little extra bit of find-ability. Biggy
also provides a number of small but useful additional features,
such as snapping to the default button, wrapping around the
screen, and making the text-insertion bar wider.
"I use Biggy Light, which offers the basic set of cursors for only
$30, as opposed to $100 for Biggy. Both versions let you design
your own cursors, and I have a number of them available free on
my Web site (the third link below)."
<http://rjcooper.com/biggy/>
<http://rjcooper.com/biggy-light/>
<http://www.brain-sucker.com/>
LuKreme chimed in, "I know of at least one utility for Mac OS X
that enlarges the pointer: Cursor Zoom. That's all it does, but it
will zoom up to 4x with fine control over the magnification (the
first version let you magnify from 2x to 20x with no granularity;
the current version is much more useful). Cursor Zoom is free, so
I suggest that installing it for someone as a holiday surprise
would be a nice touch."
<http://www.joar.com/cursorzoom/>
**Custom Shareware CD** -- Inspired by LuKreme's comment about
installing CursorZoom for someone, Kevin van Haaren expanded the
idea. "I was thinking it might be a nice gift to accumulate all
the freeware and shareware you find useful or interesting and
burn it to a CD-R as a stocking stuffer for your favorite Mac
user. Someone with no or a very slow Internet connection might
especially appreciate the thought. To boost the value, perhaps
pay for a couple of the shareware packages that you know will
be useful and include the licenses on the CD-R."
**Reunion** -- Another perennial gift suggestion came from David
Kanter, who suggested the genealogy program Reunion from Leister
Productions. "For Mac-based genealogists - or any would-be
genealogists - a wonderful present would be Reunion 8, which now
runs natively under Mac OS X as well as Mac OS 8.5 to 9.2. Reunion
is still an elegant, Mac-only product that helps you organize
family information and produce a wide-range of charts and reports
which you can extensively tailor to your needs. Reunion 8's
enhancements over Reunion 7 are extensive, significant, and
meaningful. Even genealogy veterans using another program should
consider switching to Reunion to gain its easy interface and
fabulous output products. Reunion can import (and export) data
using the GEDCOM format, so bringing another genealogy program's
database into Reunion is usually an easy process. And for those
using any earlier version of Reunion, in my opinion this is a
'do-it-now' upgrade."
<http://www.leisterpro.com/>
<http://www.leisterpro.com/doc/Version8/NewFeatures/NewFeatures8.html>
2002 Gaming Gift Ideas
----------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
We rarely find time to delve into the fantasy world of computer
games, but our readers came through with a number of suggestions
for their favorite games. Two of them - The Sims and Tropico -
even provide fantasy worlds that simulate the real world.
Although the game market itself moves forward at a frenetic pace,
don't discount the games of yesteryear for those people who don't
need the latest and greatest. Graphics and sound capabilities may
have improved over time, but plenty of older games still provide
great game play. Check out the suggestions from previous years for
these blasts from the past and do some hunting around on eBay or
discount software sites if the publisher no longer sells the game
you want.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06659>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06239>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05717>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05216>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=868+1242+1533+1801>
**The Sims** -- LuKreme suggested a hit game that appeared on this
list back in 2000 as well. "I know The Sims has been perched on
top of the best sellers list (both Mac and PC) for a long time
now, but there is a reason for it. With the upcoming introduction
of The Sims Online now is a great time to get someone hooked in
to the simulated world of The Sims.
"The Sims appeals to all sorts of people, from pre-teens to
seniors, and to women as much as men. It's mostly noncompetitive
and is engrossing. The online version promises to make it even
more so by putting you directly in the game (instead of making you
a 'Hand of God') and by making all the other Sims you interact
with be real people as well. It's the ultimate chat room, with
just enough 'game' to make it that much more interesting.
"So far the Mac releases have been keeping fairly good time with
the PC, but I don't know a release date for the new Sims Online
product. Still, the older Sims game and its numerous expansion
packs are a lot of fun, if a bit addictive."
