Friday, April 24, 2009

Toys for Tots - Plush Toys Are Great!

By Jackson Harris James Bakowski Harrison Snider Tennyson Stephens

Growing up as a kid in this age of abundance, there is a great chance you've played with teddy bears and plush toys. Choose from Teddy Bears, Elmo, Beanie Babies and many other hit animal themed furry animals that are enjoyable for people of all ages.

As a kid I had a favorite teddy bear that I could not part with. I would carry it everywhere with me and wouldn't let go for anything (even when I was sleeping). It amazes me that now the Farnell, Steiff and other collector items bears are still sought after so strongly.

Get Big Bird to come into your own home, get a plush toy doll that will make Sesame Street truly come alive for your child. Who hasn't wanted to love a Oscar the Grouch or Cookie Monster doll in their own arms?

Ty is an extremely popular plush toy manufacturer and their introduction of Beanie Babies on the market many years ago has created a craze that can't be stopped. Check out eBay sometime and you will see that people are buying Beanie Babies up by the truck load!

The first time I saw Cars with my 5 year-old, I knew I'd be on eBay the next day getting the latest plush toy cars so he could enjoy them at home. There is something priceless about getting a keepsake like a toy from a movie you just raved about and want to share with your friends.

Buy a Care Bear and you just made a friend for life. These adorable plush toys are fun for all ages, take your cute and cuddly rainbow colored toy to your friends - show off your new purchase!

Online gaming is starting to mesh with offline merchandising and the marriage of those 2 concepts was never better than with Webkinz. When you buy the offline products you get codes for the online world - and that's where the kids truly have fun, they can trade clothes, charms and other items online with their friends.

TV shows have created their own merchandise and the Backyardigans have joined that crazy lately. These animals are revered by kids everywhere and they are just soo cute!

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Tuesday, April 21, 2009

Magic Wheels Combine Skateboard with Scooter

What do you get when you combine a unicycle with a skateboard and a scooter? You get a new innovative form of transportation for the young and the young at heart. It’s called The Magic Wheel and was invented by a “bored” Swiss designer whose name is never mentioned. What does The Magic Wheel look like? As you can see in the picture to the side, it has one big wheel in the front and one tiny wheel in the back. It works like this: there are footplates on each side of the main wheel. The rider plants one foot on the Wheel's platform while pushing with the opposite leg, like a skateboard, but with a giant wheel spinning in between your legs. The rider controls direction by leaning. “The average user takes a couple of hours practice before they can comfortably ride the Magic Wheel with both feet on the board,” according to The Magic Wheel website. Interested and wondering what it cost? £119 (about $160us) plus shipping and handling. Not too bad in price compared to similar toys. Currently The Magic Wheel can only be bought on the Internet in the UK, but the company has plans to expand in the future.

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Girlfriends Across the Nation Grab Fly Swatters To Fight Off RC Dragonfly

Generally the idea of a giant flying bug freaks me out. This comes from spending most of my life in Florida, home of the Palmetto Bug—an extremely large flying cockroach that smells like turpentine when you crush it… if you can catch it. And they fly at your face.Gah!!!!But I have to admit that I find this cool:

This is the WowWee Robotic Dragonfly, and while it’s not a robot in any sense of the word, it is quite a neat remote controlled flying machine.Anyone who has read the Dune books by Frank Herbert has a fondness for the ornithopter, a flying machine with wings that flutter like a bird—or a dragonfly. That is essentially what this toy is: an example of nature interpreted by man into the form of a machine. And it works.

Made of Styrofoam, wire, and plastic, the dragonfly maneuvers via a duel wing design. The body is flexible, in hopes of avoiding damage incurred by crashes. Due to its light weight, it is recommended for indoor use. But if the weather conditions allow, this little guy can soar outside with no issues. A two channel digital remote allows the user to control its movements and speed.
look at the Youtube Video here;http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=URwiWH34QpI

UV Spy Pen – Perfect for the Super-Sleuth in Your Family

Did you ever try to pass super-secret coded messages to your best friend in school, just to get caught by the teacher? It's too bad these handy-dandy tools weren't around back in the day.
What makes this pen perfect for the super-sleuth in your family, is the special ink inside. The special ink is invisible to the naked eye. It's made out of high-brightness compounds that show up when exposed to an ultraviolet light source. And don't worry - you don't need to run out and buy a brand new blacklight. There is an actual blacklight embedded into the pen itself. How cool is that? Just flip the pen over and shine the light on the secret message. Watch as the words magically appear before your eyes.
Now you can pass all sorts of secret messages and notes to friends and family without having to come up with your own super secret code. Just write it down with your new UV Spy Pen.
The pen is 5 inches long and uses four LR41 watch batteries, which are included. The product retails for under $10 and is recommended for children 5 and above.

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Monday, April 13, 2009

Want Your Kid To Bathe In Goo? If So, Gelli Baff Is For You

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Okay... Let me go on record as saying that this is the most bizarre-and possibly most disgusting-idea I've seen for a "toy" in a while.

Looks innocuous enough, right? Cute little package with crazy little cartoon pitchman...But after seeing this commercial... I'm extremely weirded out.


Holy crap! They're bathing in neon sludge! Wouldn't it be cheaper to drench the nearest mud puddle with food coloring then roll your kid around in it? You could share it with the local porcine community (which would make for some very colorful pigs wandering around the area).
And what's up with the trippy, LSD-induced commercial?
Realistically, while I still think this stuff is gross, I can't help but be intrigued by its ingenuity. Gelli Baff is made up of a powder (or "goo former") that holds 400 times its own weight in water. You simply toss this stuff in the water and watch as it turns to blobby nastiness. Then throw the kiddies in and let them enjoy wallowing in sludge. Don't worry-the stuff is non-toxic, even if it looks otherwise.
When they've exhausted their energy by either playing or trying to crawl out of the tub in fear of being digested by The Blob, you pour in another packet of "goo dissolver" (which is essentially just salt). This turns the goo back into water, without a threat of any drainage issues.So... If you want to re-enact scenes from a classic Steve McQueen movie (yes, the original Blob starred Steve McQueen) and possibly put your kids into therapy, this is the ticket!By the way: the parent site of this product actually offers a calculator to figure out how much Gelli Baff it would take to turn your pool water into sludge...Now THAT could be interesting...
You can find Gelli Baff at Amazon and at Gelli Baff.

