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May 25, 2012
Mark Clayton: Is Hillary's State Dept. hacking Al Qaeda? Not quite
Erika Bolstad: Temple cancels Wasserman Schultz speech
The Kosher Gourmet by Ethel G. Hofman: The former president of the International Association of Culinary Professionals, whose members included the likes of Julia Child, is back with contemporary Shavous cuisine: Ruby Fruit Soup, Sweet Noodle Kugel with Cheese, Key Lime Curd, Calsone Casserole Frittata with Wild Mushrooms, Sun-dried tomatoes and Olives, Baked Tilapia with Pepper Cheese Cream and Brown Sugar Shortbread
May 24, 2012
Jeff Jacoby: The peace process battered Israel's reputation
Michael Muskal: 'Pro-choice' position hits record low, according to poll
Chris Farrell: Are We in a Tech Bubble?
The Kosher Gourmet by Penelope Wall: PHILLY CHEESE STEAKS --- hold the steak!
May 23, 2012
Tony Pugh: More private colleges offering tuition discounts
Mary Beth Franklin: How to Choose the Right Annuity for You
Tina Susman: The wig wasn't enough: Man gets 13 years for posing as his dead mom
The Kosher Gourmet by Emma Christensen:A simple way to do fish right
May 22, 2012
Warren Richey: Can US group challenge overseas surveillance act? Supreme Court to decide
Thomas M. Anderson: Walking Away From a Mortgage
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: Enjoy a celebration of the most rich and layered flavors: Black bean, sweet potato and quinoa chili
May 21, 2012
Mark Clayton: Cybersecurity: How US utilities passed up chance to protect their networks
Howard LaFranchi: NATO summit: Who will foot the bill for long-term Afghanistan security?
Chris Farrell : Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Stephen Whiteside, Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: Social anxiety disorder --- or just shy?
Guy Jackson : Victim's father regrets death of Lockerbie bomber
The Kosher Gourmet by Mario Batali: Famed chef's veal shoulder farsumagru: A festive meat course for late spring
May 18, 2012
Rabbi Berel Wein: Striving: The People of the Book's Book for (All of) the People
Steven Goldberg: 5 Great Stock Picks and the Exchange-Traded Fund that Owns Them
Mary Pickett, M.D.: Ask the Harvard Experts: Don't be forced into gluten-free lifestyle based merely on a doctor's false-positive test
The Kosher Gourmet by Carolyn Malcoun: DIY healthy lunchbox treats: HOMEMADE FRUIT BARS for kids and brown-bagging adults alike
May 17, 2012
Warren Richey: Teacher fired for being unwed and pregnant can sue religious school, court rules
Josh Mitnick: Netanyahu's 'centrist' coalition is already proving it's anything but
Steven Goldberg: Earn Dividends in Emerging Markets with This WisdomTree ETF
Amina Khan: Research links coffee to lower death rates
The Kosher Gourmet by Faith Duran : Cheesy Potato Breakfast Casserole with Cheddar and Sun-Dried Tomatoes
May 16, 2012
Carmen Terzic, M.D., Ph.D. : Mayo Clinic Medical Edge: A variety of exercises can help improve balance
Melissa Healy: National strategy on Alzheimer's disease aims to halt it by 2025
The Kosher Gourmet by Joyce White : GOODNESS GRACIOUS: GREENS! 4 winning recipes that are no longer just for down-home folks (Includes expert tips & techniques)
May 15, 2012
Kristen Chick: Obama administration resumes arms sales to Bahrain despite serious unresolved human rights issues. Activists feel abandoned
Pat Mertz Esswein: Homes are now affordable again and mortgage rates are low. What you need to know before you buy
Kathy Kristof: Our Practical Investor Fights Inflation with These 6 Investments
Sue Hubbard, M.D.: The Kid's Doctor: Lactose intolerant young child? Check again
The Kosher Gourmet by Kathy Hunt: Spread a Little Excitement with EXOTIC CONDIMENTS (4 RECIPES)
May 14, 2012
Lisa Gerstner: How to Protect Your Identity, Finances If You Lose Your Phone
Harvard Health Letters: Heart disease and dementia
The Kosher Gourmet by Megan Gordon: MANGO COCONUT OAT MORNING MUFFINS are a bright but hearty delight
May 11, 2012
Jessica L. Anderson: Get the Best Deal on a Used Car
Jett Stone: Forget face-lifts and fake knees. Scientists have seen the fountain of youth --- and it's broccoli
The Kosher Gourmet by Chef Mario Batali: The famed chef's vegetable dish that tastes true to the season: FAVAS AND SUGAR SNAP PEAS WITH POTATOES AND TARRAGON
May 10, 2012
Sergei L. Loiko: Putin sends warning to U.S., NATO in Victory Day speech at Red Square
Mary Rourke: How being a 'mentch' got Vidal Sasoon his start and fighting in Israel's War of Independence provided him with confidence and a strong sense of his own identity
Jeff Bertolucci: Get Home Phone Service for Less Than $10 a Month
The Kosher Gourmet by Betty Rosbottom: Gleaming with its golden, crimson, and snowy white hues, this silken smooth and creamy STRAWBERRY ORANGE TRIFLE looks impressive, but is easy to prepare
May 9, 2012
Sharon Palmer, R.D. How you can reduce your risk -- or delay -- chronic diseases associated with aging
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Jewish World Review
Dec. 18, 2008
/ 21 Kislev 5769
More gifts for geeks — and those who love them
By
Craig Crossman
Inexpensive technology suggestions, con't
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http://www.JewishWorldReview.com | (MCT)
Your holiday shopping days are hitting the single digits so consider this my last column on inexpensive holiday technology gift ideas for the geeks in your life. (Previous column is here.)