<http://thesims.ea.com/>
**Tropico** -- Saint John chimed in to suggest another simulation.
"It may be more than a year old, but my game pick of the year is
the tropical island simulation Tropico, by PopTop Software. I
remember the old Hammurabi games, but Tropico is as far beyond
that as the Sims are from a Barbie Malibu Dream House. For one
thing, your control isn't absolute; you can set pay scales in
order to attract certain kinds of laborers in certain areas, but
if it isn't worth it to them (read: if their happiness isn't high
enough) your citizenry won't work where you want them to. And you
can get an idea of your population's happiness by getting
statistical reports on them - or by spying on their thoughts!
If enough people want to go to church, well, it behooves you to
build one. More food? Convert some of those tobacco farms into
something less profitable but more edible. Your dictator must
survive occasional elections, so it's worthwhile to keep the
locals content.
<http://www.poptop.com/>
"Like PopTop's previous hit, Railroad Tycoon II, Tropico is full
of animated wonders. The people don't just exist as numbers, but
as little graphical people that go from home to work, and perhaps
to the cantina afterward. You can follow an individual around. (I
seem to zoom in on showgirls more often than other professions...)
Each has a name, and even a unique personality. Some may run
against you, others may foment revolution, and yet others may
visit your country if there are enough tourist attractions. (Even
cows have their own particular philosophies - it's worth building
a cattle ranch just to listen in on them!) As the years go by, the
babies grow into teenagers, and then adults - and they may switch
jobs if something suits them better. And you can watch it all from
your palace.
"The music is worth mentioning, too. Sound has always been a
PopTop specialty. As you scrolled about the landscape in Railroad
Tycoon II, you heard sounds of nature or industry, fading as you
scrolled away from the area in question. They commissioned lots of
music for Tropico, and anyone who has even a slight appreciation
for the Latin beat will really get into it! Since the music files
are stored as MP3s, it would take only a little effort to put them
on your iPod.
"Tropico even has a couple of expansion packs: Mucho Macho and
Paradise Island. Maybe I'll find them in my stocking! The basic
game, though, is definitely worth the price for any simulation
or world-building gamer. Tropico II: Pirate Cove is due out for
Windows real soon now, so if all goes well, next year I may
recommend that for the Mac."
**Bejeweled Deluxe** -- Changing gears, Jack Daniyel Strong
recommended a strategy game. "I highly recommend Bejeweled Deluxe
from PopCap and the Omni Group. The idea is simple: rearrange
shimmering gems to make patterns and rack up points. You can play
against the clock or attempt to keep your sanity with a regular
game.
"You can download Bejeweled Deluxe and try it for free;
registering costs $20. However, .Mac members can save $5 by
downloading the trial version from their iDisk's Software folder
and registering through the Register link in the .Mac trial
version."
<http://www.popcap.com/macmain.php>
After comparing Bejeweled Deluxe to the classic (and previously
recommended, in 1998) Snood, now in beta for Mac OS X, Michael
House seconded Jack's recommendation but warned that "Bejeweled
Deluxe, and PopCap games in general, seem to be resource hogs,
especially where CPU cycles are concerned. I get barely adequate
performance on my 500 MHz iBook with 640 MB RAM in thousands of
colors under Mac OS X 10.2.2. It runs acceptably on my new 667 MHz
Titanium PowerBook G4 with 768 MB RAM and Mac OS X 10.2.2 in
millions of colors, but it can still hiccup if anything is
running in the background."
<http://www.snood.com/>
2002 Miscellaneous Gift Ideas
-----------------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
This portion of our annual gift issue is one of our favorites,
since it's where readers suggest neat little accoutrements that
may be inexpensive or even obvious, but which can make a real
difference in everyday computer use. Be sure to check out
suggestions from years past for oodles of other excellent ideas.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06657>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06240>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05718>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05217>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=865+1239+1535+1800>
**Wireless Internet Access** -- For the road warrior in your life,
Kevin van Haaren suggested the gift of wireless Internet access.
