The Tennessean from Nashville, Tennessee • Page 28

Horoscopes 2D Entertainment 3D Comics 6D A bit of soap can make woodwork easier. Page 6D WEDNESDAY, MARCH 19, 1997 pchome EXERCISE Thane BarAey LIVING ft net i i I 1 Hit til mm si jr Can't judge software by its cover As a parent, I'm always looking for ways to teach science at home. And though the old baking soda and vinegar volcano is fun, I'd certainly welcome an easier, less messy and more educational approach. That's why I was particularly excited to see two new software titles with scientific roots. Obviously, you cant get much tidier than software, but the ease of use and educational value are always suspect I decided to run Bill Nye The Science Guy.

Stop the Rock! and Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Science 2.0 through their paces. Okay, you just read the two titles. Which one would you check out first? Naturally, I reached for Stop the the first, and currently only, CD-ROM from the PBS science show host Bill Nye. The title alone is appealing and the storyline intriguing, It A t--" BILL STEBEH STAFF Tight personal schedules and precision machines produce a crush of people In pursuit of fitness at the World Gym In Bellevue. Everybody's hopping on fitness machines (hut stay off mine!) albeit told in a too-lengthy onscreen introduction.

It seems our planet is in grave danger of being blown to smithereens by a huge meteor. Impending Dume. Earth had prepared for the disaster with a super-sharp computer interception system; unfortunately, the computer gets a bit uppity, starts to question its assignment and decides to test the worthiness of the human race with a series of riddles, all science-based. This, unfortunately, is about as good as it gets. Stop the Rock! is one of those increasingly familiar programs that throws in every possible hi-tech bell and whistle and winds up with information overload.

There's just too much going on here, a maze-like lab to explore, a fancy-schmancy communicator device much too tedious to operate, cornball jokes and attempts at character development obscure rhyming riddles, a countdown to disaster, and, deep beneath it all, the underpinnings of basic earth science. The concept of an all-family sci- ence adventure is a worthy one (reminiscent of one of my favorites, Operation Weather Disaster). But this one needs some fine-tuning and down-sizing. My own 9-yearold found the iiv-troduction neat "but too long," and" I'm afraid I cant report on his opinion of the riddles. When I returned to check on his progress, he'd switched to a 3-D pinball program.

Goes to show, dont judge software by its title: a point reiterated by the Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Science 2.0. Though the title wont grab most of us, the stuff inside is fascinating and well worth a look. You start off at the main console. Choose from Math, Physics, Chemistry or Life Sciences, browse the 40 video clips, manipulate 3-D molecules, learn about famous scientists, or study the world through a virtual microscope. There's only one game, Quiz Master, but lots of information clearly presented in an interesting way.

It's not perfect the loading of some screens is excruciatingly slow but this title deserves a place in the home library of any budding scientist Diane BarBey, a free-lance writer based in Nasrwle, can be reached via e-mal si dbartleyOaol.com, or in care of The 7er-nessean, 1100 Broadway, Nashvie, 37203. Pick your machine Following is a rundown of the top car-dfcrvascutar fitness machines from Mid-state fitness experts. Al provide cardiovascular benefits but some can benefit certain body parts more than others. Treadmills: The top selling piece of equipment and the easiest to (earn. You can walk or run, which wi benefit both upper and lower body.

Rowing machines: These have waned in popularity because they can be one of the more intense machines to operate: But the overal body workout is great because you're working both upper and lower body and abdominal muscles. People with knee problems find helps in the comeback. Stationary bikes: Used by more people than any other piece of equipment Works mainly hip region and tegs. The downfal, many users say, is I requires iliil ntr, Long ago, veiny runners galloped in herds. The leotarded bounced in mirrored aerobic rooms.

And remember games like racquetball? United, we sweat Today, the fit specimen hops on a machine tiieir machine in the club, frantically peddling on stationary bikes, jogging on treadmills, pumping stair climbers. Deafened by headphones, they ignore all but the machine and its programmed numerical displays speed, calories bumed, heart rate and time. The cardio machine has become the active crowd's contribution to an impersonal age. Level six for 30 minutes a day for five years and your buns are like rock, with nary a bother of nasty weather or forgetful tennis partners. Machinery can be that good.

Or is it that bad? Natalie Metke wont hop on another if her treadmill at the YMCA in Donelson is occupied at 8 30 a.m. It's a Precor 962 with a cushioned deck and a continuous duty motor or nothing. "It's got to be the Precor," says Metke, 31, of Hermitage. Turn to PAGE 4D, Column 1 more time for the same aerobic benefit But riding a bike is a familiar motion. Stalr-climblng machines: Their use took off around 1990 and it's stil the machine most waited for in clubs.

