Buying gifts is already a frustrating task around the holiday season, but when it comes to the computer-junkie, things really can get complicated. For example, if you’re buying something for one of these folks and don’t know anything about screen savers, cc:mail or CD-ROMs, there’s a chance that your good intentions may crash.
So, to get you off to a good start, we’ve compiled a list of good gifts for the technophile in your life.
– Memories are everybody’s favorite gift. Why not scrounge up some old photos of those good ol’ times and turn them into mouse pads? Remember the limbo contest? How about Walter Payton’s last touchdown? Or your first date or wedding? As a mouse pad, these are sure to put a smile on somebody’s face. They are $13.95; call 800-643-WOLF (800-643-9653).
– Have no fear, the anti-virus scanner test is here! Stop macro viruses before they strike with FindVirus. Dr. Solomon’s Advanced Macro Heuristic Analysis enables scanners to anticipate and control potential viruses before they develop into widespread destructive problems by looking for codes that “could be” new viruses, and not relying solely on pattern-matching to detect the presence of known, existing macro viruses. It’s $80. Call 888-DRSOLOMON (888-377-656666) or drsolomon.com.
– Fight the power with the UPSTART Uninterruptible Power Supply. One major snow storm, hurricane or tornado could down power lines and throw a home-based computer and all of its valuable data out of commission. The indispensable UPSTART, however, can prevent this from happening by automatically saving data during power outages and restoring all files when power returns. This sleek piece of equipment combines dual 250 VA backup power outputs, advanced surge suppression and solid-state modem protection, and the convenience of a power center with six transformer spaced outlets. It’s $179.99 to $249.99. Call 800-634-1485 or waber.com.
– For the mobile computer user, the nifty PowerXtender is the perfect gift. The computer adapter lets business travelers plug their laptops into the power of an airplane, car, boat or RV. With PowerXtender, the worry of batteries is over; and it even re-charges the laptop battery. Because each portable computer has unique power requirements, Xtend has created a line of more than 200 different adapters to match the demands of the most popular portable computer makes and models such as IBM, Toshiba and AT&T. It’s $99. Call 800-232-XTEND (800-232-98363) or visit xmpi.com on the Web.
– Tired of sending blase e-mails? Want to add some personal pizazz to a Web page? Need to share photographs from last weekend’s party pronto? PhotoNet now offers a fast and inexpensive way to view, share, use, store and download photos from the Internet–using your own camera. For about $5 a roll, participating PhotoNet processors will scan your images and make your photos available in fun, friendly and secure environments over the Internet. There is no cost to access the images on-line, so you and your family and friends can keep going back to PhotoNet to e-mail a favorite photo to others. Call 703-733-0500 or visit the Web site at picturevision.com.
– The Lexmark 1000 is ideal for families and students who need an inexpensive, easy-to-use color printer that fits snugly in a home office or dorm room. It prints up to 600 x 600 dpi both in color, and in black when used with Lexmark’s Super Sharp Waterproof Black Ink cartridge. It prints up to 1.5 pages per minute in color draft mode and 3.5 pages per minute in black draft mode. It’s $139. Call 800-LEXMARK (800-539-6275) or visit the Web site at lexmark.com.
– A great gift for new families is Making Memories, a new CD-ROM from Nursery Needs that allows you to record all of the precious details of a child’s life without having to worry about them getting lost, destroyed or yellowed with age. There are also designated pages for a growth chart, a family tree and even facts about mom, dad, grandmothers and grandfathers, providing a valuable family history. It’s $29.95. Call 800-395-7571.
