Asbury Park Press from Asbury Park, New Jersey • Page 43

TUESDAY, MAY 13, 2003 ASBURY PARK PRESS PAGE D7 FUN LEARNING NEW PRODUCTS DEBORAH PORTERFIELD Inexpensive GPS device plugs into laptops, PDAs Demo Electronics makes kits that turn laptops and personal digital assistants (PDAs) into satellite-based navigation systems that can create driving routes, issue step-by-step directions and locate nearby banks, hotels and restaurants. Prices vary according to the connectioa A Deluo GPS kit, which includes a Global Positioning Satellite (GPS) receiver, a serial connection and Rand McNally Street Find awi till wl er Software, costs $89.95. A similar package, which works with a Universal Serial Bus (USB) port, costs $99.95. The company also makes a Universal Kit with a serial connection for $99.95. An optional USB or PDA adapter is $10.

www.deluo.com USB 2.0 flash media reader handles 8 formats Belkin's latest media device doesn't play favorites. The Hi- Speed USB 2.0 8-in-l-Media Reader Writer works with CompactFlash I and Smart Media, SecureDigital, MultiMediaCard, Microdrive, Memory Stick and Mem- oryGate Memory Stick media. When plugged into a USB port on a computer, it can transfer images, data and music to and from any of 1 model also includes software to organize and create photo, video and music discs. Availability: Early June. Cost: $40.

www.belkin.com DVD recorder burns discs in 4 formats Sony's new DVD recorder, the RDR-GX7, works with DVD-Recordable (DVD-R) and DVD-Rewritable (DVD-RW) discs as well as DVDR and DVDRW ones. Sony says the device enhances the quality of DVD recordings, a feature that's es-pecially helpful when deadly virus in X2 a video game based on transferring content from VHS and 8 mm camcorders. The marc saitzman Wolverine must find the antidote to a the comic book and movie franchise. Comic book covers are also littered throughout the game, and players can use them to give Wolverine a quick wardrobe change. The featured costumes are derived from the comic books and feature films.

Along with his retractable claws, Wolverine's other well-known attributes an unbreakable adamantium-laced skeleton, accelerated healing, a "feral rage" boost and an animal-like sixth sense to "smell" danger come into play during the game. And fans of the comic book series will find a few familiar foes such as archenemies Sabretooth, Magneto, Wendigo and Juggernaut. Big-name voice talent Voiced by actor Patrick Stewart Trek: The Next Generation," Professor Charles vc L.vC.miti-,.,,,, m4mz 1 nj sac recorder includes a front-panel i.LINK connection (Sony's name for FireWire), a one-touch dubbing feature that lets users record the entire contents of a DVD or Digital 8 tape, and the ability to edit scenes from the source tape or DVD. Availability: June. Cost: $800.

www.sony.com Laser printer delivers color prints, economy KID PICKS JINNY GUDMUNDSEN Scttwcro cflc? Purchasing a software bundle -is an economic way to stock up on fun, educational computer ac- tivities for the summer. A bundle is a collection of two or more software titles sold together, usu-: ally for the price of just one title. Bundles usually include older ti- 1 ties that are no longer available. However, the fact that a title is older doesn't mean it isnt good, i Here's a look at two. JumpStart 1st-3rd Grade Learning Playground This bundle contains three ti-1 ties that are no longer available separately: JumpStart Math, JumpStart Reading for Second Graders and JumpStart Explorers.

With JumpStart Reading for Second Graders, kids par- ticipate in a tun mystery while drilling vocabulary skills, spelling and parts of speech. In JumpStart Explorers, young- sters travel back in time to visit five historic cultures. Jump- Start Math delivers skill-build- ing math games in a medieval setting. From Knowledge Adventure, (800) 545-7677 for $20, WindowsMacintosh. Adventure Workshop: 4th-6th Grade The Learning Co.

periodically releases bundles under the same title, Adventure Workshop: 4th-6th Grade. Look for the one that contains Carmen Sandiego '-Word Detective, The Cluefinders Reading Adventures andSuper Solvers Gizmos Gadgets. These three excellent titles have been reconfigured to run on Win- dows XP. The Gizmos Gadgets title offers arcade-style games combined with hands-on science experiments. Both the Carmen Sandiego and the Cluefinders ti-' ties place reading games in the middle of mysteries.

