Sixth Gift Idea: Disk Storage Boxes
Every computer owner has a collection of disks, and few have a convenient way to organize them. Diskette carriers and boxes, varying from simple plastic ($5) to fancy wood ($75), efficiently store anywhere from five to 150 disks.
Seventh Gift Idea: Blank Disks
Just like students and spiral notebooks, computer owners will always need disks ($1-$3 each). Once again, before buying a set, make sure they are compatible with the computer in question. It's important to confirm with a salesman that certain disks will work with a specific computer.
Eight Gift Idea: Mouse Pads and Feet
Macintosh owners without a convenient surface to slide their mouse over, will certainly appreciate a mouse pad ($10). This handy rubber (or synthetic) slab helps keep the mouse moving smoothly, and prevents dust from accumulating on the mouse's main moving part. Also useful for mouse improvement is a new set of the little teflon feet on each corner of the mouse ($3) they will also improve the mouse's glide, whether on a special pad or just a desktop.
Ninth Gift Idea: Computer Books
Regardless of your computer proficiency, computer books at Christmas are right up there with socks and underwear: you can't beat 'em for practicality.
For new owner, The Apple Macintosh Book ($19.95) by Cary Lu provides several helpful hints on using a Mac. More sophisticated and artistically minded users would probably love a copy of the witty and philosophical Zen and the Art of the Macintosh (16.95). Perhaps a how-to guide to Lotus 1-2-3 or Database III would be appropriate for a senior doing a quantitative thesis. For those addictive hackers who eat, sleep and read computers, Hackers ($4.50) by Steven Levy is a fun account of famous and infamous computer heros. The Soul of a New Machine ($3.95) by Tracy Kidder is also enjoyable reading, even for the computer neophyte. If someone is looking to buy a computer, John Bear's Computer Wimp ($9.95) has a great deal of Happy Hacker advice.
Tenth Gift Idea: The Secret Weapon
If none of the above sounds appealing, alcohol is also a useful item in weaning computer weanies away from their terminals. Start with a mild of fering such as Bailey's Irish Cream. For hackers already in the cold turkey process, something harder, Stolichnaya 100 proof vodka may be best.
As for the Happy Hacker's holiday wish list, I'd just as soon get a singing telegram, two pound bag of caramel popcorn, or a candy cane. Of course, a laserprinter under the Christmas tree wouldn't be so bad either.