TAgeWiz INovemMperZ!, 17V0; LhisWweek 7 MODERN IVING .o am 90s is the decade for consumer elect tt onsumers are turm- ing it on in the 90s with a vast array of exciting consumer electronics products that en- hance the value of consumer lifestyles. As we enter the 90s, the con- sumer electronics industry is generating excitement across the entire spectrum of its products. In video, this excite- ment centres on the emergence of advanced television and new uses for the television screen. Digital hi-fi products and multi- channel sound for video are arking a renewed surge of inter- est in audio. “Product integration is best demonstrated by the home theatre. It is the marnage of audio and video which creates a new dimension in family enjoy- ment. Personal computers, video games, facsimile machines and personal hand- held reference devices have drastically altered the way mil- lions of North Americans spend their working and leisure hours. As home automation products are introduced, the “electronic home of tomorrow’ will be avail- able today. Accessory items and new types of software continue to enhance the enjoyment and utility potential of all of the con- sumer electronics industry's product categories for millions of consumers. The revolution in how North America communicates, edu- cates, does its business and cares for itself— all with the aid of electronics — has only just begun. The promise of high definition television (HDTV), with true double-resolution TV displays nearly equal in quality to that of 35mm film, and digital stereo sound guarantee that interest-_ ing times lie ahead in the con- sumer electronics industry. Digital audio tape (DAT) re- corders are being introduced this year, offering consumers compact disc-quality sound from a smaller audio cassette than is currently in use. DAT also offers a longer playing time than con- ventional audio cassettes. A variety of electronic and electronic-related products and services are being provided by the consumer electronics in- dustry to satisfy the needs of people with motor, sensory or cognitive disabilities. These products include those designed for communication purposes, in- cluding personal computers with scanners that “read” writ- ten materials, transform the words into braille, and either print a hard copy in braille or send braille letters into an electronic display which enables users to feel the letters one by one. Also available are tools for the deaf, including telephone amplifiers that enhance the clarity and understanding of speech over the phone. Products geared toward the speech-im- paired include voice syn- thesizers and speech devices which make communication easier. Home automation products allow bed-ridden people to be able to control their entertainment products, lights and telephone and security sys- tems without assistance. . A variety of accessories which enhance the quality of life of con- — sumer electronics products are available, including storage units for audio and video casset- tes, compact discs, audio tapes and computer floppy discs; con- necting cables to connect CD players and audio cassettedecks to stereo amplifiers; and - cleaners to clean video and audio heads and CD player len- ses. Newest PC from IBM —a great first machine‘! By HUGH MOONEY he new PS1 per- sonal computer is what one might call the answer to many questions in a first com- puter. There are many pluses and few minuses. There are times when one must make a selection in view of why one needs a computer. For much general use, the PS1 will do all the work you ask of it. The PS1 has memory enough for most applications and a 30- Meg hard drive that will handle almost anything you _ might want to put intoit. _ Because the PS1 is based upon the 286 chip, itruns fast and will keep up to you, if it doesn’t out- run you. As a home machine, it has the best features needed for student's work, for a home busi- ness, or for learning the basics of computer operation and using computer programs. Besides the hardware, hard drive, disk drive, modem and 512 KB memory, the PS1 has a VGA monitor with beautiful color, and also has a complete tutorial and Microsoft's new WORKS program, which is a comprehensive word processor, spreadsheet, database and com- munications program,-each of which would be a good program if it were a stand-alone. The PS1's disk drive is configured to handle the large capacity 1.4 Meg three-and-a-half-inch disks. This is the first real exposure _ that we have had to the full use of “GUI,” the Graphical User In- terface, which is built into the ROM to give a shell for opening and using the programs on the computer. This means simply _ that when you boot up the com- puter, the windows open into a mouse-operated world, just like tne Macintosh. and effectively hides MSDOS. If, however, you _are_a_dyed-in-the-wool DOS _ user, you can go to DOS and use it as usual. In other words you are not locked in to a particular way of working. Those whoh: ve been trained on the Mac will find themselves in comfortable sur- roundings and those who are beginners will not be lost. In most cases it only takes a few minutes to begin work on the PS1, and for those who use the tutorial and read the book the transition is very easy. The modem is an extra and is well worthwhile. It enables the user to access the public library, and the local bulletin boards as well as those outside the city. The IBM keyboard is a good functional keyboard, small, compact and with a positives touch, The screen is bright ana § the character set is as good as { any in its class. The footpad is small and can be set up without — using a whole room to do it in. PS1 offers a great deal ina small package — power, appearance, usefulness, The new IBM PS/1 is the home computer you've always wanted because it’s so easy to use. / programs. ODYSSEY COMPUTERS 1633 HILLSIDE AVE. ACROSS FROM HILLSIDE CENTRE - AUTHORIZED IBM™ SALES AND SERVICE DEALER 598-4342 The new PS/1 comes in one box and can be put together in minutes, so it’s ready to go right away. Just point the mouse and click to learn step by step in plain English, how to workit. It _ really is that simple to do everything from writing a letter to school work. Also, the new PS/1 has the power you need to do office work at home. It comes with IBM DOS and Microsoft Works, the software you need for word processing, spread sheets and data-base The new IBM PS/1 comes with a color or ‘black and white screen, IBM Selectric Touch / Keyboard, mouse and built-in modern. But probably what is most remarkable about the new PS/1 is the price. IBM brings it all homel » 46M ——————————————— EO