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SAVE IT ALL IN YOUR PC

Back in the olden days of personal computers or about 15 years ago, I clearly remember my exasperation when pressed to answer 'What is it good for?" Back then, most didn't understand the longing to own and command my very own piece of computing technology. We computing enthusiasts had only a few lame sounding albeit good answers to offer up in defense of our expensive purchase. Checkbook balancing, word processing, spreadsheet and database were the applications most commonly listed. And I still remember wincing when someone said they could balance their checkbook better with a pencil. Fortunately these days, it's no longer a struggle to justify a computer with things like the Internet, email, desktop publishing and countless other computing applications.

Given that bit of nostalgia, database seems to be the least used from the old lame list because most don't want to invest the time it takes to set one up. Database programs require defining fields of specific types and lengths. A simple name and address database for example, may require fields for multiple phone numbers, email and other relevant data. Fortunately, free form databases make all of that preparation unnecessary. askSam 4.0 is a free form database that lets you dump in virtually any kind of data such as information typed in from the keyboard, scanned in text and images, even sound files without having to first set anything up. Once the information is in askSam, you can locate and retrieve via keyword or a variety of search criteria. For example, locating a baseball card in your collection by team name, year played and stadium would be as simple as typing the query in.

Create databases for household inventories, insurance and medical records, credit cards, coin and stamp collections, keeping track of your VCR tapes, DVDs and CDs, etc. askSam's free form will even let you search all of your different databases for one or multiple items. askSam 4.0 is a free form database program that will turn your computer into the ultimate filing cabinet. Requires Windows. $149.95.

www.asksam.com

Keyboard for kids and tiny fingers

Many adults complain that their keyboards are too small. But did you ever stop to think your keyboard may be to big for your kids? The folks at Kidstation did and have come up with LittleFingers. The LittleFingers is a full-function keyboard and built in trackball. It lets kids type, point and click without moving their little hands from the keyboard. One really nice feature is its dual-mode that allows a second or adult-sized keyboard to be plugged into LittleFingers and used simultaneously (normally two keyboards cannot be used on a PC). This feature allows parents to work side-by-side with their child. LittleFingers works on both Macs and PCs. $99.95.

www.kidstation.com

Printer fits in a pocket

When you're on the road with the PDA or portable computer, you can do everything but print. True you can lug around a printer but it's not practical. But when you do need hardcopy on the road, a pocket printer could be just the ticket. The SiPix Portable A6 printer is a mere 4 by 6 inches and weighs just 14 ounces. And since it's a thermal printer that uses special paper on a roll, there's no worry about running out of ink. It connects via the wireless infrared port found on most all of today's portable computers and PDAs. It's powered by 4 AA batteries or use the included AC adapter if power is handy. Comes in black or translucent blue and will be available in March for $150.

www.sipix.com