Frizzle Sizzle Kitchen Play Set

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If you have ever wondered how to talk to your small children about recycling or the purpose of Earth Day a Frizzle Sizzle or Splish Splash might be the answer. No, I'm not writing nonsense. Frizzle Sizzle and Splish Splash are the names of two very adorable eco-friendly kitchen play sets designed by Rafinesse and Tristesse. Rafinesse and Tristesse have been around since 2006. Inspired to recycle and create they have created a line of stove top and sink play sets, as well as furniture with as much recyclable material as possible. "With loving attention to detail we transform everyday waste objects into artistic, playful, and practical products that also benefit our environment." To top it off they give their toys fun names, Frizzle Sizzle for the stovetops and Splish Splash for the sinks. Now, imagine your little kids face when she sees this colorful kitchen play set made of olive tin cans, can tops and other recyclable materials for the first time. She would probably be amazed that regular household items can be turned into something playful fun and colorful like this. Well, being the curious child that she is she had probably already discovered that everyday household items could be played with as a toy, but now she can do it safely and with your approval. "Go play with your Frizzle Sizzle!" It's fun to say. Don't you think?Each play set is unique and handmade in Germany or Switzerland, but cookers and sinks can come with or without a back wall. In addition they can have bordure, clocks, hooks and cupboards added. Extras like musical boxes, potholders, oven gloves and tea towels are also offered. The Tin Tuffet is also a part of the Rafinesse and Tristesse line, but it's a stool not a toy. Still it is made from recycled olive tin cans. The seats have either cloth covers or canvas covers. The seats covered with canvas are waterproof and stain resistant. For more information on these eco-friendly toys visit the Rafinesse and Tristesse website.

Friday, April 10, 2009

5 Animes That Every Fan Enjoys

By Anna Tsuchiya

Cartoon series are also known as anime serials or movies. In Japan, they are a popular art medium that has garnered a huge fanbase not only within the country, but on a global scale too. While some critics deride them as just cartoons for children, even adults can enjoy them without feeling guilty about it.

Anime fans will defend the genre as something that has something to offer for adults as well, despite critics' insistence that those who watch them have yet to grow up beyond their adolescent years. Interestingly, there are hundreds of anime series that have plots that also look into family and individual relationships, social concerns and more, not something that most children would like to spend time on.

The downside for fans is that there are too many anime series to choose from. In order to help those with less time to spare, here are five series that are a must-watch for any self-respecting anime and manga lover.

1. Naruto - This famous anime series has fans from every country that has access to Japanese cartoons. Not only is Naruto serialized on film, but it first grew from a wildly popular cartoon strip that continues till this day. The young ninja Naruto welcomes viewers to his endless adventures that are part fun and part madness.

2. Fist of the North Star - This is a classic anime adapted from a famous manga series. The plot tells of a devastated Earth in the future by nuclear war, and how the survivors have to overcome rampant unrest and barbaric tribes to become the best in the land.

3. Tengen Toppa Gurren Lagann - Known as a mecha anime which uses futuristic mechanical robots as integral to the storylines, Gurren Lagann follows the life of Simon, a youngster who braves his natural fear of failure and an inferiority complex to lead a band of humans against the Beastmen, who are intent on dominating and destroying them. Aside from the non-stop action and skilfull animation, the series also touches on authentic human feelings and relationships.

4. Toradora - Ryuji and Taiga are two contrasting but equally lovable characters in this romantic anime series. One is a kind and thoughtful gentleman while the other is a hot-headed but sensitive lady. They both help each other in vying for the targets of their affections, but inevitably end up growing to like each other in a way. Toradora is a anime that has all the right elements of romance, comedy and classic Japanese cuteness rolled into one.

5. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya - No top anime list can be complete without including this wildly imaginative anime series. The Melancholy of Haruhi Suzumiya has a hardcore following that continues to grow till this day. The series rests on a fantasy premise but is wholly realistic, while exploring the deepest emotions and thoughts that exist in many of us.



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Monday, April 6, 2009

World's Largest Toy : Remote Control Hummer

I'm sure we all remember playing with R/C cars as we were growing up. Hey, it was a drivers license when we were 5. So it's only fitting that when we get older, we get better R/C cars, right? How does a full scale Hummer H3 sound?
Dr. James Brighton, an Engineer from Cranfield University, is the master-mind behind the R/C H3. The whole process took only a month to complete, but it's guaranteed to provide years of amusement.
The Hummer is capable of climbing a vertical step of up to 16 inches. It will also move through about 2 feet of water. Should the need arise, the oversized toy can move safely across a grade of 40%. Th MythBusters would be proud.



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History of the Rubik’s Cube

Surely Winston Churchill had a point when he referred to hobbies and some lunatics collectively in the same breath. English puzzle fan, Graham Parker, 45, would probably not agree however, as he is positively delighted that after 26 years of trying, he has finally solved the mystery of the Rubik's Cube. He bought the cube back in 1983, and since then the married father of one has spent countless sleepless nights and more than 27,400 hours in an attempt to conquer his own personal Mt. Everest.
In his own words, Parker, who is a builder by profession, said:“I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life. I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it. Friends have offered to solve it for me and I know that you can find solutions on the web, but I just had to do it myself. I have had wrist and back problems from spending hours on it, but it was all worth it. When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid color, I wept.”
His wife, Jean, was thrilled that this obsession has finally ended. She told the press:“When I met Graham, he was already obsessed with the cube, spending hours on it every day. I have often thought about getting rid of it, but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it.”

A fanatic is a lunatic with a hobby.~ Winston Churchill
Surely Winston Churchill had a point when he referred to hobbies and some lunatics collectively in the same breath. English puzzle fan, Graham Parker, 45, would probably not agree however, as he is positively delighted that after 26 years of trying, he has finally solved the mystery of the Rubik's Cube. He bought the cube back in 1983, and since then the married father of one has spent countless sleepless nights and more than 27,400 hours in an attempt to conquer his own personal Mt. Everest.
In his own words, Parker, who is a builder by profession, said:“I cannot tell you what a relief it was to finally solve it. It has driven me mad over the years - it felt like it had taken over my life. I have missed important events to stay in and solve it and I would lay awake at night thinking about it. Friends have offered to solve it for me and I know that you can find solutions on the web, but I just had to do it myself. I have had wrist and back problems from spending hours on it, but it was all worth it. When I clicked that last bit into place and each face was a solid color, I wept.”
His wife, Jean, was thrilled that this obsession has finally ended. She told the press:“When I met Graham, he was already obsessed with the cube, spending hours on it every day. I have often thought about getting rid of it, but I knew he would not rest until he had solved it.”
Perhaps the people at Guinness might be interested, for surely even for lovers of puzzles, Parker’s obsession with the Rubik’s Cube which was invented in 1974, must have broken some type of perseverance record. The inventor himself might be pleased to know that one of the fans of his creation devoted one quarter of a century (not to mention his life) to solving it. Where did the mysterious Rubik Cube come from anyway?The man who is given credit with having invented the cube, namely Erno Rubik, was not the first to come up with the idea. In March 1970, some two years before Rubik patented his cube, a Canadian man named Larry Nichols invented a 2×2×2 “Puzzle with Pieces Rotatable in Groups” and filed a Canadian patent application for it. Nichols assigned his patent to his employer, Moleculon Research Corporation, and they later sued Ideal Toys who bought it from Rubik. Nichols' cube was held together with magnets and he was granted a patent in April of 1972. But it would not become popular until a few years had passed and an improved version with apparently no knowledge of the first one, hit the scene.
The inventor credited with devising this annoying 3-D mechanical puzzle is a Hungarian sculptor and professor of architecture named Erno Rubik (wikipedia link). He originally dubbed his brainchild, “The Magic Cube” and even though his original patent was valid in Hungary, he did not take out international patents. The first test batches of Rubik’s Cube were produced in late 1977 and released to Budapest toy shops. The puzzle made its international debut at the toy fairs of London, Paris, Nuremberg and New York. After its international debut, the progress of the Cube towards the toy shop shelves of the West was briefly halted so that it could be manufactured to Western safety and packaging specifications. The result was a lighter cube and in 1980, Rubik’s Cube was sold to Ideal Toys, who decided to give it a new name. They considered “The Gordion Knot” and “Inca Gold” but finally decided on “Rubik’s Cube”. That same year, Rubik’s Cube won the German Game of the Year special award for Best Puzzle. Today, it is considered the world’s best selling toy, and as of January 09, more than 350 million Rubik Cubes have been sold world-wide.

