What I want for Christmas...

. . . is eye-popping techno-gadgets

By Stanley A. Miller II of the Journal Sentinel staff, Nov. 30, 1999

There are only 25 shopping days until Christmas, and you're looking for some high-tech toys to stuff the stockings. Computer peripherals or gadgets gifts should be easy to set up, simple to use and practical. Here are a few that make the holiday wish list.

Imation SuperDisk USB drive for PCs and Macintosh ($169.99):

The SuperDisk USB drive for personal computers or Macintosh machines is an external media drive that reads standard 31/2-inch floppy disks and high-capacity SuperDisk diskettes, which look similar to regular disks but can hold 120 megabytes of information.

The drive, which plugs into a computer through a universal serial bus connection, reads up to 22 times faster than floppy drives and can be set up in minutes.

To set up the Imation drive on a Windows machine: Plug one end of the cord into the drive, the other end into a free USB port and let Windows 98 detect the drive.

When Windows asks for drivers, pop in the CD-ROM that comes with the drive, reboot, and installation is complete. The drive appears under the "My Computer" icon on the Windows desktop after it's been successfully installed and works just like any other external disk drive.

There is a parallel port version of the SuperDisk drive for those without USB. The high-capacity SuperDisks, which cost about $15 each, are suitable for storing important files and backing up programs.

The drive is a solid solution for people with iMacs, which don't come with 31/2-inch disk drives. Setting up the drive for a Mac is also simple, but iMac users will need OS 8.1 or higher with the Firmware 1.0 update. The drive can be bought through Web sites found at www.superdisk.com or at electronics stores.

Siemens Pocket Reader ($99.95) and Wizcom Technologies' QuickLink pen ($149):

Both of these devices are large, marker-sized pen scanners that will suck up words and sentences out of books, newspapers and magazines and then store them for future review and editing.

Think of them as digital highlighters for nabbing nuggets out of business reports, snatching Web addresses out of publications or grabbing quotes out of books for term papers.

After the content is recorded, it can be transferred to a PC or Mac via a serial cable link, which is standard equipment on most personal computers. Once the text has been saved to the computer, it can be copied and pasted into a word processing program such as Microsoft Word or an e-mail program such as Netscape Messenger. The devices have small digital displays so users can review the words they are scanning.

Neither device works perfectly, but the QuickLink pen beats the Pocket Reader because it has more options and translates text better. Pocket Reader gives a lot of "line not found" errors, especially if the book or newspaper being scanned isn't on a flat surface.

When Pocket Reader does pick up text, it tends to misspell words and show other quirks, such as putting capital letters in the middle of words or misinterpreting letters, such as thinking "w" is "vv." Pocket Reader can store about 20 pages of material, while QuickLink Pen stores up to 1,000.

The QuickLink pen scans more reliably and can transfer data to personal computers, PalmPilots or text-enabled cellular phones through a serial cable or infrared connection. Neither pen scanner recognizes handwriting, but both have multiple language support and run on two AAA batteries. The QuickLink pen can be bought at www.wizcomshop.com, and the Pocket Reader is for sale at www.pocketreader.com.

Logitech's QuickCam Web ($99.95) and QuickCam Pro ($149.95):

Web cameras are popular with college students and others with high-speed, always-on Internet connections, but they can be useful for people stuck with modem connections, too.

People can use these cameras to broadcast images from their homes to Web pages, so everyone on the Internet can see what their living rooms or kitchens look like. And by using software such as Microsoft's Netmeeting, users can conduct long-distance, real-time voice and video conversations for the cost of connecting to their local Internet service providers. Internet video chat works with just a 28.8 kbps modem, although faster connections means less lag and smoother flow of the video feed.

Logitech's QuickCam Web and QuickCam Pro cameras are well-suited for both of these activities and take clear, colorful pictures. They connect to computers through USB port and are simple to set up, and software installation takes a few minutes

The Logitech QuickCam Pro, which looks like an oversize golf ball on a pedestal, is the Cadillac of Logitech's line cameras. It captures images at 640-by-480 resolution in 30-bit color, which means large, colorful, high-quality pictures. The Pro model also comes with a program for editing still photos and motion detection software, which can be set up to take a pictures when someone enters the room.

The QuickCam Web's pictures don't have the same resolution as the Pro model, but they are still sharp. The Web model also has a built-in microphone and all of the software necessary for online videoconferencing or setting up a Web cam.

Both cameras worked well during testing and transmitted high-quality Web cam images through ExecPC Internet service. Internet video conferencing also went smoothly, despite only a 56 kbps connection.

There is a parallel port version of the QuickCam Pro, but the QuickCam Web comes only in a USB version. The QuickCam Pro for USB requires a computer with Windows 95 or 98, a 200 megahertz processor, USB port, 16 megabytes of memory, 100 megabytes of free hard drive space and a CD-ROM drive. The Web model has the same needs but will work only with Windows 98. Either camera can be bought at electronics stores or at www.logitech.com.

