Q: I see that Windows 7 will be gone soon. And I see a lot of computers with Windows 8.1, which I guess has about the same features as 7. Can I buy a computer with 8.1 and then upgrade it to a 10 later on when 8.1 will be gone too? — Elsbeth Link
A: Windows 7 will be around for a long time. Heck some people (against my advice) are still using Windows XP. It’s the same deal with Windows 8.1.
You could buy a computer with Windows 8.1 and then upgrade to Windows 10. And if you do it before Microsoft’s offer expires, you can upgrade Windows 7 and 8 and 8.1 machines to 10 free. The free upgrade offer lasts until July 29, 2016. After that you’d have to pay to get a copy of Windows 10.
All that said, the smart thing would be to move directly to Windows 10 instead of making a temporary stop at Windows 8.1. For one thing, Windows 8.1 is a really clunky bit of software and Windows 10 — despite any initial growing pains — is much better.
Like I said, Windows 7 will be around for a long time. So there’s no huge hurry and it may be smart to wait another month or two to let Microsoft find and fix any problems with Windows 10. But I do recommend that you make the move a couple of months before the July 29, 2016, free upgrade offer ends.
Whenever you hear someone say, “back when I was a kid,” you instantly know you are hearing from a person who is old and maybe even a little cranky.
I plead guilty on both counts. But hear me out. So, as I was saying:
When I was a kid, I often woke up on Christmas morning to find a nicely wrapped chemistry set, or maybe a microscope or an erector set. I didn’t mind a bit. Heck, I yearned for stuff like that.
But over time we have become a nation of buyers, not builders. And gifts like that for a young person are as out of date as my taste in music. That’s a shame because those gifts carry a hidden payload. Not only are they fun to get but hidden inside is a chance the gift will spark an interest in science and technology. Instead of just building a kit, the young person may be assembling a future.
Today, I will offer up some gift possibilities where assembly is definitely required. Keep in mind that you’ll need to do a lot of the work finding the right gift and not just rely on my suggestions. You’ll need to do your own search based on the interests and age of your planned recipient. And since I am writing this column far in advance of when you see it, check to make sure the gifts are still in stock.
Learning is a snap
I’m talking about the Snap Circuits Jr. 100 that sells for a reasonable $29.95 (www.scientificsonline.com/product/snap-circuits-junior-electronics-kit). Here’s what I like about this kit. The circuit components literally snap together — no wiring is required. It’s safe and all the components can be used over and over to build different electronic projects. None of what is built is very useful. That’s not the point — what is really being constructed is a basic understanding of how electronics works. Check out the website for a broad range of science-related gifts.
The right chemistry
I mentioned chemistry sets at the beginning. Unlike the sets I had as a kid, there are fewer jars of ingredients these days and also less of a chance that a child will blow up the basement. But it’s still smart — if you go this route — to shop for an age-appropriate kit. And it wouldn’t be crazy to check everything yourself to make sure you feel it is safe. Regard my suggestion as an example that will suit a child who is 13 or a few years older. It’s the Thames & Kosmos CHEM C1000 (V 2.0) at $58.39 available from Amazon. You’ll also find dozens of other chemistry sets there, so browse around.
Not an optical illusion
Telescopes and microscopes literally offer a peek into hidden worlds. Of all the gifts I suggest, these — if you do a good job in balancing cost with quality — have the most long-lasting appeal. But what I just mentioned – that cost and quality equation – is the real secret. There’s a lot of junk out there, and yet the highest-quality stuff is too pricey for many families. So I’ll do my best to balance those two factors.
It is safest to get optical instruments from a company known for optics, instead of from a toy company. A microscope kit from highly regarded Celestron is a possibility. It includes a digital camera for capturing what you see through the eyepiece and costs $70. You’ll find it here: www.celestron.com/browse-shop/microscopes/digital-microscopes/digital-microscope-kit.
When it comes to telescopes, Celestron remains a fairly safe bet. The company makes high-end optical equipment as well as affordable stuff. Take a look — either on the Celestron website (www.celestron.com) or on Amazon at the Celestron 21036 PowerSeeker 70AZ Telescope. Prices vary, but you’ll find it on Amazon for around $80.
My top tip when it comes to optics is to avoid the very cheapest offerings. They are usually worthless — like viewing through a Coke bottle. And don’t forget the possibility of buying a quality pair of binoculars rather than a telescope. The binoculars actually are often more useful for viewing the night sky than a high-powered telescope. You get a larger slice of the sky as well as a gift that can do double duty for checking out birds and other distant objects.
These are idea starters, not an ironclad list of what to buy. It’s important to find gadgets that are age-appropriate. You’ll also notice that I’ve kept all gifts below $80 and, in many cases, way below that figure. Don’t overspend. Let your gift be used to gauge interest. If your recipient really loves it, then you can spend a few more bucks next Christmas on a higher-quality device.
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