In 1982, Nichols’ employer, Moleculon Research Corporation sued the Ideal Toy Company, and in 1984 won the patent infringement suit even though Ideal Toys appealed the decision. In 1986, the appeals court affirmed the judgment that Rubik's 2×2×2 Pocket Cube infringed on Nichols's patent, but overturned the judgment on Rubik's 3×3×3 Cube. So it would seem, a square or two saved the day.

Puzzles like the Rubik's Cube can now be simulated by computer software, which provide functions such as recording of player metrics, storing scrambled Cube positions, conducting online competitions, analyzing of move sequences, and converting between different move notations. Many movies and TV shows have featured characters that solve Rubik’s Cubes quickly to establish their high intelligence/competence. The Simpsons also twice featured a Rubik's Cube as a source of distraction for Homer and the Simpson family.I wonder what Winston Churchill would say about all this. Well, actually, I don’t.
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Hello Kitty Mini Fan

Among the abundance of Hello Kitty branded products, a few stand on their own as demonstrations of creative design. The Hello Kitty Mini Fan is one such design triumph.It's good to know Sanrio, creator and owner of the mega-successful Hello Kitty brand, isn't simply laying back, slapping an HK sticker on any old product, and collecting their licensing fee. Not that they NEVER do that, but with the Hello Kitty Mini Fan they at least appear to have made a conscious effort to bring something original and appealing to the table.
The fan cage has been shaped into the form of Hello Kitty's face - which in itself much have required significant investment
in tooling for such a niche product.
Applying colored plastic eyes, nose and trademark red hair bow completes the classic HK look. It should be noted that there is NOTHING pink anywhere on the fan but the lack doesn't detract from the tried & tested Hello Kitty charm.More design creativity comes into play down below, where a pair of cat feet support the fan and include a mechanism that allows you to change the angle of the fan as desired.

According to the official Sanrio press release, the fan weighs 270 grams (about 9.5 ounces), measures 6.5" wide x 4.5" tall x 6" in depth, and is sticker priced at 2,625 yen or around $26 - use your Hello Kitty credit card.



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Sunday, April 5, 2009

Your Guide to Homemade Hovercraft

There are about a hundred different designs of a homemade hovercraft to choose from in the market today. Ranging from small hovercraft models to seriously built units that can stand long trips. Almost every hovercraft innovation can be simply acquired at a reasonable price. What's more interesting is that, even with its complex aero dynamic principle, you can still build your own vehicle at home.
With its different designs, its features and the principles by which these homemade hovercraft work, its not surprising to note why the hovercraft has become one of the best-loved hobbies today.-The hovercraft is considered as an air cushioned vehicle since it is lifted by a regulated pressure of air. Essentially, the air support underneath it acts as suspension similar to how wheels in an automobile are.

-The weight of the entire hovercraft is also supported by this pressurized air. This is logical. You cannot lift and balance the hovercraft if the air cushion cannot support the load of the platform and its additional loads.

-With the complicated and mysteriously looking homemade hovercrafts customized today, the concept is still the same for all types. And it's a simple principle in physics too.

-Hovercrafts are not boats but very low-flying aircraft vessels. They glide when there is a forward thrust. Its air dynamics closely follow those of an aircraft.

-Even for a simple homemade hovercraft, the minimum lift required must not be lower than six inches. This allowable air cushion height level is also dependent on the size of your hovercraft. For bigger vessels that are used to carry heavier loads, it is recommended that the cushion clearance be higher - not lower.

-The weight of a hovercraft must be the air cushion against its bottom surface. This means that your air cushion should be about the same weight of your hovercraft but in the form of air pressure. This equation concept creates the equilibrium required to stabilize the lift of your vehicle.

-All hovercrafts own a skirt. The skirt is attached around the platform of the hovercraft hull. It's made of flexible material. It got its name because its cross-section plan design will appear to look like a girl's skirt. The skirt traps a great volume of air pressure and limits its release. This allows the hovercraft to rise.

-The person maneuvering the hovercraft is also called a pilot. This is because the vessel is technically an aircraft that glides on a smooth surface. Therefore it is not a boat or an automobile.When you make your own hovercraft, you'll have more interesting facts to discover by yourself about the vehicle. Not mentioned here would be the joy in building the vessel by yourself. When it's done and ready to go, make sure to enjoy the ride as well. Steering and piloting the hovercraft is another unique and joyful experience.


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Wednesday, April 1, 2009

Frightened Grasshopper Solar Bug Kit – Fun and Educational Jumping Robot

The Frightened Grasshopper Solar Bug Kit, from Elenco, is not only a just-for-fun gadget for kids and adults, it also is an educational robot. When this unusual insect sees the light of day, or any other type of light for that matter, his legs, antennas and eyes begin to jiggle, jump and gyrate in a frenzied sort of way.
But what makes this little grasshopper robot even more interesting, is that he does not require any batteries - he is totally solar operated. Children will learn how alternative energy can make all sorts of things run without the use of electricity or batteries. And with normal use, the solar cell in the grasshopper should last around two years.
This product is not recommended for young children since it has several small parts. A great little gift exchange item, gift for a teacher or for the person who has everything, The Frightened Grasshopper Solar Bug Kit retails for around $11. That's about 17$ (Singapore dollars).




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Tiny Blimp a Hint of Things To Come?

