- Does technology improve the life
of your family?
- Today's families are faced with an
onslaught of interactive media products. Do they improve
life? They do if they are providing rich learning
experiences and opportunities for meaningful
socialization. For this year's Family Holiday Buyer's
Guide, we point out the hardware, toys and software that
are worthy of your children's precious attention. That's
our commitment to you, our loyal subscriber.
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- I have some good news and some bad
news.
- Here's the good news. This year's
$900 can purchase last year's $1800 computer. Hard drives
can handle digital video, clear flat screen monitors have
come down in price, new digital photography and video
options are friendly enough even for children to use, and
it's easier than ever to get a fast, reliable, and even
wireless Internet connection. For many families, 2003
will be the big year of upgrades with better, faster,
cheaper hardware.
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- The bad news is that your brand new
Windows XP-based computer may not run your favorite old
programs. According to our tests (page 26) you'll have to
toss out about 30% of your golden oldies, or dicker and
deal with the publishers to get replacement software.
Microsoft strikes again. Lets get back to the good
news... like THQ's Spirit: Stallion of the Cimarron,
which DOES run nicely on Windows XP, by the way, as well
as on older computers. This is one of 25 All Star Award
winners that are new to our review database. All in all,
a pretty impressive batch of software.
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- On behalf of all of us at CSR, I'd
like to wish you a warm and happy holiday season. Don't
forget the batteries, and keep sending in your stories
and questions.
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- Ann, Ellen and Warren
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- P.S. Don't miss our annual holiday
roundup in PARADE magazine in your local newspaper on
December 1.
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