Horizen 2002 Christmas Ideas
Posted : 10 Dec 02
Yes, it's that time of year again, when there never seems to be enough time to get everything done and everyone wants everything done before Dec 25. Here is a list of some cool computer stuff that you might want to splurge on yourself, business or kids. Some cheap, some expensive and most in between...
Apple iPod : The best mp3 player on the market today. Play, store all your songs in either 5, 10 or 20GB versions. With a firewire connection it is fast and can also be used as a backup for your data files.
Mousepads : Still the best. 3M Precision Mousing Surface, yet to be surpassed as a mousepad ...
Optical Mouse : Speaking of mice, got an optical mouse yet? Imagine never having to clean that mouse wheel again !
RAM : Can you ever have enough RAM? It's never been cheaper.
2nd Hard Disk : Drives have never been bigger or cheaper. A 2nd drive in your G4 can be used as a backup and with OS X unable to boot a diagnostics CD as yet, somewhat essential for troubleshooting (boot from the 2nd drive and run Norton's, etc.). Haven't got a G4, hey just get an external firewire drive. Haven't got a firewire port. No problem, time to upgrade your Mac !
DVD Burners : CD's not enough for backup? Get a DVD burner for over 4GB of backup space. Great to store those large mp3 collections for those limewire/napster addicts. Spent years ripping mp3 and sorting it out your music collection, got it backed up?
Speakers : Having installed some good speakers recently on a few high end systems, I realised what I have been missing all these years. I recommend Altec Lansing or Logitech speakers. For around $180 you can get a stereo set with sub woofer that will knock your socks off (literally). Fantastic for music, games, DVD's. Cheaper and better than the Apple speakers. For PC's with a 5.1 sound card you can go for the works and get Dolby surround sound for the ultimate game and movie experience.
Games : All the latest games are out on Mac now (and Halo soon too!) Warcraft, The Sims, Medal of Honor, Harry Potter, Jedi Knight II, Black & White, F1 Championship, Solitaire Antics, Ghost Recon : Desert Siege, Links 2002 Championship Ed, Tony Hawk Pro Skater 3, Civilization 3, Pinball, Spiderman.
Games Hardware : Steering wheels, joysticks, gamepads, speakers (see above).
Digital Cameras : As with
RAM and HD's, cameras have never been better or cheaper. Reasonable ones
start at around $500
and go
up to whatever
you want
to spend...
Web Cam : Interract with the rest of the world, post your
life on the Internet. Ok, well maybe not. Fascinating gadget
though.
Incorporate
it on your web
site. Claim it as a video conferencing tool to get a tax
deduction. Get a firewire
unit for better performance than USB.
Go Wireless : Ethernet, keyboards, mice, Internet. Freedom
from cables forever !
Software : Some unusual ideas that you might not have thought
of ...
Renunion 8 : Genealogy software
Brittanica : The standard encyclopedia and reference, with
atlas and more for 2003 edition
Quicktime : Go pro and be able to download movies and get
all the options
Some Software Usage Ideas :
* Not using iTunes yet : Start your mp3 collection immediately
!
* Download music : Get limed now. Get into limewire for
all your mp3 needs. http://www.limewire.com
* Worked out how to fax from your Mac yet : Turn on Fax
STF. Don't use it in OS X though, still too many bugs.
* Had a look at iCal yet in OS X?
* Got a graphics tablet? Experiment with Inkwell in OS
X for handwriting recognition
* iPhoto is another excellent addition to the Apple i range.
Check it out.
For the Masochists :
Books : Learning Unix for OS X
O'Rielly Book Collection : The best books for computers,
http://mac.oreilly.com/
Need any more info or want to buy anything, you know who
to call ...