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I've been busy finding even more holiday computer gift items for the technology lovers in your life. But before we go there, here's my holiday technology tip. Check out the Internet before you hit the malls. This season is already showing record numbers of savvy shoppers flocking to the Internet. And why not? It's a great way to avoid the lines, save untold hours of shopping and you'll probably get it for less money once you find it.

Star Trek lovers will positively beam up when they see Simon & Schuster Interactive's two new Star Trek titles. Both titles are hybrid CDs so they work on Windows and Macintosh computers. The Star Trek Encyclopedia, A Reference Guide to the Future version 3.0 ($29.95) is jammed packed with facts and fun. The two CD-ROM set covers the full Star Trek saga beginning with the original series (all seasons), the Next Generation (all seasons), Dee p Space Nine (up to season 7), Voyager (up to season 5) and all the Star Trek movies. Screen displays and layouts have been developed by Michael Okuda. He's the one who created and designed the computerized screen displays used on the set of the newer television series so they look just like what you see on the shows and are also how you navigate through the all the data. Information includes an encyclopedia of all things Trek, episode listings with plot summaries and credits plus a complete chronology of Trek events by stardate. Other resources include graphs, charts, illustrations and details such as food, alien races, ships, weapons and more.

The other title is the Deluxe Star Trek Starship Creator ($29.95). This CD lets you create the starship of your dreams. You become a Starfleet Admiral in which you design, build, staff and launch your own fleet of starships. In addition, the program contains three new ship designs along with several missions you can experience in your new vessel. You can even assign your own registry number to your creation (the original Enterprise was NCC-1701). All in all, there's enough Trek trivia within these two programs to carry even the most voracious Star Trek appetite well into the next millennium.

Simon & Schuster Interactive www.ssinteractive.com www.starshipcreatorcd.com

If you plan to keep your navigational skills to this planet, more specifically to the United States, then you might want to check out the latest from DeLorme. Street Atlas USA version 6.0 for the Macintosh ($49.95) has arrived just in time. Until this release, DeLorme had only been updating the Windows version of Street Atlas. Now Mac users can enjoy all the latest features such as door-to-door routing that lets you choose quickest, shortest, preferred or most scenic. The CD also supports DeLorme's Earthmate GPS Receiver that uses signals from satellites to determine your location. The Earthmate sells for $179.95 and includes a copy of Street Atlas 6.0. The database now includes all one-way roads for major cities. You can also print detailed maps, route directions and statistical information about the locations. Put a copy of Street Atlas in someone's stocking along with a card that says "Get Lost." Now there's a mixed message that should drive them straight to the eggnog.

DeLorme Mapping (800) 492-5931 www.delorme.com