"I'm writing this from the Dallas-Fort Worth airport via the
Wayport wireless network. If you have a frequent traveller on
your gift list, he may appreciate a membership to a wireless
access service. Wayport seems to serve a lot of airports and
hotels; AT&T Wireless also serves a few airports (they handle
Denver International Airport; I've yet to be holed up there
long enough to consider paying for it). If the recipient prefers
hanging out in coffeehouses to travelling, many Starbucks stores
offer T- Mobile wireless hot spots."
<http://www.wayport.net/>
<http://www.attws.com/business/data/individual/goport/>
<http://www.t-mobile.com/hotspot/>
A more general approach might be to work with an aggregator such
as Boingo Wireless, which provides a single account that works
with many different wireless network providers, including Wayport.
Unfortunately, Boingo's Mac software isn't yet available, but they
promise it for February of 2003.
<http://www.boingo.com/>
**World Domain-ation** -- The budding Internet czar on your list
might like to see her name in lights... or at least in pixels.
David Weintraub suggested: "Here's a unique idea. Buy someone
their own domain. Buying a domain and a year's subscription to a
site that will handle email and Web page hosting can be had for
less than $100 per year. For a bit more, you could buy a domain
for a whole family and set everyone up with their own email
addresses and Web pages with remote hosting."
<http://www.godaddy.com/>
<http://geocities.yahoo.com/>
<http://website.yahoo.com/>
If you have your own servers, consider the $55 gift certificate
offered by TidBITS sponsor easyDNS. The gift certificate includes
domain registration and email and Web page forwarding. We use
easyDNS to manage DNS for the TidBITS servers, and we've been
extremely happy with the service.
<http://www.easydns.com/certificates_start.php3>
David's initial idea engendered several suggestions for other,
less-expensive domain registry and DNS management services,
including Active Domain, Virtual Names, and directNIC.
<http://www.active-domain.com/>
<http://www.virtualnames.co.uk/>
<http://www.directnic.com/>
**Just Email** -- If a full-fledged domain with Web hosting is
overkill, consider a simple but permanent email address. Dennis
Cheung wrote, "After the .Mac debacle, I found a new email service
provider: FastMail. They offer great IMAP support, an excellent
Web interface, reasonable quotas, and a pretty good selection of
domain names such as mailcan.com, imapmail.org, and so on. Basic
accounts are free, member accounts cost only $15 (for life), and
full accounts, which add spam filtering, cost $15 plus $20 per
year. I've found the staff to be incredibly responsive and their
uptime to be fantastic (neither of which I could say about Apple's
Mac.com service)."
<http://www.fastmail.fm/>
**Put on Your Rubbers!** Portable computers are wonderful things:
take them with you everywhere and have your digital world at your
fingertips. But sometimes laptops don't want to stay where you put
them... or (ahem) might be a little too _warm_ where you put them.
James Ray suggests: "One of the most useful things a notebook
owner can have is carefully applied, large, rubber feet from Radio
Shack. They keep the laptop cool by elevating it off your work
surface, and more importantly mostly above spill-level. They also
hold your computer above your knees. They are Archer Cat. No.
64-2342, self-sticking, heavy-duty, cushion feet, and they come
eight to a package. At $2, they're very cheap. The only trick
with the feet is to peel them first, then air cure them for about
a minute while you use rubbing alcohol to clean the spots on your
notebook where you plan to apply them. With proper surface prep,
I've seen these things stick amazingly well."
<http://www.radioshack.com/product.asp?catalog%5Fname=CTLG
&product%5Fid=64%2D2342>
Alan Forkosh noted a variant on this idea, the Traveler CoolPad
from RoadTools (also appearing under the Targus name). "It's a
platform for portables that fits comfortably on your lap or can
pivot on a table. There are small rubber domes on one end to
incline the laptop and provide air circulation underneath. It
fits comfortably in most laptop slipcases and costs only $20. I
commonly use mine under my iBook on my lap while wireless surfing
the Web and watching TV. The pivoting feature is quite useful
for plugging in accessories or loading CDs when using the iBook
in tight quarters. The larger Podium CoolPad sells for $10 more
and lets you adjust the elevation differential using Lego-like
blocks."