Despite the Hindenburg disaster and Roger Ebert's theory that any movie feature a blimp is going to suck (he's been right so far), I have a soft spot in my heart for blimps.I think part of this comes from the nostalgic feeling that blimps give me. They conjure images of a more innocent age. Maybe this is just because they're so puffy and look non-threatening... when they're not exploding, that is.For a while there was rumor going around that Russia was designing a program using zeppelins to deliver mail to remote areas of Siberia. From what I can gather, this was a fabrication that spread across the Internet-along with artwork portraying the designs for landing bays and such that would be used. This ended out being promotional material for a Russian ad agency.Then there was the Walrus program, a crazy idea involving the development of an aircraft carrier-sized blimp for use by American armed forces. This ended out being real-but the idea was scrapped due to budgetary cuts.And there's the giant all-seeing blimp that can track an entire city (or battlefield) at once. THAT is, as far as I can tell, still in development.How did I come by this information? Well, in looking for topic ideas, blimps popped into my noggin. And after all of that info-which is really neat but doesn't fall into my subject parameters-I settled on this:

This little zeppelin rates in at a whopping 52 inches in size. It is light-weight and safe to fly indoors via a three channel remote control unit:

It is powered by a 3-volt battery and the zeppelin envelope needs to be filled with helium or else it'll just flop around on the floor and scare your pets.
There are other brands of RC blimps-but none this small (at least that I've come across).

Pretty cool-though I'm curious as to how easy it would be to navigate. Having recently lost a giant balloon (the string came detached, leaving a five-foot wide heart shaped UFO to fly across the state of Florida, possibly landing somewhere in Georgia), I'm a little scared of trying this thing out.At least it can't do this-though if it got caught in a ceiling fan, the results might be similar:

Regardless of the horrifying footage above, it's nice to see that the fascination with the blimp hasn't waned over the decades. And even if the Siberian mail courier zeppelin idea wasn't real, it sure would be cool.
You can find your tiny blimp at Amazon.




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Star Trek: These Are the Voyages of Kirk's Chair In Your Media Room

I've always wondered why there were never seat-belts for each chair on the bridge of the U.S.S. Enterprise. I mean, it would save all of that flying around and smashing into things. You know every member of the crew has bruises, just due to not having a seat-belt on their chairs.On the flip side, however, I've never thought that the Captain's chair ever needed a seat-belt. Particularly Kirk's. C'mon. Kirk was made of steel, man. A seat-belt would be an insult to him.So when I saw this, I was happy that they had not retro-fitted it with a protective belt:

Yep. You too can sit in Kirk's chair. Well, really it's a reproduction of it, but how cool is that?!?!?
Limited to 1701 pieces worldwide (all of us Star Trek geeks get the in-joke... nice one!), this chair weighs in at 44 pounds and is a pitch-perfect copy of the prop from the television show.The amount of detail is remarkable. All of the chair's buttons are accounted for, including the "Jettison" button. The buttons light up and produce sound effects and phrases from the iconic show. And it swivels, of course.

Well, maybe less plastic-like, but still...
I must confess that it looks a little rigid. Maybe it comes with lumbar support?
At a hefty $2,800 this collector's item is only for the die-hard collector. I can just picture someone with a Captain's chair collection, starting with the toy chair for the 3 inch figures and working up to this thing. They would be arranged by size in a room full of Star Trek memorabilia, right next to the life-sized Borg sculpture.In my case, it's R2-D2s. Yep. All the way from 2 inches tall to the great big promotional R2 soda cooler.

Hey... we all have our vices...

You can find Kirk's throne at Amazon.


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Getting started in RC Boats


By C.J. Baker


If you are enamored with the excitement and the speed of racing but would rather not put yourself in danger, or just like gadgets and tinkering, then radio controlled boats may be a good hobby for you to pursue. With RC boats, you can speed over the water and get in on the fun of boat racing! If you're interested in radio controlled boats, keep reading; RC boats are a great hobby which has a lot to offer everyone.

Racing radio controlled boats can be very exciting, as can maintaining your boat and making modifications to it to improve its speed and maneuverability on the water. Alternately, you can choose a radio controlled boat right off of the shelf and get started racing right away.

If you're new to radio controlled boats, then you have several different options to consider. There are a few different types of energy supplies available to power your boat. The cheapest are battery powered boats; these have rechargeable battery packs which you can plug in to refuel. However, you should keep in mind that these boats tend to have less power than do other RC boats and it can take several hours to recharge " so you'll need extra battery packs for a day at the races.

A popular choice with intermediate and advanced RC boat racers is nitro power. These radio controlled boats can be powered with a fuel consisting of a nitro-methane mix, which gives them lots of power, especially if yours is a smaller boat. The downside is that this fuel is more expensive than other options, but of course unlike an electrical boat you don't have to wait for them to recharge " simply top up your tank and your back in the game!

Gasoline is also a fuel option for radio controlled boats. This isn't quite the same fuel as goes into your cars gas tank, but this is one of its ingredients. You'll probably need to experiment with different blends of gasoline and oil until you hit on the best formula to use in your radio controlled boat. These are usually the fastest RC boats, but are the loudest, largest and most expensive as well. However, using gas instead of nitro fuel will save you money in the long run.

For those just starting out however, it is important to see if you like the hobby before jumping off the deep end and buying a high-end racer. Start with a simple off the shelf electric model and see how you like it. If you are sure you want to get involved, perhaps go with something kit based so you can make your own modifications to the craft.

It may also be a good idea to join a RC boat racing clubs (there is at least one in almost every city). Talking to the other members can help you get a lot of useful tips " and some of the other members of the club might even let you take a turn at their controls to see how some of the higher end radio controlled boats work.



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Saturday, March 21, 2009

Beware at the online games your kids play

By Harry Topper

If you have children, you probably face the challenge of them asking you to let them play online games for as long as possible. Doctors have proven that strategy games playing help the brain development, thus determining young persons learn new reasoning ways and improve their performance. Nonetheless, such games can easily develop addiction and make kids more violent.

A special category of games are the ones playable on the internet without any fee. Built in Adobe Macromedia Flash, such games are small in size, require less memory, meaning that they are working even for older systems.

For being able to play these games, you'll need to download some browser-specific add-ons which make it possible to play straight in browser, without needing to keep the game files on the hard disk. Some games can only function in Firefox or Internet Explorer and do not work in others.

When letting children to play online games, beware that they will want to play 24 hours a day. An idea could be to, limit the time they are allowed to use the PC. Check the games they like to play most. Action games can be so violent, so you need to control your child's activity online.

If used within normal limits, there's nothing wrong with playing computer games. Computer can be used for teaching efficiently, so it's all right to permit children use the computer even in early childhood. You ought to watch what they are doing as a parent.

Easy puzzle games may not be interesting for grown-ups, yet kids will find a special pleasure in playing them day and night, in every spare moment. Racing and dynamic games are better for bigger ages. Detailed flight and driving simulators are also enjoyed by elders, as well as by their kids.