Legs and rear get a great workout Takes concerrtra-tion not to cheat and lean on the balance bars. Cross-country ski machines: Takes coordination but provides the top overal body workout working many muscles in arms and tegs, along with hips and abdominal muscles. Recumbent bikes: This is a stationary bike with a chair and the pedals elevated off the floor in front of the rider. Offers the same benefits as the standard models but is good for people not comfortable in a typical bike saddte. Mike Kilen ii 1 1 i nn fixing knowledge and friendliness, Welcome Wagon booms I mm JJ I For more info To schedule a Welcome Wagon visit available if youVe moved, gotten married or had a baby cal 883-9521.

than one family can use, but each trinket and flier is presented with a flourish and an explanation of the business. The purpose is to point newcomers to businesses that advertise through Welcome Wagon. But the one-on-one advertising can be valuable to a newcomer like Wilhelmi-na Cornish. Cornish and her husband Al moved to Brentwood in January. While Al started his new job as vice president of human resources at Central Parking Systems, Wilhelmi-na began the process of finding necessities: a dry cleaner, a doctor and the like.

1 SANDY SMITH njl Viriitr Helen Rial and Lucy Barnes low what they're pushing. They've visited the businesses, low the doctors, used the florists id shopped at the stores. More im-wlantly, both know the salvation lat a knock on the door can bring i a newcomer. As Welcome Wagon representa-ves, Rial and Barnes are on the ont lines of Middle Tennessee's opulation boom. The organization, ow in its 70th year, may seem like i outdated notion one woman elcoming a newcomer, bride or ew parent, offering neighborly tips "I had just begun the process myself before Lucy called," Cornish says.

"Her visit was very helpful. She was aware of most of the companies. That personal reference really meant a lot to me." Though what's in their baskets differ a plastic surgeon's card in Brentwood and a box of salt and bag of sugar from grocers in Dickson the routine is the same everywhere. Welcome Wagon representatives visit 1200 families in Davidson and nine other Middle Tennessee counties each month. Advertisers pay TUrn to PAGE 4D, Column 1 THE SPECS Eyewitness Encyclopedia of Sctenc 2.0 (DK Multimedia, 1 SCO-DKMM-575): CD-ROM for Windows or Macintosh.

Estimated street price: $40. Recommended ages: 10 and up (also tor sightly younger children who show special interest in science). Bill Nye The Science Guy: Stop the Rock! (Pacific Interactive, 1-800-688-1520): CD-ROM tor Windows or Macintosh. Estimated street price: $40. Rocommended ages: 10-16.

over coffee but Welcome Wagon isn't just about being neighborly. It's also a booming business. The ultimate mission is one-on-one advertising. Both Rial and Barnes pay calls with trinket filled baskets in tow. Those baskets may contain more nifty little Frisbees, sodas, key chains, calendars and pens DELORES DELVINSTAFF Newcomer Wllhelmlna Cornish, left, greets Welcome Wagon repre-sentatrva Lucy Barnes with a hug.

"'V i iiui i mwm v- j' TELEVISION Steve attempts to save his father's house from destruction while Brandon heads to Hong Kong and Kelly finds Joey, on Beverly Hills 90210, at 7 p.m. on WmChannel 17. NO KIDDING? Close calls what some household Kerns were nearly named: 1 General Motors almost named "International Motors" 2. Fig Newtons almost Tig Shrewsbury" 3. Hires Root Beer almost "Root Tea" 4.

Orville Redenbacher Popcorn almost "Red Bow" 5. Crisco almost "Crysf or "Krisoo" 6. The Queen Mary almost The Queen Victoria" Source: World Features Syndicate THINGS TO DO Engineers can be cool and smart And they usually make a lot of money. Now you can chat with them as part of an Internet site launched for this week's National Engineers Week http:www.eweek.org. Famed Inventor Ray Dolby, creator of Dolby stereo sound, will take messages as will engineers Involved in researching better building designs for earthquakes, space exploration and computer technology.

More engineers will participate In the site in coming months. BY THE NUMBERS Wbe guys estimated IQ's of 7 historical figures 1. Ben Franklin estimated IQ of 145 2. George Washington K3 of 130 3. Mozart IQ of 150 4.

Thomas Jefferson IQof 145 5. Leonardo da Vinci IQ of 135 6. Abe Lincoln IQof 125 7. Napoleon IQ of 140 Normal Intelligence quotients range from 85 to 115 Source: World Features Syndicate Liii I 000 1 3 SECTION EDITORS Joanne Mamenta-Bjordahl, Assistant Managing EditorFeatures, 259-8058. Patrick Connolly, Deputy Features Editor, 259-8040.

To list an event, call 259-8054. Fax: 259-8057. E-mail: Nvlngtennessean.com 1 Danny's wife Is booked on charges of prostitution, on EZ Streets, at 9 p.m. on WTVF-Channel 5. Complete TV listings on5D..