<http://www.roadtools.com/>
<http://www.targus.com/product_details.asp?sku=PA239U>
Full laptop stands are yet another option; just a few days ago,
Adam reviewed the Griffin iCurve, the LapVantage Dome, and the
Dexia Rack in "The Laptop Stands, But Not Alone" in TidBITS-658_,
and our ever-energetic readers immediately suggested a number of
other alternatives in TidBITS Talk.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=07011>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=1810>
**Carrying Gadgets?** David Weintraub suggested: "Have a friend
with both a Palm-style PDA and a fold-up keyboard? Targus makes
a nice leather case that holds them both in one place. The PDA
side comes with a strap, and the keyboard side zips up. It isn't
something you can slip into your pocket, but it does put
everything in one place in a briefcase."
<http://targus.com/product_details.asp?sku=CHCL01>
**Eliminating Cable Clutter** -- A rat's nest of cable surrounds
almost every desktop computer out there, and that problem inspired
a number of gift suggestions. Bruce McL went low tech, suggesting
that "adhesive cable clamps can come in handy and might make nice
stocking stuffers for someone you know. They come in different
sizes and colors (black or white). Just stick 'em on a wall or
desk and clamp in a cable."
<http://www.circuitspecialists.com/level.itml/icOid/2831>
<http://www.oscaroscar.com/pp_TS-1618.asp>
Don't want to stick something to your wall? Harro de Jong
commented, "For people who spend a lot of time untangling wires,
Velcro cable ties can come in handy. They're the best solution
I've found yet for bundling rolls of cable, and they hold up well
under abuse. You can find them in professional audio shops as well
as computer and electronics stores."
<http://www.lanshack.com/velcro.asp>
For a snazzier, if more expensive approach to taming those cable
snakes, Kei Ishii turned us on to another product. "I have found
this in a couple of Tokyo interior design stores, although it's a
Dutch maker: The Cable Turtle. It reminds one of a yo-yo, but is
made of soft plastic. You open the rims, roll up the extra cable,
close it again, and voila: no cable mess anymore! It comes in
different colors and different sizes and costs between $8 and
$15. The same company also sells a soft plastic coil which binds
cable together.
<http://cableorganizer.com/cable-turtle/>
**Transmit Your iPod** -- Driving with your headphones on is a
no-no, so Fearghas McKay offered this alternative. "I just picked
up a Cendyne Gruv X FM transmitter for listening to my iPod on my
car radio, and I recommend it to others. This tiny device has
worked where other units failed miserably, has a little backlit
LCD display, and is tunable in 0.1 MHz steps rather than having
just a couple of frequencies to choose from. It doesn't require
an antenna or any wires other than the one that connects it to
your iPod, and it runs on a single AAA battery.
<http://www.cendyne.com/product.asp?pid=19>
"It cost only $30 from Fry's in California and is far cheaper than
buying a new car stereo with a jack on the front! For the ultimate
present, I would couple the Gruv transmitter with an iPod case
from SF Bags and a car mount holder for the case."
<http://www.sfbags.com/PRODUCTS/iPOD_INFO/i.htm>
<http://www.theclip.com/mall/ultraclip.asp>
**Protect Your Laptop** -- A design flaw in Apple's current line
of portables means that the film of oil from your fingers coats
the keys and can leave an imprint on the screen. Kevin van Haaren
offered a solution. "A nice inexpensive gift for a PowerBook owner
is the PowerBook ScreensavRz. It's a soft cloth that sits between
your keyboard and screen when the top is closed and keeps finger
oils from moving from the keys to the screen."
<http://www.devdepot.com/description.html?pcode=HRLWPP>
But what about protecting the outside of your laptop? There are
numerous cases out there (many of which were recommend in last
year's gift issue), and Jim Rohde added to that collection. "I'd
like to suggest (and would love to get) the Go-In-Case laptop
sleeve for $40 (available directly or at your local Apple Store).
