Gadget budgets tight
Yes, I am a self confessed gadget freak. For me there is nothing more enjoyable than to roam about in one of the mega computer stores one finds in most major US cities. There is nothing like that here in South Africa. Even the largest Incredible Connection can only be compared to a corner café of the old days where you could buy most things albeit from a poor selection.
Just take CD labels, you can find numerous kits with free software that allow you to create your own that will even put commercial CD labels to shame. Not to mention the special banded packs of ink cartridges and other special bulk purchase offers that make printing your own “books” affordable. OK! I should be reading off the screen to save a tree or two, but if there is something technical, reading from a printed copy seems to be so much easier.
With the dive the rand took in recent months I had to shelve the idea of a trip to the USA. I am hoping that next year will be better or maybe I will get used to the idea that a dollar will cost more than R10.
To satisfy my craving for a few new gadgets I decided to have a look around Exclusive Books and check out what magazines featuring gadgets and stuff are on the shelves. My eye caught a magazine called Stuff, so I flipped through the pages and decided that perhaps to satisfy my craving I should take a copy home. My wife it is still convinced that it was the sexy girl on the front cover that made me buy it! I have given up convincing her.
Settling back in my study I carefully read through the magazine. Some really great stuff is featured but most way beyond my current budget. I was hoping to put some items on my Christmas wish list but besides high prices where does Father Christmas have to go to shop. Lamenting my frustration to one of my online friends, he suggested to Google “gadgets”. Needless to say I had a field day looking at all the sites.
I came across an interesting gadget called the pulse smart pen. As a journalist it is just what I need. It is a pen that will record the interview while you make notes. What amazed me more was that when going over your notes it picks up the voice recording at that point where you point the pen. When my daughter in Australia asked: “Dad, what would you like for your birthday and Christmas?” – I am one of those unlucky people that have a birthday just after Christmas, so all my life I had to do with a combination birthday/Christmas present – I mentioned the pulse smart pen to her. As it turned out it was just launched “down under” and on a special offer. My smart pen is on the way.
Are gadgets still affordable? definitely yes if you get them as a present!
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