My granddaughter Mya is 20 months old!
Dianne Thomson and John Hockemeier
You’ve probably seen it everywhere, advertising for new, high tech gadgets splashed across TV screens, magazines, mailers and catalogs. The gifting season has begun. If you’d like to give or receive one or more of these modern wonders, where do you begin to learn about them and choose the best? How do you decipher all the hype? You could ask your grandkids but that would spoil the fun.
At the Quail Creek Computer Club’s October meeting, Dianne Thomson, the club’s program chairperson, gave a presentation geared to those who are somewhat lost about some of the new technology appearing for the upcoming gifting season. Dianne briefly covered and displayed just about every type of device out there except for desktop computers which are not being pushed very hard by manufacturers and retailers.
SmartPhones, tablets, laptops, hybrid tablets/laptops and peripherals for these devices were briefly covered. There are so many toys available that it would be nearly impossible to provide in depth descriptions and analysis in the one hour presentation. The first thing one should do is decide what you, or the recipient of your largesse, want the devices to do. Let’s face it, they are all computers but can do so much more than your dad’s computer.
The SmartPhone may be the most versatile device available. The competition is great and the prices vary greatly. Even the very basic SmartPhone can do most of the tasks other devices were designed for just a short time ago; digital photography, GPS navigation, data searches, writing emails, listening to music and even making telephone calls! About the only downside of the SmartPhone is the size of the screen. But something had to give in order to make the device truly portable and convenient.
So where can you begin your intelligent, unbiased and thorough evaluation of these magical devices? Magazines and newspapers often give reviews and ratings of the latest technology. But for a comprehensive and in depth search, turn to your current computer or borrowed one, or become a Computer Club member and use one of ours.
Once online you can search any one or more of the following sites: CNET.com, Amazon.com, YouTube.com, Engadget.com, PCMag.com or Mobile-technology.toptenreviews.com.
Or open the floodgates and search for something like: www.laptopreviews.com and enter the type of device you’re interested in instead of laptop. Be prepared when you hit the tech stores this year.
Check the calendar at our website: www.quailcreekcomputerclub.org to see an up to date schedule of classes, programs and help clinics. Classes are being offered for iPads, Windows 8, and 8.1 and Macs, with plans for Android systems in the near future. Our monthly programs are free of charge but attendance in classes and help clinics requires membership at $20.00 for one person and $30.00 for two for the 2014 calendar year.