The Philadelphia Inquirer from Philadelphia, Pennsylvania • Page 59

Thursday, July 22, 1999 THE PHILADELPHIA INQUIRER F5 NewStuff Portable video games that keep the peace Handhelds are perfect for entertaining the young ones during long road trips. Peripherals add to the fun. 0 Time challenges, begone Most of us live with watches that may be quite a few seconds off. For the rest of us, there is the Sync-Time Atomic Watch. Every day at 1 a.m., it receives a radio signal from the U.S.

Atomic Clock, operated by the National Institute of Standards and Technology. Based on the rate of decav of Ii the element cesium, this is the same technology long used by NASA, railroads, and radio and TV stations, and is said to ensure accuracy to one ten-billionth of a second. The watch even automatically adjusts for daylight-saving time (though not time-zone changes). Living Technologies, a division of Chaney Instrument offers 16 models ranging in price from $99.95 to $249.95. Shown are the 5807 a men's dinital with ship to dodge enemy attacks, and blasting as many aliens as you can before they blast you.

More information: http:www.nintendo.com Handy Pak Color Pulse Pak Color Color Protector InterAct. Game Boy Color. $19.99, $9.99 and $5.99, respectively. As the popularity of Game Boy Color continues to explode, gamers have developed an enormous appetite for peripherals. Several companies have rushed into the void, including InterAct, most famous for its Game Shark line of "cheat code" devices.

Inter Act's trio of Perhaps your idea of a pleasant summer getaway involves catching rays at the beach, fishing in a mountain stream, or sipping cool drinks on an ocean-side deck. But wait it's reality-check time. Did you forget about your antsy kids, overstuffed car, and the nonstop episode of Family Feud that always seems to rage in the back seat on your drive to the vacation spot? Don't despair there is hope. Handheld games make excellent child-pleasers during long automobile trips. These days, Nintendo's Game Boy Color dominates the portable video game market, but competing companies are of alarm and stopwatch, and the 5802 a women's analog model.

1. fering handhelds of their own. With plenty of games available, you might never hear the question every parent dreads: "Are we there yet?" Information is available by calling 1-800-272-9960, Ext. 249, or from http:www.ashford.comintroductionSync-Time.stm But does it walk the dog? Are you the Nolan Ryan of the yo-yo set? The E-Yo by Tiger Electronics could actually tell you it shows the speed of your throws (your yos?) in both miles and kilometers Per hour. Not only that, the digital watch I I type display also times how long the yo-yo sleeps (spins in place); counts how many times Players can add a backlit magnifying screen, a rumble pack, or a cable to link two Game Boys together for competitive play.

Pokemon Pinball TTiiif (iiiiin TSMin't iHKyun Game Boy Color add-ons includes the Handy Pak, a clever, if bulky, enhancement that solves several problems at once, including my pet peeve, the Game Boy's minuscule 2.3-inch screen. Once clamped over the unit, the Handy Pak unfolds, revealing a pair of small speakers, a backlit magnifying screen, and enlarged control buttons. If you can live with "the increased size, you'll love (O OOOi Xy. you've thrown it in a particular session, and Nintendo. Game Boy Color.

$34.95. Rating: (everyone) Sure, Nintendo is blatantly riding the Pokemon wave with this one, but Dennis McCauley tech.lifeplay measures now lar me c-io wuuiu iravsi it were a wheel. Suggested retail price: $20. Information: 1- tt- 847-913-8100 or http:www.tigertoys.com A USB hub for a laptop The Targus USB Mobile Mini Hub is about the size of a small harmonica and weighs just 2.5 ounces, but there's nothing tiny about its value to a power laptop user. Plugged into a USB port, the hub hmTrufijiijjjjjjjjjJiiJiiTLfrira li '1 allows easy connection of four USB devices, such as keyboards, mice or disk drives.

And if all those devices draw off too much power? No problem. The Targus includes an AC adapter for extra juice. re hi, By the way, there is no need to reboot when you hook up something new USB accessories are truly Plug and Play. Suggested retail price: $69.99. Information: 1-800-998-8020 or http:www.targus.com Super Mario Bros.

Deluxe is a remake of the 1985 adventures. Nintendo has updated the play modes and added new levels to the latest release. SOURCE: Dallas Morning News who can blame it? Poke- mon Pinball will appeal to followers of the series as well as pinball fans. In the game, kids play on either red or blue tables. The table colors correspond to the red and blue versions of the original Pokemon game.

Solid play adds characters to the Pokedex, a player's catalog of the little monsters. As in the original games, Pokemon can be captured and evolved into more advanced forms. Pikachu, the series' most recognizable character, is on hand with a special move to extend play. Pokemon Pinball even breaks some technical ground, adding a built-in rumble pack to the game cartridge, which vibrates and thumps at appropriate points during More information: nintendo.com Super Mario Bros. Deluxe Nintendo.