Even pilots are trained on flight simulators which are similar to regular computer games. Such big flying games are the exact copy of the plane dashboard, in order to make setting the pilot familiar with flying the plane before facing the real thing. Next time your children would want to play, think that they can become pilots some day.

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Monday, March 9, 2009

Tips to Consider When Shopping for a Webkinz Toy Online

By Colleen McCullough

Webkinz toys are made available online for shoppers to enjoy. They can often be found on sale at the two of the biggest shopping stores online " eBay and Amazon.

Well, shopping for a Webkinz toy online is so easy. You just have to visit one store, say Ebay, then type Webkinz toy or other similar terms in the search box and you will get a long list of Webkinz toys which can all be your options. Then after which, choose which one/s do you like most and undergo bidding.

However, although shopping online is so easy, the challenge to get good value for your money is really great. Thus, it is important that you get to know some shopping tips.

- Try to gather information on the various shops where you can shop cheaply. Discover if aside from eBay and Amazon there are still some other places where you can find the best prices. Also it is vital that you consider the shipping cost, make sure it would be low. Some other shops offer free shipping services in case you reach certain amount.

- Get to know what are the toys that do not last long being on sale. It is a good idea to go for these toys as their price go up very quickly as time passes by. They are good options actually.

- Before shopping online, think or consider what kind of toys your kid will mostly enjoy, of course if you'll be shopping for your kid. This is indeed a good way to spare your time and money from being wasted.

- Also, if shopping for your kid, check all the toys that your kid presently owns. Of course, you need not to buy toys that he or she already owns. Get him or her other toys that he or she will enjoy.

- Try to research on the price of the toys you like. Go for sellers that offer cheaper prices. Consider also sellers that have low or free shipping cost.

- Go for legitimate sellers to be sure you won't be taken advantage. Always check the profile of the seller you like to make deals with and maybe for how long he or she has been selling or doing business online. This can really help.

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Wednesday, March 4, 2009

Star Wars Starfighter Kites Bring The Force to the Skies

by John P. Barker
When I was a kid, kites were just plain lame. They were generally made of two pieces of balsa wood with crappy tissue paper stapled to these to form the generic diamond-like shape. I'd put a tail on it, attach a line, run-dragging it down the street-until it became airborne. Then I'd have roughly 2 minutes of fun until the stupid thing would careen to the ground and splinter into a wad of wood and tissue.Wheeeeeee! Fun! Yeah... right. Shoot me. I would have more fun with a fresh bullet wound.At least I didn't have to walk, barefoot through glass, to school in torrential rain. And no, I'm not quite old enough to sit in a rocker on my porch and yell at kids to get off of my lawn...Anyways, back to kites.Now you can get kites in many shapes and sizes and they are generally constructed of more durable materials than tissue and balsa wood. Take this kite, for example:Those of you who read the blog on a regular basis know that I'm a Star Wars junkie. The moment I saw that I could purchase a Millennium Falcon kite I started drooling. This thing looks sooooo sweet!

If you're not into kites that emulate YT-1300 freighters, you may find Darth Vader's TIE-fighter or Luke's X-Wing fighter more to your liking.

I'm no engineer, so I'm clearly baffled as to how these kites, shaped as abstractly as they are, can actually fly. Or how they can get in the air at all, for that matter.

I dug around a bit and couldn't find any dimensions on these things, but I would think they would be quite large... though maybe not large enough to do this:


Moe's Toys Shop

SpyBall – Remote Control Spy Camera for Kids


This sleek and shiny ball is not your average, run-of-the-mill type of ball. The super-cool remote controlled SpyBall is a spy camera disguised as a ball. It has built-in Wi-Fi and is able to rotate and turn a full 360 degrees for all sorts of 007 spying action. The soon-to-be-released SpyBall, from WowWee, was a great big hit at the recent 2009 Consumer Electronics Show.
SpyBall
When the SpyBall is connected to your wireless network, it can be remotely controlled from the Internet just by using your mouse. How cool is that? Watch what the kids are up to up in the family room while you are working in the bedroom. You can watch and listen to live, streaming video, still shots and audio from anywhere in your home.

SpyBall
And although controlling the ball from home is pretty amazing, you can even control SpyBall remotely. If you're at work and you want to check up on the frisky cat or aging pooch, now you can. If you are waiting for the delivery man to drop off an important package at home, let SpyBall take a peek for you. The simple plug-and-play unit also works with all sorts of gaming consoles that have web browsers.

Moe's Toys Shop

Tuesday, March 3, 2009

Nintendo Wii For Fun

By Bruce Harry

One of the biggest game consoles to hit the shelves since the very first Nintendo gaming system is the Wii. Not only is this console amazing in every, possible way, but it has also revolutionized the gaming world as we know it! To be completely honest, the Wii is not only one of the best game consoles in the world, but it is also one of the most fun! There are however, a few tips and tricks that you need to learn in order to be safe when you are playing the Wii.

As many of you may already know, before you break out the Wii game and start playing, you want to make sure that you have plenty of room to play. Roughly five feet is normal as you will need a lot of space to move around. Keeping your gaming area clutter-free and clean is definitely one of the things you should be doing, especially if you use the Wii a lot.

You can learn a lot by watching Wii commercials and the little tutorials that come on the console and on some of the games. Most importantly, you can learn how to play safely. You need to watch these. It will show you the proper way to use the Wii remotes. Always remember, if you are not careful, you could put a remote sized hole in your TV.

In fact, let's talk about the straps attached to the Wii remotes. If you bought your console before December of 2006, you might want to buy a new strap. The ones made before then were known to be faulty. Do a search on the Internet, you will easily see how many people put holes in their walls, their televisions, or even their friends, because their Wii remotes went flying through the air due to a snapped strap.

Make sure that you use your wrist when playing, not your whole arm. Do not use the full force of your shoulders either. Both your Wii remote and the Wii itself can recognize light, careful movements.

Remember, you are supposed to have fun while playing with your Wii. It is not a battle! If you get angry at a game, you raise your chances of doing some damage with your remote. So just take a break and walk away for a while.

Without a doubt, the Wii encourages more exercise and activity than any other gaming console on the market right now. Still, playing it for long periods of time is not healthy. Your Wii itself will tell you to take a break once in a while. You should definitely listen to it. Go outside for a bit. Get some fresh air. Your Wii will still be there when you get back, so do not worry about leaving it alone for a bit.

Finally, make sure to pause your game every so often, so that you can make sure your Wii bubble is still safe. You want to take as much care as possible to make sure you do not harm any one or any thing.

