(2008-01-31) Gifts For10yr Old

Number One Son turns 10 next week. Have to evaluate some potential gifts (Computer Game-s will generally have to run on my old IBook):

• World Of Warcraft: a classmate apparently plays a fair amount (on the weekend). Adds up to a fair amount of money, plus social nature creates more pressure to play a lot, and according to other people's schedules.

• Chaotic: trading cards tied to online monster-battling game (online game is free if you buy the cards - looks like ~$40); review - huh?

• SimCity: well, once I download this for our OLPC, it doesn't seem like a good idea to have a "fancier" but more closed version.

• The Sims?

• SimEarth?

• Myst - can't seem him having the patience for that...

• Strange Adventures In Infinite Space link

• Wildlife Tycoon Africa link

• Bridge Construction Set link

• Dr Blobs Organism link - free?!?

• Orbital Trader link

• Professor Fizzwizzle link

Outcome: indulgent The Wife caved on World Of Warcraft.