Game Boy Color. $29.95. Rating: (everyone) A remake of a Nintendo classic, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe scores big on the Game Boy's small screen. This time around Mario and Luigi relive their 1985 adventures, adding some new play modes and never-before-seen levels.

The story behind the game follows Mario's attempt to save Princess Toadstool from the nasty Koo-pas. But as any kid knows, it's really just about having quick fingers, and getting Mario to collect as many coins as he can. Along the way, Mario can power up to throw fire balls, or even become invincible. Graphically, Super Mario Bros. Deluxe looks great.

Both new and old fans of the Mario series will enjoy the two-player and challenge modes available in the latest release. More information: http:www.nintendo.com this product. On the other hand, the Pulse Pak Color, a rumble pack that slips onto the lower portion of the Game Boy Color, is way too big and adds way too little. More than three inches long, the device completely changes the feel of the Game Boy. Worse, with Nintendo starting to build rumble features directly into game cartridges, the Pulse Pak seems obsolete already.

The Color Protector is an excellent product that will serve traveling Game Boy Color players well. Made of a rubberized plastic, the Color Protector slips completely over the edges of the Game Boy, protecting the unit from damaging falls. An attached nylon strap lets kids sling their Game Boys over their shoulders or around their necks between games. More information: http:www.interact-acc. com Survival Kit Pelican Accessories.

Game Boy Color. $29.99. Pelican's Survival Kit is an all-in-one bundle that will delight the heart of Game Boy Color owners. Any parent who has dug deep down in his or her pocket for replacement AA batteries will appreciate the rechargeable power attachment that doubles as a handy grip. The kit includes a backlit magnifying screen, nylon carrying case, a linking cable that connects two Game Boys for competitive play, and an AC adapter.

More information: http:www.electrosourceinc.com Game.com.pocket.pro Tiger Electronics. $29.99 Taking on Nintendo's Game Boy Color juggernaut is an enormous The Philadelphia Inquiret tles include Duke Nukem 3D, Mortal Kombat Trilogy, and Resident Evil 2 all quite violent. Games planned for release later this year include Metal Gear Solid, Command Conquer: Red Alert, WCW Wrestling, NASCAR Racing and Deer Hunter. Not a chipmunk among them. This all sounds very appealing as a gaming alternative for teens and adult gamers.

Unfortunately, the game play just doesn't measure up. One huge problem is the pocket, pro's black-and-white screen. Call me shallow, but I'm spoiled by color. I don't watch black-and-white TV, and I don't want to game in shades of gray, either. Worse, the controls, especially the are not responsive, resulting in frustrating play.

The bottom line? Even at $29.99, the pocket.pro is no bargain. More information: game.com challenge for any company entering the handheld market. However, with its Game.com.pocket.pro system, Tiger Electronics is making a serious run at the title. In fact, the upstart seems bent on scoring points by targeting an older audience, while the Game Boy line has gotten fat by appealing to the preteen set. Potential buyers will immediately be wowed by the pocket.pro's $29.99 list price, which is $50 less than the cost of a Game Boy Color.

In addition, the pocket.pro offers features more akin to a Palm Pilot than a gaming device. These include the use of a stylus for input, as well as a built-in calculator, calendar and phone book. Toss in a screen that's noticeably larger than the Game Boy's, and Tiger might be onto something. Especially eye-catching is the pocket.pro's lineup of games, many not intended for younger players. Ti Conker's Pocket Tales Nintendo.

Game Boy Color. $29.95. Rating: (everyone) If you have to ask what Conker's Pocket Tales is all about, you're too old to play it. Featuring a chipmunk in the title role, CPT is one of those silly little titles that only a preteen could love. It seems that the Evil Acorn has kidnapped chip-napped? Conker's best bud, Berri.

Technology in Brief Net system designed to speed student loans here SLM Holding better known as "Sallie Mae," has launched Laureate, an Internet-based student loan management system designed to simplify and speed the processing of student loan applications. The company says financial-aid administrators at schools using the system will be able to reduce the time it takes to process an application from about three weeks to one day. Sallie Mae combined in-house resources with those of Sapient, an e-commerce company, and Netscape to build the Laureate infrastructure. Founded 26 years ago, Sallie Mae is the nation's largest private provider of student loans. It provides funds by purchasing loans, primarily federally guaranteed student loans originated under the Federal Education Loan Program from banks and other lenders.

