The Atlanta Constitution from Atlanta, Georgia • 71

F4tSunday, Nov.26, 1995 PERSONAL TECHNOLOGY The Atlanta Journal The Atlanta Constitution HOT TECH GIFTS neeze fori out of a computer with playful programs iflttlMlu b-H-H-'iti i A I 7 Educators list favorite CD-ROMs SAN FRANCISCO CHRONICLE Here are some CD-ROMs recommended by educators. Highest marks went to programs that encourage critical thinking by offering creative, easy-to-use tools, engaging graphics, humor and good value: Digital Chisel: Allows students to create their own interactive storybooks, yearbooks, reports and essays with a few mouse clicks. Learning to use the kit requires patiently wading through a 202-page reference manual ugh! that accompanies the program. But once the spade work is done, users can import graphics, movies, sound and text to build their own multimedia projects without any programming. For ages 7 to $159.

By Pierian Spring Software. For Macintosh 7.0 or later. PC version rain forests and across savannahs. The box says ages 10 trj 16, but older armchair travel; ers may also enjoy this information-packed CD-ROM. $49.95, from MECC.

A hybrid disc for Macintosh 7.1 or higher and Windows 3.1 or higher. Our Times: Multimedia Encyclopedia of the 20th Century? Click on a year or a decade tr find out the historic and cultural highlights with this rich multimedia encyclopedia. People too young to remember the 1960s can simply pass the mouse over a year to learn key events, or listen as James Earl Jones leads the tour. For ages 10 to 18. $69.95.

From Vicari: ous. A hybrid disc Macintosh 7.1 or higher and Windows 3.1' or higher. The Cartoon Guide to Physics: Cartoonist Larry Gon-ick lends his light touch to line-drawn animations to illustrate and explain basic physics concepts, including Newton's Third Law (action equals reaction). Users can test what they've learned in an electronic workshop. The program nicely integrates humor and a little rap music to interest young users.

For 10 and up. $49.95. MECC Biking across Africa with Africa Trail takes some creative thinking. coming next year. Africa Trail: Listen to exotic musical instruments, including dumbeks and uds, meet native Africans and see Quicktime movies of the landscape as you cycle across Africa on a trek with a team of experienced riders through this CD-ROM.

Users must make decisions regarding teammates, food, time, energy, health and money as they bike through Vtech Software can engage little kids By Yusuf Davis FOR THE JOURNAL-CONSTITUTION As't computers become increasingly common in our everyday lives, children are learning lo use them at younger and younger ages. Here are some software suggestions for the littlest hacker in your house: Edmark's award-winning Learning House series is popular! with young kids because of characters that various skills, in a humor-pus, Winning manner. Trudy's Time Place House is a new entry in this series. It features Trudy Alligator, who invites kids to use five activities that teach geography and time skills. Kids learn to tell time and read maps and travel to the seven continents.

Price about $40. Sammy's Science House builds on children's curiosity to help them discover science in the world around them. Five engaging activities help 3- to 6-year-olds practice sorting, sequencing, observing, predicting and constructing. Available on floppy disk for PCs and Macs or on CD-ROM, Sammy's Science House from Edmark retails for about $40. Widely available at software retailers or by calling (800) 691-2985.

Disney's Animated Story-Book: Winnie The Pooh and the Honey Tree is 18 story screens that bring this timeless children's tale to life through a combination of interactive story--telling and discovery, music and games. Children, ages 3 through 8, A colorful concept: The Sound Learning Talking Keyboard introduces preschoolers to computing, complete with letters, numbers, shapes and sound effects. are invited to help Pooh search for honey pots; identify objects, shapes and colors; clean house and catch butterflies with a click of a mouse. The animation, sing-along songs and skill-building activities are so engaging, children won't even notice how much they're learning. Developed by Media Station, Winnie The Pooh and the Honey Tree is available on CD-ROM for PC and Mac at most software retailers.

About $30. The Lion King Activity Center uses the popular characters from the Disney blockbuster film to host a variety of entertaining learning activities that encourage original thinking and creative problem-solving in children, ages 5 and up. Kids will be amused as they explore a colorful variety of games and puzzles, printable art activities from the 1 Brenau understands that working men and women lack the time for a traditional education. Our evening and weekend classes offer you the chance to earn your degree without Interrupting your career. In Atlanta Register Dec.

2, 9am-5pm for classes beginning Jan. 5, 1996 ciasses meet In the evenings or alternating weekends during the semester. BacheIor's degrees are offered in business administration, human resources management, interior design, RN to BSN, and teacher education. (Graduate degrees are offered in business administration, nursing and teacher education. BRENAU UN IV ERSITY program's art studio and enjoy clips from the movie right on the computer screen.

