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Computers have made their way into our lives in ways few, with the exception of a few brilliant science fiction writers during the early part of this century) could ever have imagined. These days, typing a letter or an essay on a plain old typewriter has become virtually unthinkable. Computers prevail in the workâ€" place, and increasingly, in the home. When considering a purâ€" chase for educational purposes, among other uses, there are a few things to consider. Sharon Maich, executive viceâ€" president of the Canadian Computer Outlet on Trafalgar Road, sells Mcintosh computers, software and peripheral equipment, so she‘s somewhat biased when it comes to choosing a manufacturer. She does point out, however, that virtually all of the schools in Halton use ‘Mac‘s.‘ (A quick call to the school can put that issue to rest.) "The larger school boards have gone with McIntosh probably because it‘s much more user friendâ€" ly and easier for children," she notes. Macintosh software, as the comâ€" pany‘s marketing literature points out, is handy for many nonâ€"comâ€" puterâ€"literate users because the AaBbCcDdEgF{Gg H/ ‘Powering up‘ for school /‘ 2510 1 U CC L2 UL L L /// ‘M Kn e2QMVZT s T tUu VVWWXXYTV 7 By Stephanie Henderson Canadian Computer Your Sourvre For Arnvle Authorized Sales Service 131 Trafalgar Road, Downtown Oakville Your Source For Apple Authorized Sales Service Visit us for a handsâ€"on demonstration commands in each software packâ€" age are similar, and each can be selfâ€"taught. In addition, the machines arrive almost fully assembled â€" just plug in a few conâ€" nections, and it‘s ready for action. But if you‘ve already made the decision to ‘go Mac‘ at home, one of the first decisions nowadays is "whether to go CDâ€"ROM," Maich advises, adding: "It‘s the leading edge at the moment; there are more interactive programs on CDs versus disks." Interactive technology, as anyâ€" one with a child addicted to video games is aware, is the hotttest trend among computer users today. So much so that computer manufacturâ€" er, Apple Computer Inc.‘s software subsidiary, Microsoft Corporation, is developing all sorts of new proâ€" grams and data packages for CDâ€" ROM use, including lots of educaâ€" tional software and cames. You can buy a computer that comes with a CD player installed internally, or buy the components separately. (This also becomes an issue when you‘re trying to figure out where to put the unit once you get it home.) The ‘external‘ module can also be used to upgrade many existing Macintosh computers â€" but it‘s best to check this out with an authorized dealer. Right now, dealers are offering the multimedia kit â€" a CDâ€" ROM player, speakers, headphones and a selection of CD titles, for a T:‘fi‘%mh‘fifi‘ 845â€"0154 BACK TO SCHOOL BARGAIN Until Feb. 1995* better price than the cost of each feature purchased separately. When little Johnny is about to embark on a school project, CDs come in handy, Maich says. Software companies are developing all sorts of new interactive educational programs and games, one of which has captured the attention of Kevin Cargill, at Canadian Computer Outlet. (Photo by R. Vertolli) "The amount of information that can be stored on a CD is immense, 9 ol compared to disks. For example, you can get an 20â€"volume encycloâ€" pedia on one disk." To keep that information curâ€" rent, upgrades are marketed each year. Maich says most families with schoolâ€"age children will be well served by a midâ€"sized model such as the LC475 or LC575, which come with builtâ€"in video support and permit an upgrade to a power processor later on. Power procesâ€" sors are great for the more sophistiâ€" y cated graphics programs, and tend to be purchased by small business owners, observes Maich, who sells to a cross section of customers, from families to large corporations. The LC575 also comes with builtâ€"in speakers and microphone. If you buy one with an internal CD player, you also get a program about animals produced in conjuncâ€" tion with the San Diego Zoo, one on dinosaurs, ‘Leonardo the Inventor,‘ and Claris Works, a handy allâ€"purpose entry level proâ€" gram with word processing, spreadâ€" sheet and graphics capabilities, and a database creator. It gives you a taste of basic applications, and from there you can decide whether you‘d like to try some fancier programs, like desktop publishing. "It‘s an integrated package, so you can go back and forth," Maich points out. "The word processing program is usually all the kids require for school essays and projects." Power Books, the company‘s lightweight portable units, may not survive repeated bus rides with younger children, but are great for high school, college and university students, Maich notes. Every year at this time, Apple Computer Inc. offers a number of aggressively priced package deals aimed at entry level users, she says.] Canadian Computer Outlet is locatâ€" ed at 131 Trafalgar Rd., Tel. 849â€" 0737.