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Annual Geek Shopping List

By Mike Kaltschnee

 

Here we find ourselves once again in the season of turkeys, insanity at the mall, lines at the post office, and hopefully some mistletoe. I try and publish this list every year as a courtesy to your significant other, parents, and dear friends who have no clue what language you’re speaking when you talk about computers. Like most people, they only want to get you gifts that you want and will use (just how many tie racks can one guy own?). So, fill out the blanks with your wishes and wants.

VisionTek Xtasy 6964.Last year I sent you to the geekiest (is that a word?) online store - Think Geek.com. You’ll find everything from Atomic Time Carbon Fiber watches to VisionTek GeForce3 - 64mb AGP video cards. Low-cost gifts include clothing (t-shirts that only a geek would understand), a wide variety of heavily caffeinated beverages and mints, and electronics including MP3 players and a 42" Sony plasma display (yes, they really want $7,999 for it). Of course, you need to have _____________ and ______________ from ThinkGeek.com.

Games. Last year I pushed Age of Empires, Diablo II, Links 2001 and RealMyst. Having played most of these to death, I’ve look at the lastest games and find it hard to recommend any new games (if you know of any good ones my e-mail address is at the bottom of this article). Luckily, this season we will see two new game systems. The first is from Nintendo - the game cube, and the second is the "Xbox" from Microsoft. I know very little about game systems (my last system was an Atari 2600), but I have played a few Sony Playstation games lately. Having seen demos of these new systems, I would consider buying the Xbox for one game - Halo. Wait a little while before getting the Xbox, though. I’ve seen a screen capture of a "Green Screen of Death." Wait for version 2.0. You want the ____________ game system with the following games: _______________, _____________, ______________.

Microsoft Xbox.A year ago I told you how "cheap" flat-screen displays were ($600) and I will tell you this again - they are as little as $300. You’ll probably spend $450-500 if you’re serious, but you’ll get a display that cost $900 last year. A great place to start is TigerDirect.com - they have a wide variety of flat-screen displays for you to select from. Of course, you’ll want the ____ 15" or ____ 17" one made by ________________.

While you’re perusing the displays at TigerDirect.com, be sure to get the computer DVD player or video card upgrade for that special person on your list. They have everything from low-cost computers (from $329), parts and upgrades, and even some very cool electronics. Some of the things you need from TigerDirect.com include: ________________, and ________________.

If you’re finally getting DSL or a cable modem, you’ll need a Linksys router to protect you from evil people lurking on the Internet. If you have a notebook, be sure to get the Wireless Linksys router instead, plus a wireless 802.11 network card. You’ll save a few hours running cable through your house and be able to surf from the backyard. So, you need the __________________________.

When all else fails, gift certificates work. Most online stores have them, and they take the guesswork out of geek gifts (was that an 802.11a or 802.11b router with integrated switch?). Circle the store you would like to get a gift certificate for: Amazon.com, Buy.com, PC Connection.com, BN.com, ThinkGeek.com, CircuitCity.com, Staples.com, SharperImage.com or _______________________.

All you have to do now is leave this out where the intended target will find it. It helps if you circle things using a red marker and write "My Top Secret Holiday Wish List" across the top. But don’t be too obvious about it.

Happy Holidays.


Mike is a DACS member who needs someone to give this list to his wife. You can contact him by e-mail at: mikek@demorgan.com.

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