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Sunday, March 1, 2009

The World's Smallest Hovercraft


Made by Takara Tomy of Japan, the Hover Q can shoot across flat surfaces on a cushion of air. Despite its size, it is a true hovercraft. No tiny wheels hide beneath the airbag.
As with all mini-RC vehicles, it sucks the life out of batteries. Luckily four AA batteries are included with a charger. A ten minute charge nets you five minutes of cruisin' time.
The Hover Q comes in four colors (red, blue, orange, and black) and utilizes two bandwidths so you can race two of them at a time. The battery charger is also the remote control unit for the hovercraft. You can increase/decrease speed and turn left or right with just a flick your fingers. Though the controls are quite obvious, all of the instructions (and the box) sport Japanese.

To experience way-cool tiny hovercraft action, simply go to Amazon.com.

Bizarre 'Sand Puppies' Could Be Next Japanese Character Sensation


Naked mole rats dig deep into Japanese hearts... in a GOOD way. What were you thinking?
The so-called "sand puppies" at the Ueno Zoological Gardens in Tokyo, Japan, just might be the next cute character sensation, and the Zoo is helping things right along by selling plush toy versions of the bizarre, bucktoothed zoo animals.According to one sand puppy groupie, a 31-year-old woman who regularly visits the zoo (perhaps in search of a life), "It has such an awful name and appearance, but it's this dark side that, contrary to expectations, makes them attractive." There you have it, bald rats can be Bad Boys too.
Said to be popular with young women, the hadaka deba nezumi (literally, "naked bucktooth rats") were first acquired by the Ueno Zoological Gardens in 2001. Visitors enjoyed watching the 4-inch long wee beasties scuttle through a network of plastic tubes but when cartoon heroine Kim Possible got one - named Rufus - as a pet, interest in the fur-less varmints really took off.Social mammals that act more like ants or bees than rats or mice, naked mole rats live in structured underground societies led by a queen, defended by soldiers and populated mainly by workers. These weird animals are found in East Africa and are not considered endangered.
They ARE considered to be weird, though... living underground has spurred them to evolve a cold-blooded metabolism that can be slowed in tough times. This lifestyle has one benefit: long life. Naked mole rats are the longest-lived of all rodents and remain active and functional into their late 20s. That's more than some people I know!In any event, the 16 naked mole rats at Tokyo's Ueno Zoological Gardens (plus another batch at the Saitama Children's Zoo north of Tokyo) are rapidly becoming superstars and the Zoo's management are feeding into the frenzy by stocking their gift shops with sand puppy plushies, buck teeth and all.
They sort of look like tiny walruses (walri?)... now how cute is that?

Newborn Baby Gifts and Baby Shower Games Equal a Fun Time

By Edie Mindell

Although traditional baby shower games never fail and are always a success, new baby shower games are emerging and spreading across the United States. These cool, unconventional activities are different than the classics but with all the fun and more. If you are aiming for a hip, edgier baby shower with a twist from the classic, all-American baby shower, include a few of these new, trendy games that are sure to be a hit at your shower.

The "Dirty Diaper" game is one of the most clever and unusual, yet surprisingly sweet games out there. For this game, fold white cloth napkins or square pieces of white fabric into small diapers. Inside one of these mini diapers, place an unwrapped Hersheys kiss or any other chocolate bonbon. Fasten all the diapers with a baby diaper safety pin.

When guests arrive to the baby shower, hand one mini baby diaper to each person. Tell the guests to keep them closed and to not open them until instructed to do so. Then, when the time comes for all your games and activities, tell your guests that one of them has a dirty diaper. Tell them to open the diapers all at once, and whoever has the "dirty diaper," or the chocolate bonbon inside of their diaper, wins a prize.

Another game with a meaning is the "umbilical cord." For this game, you will need two spools of string or yarn, and two spoons. Choose volunteers and set up two or more teams of about eight to ten people. Attach each spoon to the tip of each string or yarn. The point of the game is to pass the "umbilical cord" through all the members of each team, by passing the string in through the neck seam and out through the opening of the skirt of each team player. This is very humorous, as you can imagine. The first team that passes the cord through all of the members wins.

A game that is becoming increasingly popular among baby showers is "Guess Whos Baby Picture?" For this game, make sure to tell guests on the invitations, and remind them before the shower, to bring in a baby picture of themselves when they were infants. Number each picture and put them up on a big bulletin board. During the games and activities session of your baby shower, give each guest a paper and pens or pencils. Have each paper numbered with the amount of pictures posted on the bulletin board.

When the game begins, tell the guests to fill in the numbers on the paper with the names of the people who they believe correspond to the baby picture. For example, if I think that baby picture #1 corresponds to Katie, I would write "Katie" after the number one on my paper. The guest that has highest number of right answers wins the challenge. If there is more than one guest with the same highest number of right answers, issue a tiebreaker.

Remember, all of these new games started as an idea. Try to come up with a few clever, never before used games. Who knows, they could potentially become a hit by the end of the year!

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Saturday, February 28, 2009

How to Take Good Care of Your American Girl Doll

By Karen Hoffman

So you own an American Girl doll. Well, as the owner, extra effort is expected from you for your doll to always look best. As the owner, you must know how to take good care of your doll so she will always be presentable. You must know the do's and don'ts in regards to taking care of your doll.

I myself also own a doll so personally I have my own list of do's and don'ts in regards to taking care of my doll. And I actually want to share this list to you.

Do's:

Keep doll away from sunlight. It is not advisable to expose the doll to sunlight most especially for a long period of time. Doll will quickly look old when often exposed to sunlight.

Wash hands before grabbing the doll. Our hands are oftentimes full of dirt and so grabbing our doll without first washing our hands is not a good idea. It is best to wash hands first to make sure they are clean.

Clean doll's face with baking soda. According to some doll collectors, baking soda can help clean doll's face and so it will help if sometimes we use baking soda along with water when cleaning doll's face. However, never rub the baking soda directly to the face. Mix baking soda with water first.

Use good wire brush when brushing doll's hair. Using other kind of brush is actually a bad idea.

Keep doll in her box if possible. If you can, keep your doll in her box but if you can't just be sure to clean her up regularly.

Don'ts :

Never place doll near foods and drinks. Some foods and drinks can cause stain to dolls.

Don't keep your doll in a damp wet environment. Keeping your doll in such kind of environment won't bring forth any good result.

Never use hair dryer or the like on your doll. Heat can damage your doll's hair.

Don't tumble dry your doll's clothes. Aside from your doll, her clothes are also important. What is she going to wear if her clothes are all damaged? Dolls' clothes are normally delicate and should not be tumbled dry.

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Thursday, February 26, 2009

Tour the Jelly Belly Factory

By Ian Kleine

As kids, you would have had the chance to splurge on colorful jelly beans on a typical afternoon when school has ended. What tyke would resist the pretty colors, the chewy texture and the sweet taste of jelly beans?

