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As we write this, the holiday season is coming down to the wire, and we're worn out by shopping. Once again, we thought we'd try to make it easier on ourselves by doing as much shopping as possible without leaving the Barcalounger. We're crazy about catalog shopping—after all, we're misanthropes who avoid human contact at
This sounded like a great idea until we actually visited some of the sites we wanted to buy from. The Web is the ideal venue for sales involving large-database searches, like bookstores or music shops. You can get Mom what she wants (her attempts to hide her predilection for bodice-rippers—by folding back the front cover of every one she reads—having failed), but you can't give books or CDs to everyone on your list. We've found sites that sell other types of goods less than handy. Have you ever tried to buy something online, only to have the credit card entry form hang, or simply reject your card outright? Of course you have. Have you ever not found something that you know the site has to offer? Of course you have. Have you ever paid for downloadable software (or newspaper articles, even), only to find that your 24-hour download window has changed to only include the aborted file transfer you just attempted? Hey, who hasn't? So why hasn't Internet commerce taken off yet? Two reasons. It's usually a lot easier to phone in a catalog order than it is to type information online (often, typing it in numerous times). Then there are the overblown scare stories in the media about the dangers of using a credit card on the Internet. But with SSL, entering your credit card online is no more hazardous than handing it over to a waiter or a clerk. (We rented a car last month, and within days we had evidently ordered a talking parrot, a pair of fake breasts, a crew neck shirt, a television, a stereo, and a night's stay at the luxurious Marriott La Guardia. All without picking up the phone!) Probably the ideal gift is, of course, a subscription to MIND. Just take one of the 43 Savings Ceritificates that fell out as you opened this magazine and send it in (and remember to pretend not to hear your loved one's disappointed sobs by putting your hands over your eyes and humming loudly). Starting this month, your gift subscription is even more valuable. You may have already noticed that this issue feels a bit different. For one, it comes with its own container (known in the industry as a "pot roast bag") and a shiny new CD (known in the industry as a "beverage coaster"). Well, that's not just any pot roast bag, and that's not just any coaster. Starting with this issue, Microsoft Interactive Developer will be the exclusive source for the quarterly Microsoft MSDN Web Snapshot CD-ROM. What does this mean to you, Joe and Sally Websmith? Let's start with the basics. MSDN (SBN) online contains hundreds and hundreds of great resources for the serious Internet developer. There are special file downloads, offers, and sample code. The SBN CD you'll find bundled with this issue contains a snapshot of the entire contents of this Web site, including a bunch of free software and other goodies. And let's face it—even with today's modern 2400 baud modems, it's a lot faster to download a few megs from a CD. It's guaranteed to turn your loved one's sobs of disappointment into tears of joy. (Note: guarantee will not be honored—Microsoft Legal Department) What if your loved one has a ton of books and CDs and already subscribes to MIND? We have one more gift idea. What's cute and cuddly, lives inside your computer, fights the bad guys, and has eyes that cause violent convulsions, nausea, and breathing difficulties after 20 minutes? (No, not Clippit, the paper clip "helper" that comes with every copy of Microsoft Office for no reason other than to sap your vitality, stare at your mouse, and—adding insult to injury—give you a jaunty wink when you try to force it closed with a click.) It's Pikachu, the adorable Pocket Monster and animated TV star so popular these days with Japanese youngsters. —L.E., J.T.
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