From The Learning Company, (800) 223-6925, for $20, Windows Macintosh. Gudmundsen Is editor of Choosing Chtt-drenfc Software magazine (www.Chow-ingClillitrerts Softwtre.coni and publishes a free newsletter at www.ComputingWrth- Kids.com. mJi Hewlett-Packard Color LaserJet 1500L features 16 megabytes of RAM, a 150-megahertz processor, a top resolution of 600 dots per inch and a 125-sheet tray It can print up to four pages per minute in color and 16 pages per minute in black. The printer ships with four toner cartridges (cyan, magenta, yellow and these media. The F5U248 I i'i i 1 Sri installed by adrninistrators).

Consider making him a power user. He still will be unable to access private files. Or, when you want him to do work requiring an administrator, plan to be there, log in and let him work with your sign-on. Computer questions can be sent to Gary Deckelnick on thelnternetatghdjpp.com or by writing to him at the Asbury Park Press, 3601 Highway 66, Box 1550, Neptune, NJ 07754-1551. black).

HP says the black cartridge can print about 5,000 pages and the color cartridges about 4,000. HP's estimates for cartridge life are based on pages with 20 percent toner coverage. Cost $800. www.hp.com Compiled by Deborah Potterfield. E-mail new product suggestions to DebpCyburtjan.com.

REVIEW X2 Wolverine's Revenge Platform: PlayStation 2, Xbox, GameCube, PC Genre: ActionAdventure Developer GenePool Software Publisher Activision Price: $49.99 Rated: for teen Web site: www.activisioii.com Score: (out of 5) Xavier provides the player with hints and clues through a telepathic link to Wolverine, who is voiced by Mark Hamill The game isn't perfect. Controlling Wolverine during combat can prove difficult, especially when there are multiple enemies onscreen simultaneously. Also, some camera angles are finicky, obstructing a clear view just when you need it most. What's more, the visuals in Wolverine's Revenge don't take advantage of the "next-generation" hardware the title runs on. If you can get past the well-timed movie franchise tie-in and some minor assorted issues, X2 Wolverine's Revenge should appeal to actionadventure game enthusiasts, comic book readers and fans of the movie.

He slices! He dices! He's Wolverine! Launching simultaneously with much-hyped "X2" feature film, X2 Wolverine's Revenge follows the adventures of mutant X-Men in an original story developed by Marvel Comics writer and editor Larry Hama. It's also the first video game that allows players to climb into the retractable claws of Wolverine. While not as much fun as the "Spider-Man" video games (another joint effort between Marvel and video game publisher Activi-sion), Wolverine's Revenge is more than a shameless movie tie-in. In this single-player title, Wolverine discovers that the nefarious organization that endowed him with his unique mutations has triggered a deadly virus in his body. Wolverine has only 48 hours to secure the antidote before he succumbs.

Clawing his way in Using Wolverine's razor-sharp claws to hack and slash through enemies consumes much of the game play, but strategy and stealth are also required to infiltrate high-security locations. The title is divided into six "acts," each of which includes three or four levels of game play. Visually, the game is played from a cinematic "over the shoulder" third-person perspective. I Wolverine travels to different parts of the world to fight enemies, solve puzzles and collect key power-ups and other items. As a fun addition to the game play, players can collect dog tags spread across the globe that can be used to boost the intensity of combat.

The tags, which come in bronze, silver and gold, can be used to unlock special concept and production artwork that is displayed in photo and movie galleries once the main game has been completed. SATURDAY, MAY 31 CLASS: 11 a.m.; "Internet Ocean County Library, Brick branch. Please register. SATURDAYS LAB USE: 7 a.m. to 1 p.m.; "Open Computer Bel-mar Elementary School.

Open to Belmar and South Belmar residents only There will be a facilitator to answer questions or assist those in attendance. E-mail for more information. LAB USE: 6 to 8 p.m. weekdays and 10 a.m. to noon Saturdays; "Open Computer Free.

