| 'Tweens' tap into the Web
For a stuffed bulldog, Calvin has it pretty good. He lives a full, if virtual, life online and has a pad decked out to his tastes, which currently run sort of froggy style, says owner and decorator Jake Reynolds, a 9-year-old from Forest Hill.
Six months ago, the third-grader got sucked into Calvin's world and hasn't left it since. He can't. Once Jake used the secret code that came with his store-bought bulldog to create an online version at Webkinz.com, he committed to feeding and shopping for the pup regularly while interacting with other kids and their virtual pets on the Internet.
"You have to play it mostly every two days or every day, because if you don't, then their health meter goes all the way down and they'll get sick," Jake says matter-of-factly.
Hot Topics in TidBITS Talk/23-Apr-07
TidBITS Turns 17 -- A throwaway comment about getting hold of car keys turns into an interesting discussion of automobiles and the decreasing need for keys. Oh, and Happy Birthday, TidBITS! (25 messages) AirPort Extreme N Firmware 7.1 Update -- Readers run into issues when updating the latest AirPort Extreme base station. (7 messages) Current Apple Market Share -- Where can you find current information on Mac market share? And will it increase? (3 messages) Police attempt to emerge from the 19th century -- Prosecuting computer crime is made more difficult by the fact that few police officers understand the technology. (1 message) When to cut ties to the past -- Sure, it would be nice if every program ever written for the Mac could run under Mac OS X, but that's not realistic.
Check out retailers, Web to save
In the great pricing pyramid, the least expensive frames are ready-made, complete with glass, mat, backing and hanging hardware, from large retailers such as Wal-Mart and Pier 1. But at low prices – $6 for a frame that holds a 16-by-20-inch image – do not expect archival materials or specialty glass. Chain hobby stores, such as Michael's, are the next step up in terms of price and quality. Both sell a range of pre-made metal and wooden frames, with and without glass, plus standard mats in a range of sizes, colors and window shapes. At Michael's, pre-cut, acid-free mats can be ordered, and offers in-store custom work. To save money on an odd-size piece of art, have an archival mat and mounting custom-cut to fit inside a pre-made frame bought there or elsewhere.
Surfing for Simplicity
RISMEDIA, April 10, 2007-"Moving is a hassle," explains Amir Ahmed, president of Homes.org. "We asked ourselves how we can make it simple." And that's exactly how Homes.org came to be. In February, the one-stop-shop general consumer and new mover Web site launched, with consumer ease and cost-cutting as top priorities. Homes.org aids a more simple transition through relationships with Realtors, moving and utility vendors, and various other service providers. A win-win opportunity, Homes.org proves to be requisite for both homeowners and partners of the site, says Ahmed. Between the site and skilled employees stationed at a high-end sales and customer service center, homeowners are offered the convenience, cost savings, time, and reduced stress of one call or click that handles all relocating concerns.
Kiwis early adopters of online shopping: survey
Kiwi internet users love to shop online with two thirds saying they made purchases in the lead up to Christmas, compared to just 54 per cent of Australian web surfers. The figures come from the first Online Retail Monitor survey conducted by Nielsen//NetRatings, which canvassed 750 adult internet users by email in the month December to January. The survey, which was sponsored by a number of online retailers, including Ferrit.co.nz, will become an ongoing exercise with an increased number of respondents. The survey also found that in the lead up to Christmas 95 per cent of Kiwi internet users researched goods or services online, compared to 87 per cent in Australia, and that New Zealanders shelled out an average of NZ$774 over the month, while the Australian average was NZ$649.
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