This sleeve is perfect for when you want to protect your iBook or
PowerBook, but don't want to lug along an entire case. The Go-In-
Case sleeve comes with fully retractable handles and a detachable
shoulder strap, and has a pocket on the outside for an AC adapter
and minimal accessories. It comes in a small and a large version
(the large one fits a Titanium PowerBook G4 or my PowerBook G3,
and the small one appears to be a good size for the iBook). I like
the style of the sleeves, too - it should go with most laptops of
any kind. To check them out, use the link below and click the
second 'laptop' (Flash) button from the left."
<http://www.goincase.com/product.html>
**Back to Basics** -- We may take simple bits and pieces of
hardware for granted, but for the right person, such a gift may
be perfect. Jim Beinke suggested giving someone with file sharing
needs an Ethernet cable. "What a great 'discovery' it was to
connect my PowerBook with the office PC and transfer files, then
go home to our new eMac and move things there. Jaguar makes it
easy."
Rob Russell suggested that a box of blank CD-Rs is still a useful
and inexpensive gift for those who like to back up on CD-R or make
personal CDs containing favorite music.
**Preparing for Theft** -- As the Monty Python sketch said, no one
ever expects the Spanish Inquisition, and too few people expect
that their computers might be lost as well. Frequent backups are
essential for protecting data, but what about recovering your
precious gear? Tomoharu Nishino offered a suggestion that might
help. "A set of StuffBak labels might be a nice stocking-stuffer
gift for the absent-minded but gadget-laden. You attach a StuffBak
label to your device (PDA, cell phone, laptop, MP3 player, and so
on). The label contains the StuffBak Web site address as well as
their phone number. If you lose your device, and someone finds it,
she can return it by calling the number or visiting the Web site
and then dropping the item off at a local drop-off center.
StuffBak then takes care of packaging the item and shipping it to
you. If an item is recovered you pay StuffBak $15 plus the actual
shipping charges. You can also offer a cash reward for the
recovery of your items.
<http://www.stuffbak.com/>
"How is this better than affixing a business card or name and
number to your items? The whole process is anonymous, and it's far
less of a hassle to the people who find your stuff - they don't
have to worry about packaging the items or collecting the shipping
costs. The end result, hopefully, is that they are more likely to
send your stuff back. Each label costs as little as $2, and you
can buy them in packs ranging from $10 to $50. The labels come in
various shapes and sizes to fit different gadgets.
"I haven't heard stories about people actually getting things back
through StuffBak (and the Web site doesn't share any such
stories), so I don't know how effective it is. But it might give
people a little peace of mind, I suppose, when dumping their
personal electronics into a bin at airport security. And besides,
it's the thought that counts, right?"
**Sticky Fingers** -- If someone you know has kids or co-workers
who can't keep their dirty fingers (and the resulting
fingerprints) off their monitor, Mike Millard has a craft project
for you. "I haven't seen anything like this in the shops, but a
relatively handy person could surely make a Lucite cover that
hangs over the front of a flat-panel monitor to keep dirty fingers
off. We just installed two Apple 17-inch flat-panel units in a
college art department, whose students often feel the need to
point determinedly at the screen. The lab supervisor cut a length
of Lucite the width of the monitor and with enough extra length
to curve over the top and down about 2 inches (5.1 cm). She heated
the Lucite and bent it 180 degrees at the appropriate point, in a
wide curve. It works wonderfully. I imagine such a thing should
not cost too much for the raw material."
**And Aching Wrists** -- We've tried a lot of products for
alleviating pain related to carpal tunnel and other repetitive
stress injuries over time, but Kevin van Haaren sprung a new one
on us with his suggestion of the Imak Smart Glove, which looks as
though it works a little like the Handeze Gloves we've liked for
a long time. Kevin also pointed to a review of the Smart Glove on
Ars Technica that's worth reading first.
<http://arstechnica.com/archive/news/1039505698.html>
<http://www.imakproducts.com/products/smart_glove.htm>
<http://www.handeze.com/>
2002 Gift Ideas for the Macintosh-minded
----------------------------------------
by TidBITS Staff <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Every year, we receive a number of gift suggestions that are
completely unrelated to the Macintosh. But since that matches the
incredibly varied interests of our readers, we're happy to go with
the flow once again. Suggestions from previous years remain
relevant if you're looking for additional unusual ideas.