Bolger Middla School. Open to Keansburg residents only A facilitator is there to answer questions, assist those in attendance and provide personalized instruction. Questions? E-mail ddzurenkokeansburg.kl2.n jus. wants to know about your technology-related happenings. Please send information about the event, the date, time and other pertinent facts, three weeks in advance, to James Kwasnik, Asbury Park Press, 3601 Highway, Neptune, N.J.

07754-1551; fax (732) 643-4015 or e-mail techapp.com. RX from page D8 A. He can, but you have to let him. You didn't. We talked by phone and you had made yourself the administrator of the system.

Your son was a "guest" user. Guest is one of two user classes in XP; the other is power. A power user can install most software (but some software can only be TOMORROW, MAY 14 CLASS: 2 p.m,; "Intermediate Ocean County Library, Point Pleasant branch. Please register. THURSDAY, MAY 15 CLASS: 11 a.m.; "E-mail Ocean County Library, Brick branch.

Please register. CLASS: 2 p.m.; "Internet Ocean County Library, Point Pleasant branch. Please register. CLASS: 6:30 p.m.; Ocean County Library, Stafford branch. Please register.

FRIDAY, MAY 16 CLASS: 10 a.m.; "Internet: Beyond the Ocean County Library, Point Pleasant Beach branch. Please register. MEETING: The general meeting of the Brookdale Computer Users Group will be held at 7 p.m. in Room NAS-100, Brookdale Community College, Middletown. Call (732) 229-2959 for more information.

SATURDAY, MAY 17 CLASS: 10 a.m.; "Learning Computer Monmouth County Library, Wall branch. Please register at (732)449-8877. MONDAY, MAY 19 CLASS: 9:15 a.m.; "Internet Ocean County Li- 9 wvrw.centralierseYPoels.cem CENTRAL JERSEY POOLS 4235 Route 9 North, Freehold 732-462-5005 email: infecenlralierseypeels.com Pools, spas, gazebos, furniture, saunas, pool game tables, video games ASCil WEB HOSTING PO Box 51 1 2, Toms River, NJ 08754 732-286-4415 or 732-286-4585 FAX: 1-732-286-4538 email: salesaschwebhosting.com We offer network connectivity T1T3 Dedicated co-located servers, All on a fiber-optic network www.classicceramictlle.com CLASSIC CERAMIC TILE 272Hwy. 18 North East Brunswick, (732) 390-7700 Hwy 35 Cass Keyport (732) 739-4660 email: classictilemsn.com www.netcetra.coni NETCETRA, LLC 503 Brick Boulevard Brick, NJ 732-262-7888 email: salesnetcetra.com Web Design Hosting Internet Marketing Video Streaming Member of the Better Business Bureau TECH CALENDAR brary, Barnegat branch. Please register.

TUESDAY, MAY 20 CLASS: 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.; "Mouse Ocean County Library, Brick branch. Please register. WEDNESDAY, MAY 21 CLASS: 1:30 p.m.; "Travel Planning on the Ocean County Library, Stafford branch. Please register.

CLASS: 6 p.m.; "Internet Ocean County Library, Brick branch. Please register. THURSDAY, MAY 22 CLASS: 11 a.m. or 2 p.m.; "Internet Ocean County Library, Brick branch. Please register.

FRIDAY, MAY 23 CLASS: 10:15 a.m.; "Shopping on the Ocean County Library, Stafford branch. Please register. WEDNESDAY, MAY 28 CLASS: 9:15 a.m.; "Internet Ocean County Library, Barnegat branch. Please register. THURSDAY, MAY 29 CLASS: 1:30 p.m.; "Mouse Ocean County Library, Stafford branch.

Please register. CLASS: 2 to 4 p.m.; "Internet Beyond the Monmouth County Library, Man-alapan. Please register at (732)431-7220. 9 www.seascapeiewelry.com SEASCAPE NAUTICAL JEWELRY 649C Mantoloking Rd. Brick, NJ FAX: 732-920-9601 email: salesseascapejewelry.com 14K Gold Designer Originals Save with 'A Off Prices www.TheGaineRooinStore.net Pool Tables, Bars, Games, Etc.

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