Hospital donates recycled computers to youth group Thomas Jefferson University Hospital last week donated four recycled computers and a laser printer to the Ludlow Youth Community Center in North Philadelphia that will be used by children, teens and staff from that I center and the nearby Cruz Recreation Center. The donation is part of a hospital program that recycles older machines to community organizations when the hospital upgrades its equipment. Cecil B. Moore Recreation Center, North Philadelphia; Greater St. Matthew Church, South Philadel-', phia; and the Bible Way Baptist Church's Latch Key Program, North Philadelphia, have received machines from Jefferson.

Youth clubs get $968,880 Penn Foundation grant The Boys and Girls Clubs of Metropolitan Philadelphia Inc. has been awarded a grant from the William Penn Foundation totaling $968,880 over three years to expand technology at its sites. Officials of the Boys and Girls Clubs said a key component of the grant would enable the organization to finance a 21st-century computer system and link the seven clubs in neighborhood sites with the administrative offices in Center City. While the technology will help streamline administrative operations, officials said it would also provide access to upgraded technology for youngsters who don't have computers at home. "The technology infrastructure that we establish as a result of this grant will create a platform for us to put state-of-the-art learning in each of our seven clubs," said Jeffrey Waldron, executive director.

"This will be be the most significant change for our education and career development programs, the cornerstone of Boys and Girls Clubs' work today." The organization operates clubs in Germantown, East Falls, Frankford, Bridesburg and West Kensington, and at two sites in Nicetown. Dell sets up site to auction computer gear Dell Computer Corp. introduced an Internet site to auction a variety of used computers, accessories and software. The site at http:www.dellauctions.com lists refurbished and leased PCs being sold by Dell, as well as new and used computers, modems, monitors and software being offered by individual users. Online good manners have their advocates Emily Post would not be LOL (online shorthand for "laughing out High-tech tools such as video conferencing, voice messaging, cellular phones and electronic mail invented decades after the death of the doyenne of etiquette are making some business communications downright "Fermi we are losint? control over a deluge of informa up to 12x Lol3r than 56k 0 $49.95 per month Even worse, Evil Acorn pilfered Conker's birthday presents as well.

Can you see where this is heading? If you guessed that Conker must save Berri and recover the presents, you may have a bright future as a video-game designer. Despite a lot of surface kid appeal, Conker's Pocket Tales doesn't quite measure up to games like Super Mario Bros. Deluxe for game play. Oh, it's fun. Conker has some cool moves, like tunneling through the dirt and firing a slingshot.

But around my house, where Game Boy titles receive heavy kid-testing, Conker collected more dust than acorns. More information: http:www.nintendo.com R-Type DX Nintendo. Game Boy Color. $29.95. Rating: (everyone) What's this? A Game Boy title with some adult appeal? Well, yes, actually.

Reminiscent of the classic video game Defender, R-Type DX is a side-scrolling action game. Players are in control of a small spacecraft known as an R-type. There's the typical save-the-world-from-the-alien-menace plot, but R-Type essentially boils down to juking your InfospeedosL Introducing Delivering pure Internet power, Intospeed DSL is now available with Bell Atlantic.net as your Internet Service Provider for as little as $49.95 per month. With Infospeed DSL, you'll get: Ultra fast Internet access delivered through your existing home phone line. An Internet connection that's alwavs waitino for vou.

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Call toll free 1 -877-305-8330 and press 103 or visit BelLWantic. comjnhspeed. Infospeed DSL is now available to qualified households in ATnbler, Bala Cynwyd, Bryn Mawr, Chestnut Hill, Coatesville, Collegeville, Downington, Germantown, Jenkintown, Phoenixville, Royersford and Souderton. Dennis McCauley's e-mail address: dennis.mccauleyphillynews.com tion, it is wreaking havoc in the corporate world," said Jaqueline Whit-more, founder of the Protocol School of Palm Beach and former etiquette instructor at The Breakers, a five-star resort in Palm Beach, Fla. As corporate America tries to regain its professional decorum, the etiquette industry is seeing an upswing in business.

A teacher of etiquette for 40 years, Dorothea Johnson of the Protocol School of Washington said she had recently seen a surge in interest from the business community, which she attributed to the emergence of new ways to communicate. "Any time there is a form of communication, you're going to get people who are going to abuse it, either by simply not knowing or not caring," she said. The fundamental rules of techno-etiquette are based on the same principles Post used when she first spelled out good manners: common sense and courtesy. When conducting a video conference, "act as if you're in the same room," Whitmore said. "Keep body movements to a minimum." If the meeting is over a speaker phone, be certain everyone has been introduced.

And ask permission before placing someone on the speaker, she said. Perhaps the greatest need for refinement is in the realm of electronic mail. Phrases made popular in Internet chat rooms, such as "laughing out loud," or TTYL, "talk to you later," have no place in business correspondence, Whitmore said. And NEVER WRITE AN E-MAIL MESSAGE IN ALL CAPITAL LETTERS. "It is the equivalent of shouting," she said.

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