Microsoft's cordless wheel mouse ($44.95) and Logitech's cordless MouseMan wheel mouse ($59.95):

More often than not, a mouse is simply a mouse. Point, click, and pow, something happens, hopefully. But there's a new breed of cordless mouse that gives computer users the look and feel of traditional mice while freeing them from the tediousness of getting tangled up in yet another computer cord.

Both of these mice stood up to hours of strenuous testing, including fast-paced PC games that required constant accuracy, precision and quick reaction.

Microsoft's cordless mouse is beige and has a smooth, simple design. No frills. No thrills. Just a solid, reliable mouse that will easily blend into most computer setups.

The MouseMan wheel mouse is similar in quality and functionality but with a little extra style and attitude. Its sleek, silver and blue chassis is contoured to fit well into the right hand, and there's a third mouse button down the left side of the hull to give users an extra clicking option.

Both devices use radio signals to communicate between mouse and computer. The receiver, which plugs into the port that a regular mouse would use, can be stashed behind the computer system with no loss in signal quality. The Microsoft mouse works up to 5 feet away, and Logitech's range is about 6 feet. Both have a scrolling wheel for quickly dipping down documents, such as Word files or Web pages.

Microsoft mouse drivers and Logitech mouse drivers wreak havoc on each other, so before installing one or the other, make sure only one set of files is installed. Both mice need a computer running Windows 95 or later, an open serial or PS/2 port and two AAA batteries.

Both mice can be purchased from the companies' Web sites - www.microsoft.com or www.logitech.com - or at electronics stores.

Plantronics LS1 ($39.96) and Plantronics HS1 ($63.96) computer headphones:

Plantronics recently released some computer stereo headphones with built-in microphones, which can be useful for holding online conversations, sending voice e-mail and giving dictation through voice recognition software.

The Plantronics LS1 is slim, light and designed to be comfortable, while the HS1 model is slightly heavier, bulkier and built to maximize multimedia listening with its high-fidelity stereo speakers.

Both models are adjustable and have noise-canceling microphones for voice recording and transmission. They also have volume control dials on the headsets and a mute switch to quickly shut off the microphone when necessary. Bass comes pounding through the HS1 headphones with a resounding thud when playing music CDs or games, and its microphone swivels upward to get out of the way when it's not being used. These headphones can be bought at www.plantronics.com.

Sony's U-Ceiver two-way radio system ($129.99 each):

These light two-way radios could come in handy when you get separated from the family at the county fair, Summerfest or RiverFest out in Waukesha.

And with their two-mile range, it's unlikely you'll walk too far away from the group to stay in touch. Transmission is crisp and clear up to that distance, and there are no air time fees or licenses required.

The radios might also appeal to all the hikers, bikers and anglers out there, because they're water-resistant and designed to keep moisture and dirt. They also have a multiple channel scanning command, an automatic power down function to conserve power and a battery life indicator to make sure the units don't die out in the field.

The U-Ceiver radios, which come in gray or yellow, can be bought at electronics stores.

ActiveHome home control kit ($49.95 to $149.99) from X10:

This wireless system is one way to get closer to an automated home. A combination of CD-ROM software and hardware works with a home computer to run customized home lighting and appliance routines that will turn things on and off on schedule.

The kits work by plugging lights and appliances into ActiveHome outlet modules, installing the software and then connecting a radio transceiver into a computer's parallel port. Users can either turn things on and off with the included remote control or set up a computer to do the work for them.

For example, ActiveHome can start up the coffee pot, switch on the stereo and turn on a toaster all before you get out of bed. The most basic kit even includes a key chain remote for those times when you're coming home late at night and want to turn on the apartment lights as soon as possible.

The signals are sent over existing wiring in the home, and with the "smart" serial interface module, power routines will still run even if the computer is off. Extra light and appliance modules run for about $15 each, and larger expansion packs are also available. ActiveHome can control up to 256 devices. Kits and extra modules can be bought at www.x10.com.

NeoGeo Pocket Color from SNK ($69.95):

This portable hand-held gaming machine is lighter and smaller than Nintendo's Game Boy but has a larger screen, displays 16-bit color and has a revolving joystick that will appeal to beginning and veteran video game players.

NeoGeo comes in blue, platinum silver, anthracite, ocean blue and clear and will last for 40 hours on two AA batteries. It also has a built-in clock, alarm and calendar.

There are more than 20 games available for the game system now selling from $24.95 to $34.95, including sports titles for baseball, tennis and golf. There are also several puzzle games, and the remake of the arcade classic "Pac-Man" will appeal to players who miss munching on Inky, Pinky, Blinky and Clyde. NeoGeo can be bought at www.snkusa.com or electronics and toy stores.

Computer products were tested on a Pentium III 550 megahertz computer running Windows 98, with 256 megabytes of memory and a 40-speed CD-ROM drive.

HSI stereo PC headphones from Plantronics. Hi-Fi headset with built-in microphone. $63.96

U-Ceiver two-way radios from Sony. Light, stylish walkie-Talkies with a two-mile range. $129.99 each.

SNK's NeoGeo Pocket Color. A 16-bit system that's lighter and smaller than a Game Boy with a larger screen. $69.95.

Appeared in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel on Nov. 30, 1999.