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06660>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06241>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05719>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=05218>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tlkthrd=869+1243+1537+1803>
**Let There Be Light** -- Our friend Karen Anderson from Seattle
made a typically practical suggestion. "The technology gift I'm
giving to the ones I love this year is a torchiere lamp with a
bright fluorescent bulb. These lamps can replace the halogen
torchieres that are popular because of their extreme brightness,
but incredibly dangerous because of their high temperatures.
(Halogens are also energy hogs; a "bargain" $19 halogen lamp
uses about $55 of electricity a year.)
"Though Seattle-area lighting stores seem utterly unaware of it,
several companies, including GE, make torchieres with 55- and
60-watt compact fluorescent bulbs that emit light equivalent to
that of the 300-watt halogens. After a few hours of research
online, I found a reputable Web site that offers fluorescent
torchieres in a range of attractive styles and at modest prices.
It's Energy Federation Incorporated.
<http://www.efi.org/products/lighfloo.html>
"The lamps start at an affordable $41, and the fluorescent bulbs
last several years. All in all, it's much cheaper than replacing
the contents of your home or office after a fire!"
**TiVo, Yet Again** -- We knew someone would be unable to resist
suggesting (for the fourth consecutive year!) one of the TiVo
digital video recorders that has utterly changed the way we and
many of our friends watch television. We weren't disappointed,
with Marshall Clow suggesting briefly, "While expensive, I haven't
seen a piece of hardware that inspires such fierce loyalty as a
TiVo." As Marshall said, TiVos aren't cheap, but TiVo itself is
selling a 40-hour unit for $200, which is a good deal, and it can
be expanded with an upgrade kit from Weaknees.com. Remember, to
use a TiVo, you also need a TiVo subscription, which costs either
$13 per month or $250 for the lifetime of your TiVo (most people
choose the lifetime option, which pays for itself in less than
two years).
<http://www.tivo.com/>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbser=1204>
<http://db.tidbits.com/getbits.acgi?tbart=06918>
<http://www.weaknees.com/>
**Talking Wireless** -- If you're looking for a gift for someone
who constantly has a Sony Ericsson T68i cell phone clamped to
the side of her head, Ken Prager suggested a wireless Bluetooth
headset such as the Jabra FreeSpeak. (Bluetooth is a short-range
wireless technology that's primarily useful as a cable replacement
at the moment, but we can think of plenty of cables we'd like to
replace.)
<http://www.jabra.com/products/FreeSpeak_Bluetooth.htm>
<http://www.bluetooth.com/>
<http://www.apple.com/bluetooth/>
**Tritium-Powered Glow Lights** -- Iain Anderson made a
fascinating, if geographically limited, gift choice. "An unusual
present for science buffs out there in the UK (no exports allowed)
are tritium-powered glow lights that will last for ten years
without a battery. Why just the UK? Pesky international laws to
do with radioactive materials, though apparently these are safe
enough. Oh, and they come in five fruity colours." We don't
suggest licking them.
<http://www.traser-uk.com/>
<http://cnb-host2.clickandbuild.com/cnb/shop/cashncarrion?
listPos=&op=catalogue-products-null&prodCategoryID=19>
**Chaos Tower** -- We've been accused of setting up Rube Goldberg
servers in the past, what with our reliance on HyperCard and
AppleScript to bolt together a wide variety of elderly programs.
Now we might have to try it in the real world, with William
Ansley's idea. "Here is a toy for any Rube Goldberg fan, people
who want to have some intelligent fun, or a child you're hoping to
lure away from a video screen. Called the Chaos Tower, it's a ball
track kit that allows you to build a framework holding a track
layout for balls to run down to the bottom, where they are lifted
back up to the top by a chain bucket mechanism powered by a motor.
On the way down, the balls can bounce off trampolines, ring bells
or play a xylophone key, perform loop-de-loops, swirl around a
vortex funnel, and activate either of two different track
switching mechanisms. The toy comes with an HTML-based Learning
CD-ROM that teaches children concepts in physics using various
layouts of the toy as examples.
