Mouse Clix

By Hobie Lunin

The cat and mouse game plus fun for kids.

Just when you wondered if your computer mouse was getting lonely for lack of a playmate, along comes a cat. A very specific feline called ":CueCat."

:CueCat is a produced by Digital Convergence, Inc., and the product, a cat shaped scanner, is available free from your local Radio Shack store. The cat is in a prone position and where it's paws and mouth meet, there is a 1/4"x 1/2" opening with a low level scanning light. This scanner reads Bar Codes. Now let me tell you what it can do. After I installed it (installation info is below) and I was on-line, I went over to my recycle bin and pulled out a salad dressing bottle that had a bar code on the back label. I brought it over to my computer and called for my :CueCat program by clicking the icon on the bottom right of the screen. I clicked on "new" about the middle of the unusual image that shows up on the screen and then scanned the label by passing it from left to right across the bar code. My computer screen became active and presented me with a page from the salad dressing manufacturer's (Kraft) web site. On it were some recipes that could be used with that dressing! Amazing or what? I was informed that several newspapers were now printing these bar codes in their papers. This allows you to surf without having to enter any of the URLs (web addresses) which seem to be getting longer and longer as more pages push their way on to the Internet.

Along with the :CueCat, I received a Radio Shack catalog (also no charge) and it has a bar-code at each item in the catalogue so you can go directly to more information on the Radio Shack website. I have already discovered that there is more complete information on the website than you can get in the catalogue pages. What else might this be used for? I suspect that it won't take too long before more suppliers jump on this bandwagon in order for you to learn more about their products and order them conveniently over the Internet.

How did it install? The: CueCat comes with a CD-ROM that you will install in your computer. After reading all the disclaimers and promises that you will not do anything "bad" with your "cat" and they promise not to make your info available to other people, the process stops. Then they ask you for some info and then indicate that they will send you a code number to enter into your computer to activate the program. This I did, checked my e-mail moments later, and the number was there. A very long number, that was convenient to copy and paste into the program where it was requested. To add the :Cue Cat itself, you need to shut down your computer and remove the cable for your keyboard in the back of your CPU. You replace it with the cable that is attached to the cat and then plug your keyboard into the other part of the "Y" connection. When your desktop comes into view after restarting, you will see two new icons, one is there with all your other icons. The other is down in the right corner and is what you will use to start scanning. This is an amazing tech idea that will allow you to get more information about all the products you use and or consume.

On the down side, I took notice that after installation, I began to get a striped pattern on my images scanned with my regular scanner. After a number of experiments, I discovered that the problem was easily solved by turning off the :CueCat with the button at the lower right of the screen when you are using your regular scanner. It will reappear next time you boot.

I think this gadget could keep a person of any age, especially kids, busy for days exploring all the information that comes from bar codes. In addition, the software leaves a banner on the lower part of you screen for a short period of time when you are first on and allows you a large selection of various sites to visit. Again, a great thing for kids as long as your Internet Service Provider is a local call and you have another line to receive phone calls.

Continuing on the subject of things for kids to do on the Internet that are "cool", try exploring some of the sites that are sponsored by the printer manufacturers. HP and Epson have sites where kids can make things by just printing out a project on paper then cutting and assembling. (At www.epson.com, find "Print Lab Series" to see dozens of great projects, and at www.hp.com, find "Cool Projects" for even more ideas.) You will need heavier paper than your typewriter paper and I recommend "cover weight" (120#) which is available at local stores such as Staples and OfficeMax. Buy a few glue sticks as well, to put things together.

If you do not have easy access to the Internet for this kind of activity, explore all the Greeting Card programs that you may have in your computer for craft projects. Many have them and they can provide inexpensive entertainment for the kids giving them an opportunity to use their scissors skills (no running, please) and give them the satisfaction of making something "cool."

Well, I hope your kids enjoy some of the projects they find, and that your mouse is getting along with your :CueCat!

Next time in Mouse Clix: Basics of Word Processing

REMEMBER: PA. Computer Tax Free Week, Feb. 18-25.