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HomeMy WebLinkAboutThe Goderich Signal-Star, 1987-12-02, Page 28Consumer electronic products ideal All families have some members with so 'much get up and go that it's difficult to pin them down, even for a holiday celebration. It may be the busy executive, the active working student or the health and fitness enthusiast. For these movers, a gift of con- sumer electronics can be an ideal way to help them fit everything into their busy schedules. "Today's consumer electronics products are smaller, lighter, easily tucked into a pocket and carried along. Also, for many people, certain items such as calculators and personal stereos — are in- valuable," says Thomas P. Friel, group vice president of the Electronic Industries Association (EIA). Joggers, or other athletes who spend a goad deal of time in long, sometimes tedious, solitary training, will appreciate a personal stereo, with a favorite prerecord- ed cassette. There are models that have been design- ed to be rugged enough to work even dur- ing the most vigorous workout. Many come in specially -designed cases that clip onto a belt or fit onto an arm- band, so that the stereo can be carried along easily. In fact, some systems have even been built into headbands. How about a prerecorded videotape, with exercise and training tips from a favorite world-class athlete? There are tapes with advice on improving every kind of game, from football to aerobics. For serious athletes, there are software systems that help to gauge progress by measuring and comparing such factors as strength, speed and endurance. Busy executives, with hefty travel schedules, will appreciate gifts that help keep them ahead of the competition. These include personal television, for the o 001 Vrs . , Inco DON'T FORGET! ) . Christmas is Coming Give someone special a Robin Hood Tours Gift Certificate '. Just a few examples of the many tours available: • Carlton Showband Saturday, January 16 '• to FLORIDA February 23 to March 10 & Many, Many More! • 1• Robin Hood Tours Inc. Agent No. 2551773 • 524-4540 • Goderich, Ontario executive who needs to keep up with cur- rent news programs of the day, and cassette recorders, for getting all the details of important business meetings. Executives will also appreciate travel alarm clocks, a watch with an alarm or a pocket calculator. Another great idea for the executive on the run is a home copier, that will allow him to copy important. documents without going to the office. There are even briefcase models, about the size of an electric razor, that will allow the executive to copy improtant documents in an airplane or boardroom, or even in a taxicab. A recently introduced product — the per- sonal fax machine — has a number of features to make it easier for an executive on the run. Some combine such features as a telephone, answering machine, fax and copier in a single unit. Students will also appreciate gifts that help streamline their day-to-day activities. Personal computers, word processors and "smart" typewriters are essentials for to- day's student. Pocket translators, spellers and dic- tionaries are excellent gifts, as are cassette recorders, calculators and copiers. And, to make sure that school's not all work and no play, a set of stereo headsets and a recording by a favorite artist would also be well -appreciated. Finally, a really good way to keep in touch with your hard -to -catch friend is through a gift that makes sure that your message gets across. For people who are really difficult to catch, what could be a better gift than a telephone or answering machine? Telephones are also an excellent gift for people on the go. Today, with speaker- phones and cordless models, phones can be used to communicate with, many people at one time and in various rooms of the house. Cordless phones even allow conver- Page 7 ifts sations to continue outside the home. That way, no matter where your active friend or relative may be, you'll be able to convey your best wishes through the holidays and the coming year. s ibVZ:: ,V..I*3Yzia; ',1=Sr35"39 3t5.`,Sk33c *i,'' , Z3L:: 1*;71t,.W. Video -games are expected to be among best-selling items Video games are expected to be among this holiday season's best-selling items. But, while video games are played on botk dedicated game machines and personal computers, many parents may be unaware of the important differences between them. Fortunately, comparison shopping for game machines and personal computers is easy. Both are sold in toy, consumer elec- tronics, department and general merchan- dise stores. Here are some tips that parents should keep in mind to prevent confusion: •Game machines play only games. Home computers run not only games but also educational software, as well as word processing, database and spreadsheet programs .Game machines play 100 different games on average. The most popular home computer, The Commodore 64, plays near- ly 700. •Game machines use cartridges. Com- puters use disks. Virtually all educational programs are available only on disks. •Game machines are closed systems. Computers can easily be expanded by ad- ding printers, monitors, modemsand other peripherals which greatly expand their capabilities. According to Commodore Business Machines, the popularity of personal com- puters in the home is expected to increase steadily, as hardware and software con- tinue to be developed specifically for children. One such program already enables those as young as five to operate a personal computer. As the holidays approach, parents should also look for special deals from brand- name computer makers, including coupons for free game programs. CONSIDERING A VIDEO CAMERA? meet the Kyocera KD -1100! •High Resolution 8 mm Video Auto Focus *Auto White Balance 'Zoom Lens with Macro •Built-in Microphone •Low Light Capability •Rests in the Palm of Your Hand - Only 3 Lbs. 'Direct Playback Electronic Viewfinder •Playback to T.V. or V.C.R. •Factory Fresh Regular Price 1 -69900 - NOW ONLY ... 1299 * Limited Quantities * 0