Jelly Belly, the company behind those famous jelly beans, also thought of the same thing. So with determination and perseverance (and a creative idea), they set out to create the delectable morsels of sugar and god-knows-what-else. It takes a whooping seven days to create these sweet babies, so those kids better thank their lucky stars people still bother making these beans. Well, it is good money anyway. One couldn't deny that.

If you want to know how they make these treats, you could always settle for a guided tour in the factory. They give out great packages (the tour is worth the money and effort in my opinion; the ghastly they give for you to wear is another story not worth telling). The factory is open all week, though its more advised to take a tour during the weekdays. The building is as good as dead without the familiars whirring and stirring by the big machines (seems like they only make the beans during the weekdays).

The drums are what attract most of the visitors. Seeing colorless jellybeans take the flare of their flavor when the sweeteners and the dye are added is a thrilling experience ("Oh so that's how it's done!") You'd be tempted to stick your hand in when no one's looking and get a few of the treats. I'd advise you to not do it.

The trip is full of candy trivias and videos here and there. If you're the impatient type, there's always the free sample bag at the end of the tour. The jellybean portraits, are obviously out of the question. No, you can't take them home.

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Next Generation of Nintendo Wii Systems Console

By Jay Davis

Because of the massive discussions on the internet with regards to the giant company Nintendo showing some early presentations of its next home console hardware, many are wondering if next generation of Wii Console, successor of Nintendo Wii, will soon be really released.

The said next generation of Wii Console is said to hit the market by 2011. It is believed that it will be the true next generation Nintendo console and will actually be far more than a simple refresh of the present hardware. Therefore, possibly, it will provide high definition visuals giving importance on digitally distributed and backwardly compatible content.

Many are also expecting that now with the new generation, Nintendo will feature some form of local storage medium like hard drive or large flash memory and use a chip that can perform 1 trillion calculations per second. And possibly, new generation will have cameras to track body motions and translate them on the screen. Nintendo wants to develop console that will not anymore have hand controllers, instead just use cameras to translate your movements.

However, although many are now waiting for the new generation console from Nintendo, apparently the console that will be the successor of the very successful Nintendo Wii, Nintendo has not confirmed if there is really new generation console to be released soon. Thus, if there is really a new generation or not, it remains unknown. One thing is just sure, Nintendo Wii has been doing great on the market and so because of this, a lot of people now wants a next generation of Nintendo Wii console that could be far better and more enjoyable.

One possible reason also why a lot of people are speculating they are going to release soon the next generation of Nintendo Wii is because the company is now believed to be spending more money on their research and development than five years ago. Thus, it is believed that because of this increase in expenditures on research and development, possibly a large project is on the line and it could possibly be the successor of the Nintendo Wii.

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Sunday, February 22, 2009

Wii Game: The Conduit The Conduit for Nintendo Wii

By Jason Wizkent

Sega has become the games official publisher on October, 2008 and was introduced by IGN (Imagine Games Network) on April, 2008. The Conduit makes use of the Quantum 3 engine since this game was made by High Voltage Software for Wii.

The Conduit is an imaginative first-person shooter game wherein the user can experience the game like a real one. In contrast with some Wii games, the controls really feel natural and both controllers are utilized simultaneously. The gameplay is smooth and is very well-matched with the Wii remote and Nunchuck combination.

The storyline is all about an alien invading Washington, D.C. in the near future. As a result, the city is disturbed by several weird events thus causing a shocking local and national tension. Conduits are portal-like devices in which the alien race uses to set out their forces throughout the city. To protect the city, a secretive organization known as the Trust raise an army that will fight against the alien race identified as the Drudge.

By means of the Wii Remote, you can zoom in the image and the Nunchuk to throw grenades on the enemies. The controls can be changed depending on what you prefer but I didnt find the need to change anything because they are designed in a perfect place for quick access. You can shake the Nunchuk to reload and your Wii Remote to move your character.

The game has an online feature that will allow you to form a team thus making the game more exciting and fun! It also works on a Local Area Network (LAN) so both online multiplayer and LAN multiplayer can support up to 16 players all at the same time. The new Wii Speaker will help you also to communicate with your team using the online voice chat.

The developer of the game gave a quite brilliant work on details and you will be likely amazed during the game play. The graphics of The Conduit are totally magnificent due to the graphics engine on the Nintendo Wii. Thanks to the marvelous job of the developers at High Voltage Software, they really took time in creating unique weapons and its effects.

This is definitely one modifiable game interface. The whole visual display can be customized with your personal preferences so you can maximize your gaming experience. You can move around your health bars, experience bars, your ammo count, etc to anywhere you want on the screen to maximize your visual area.

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Thursday, February 19, 2009

Choosing a American girl doll and her bed

By mart-99

Before you select the American Girl Dolls you need to buy, you must visit the firm's site and study the dolls that are currently available. Take care because many are sold out, so be certain to check first. This tip will save lots of heart ache.

The American Girl Doll store has a "Character Doll Match" to help select the right doll for a special small girl.

If you are purchasing a doll or american girl doll bed for yourself, just look to that miniscule girl who lives within of you to help in making your selection. Do not Forget you will need a Doll Bed to for Your American girl doll. Remember that looks aren't everything.

Samantha Parkington, as an example, is a well off girl who is living in the early twenty th century.

Swedish Kirsten Larson is the only doll whose personal background story hasn't changed...yet. The company retires old items when new items roll off the production line and replace them. To buy retired American Girl Doll items, you may need to turn to a web auction site like eBay. You may perform a search on the Net to find what's wanted to finish / update your doll, but watch out with whom you deal with. Make sure the company is reputable, and has a secure ordering form on their internet site before you get.

The company retires old items when new items roll off the production line and replace them. To buy retired American Girl Doll items, you will need to turn to a net auction site like eBay. Ensure the company is convincing, and has a secure ordering form on their net site before you purchase. Take a peek at the costs of shipping and handling to confirm they are reasonable before you place your order. And, check out their "Return Policy" in case you dislike your purchase.

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Tuesday, February 17, 2009

Powershot A590- Digital Camera

By Don Bethune

The digital camera or the digicam is a camera that records video or still photographs or both digitally by recording images on an electronic image sensor. The pictures are stored in a memory device which is attached to the camera and then be transferred to the computer. The Dycam Model 1 BandW digicam was the worldas first completely digital consumer camera.

There are lots of benefits of a digital camera. The first benefit is that you are able to see the picture immediately on cameraas LCD screen. You can take as many pictures as you want and can shoot and store them in cameraas memory as long as you want and repossess then whenever required. If you compare the quality of the pictures with normal camera you will find that they are of very high quality.

In recent years numerous companies have launched different models of digicams in the market. Powershot A590 is one of the best cameras and is a product of Canon, a well known name in camera manufacture. Canon is such a name in the market of camera that people trust it completely and they have given best of cameras from beginning. Powershot A590 is also an example of their excellence and is considered as one of the best digital cameras.

