2. KUTOKA SHIPS TWO 'CREATURES' GAMES
3. MORE GOODIES FOR THE CHILDREN ON YOUR
LIST
4. ANOTHER CLEVER OFFERING FOR CHILDREN
5. NINTENDO SHINES WITH WI-FI and NEW
GAMES
6. KIDZ GEAR STEREO HEADPHONES
My readers seem to seek easy things in life and that's not such a simple order when it comes to technical items. The words I hate to see in any kind of instruction are "simple" and "simply." The procedures may look that way to the author but to the user struggling to get through an on screen manual or a "simple" manual…nothing looks simple. So here are a couple of those "easier" items that will make perfect gifts for some one or many this holiday season and especially for the children and gamers on your list.
Ditch those hard white headphones for your iPOD, CD player or Tape Recorder and replace them with colorful, fun to wear and listen to headphones that are soft and well…gummy. JVC's new GUMY headphones feel like the Gummy Bear gelatinous candies but they will last much longer. Because they're squishy they conform to the ear for maximum comfort. Available in Peach Pink, Peppermint Blue, Olive Black, Lychee White, and Grape Violet…colors to wear with your workout clothes or anywhere, anytime. At only $10.00 a set, you can have one to go with every outfit. See www.jvc.com.
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Speaking of fun, the children in your household will love the games from Kutoka, known for their educational software. Their two newest offerings are Creatures: Exodus and Creatures: Village. Kutoka, best known for their Mia series featuring characters Didi and Ditto has developed a new set of characters. In these new units, known as “Norns.” They are modeled on real biological systems, complete with unique biochemistry, brains and “Digital DNA.” Each one is unique. Norns can be sent to school to learn how to communicate with you, and they need to be fed, taken care of and taught right from wrong. When they become adults, Norns can breed, passing along their genetic material to a new generation.
These $20.00 games have incredible graphics that will have you looking over the kids' shoulders as they work their way through the various scenarios that constantly change. Look for Creatures: Exodus and Creatures: Village from your software supplier or from www.Kutoka.com. You can preview the animation and the characters that inhabit the games; both are compatible with PC and Macintosh systems.
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If there are tots who like to hear stories over and over, you'll save yourself lots of teeth gnashing by buying them STORY READER and several of the story cassettes to use with it. This ingenious product is a bright red plastic "reading" unit that opens up to hold the pages of a book. A story reader cassette, smaller than a deck of cards, slips into a top slot. When the child turns a page, a voice reads the story. When the next page is turned, the story jumps to that page. The idea is to have the child listen and see (or read or learn to read) as the story progresses.
But it's not only a voice, there is music, and the drawings in the book are whimsical and beautiful. Many are familiar Disney stories such as Bambi, Beauty and the Best, Snow White and the Seven Dwarfs, Peter Pan, Toy Story, The Little Mermaid, and more. They are so well done, so beautiful, it won't come as a surprise that you'll want to sit and read and listen to them with your child.
See Story Reader and all the available books at www.storyreaders.com from Publications International. Also look at the other items such as The Cash Register Book, that combines a working cash register and its ca-ching sound. Children will learn how to shop, budget their money and use a real bar-code scanner. The products vary in price from about $15.00 to $30.00 with the StoryReader unit. Once you have the unit, you can purchase the story books and cassettes separately.
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I remember when we used to take car trips and everyone would sing some of the old favorites such as Row, Row, Row your boat, etc. Now comes the high tech version in a CHRISTMAS SING-ALONG CAR.I.OKE (pretty clever play on a word). In this combo of a CD that plays in the car, along with a book in which the children can find the words to sing along if they don't them. BUT, there are three extra books in addition to a front seat volume for those who have a van and or more than one child. The books are dubbed, Backseat Edition, Way Back Edition, and Extra Edition for those who don't want to share.
The package is a hard cover, spiral bound book with words to 19 recorded songs and choreography for those in the back seats…so they can move their feet in time to the music. They will find Christmas history, lore and trivia, and activities to keep them busy while rolling along destinations. David Schiller, the author, first created the All-AMERICAN CAR.I.OKE out of his inability to remember the words to songs. This delightful offering is only $15.95 from your book dealer or discounted at Amazon.com and other on line book buying sites. Buy it for your own family or for someone else.
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It's tough to keep up with all the new games that NINTENDO is shipping this year. Regardless of which Nintendo game player you have, the choices of new video games are boggling. Along with the excitement of the animation and types of games is that fact that Nintendo gamers can now play with and against one another at many of the Wi-Fi high speed Internet access spots in public locations. If you can't get a table at many of McDonald's that offer a Nintendo Wi-Fi Connections you'll know why and you'll see customers playing the games, perhaps when they should be going back to the office.
When a user brings a Nintendo DS unit and a Wi-Fi enabled game into a McDonald's with the facility, he launches the game in the Nintendo Wi-Fi connection mode. No setup is required. When playing at another WI-FI location a computer with special USB connectors is used. Look for participating hotspots and more information at www.nintendowifi.com
Meantime, check out some of the new games such as Animal Crossing, Wild World and Metroid Prime Hunters. Game play will be free at the user sites. Of course, McDonald's would expect players to buy some food there….and leave tables open for eating/paying customers.
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Finally, here's a stocking stuffer from Kidz Gear…adult featured stereo headphones made especially for children. These "adult" products with top-notch components found in more expensive adult units. They're size for a child's head and ears and are perfect just to keep the noise from games to a tolerable level at home, when traveling in the car or on a plane. Instead of the kids snitching dad's stereo headphones, they might promote a reverse snitching pattern. Watch out kids, mom may want them, too. At only $19.95 there could be a set around for everyone in the family. Find them at www.gearforkidz.com or at your toy stores and gift shops.
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Dona
Meilach is the author of over 85 books with 10 on computers. Her latest book,
just out, is TEAPOTS: MAKERS & COLLECTORS from
www.Schifferbooks.com. Other computer organizations interested in running this
column should contact the author. The column is also available as a free E-zine.
Subscribe DCC: Contact dmeilach@msn.com. Dona’s
Computer Capers may also be found at http://www.smalladdictions.com/Skateboard, at www.ocipug.org -
newsletter. Google my name for other listings. Happy holidays to
all…