"The kit is expensive at about $125, but it's huge and extremely
sturdy. You get enough pieces to make a six foot high tower. I
just bought one of these for myself (I have never grown up) and
like it so much I am going to buy another so I can make a mega
Chaos Tower."
<http://www.chaostoy.com/tower.html>
**Musini** -- Another innovative toy suggestion came from Marilyn
Matty, who admits it might not be popular if you have downstairs
neighbors. "Although it isn't the most difficult thing in the
world to inspire little children to jump up and down, Neurosmith's
Musini is a unique gift that will get the youngest (age 3 and up)
making music while they boogie.
"The Musini is a music player keyed to a motion detector that
responds to vibrations in the floor by changing the tempo and
pattern of the music. Just select a genre (Latin, nursery rhymes,
classical, jazz, etc.) and make any changes in combinations of
instruments. Expansion cartridges of other types of music are
available. Every movement creates a unique sound, so the
combinations that can be made by one or more kids are endless.
It lists for $70 at the company's Web site, but I found it for
less than $50 at KBtoys.com, so it pays to shop around."
<http://www.neurosmith.com/pd_musini.php>
**Mooory Christmas** -- It often seems as though we have too many
things, stuff that occupies our houses, requires care and
maintenance, and generally takes up space in our lives. Rather
than feed the stuff habit this year, Theresa Freilicher proposed
a donation to an extremely worthy organization we've supported
in the past, Heifer International, which gives animals to needy
third-world people. The animals may provide income, food, and
offspring, and Heifer International asks that recipients pass
on one of the their animal's offspring to another needy family.
Theresa wrote, "Donating to charity in lieu of physical gifts
seems to be developing into a tradition among my friends. Last
year, I requested no gifts, but rather a donation to Heifer
International. My friends took me literally and donated a heifer.
A number of them liked the idea so much they started requesting
the same from their friends. Then it caught on among their
colleagues at work, and now Heifer International has reached
charity function status here in Washington, D.C."
<http://www.heifer.org/holidaygifts/>
**First Christmas, Then Easter** -- Part of the appeal of Heifer
International is that giving a duck or a pig has more emotional
impact than simply donating money. Andrew Cohen suggested donating
to another organization, Easter Seals, that is translating
contributions into the real world. Andrew wrote, "Easter Seals
is inviting people to 'give the gift that changes lives to someone
who changed yours.' Their gifts are special in that each gift
supports one of their services to people with disabilities. For
example, the Gift of Inspiration supports physical rehabilitation,
the Gift of Laughter supports child care programs, and the Gift
of Opportunity supports job training. These are creative ways to
honor a friend or relative who changed your life in some way.
Perhaps you want to honor your boss with the Gift of Opportunity
for giving you a chance this year. Or maybe you are a college
student who wants to give the Gift of Independence to your parents
who helped you learn to make it on your own. Or the Gift of
Adventure could go to someone with whom you shared an exciting
trip. You get the idea. Each gift has an accompanying postcard
you can email or print for the gift recipient."
<http://www.easter-seals.org/site/PageServer?pagename=ntlc_holiday>
**Think Green** -- In response to Theresa's suggestion of a
donation to Heifer International, Kevin van Haaren commented,
"If you're donating for a friend who happens to be a vegetarian,
a less meat oriented charity like Second Harvest might be a bit
more welcome."
<http://www.secondharvest.org/foodbanks/foodbanks.html>
$$
Non-profit, non-commercial publications may reprint articles if
full credit is given. Others please contact us. We don't guarantee
accuracy of articles. Caveat lector. Publication, product, and
company names may be registered trademarks of their companies.
This file is formatted as setext. For more information send email
to <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. A file will be returned shortly.
For information: how to subscribe, where to find back issues,
and more, email <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>. TidBITS ISSN 1090-7017.
Send comments and editorial submissions to: <[EMAIL PROTECTED]>
Back issues available at: <http://www.tidbits.com/tb-issues/>
And: <ftp://ftp.tidbits.com/issues/>
Full text searching available at: <http://www.tidbits.com/search/>
-------------------------------------------------------------------