Powershot a590is has got 8 megapixels, a 4x optical zoom, an Optical Image Stabilizer, a large 2.5 inch LCD, and Advanced TTL AiAF 9-point autofocus system. It has a DIGIC III Image Processor with Enhanced Canon Face Detection that gives amazing pictures and also reduces blur using the Motion Detection Technology. It also has a range of shooting modes iia from manual to automatic and also has the special Canonas new Easy Mode that makes photography a pleasure.

The reviews of Powershot A590 give the impression that it has a remarkable power packed performance. A professional photographer states in a review that he could capture impressive pictures due to 8-megapixels in the digicam. A different review states that it is aan enticing entry-level cameraa with a arelatively low price tag.a

The kit of Powershot A590 comprises of a 32 MB MMC Memory Card, two standard AA alkaline batteries, an AV cable, a USB interface cable and a wrist strap along with Canonas software suite as well. The user manual is full informative and helps in operating Powershot A590 easily. The Powershot A590 is available online in best of its price.

Powershot A590 is accessible online as well as at your nearest store and is priced at $129.99. If any kind of after sales service for this camera is required, it can be attained from various Canon Service Centers that are found worldwide.

With so many latest technical advantages and at such affordable and reasonable price, the Powershot A590 is a perfect buy. The product self appreciates and the proof can be attained from its performance. So what are you waiting for? Go grab the opportunity and enjoy photography.

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Sunday, February 15, 2009

Finding yourself in Fairs

By Ian Kleine

The first answer people would get when associating festivals to something would be "family trip."

And they wouldn't be wrong. Almost half of the demography loitering around the grounds would belong to a picture-perfect family; with Dad looking all huff-puff, Mom somewhat smiling, Big Sister looking bored, and Little Brother holding his balloon with an excited twinkle in his eyes.

But fairs are for everyone, no exceptions. Be it for the filthy rich, the marginally wealthy, the struggling white-collar employee, the fleeters cutting from their jobs just to slack off, or the poor guy sleeping in the bench; everyone is welcome to the fair (unless there's an uberly expensive entrance fee, then I guess only the rich and the wealthy get to go in.)

For the single person, who wants to go back to his childhood and relive the fantasies he had of flying horses and magic and staying up late. For the lonely soul that wishes to spend the day forgetting his troubles. For the one who is contemplating what to do next with his life.

For couples, who wish to spend the day together with the ones they love. For the people who wish to be with the ones they love. For those who wish to reminisce the time spent together.

For children, who want to spend their childhood to the fullest. For those who want to experience mystery at it's best. For those who want to know what fun is all about.

For the elderly, who want to go back to being a kid. For those who want to remember and never forget the good old times. For those whose time is near, and wish to spend their days happy and without regret.

There are a lot of things to do in the fair for everyone, seriously.

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Wednesday, February 11, 2009

Idea of Buying a Webkinz Toy

By Colleen McCullough

Tired of thinking what present to give your kid for a certain special occasion? Why not consider a toy that is educational?

There are many toys nowadays that can be really educational just like for an instance a Webkinz toy of Ganz.

At first look, a Webkinz toy may not be that inviting or even interesting as it may just appear like an ordinary small plush toy. But watch out when you finally have it in your hands and have its unique secret code that will allow you to access the Webkinz World website and from there get a virtual version of the pet for virtual interaction, you'll surely won't let it slip away from your hands and sight anymore.

At the Webkinz World, your kid will learn how to be responsible as he will need to purchase pet food, clothing, and room items for his or her toy. He or she can also meet some new friends online who can be his or her playmates when playing some educational games like in particular board games.

Well, you might think that it's expensive to get a Webkinz World because you will need to do some purchases. But it's not actually the truth. With a Webkinz toy, money will not be a problem. Getting and maintaining one for your kid will not be that expensive.

Possible Problem

The only problem you might have to face with getting the said toy is the addiction issue related with the toy. In the past, some addiction and overuse concerns were raised by some parents.

Parents worried that kids will become addicted to the toy and might overuse it and later give lesser time in studying. There were also some other concerns which involved the online chat sytem of the website. However, the chat system of the website have set some safety precautions, with restrictions on who can send messages. Not to mention that the kids cannot type but instead can just choose from the list of phrases when they chat.

Why Consider a Webkinz Toy?

Despite the concerns raised by some parents in the past, Webkinz toy still remained a top option for parents considering a present for their kid. With its potential to kids how to be responsible, it surely should be a top option.

Still, the pros outweigh the cons. Therefore, parents can still consider a Webkinz toy for their kids. Just to make sure everything will be fine, parents just have to properly look after their kids from day 1 that they have given the toy to them.

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Discover How Toddlers Can Benefit From Online Games

By David Spade

We live in a gadget society. Start counting how many things you have in your home which has a switch, an on/off button, dial pad, keypad. Once you finish counting, you will realize that the list is truly very long. Therefore, it should come as no surprise at all that children are being exposed to electronic gadgets from a very young age. This brings the introduction of computers for this little terror. Almost every home has a laptop or a desktop and sooner or later, the toddler is going to start getting curious. Game developers realize the potential of these "little clients" and so, have come up with a whole range of fun and educational line of free online games. There is virtually no violence but colorful animation and sound to attract the little ones. Toddlers love exploring and are inquisitive creatures and as such, all these are taken into account when creating games.

As a toddler develops, the following are taken into account when games are created:

Remember Me & No Losses Most games have a functionality where you can pause the game or close the game and when the next time you play it, it resumes where you left it off. This is great way to enjoy the game instead of starting from the beginning.When you is playing an online version of a board game, for example chess or scrabble, there is no worry about losing any piece!!

Problem Solving & Moral Values Matching games are very popular for this group and developers have been making these games. Simple puzzles are also in this category. Toddlers learn problem solving in a fun and relaxed way. Some games are based on folk tales and have moral lessons for the young. Honesty, integrity, trustworthiness are taught in an interesting manner.

Some Free games actually benefit the kids considerably. Some of these games include puzzle solving sessions. For playing these games one need to use their brain. Hence the reasoning skill and analytical power of a child can improve a lot if he is allowed to play these games. Nowadays, most of the kids are so laden with homework and study that they can not find any time for reading story books. The children's games that are based on fable and fascinating mythological tales can give them the same benefits of books in an interactive manner.

The benefit of online playing is that a person can play with another human being sitting thousands of miles away. That is the beauty of multiplayer gaming. In this method, many people can take part in a game at the same time by means of Internet or a connected network of computers. This is ideal for players who do not like single player modes. Most of the games that are liked by the kids are based on Java or Flash format.

It makes them lightweight and they load quicker. Besides, they also contain some truly dazzling effects and sound mix. Go on and start searching for a game today. With many categories, there is sure to be a game for you out there in cyber world.

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