1. Drive them mad with delight
This first one is for whomever you usually would buy a lump of coal. There's an evil little device called the Annoy-a-tron that looks like a tiny circuit board that's powered by a watch battery. It's proven to be a very popular gift item for the practical joker. You secretly hide the device somewhere in a victim's home or office. The Annoy-a-tron generates a short (but very annoying; hence the name) beep every few minutes. Given that the beep is so short in its duration, it's almost impossible to determine the direction from which the sound is coming. This makes it very hard to find — which is the idea.
You can drive someone mad as they desperately try to find what it is and its location. As if this wasn't bad enough, ThinkGeek has just introduced their 2.0 version just in time for the holidays. It offers an additional four sounds to the original's two. They are an Instant Message sound, a cricket and the most insidious of all, the Teen Buzz tone. For those of you not familiar with the Teen Buzz, it's a frequency so high that only teenagers and younger children can hear it. The medical explanation is that as we get older, our hearing range narrows. The recent technological application of this sound has been a cell phone ring tone so only kids know they've got a call, and not their parents. But it seems like the table has turned. Parents can now set their Annoy-a-trons to the Teen Buzz sound and drive their kids over the edge instead. $12.99.
2. Science toys make great gifts
I have always loved really cool science toys. Growing up I had the chemistry and Erector Set, Slinky, Wheel-O, water rocket and more. Today's kids have it made with all the technology toys we adults play with but, there are still some new, cool ones out there.
Check out the Fly Stick Van de Graaff Levitation Wand. This battery-powered wand consists of a small cardboard tube that fits on a plastic handle with a button. Pushing it endows the cardboard tube with a static charge. Included are several Mylar shapes, including a butterfly, sphere and hourglass. When you release a shape near the tube and touch it for a moment, the shape expands and literally levitates in mid air. This is not like some kind of floating balloon, but rather a controlled levitation that looks like something a magician would perform onstage. There's a video on the Think Geek Web site that demonstrates this amazing little science toy that any geek, young or old, will love. $26.99.
3. Be very frayed
Finally, check out what I believe to be one of the coolest flash drives I've ever seen. A flash drive is a portable memory device that you can plug into any available USB port. They come in a variety of capacities. I've seen flash drives in an array of shapes and placed inside just about anything you can imagine. I've seen them in pens, lighters and watches. I've seen ones that look like rubber ducks, sushi, a can opener. It goes on and on.
But the Hacked And Frayed Spy Flash Drive has to be the strangest one yet. Imagine an ordinary USB cable. Now cut off one of the ends, but leave about 4 inches of the cable hanging from it. Then strip off the outer sheath from the severed end, leaving all of the colored wires exposed. That's what this flash drive looks like; a severed USB cable! Hidden within the severed plug is a 2-gigabyte flash drive. Just plug the USB end into your laptop and enjoy the stares from people wondering why there's a severed cable sticking out of your computer. $29.99.
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Craig Crossman is a national newspaper columnist writing about computers and technology. He also hosts the No. 1 daily national computer radio talk show, Computer America, heard on the Business TalkRadio Network and the Lifestyle TalkRadio Network - Monday through Friday, 10 p.m.-midnight ET.
© 2008, McClatchy-Tribune Information Services
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