Developed by Media Station, the Lion King Activity Center is available on CD-ROM for PCs and Macs at most software retailers for the suggested price of $30. Introduce preschoolers to the world of computers while preparing them for school with the Sound Learning Talking Keyboard. The specially designed console combines colorful letter, number and shape buttons, a 17-note musical keyboard and its own software to provide learning fun right on the home computer. An oversized trackball to fit tiny hands helps kids develop motor skills, while they learn computer skills, and the keys are arranged in alphabetical and numerical order just like kids learn them. Cartoon-like function keys are easy to understand, especially for preschoolers who can't yet read, and an 8-bit sound card produces talking voices, sound effects and music.

Sound Learning Talking Keyboard, like other educational software and hardware for preschoolers from Vtech SmartPlay can be found at Toys Us and other toy and software retailers, or call Vtech's toll-free number for local retail availability at (800) 521-2010. About $30. Athens (706)546-1101 Gainesville (770)534-6299 Atlanta (770)446-2900 Windows 95, SimTown, Treasure Cove top lists Brenau Univmity it accredited by the Commission on Colleges of the Southern Association of Colleges and School to award bachelor's, masters and specialist in education degrees. Brenau University does not discriminate on the basis of sex, race, color, age, religion, handicap, or national or ethnic origin, and is an equal opportunityaffirmative action employer. Not all degrees are offered at all Uxations.

I ACCESSATLANTA Pi i 5) -Jm it iiJ unr-'i -isssl Each week, we invite readers to share opinions on topics involving personal technology. To share your thoughts on Access Manta, jump to Interactive on line. Nonsubsaibers can call our voice mail line at 222-1 923. To respond through the Internet, send your message to personaltechajc.com. To subscribe to Access Atlanta, see Page A2.

This week's question: What software or electronic device would you like to receive as a gift this holiday season? I I i rii-nTTi iidMsiiM i ii i 1 I I kiMM. hhssshmsh I RE It'll be a high-tech holiday for many kids. Grown-ups will be wandering the kid's section at the software store looking for gift ideas. So we asked our panel of experts, subscribers to Access Atlanta the 'online edition of this newspaper for their recommendations. Not all the programs you find here will be suitable for every age range.

So be sure to look for age range recommendations on the package. Here's what the Access Atlanta members had to say: Oregon Trail II. George Ross, Powder Springs Links 386, Windows 95, Netscape. David Sigal, Atlanta Treasure Cove by the Learning Company is what my son is asking for. He has Treasure and Galaxy.

What amazes me is that he is only 4 years old and does quite well learning these games. He 'also uses the Reader Rabbit Series. i Ernest Brown, Decatur I want to get a few new and old games. Certain games like EXXX0TIC JEWELRY http:www.erollc-lewelry.com Exclusive adult line of humorous pendants and keychains Metro Brokers Real Estate, Inc http:metrobrokers.com 1996 RENTALS Property for Sale In Atlanta Region LTBI MATRIX http:www.matrixres.com Up-to-date listings of contract and permanent Information systems opportunities in Atlanta. P0STNET POSTAL BUSINESS CENTERS httpywww.accessnv.compostnet Franchise Opportunities Available and Store Locations HOLIDAY GIFTS Personalized Santa Letters i from the North Pole http:www.branch.comsantasanta.htm AXIS INTERNATIONAL NETWORKS, INC.

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Leam how to market your business using sy-ber sales on the Internet. (404)303-8969 http:webmastersinc.com $17.50 UNLIMITED PPP 60 Days FREE Avana Internet (770)353-2000 http:www.avana.net Maxis' Simlsle, SimTower and SimTown are games that I really want to buy. Ridiculous games with blood and gore are not on our wish lists. Educational games such as Treasure Mathstorm, Spellbound, and Reader, Writer, and Math Rabbit 2 or 3 would be nice. Maybe a few other games like Magic Carpet or Coaster may appear under our tree just for the entertainment.

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MediaNet Entertainment Specializing In Affordable CD-ROM Titles. Order On-Line Via Our Web Page http:www.h6.net medianet The 5th Wave By RlchTcnnant CYBERMAX Is Internet! Any questions? http:www.cybermax.com 770-645-2755 800-567-6824 i NEW SOUTH SHOWCASE The South's Premiere CyberMall Aaron Scott Internet Consultants, Inc. (770)934-2255 http:www.newsouth.com ON A BET. VON1E LENCE1MN. THE OFFICE TINKERER 7RO LINKING nvr HIS Tl CALCULATOR THE WORKGROUP'S PESKPRO OLYMPICS REPORT http:www.ajc.com Guide to the '96 Summer Games NEWORK FILE ScrVEK.

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