People make
holiday gift shopping way too difficult. Just think about the millions who
will get in their cars this morning and drive through horrendous traffic
jams to get to the mall. Where they'll circle and circle looking for a
parking space. And then they'll elbow their way through swarms of other
shoppers and stand in long lines at cash registers. Ugh.
You can avoid all of that by taking Uncle Jesse's holiday shopping
short course. It's this simple:
- Open a Word doc and make a list of everyone you need to buy
something for.
- Finish reading this column. Don't forget to go to Page 2. And be
sure to check out the links in the sidebar.
- Now simply pick an item from my list and put it opposite an
appropriate recipient on your Word doc.
- Once you're satisfied, come back here and click the appropriate
links for information on where you can buy the items online.
- Then just do it.
9 HOT BUYS FOR UNDER $99
Magellan GPS 300: You don't have to be directionally
challenged to want one of these trendy gizmos in your car. A Global
Positioning Device analyzes data sent to it from satellites to tell you
where you are and help you get where you want to go. The Magellan is
totally portable (fits in a purse or pocket), weighs just 7 ounces and is
extremely accurate. $99
Video Blaster WebCam 3: With Webcam quality and ease of use
improving, this package from Creative Labs makes a nice gift for someone
interested in seeing what the Webcam phenomenon is all about. WebCam 3
connects to your PC via a USB connection, has a 640 x 480
pixel true-color CMOS sensor, focusable lens and comes with an
impressive software bundle. $79 .
MouseRugs: With designer PCs the rage, it was only a matter of
time before designer mousepads emerged. There are a number of motifs
available, from a navy tartan MouseRug in the Pendleton Collection to a
maroon Bokhara MouseRug in the Classic Collection. $24.95
Intel Play QX3 Computer Microscope: This is what happens when
the toy king (Mattel) and the chip king (Intel) team up. An oh-so-cool USB
microscope which displays magnified images on a PC screen. $99
Mustek Plug-n-Scan 1200 ED: This consumer-oriented, letter-size
device promises quick and painless installation and a number of
easy-to-use features. Plus above-average output quality. $99
Wow Thing: Holiday tunes will come in loud and clear with this
bass and space-enhancing box from SRS Labs. Using psychoacoustic
algorithms, it makes cheap speakers and headphones sound better than they
deserve to. And it can be attached to any electronic music device in the
house. $29.95
DVD Anywhere: Port DVD movies from your PC to any
TV in your home with this system from X10. With its wireless remote, you
can control your PC's DVD player from the comfort of your living room
couch. $69.95
The Oregon Trail 4th Edition: Kids pick up a few history lessons
and have fun at the same time with the latest in the Learning Company's
Oregon Trail software series. Players organize their wagon parties for the
long journey west, decide how much food and supplies to take, then make
the trek by forging rivers, studying landscapes, reading maps. $39.95
iMac GrabPac: Here's one for iMac enthusiasts with a good set of
muscles. It's a backpack-like device that turns the iMac and its
peripherals into a mobile unit ready for travel. $60.
Now wasn't this a heck of a lot easier than finding a place to park at
the mall?
FRIDAY,
NOVEMBER 26, 1999