C/C++ Programming Language


C/C++ Programming Languag

 

The C and C++ language is used for most major programs and operating systems, including Windows, Linux, and Unix. Years ago, many programs were developed in assembly language for speed and size. But improvements in compilers and hardware have all but eliminated the need for assembly language programming.

Anyone, who has moved from DOS to Windows based programming, can tell you that a Windows based program is many times more complex. While many people use some variation of BASIC, you should give serious consideration to leaving the limitations of BASIC behind and moving to C/C++. The Windows operating system is written in C/C++ and when creating a Windows based program, it is easier to program in the same language.

The BASIC programming language was originally developed as a teaching tool and not as a program development language. BASIC was included with the DOS operating system and as such many people starting writing programs in BASIC. But what was quickly discovered is that memory and other limitations made it difficult to create large programs.

The C language was originally developed as a portable language which could be easily deployed on most types of computers. C is actually written in C with a minimum amount of programming that is dependent on a machine’s CPU and hardware. It was possible for a version to be created for a new computer is weeks instead of months and years. As each version worked the same and had the same commands, it was simple to convert a program from one computer to another. This helped propel C to the premier language it is today.

C++ is an extension of C that adds additional capability while retaining the original C language commands. In my mind, objects and inheritance are the some of the most valuable features of C++. Objects and inheritance are often difficult for the non-C/C++ programmer to grasp. The following brief example should be helpful.

After you have programmed for a while, you realize that much of your code is the same over and over. So you open an old project and copy/paste the code into your new program. Then when you find a mistake, you may have to go back and correct the code in many programs. Every time you correct a program, you have to test that program to insure that it works as expected. Think how much better it would be if you only had to do the code once.

Well this is where an object comes in. An “object” can be data, programming code, or both. Consider a hypothetical object, called ZipCode. ZipCode will be used to store and format a postal Zip Code. ZipCode will also have the ability to check Zip Codes for errors. The actual source for this object will not be developed here and is not necessary for this example.

Now when we write a new program that requires a Zip Code, the ZipCode object is used to create one or more variables to hold Zip Codes. For example, in an invoicing program we could create a ZipCode object called BillToZipCode and ShipToZipCode. These two new objects are ineffect clones of the original ZipCode object and inherit all of the capabilities of the base object.

No additional programming is necessary beyond the code to create the object, typically one line of code. Now when we assign a Zip Code to one of the objects, it is automatically formatted and checked for errors. Each program that uses the ZipCode object has the same capability without additional programming.

Now lets assume that we discover a mistake with the ZipCode object. In convential programming, it would be necessary to check each program individually and correct the code. Each program would have to be tested to insure the changes worked properly. This adds up to a lot of work. Contrast that with our object method. All of the source code is in the parent or base object. Therefore we only have to change the source code at one spot. Then simply recompiling all objects that use the ZipCode object will fix the problem without requiring each program to be tested. Control programs, called MAKE programs, can determine if the programs needs to be recompiled or not. This further simplifies the process.

Hopefully, this makes sense to you. I realize that this is a very simplistic example. But applying the concepts to more complex applications makes program generation easier. Now lets take our example one step further. Lets assume that we want to use the Zip Code and look up the city and state names to lessen the workload of the user. In conventional programming, it would be necessary to modify every program to add this capability. This would obviously require a lot of work to accomplish. Using our C++ object, the job is much simpler. Just load the base object, add in the new code, recompile and all programs which use this object now have the ability to lookup the city and state name after the Zip Code is entered.

This should give you a little head start in understanding how the C++ language can simplify your life. by Lyle Prentiss,  for more information on programming. If you pick up the paper today, you are sure to notice page after page of ads for computer programmers. High school and college students who are not sure “what they want to be when the grow up”, should take a serious look at a career in programming. I started programming over 20 years ago, when your choices for hardware and software were very limited. My first word processing program was “Electric Pencil” and had to be loaded off cassette tape. Times have certainly changed and the opportunity for aspiring programmers has never been better.

I’m going to feature programming tools, such as compilers and editors, which I feel are worth considering. Even on a limited budget, you should be able to put together a system with the hardware and tools that will enable yourself or your child to begin learning to program.

What do you need to get started?

A relatively new computer, running Windows 95, 98, 2000, ME, or NT4. CPU speed should be 200 Mhz or above and 500 Mhz is great. If your computer has a 120-200 Mhz CPU, you’ll still be ok but maybe a little sluggish.
A minimum of 32 Mb of RAM memory (64 Mb with NT or 2000), 128 Mb recommended. Minimum of 300 Mb of free hard disk space. A compiler to develop programs with. Click here for some recommendations. Compilers Borland C++ Builder 5 C++Builder is an ANSI C/C++ compiler for developing applications under Windows and the Internet. Click here for more information.

Infant/Preschool Toy

Infant/Preschool Toy

Experience the thrill of the arcade at home with the PLAYSKOOL ELECTRONIC BULLS-EYE BOUNCE & ROLL game! The action never stops with two ways to play and three challenging game modes: Target Practice, Match Me and The High-Score Challenge! An electronic announcer encourages play, keeps track of points and records the high score. The game even folds up for easy storage and clean-up! Take the challenge and score a bulls-eye of fun! Shake ‘N Go Speedway™ – Fisher-Price

Making kids part of the action and giving them the power to “shake things up,” this track allows kids to race two Shake ‘N Go cars, complete with light-up lap counter and all the sounds of a real speedway. The more kids shake the cars, the further they go! Also features IR technology to “know” who won the race and announce the winner. Star Station™ – Fisher-Price Star Station puts the power of performance into the palms of kids’ hands! It lets kids be the star of the show – they can see and hear themselves on TV as they sing and dance along with their favorite Kidz Bop® songs. It uses simple plug and play technology and features a wireless microphone and five different rotating camera lenses that create awesome on-screen effects.

Weebles Weebly Wobbly Tree House – Playskool The WEEBLES pals gather from far and wide to have amazing adventures at Bumpus™ WEEBLY WOBBLY TREE HOUSE! Spin your WEEBLES friends round and round in the whirly Water Wheel, or have them investigate the secret resting place at the top! Exciting electronic music and sounds accompany the fun time action! There’s a crows nest, a carpenter shop, even a trusty telescope BUMPUS WOBBLEWORKS can use! You are invited to a sliding, swinging, silly good time, because WEEBLES just love having you along for the fun!

Write & Learn Letter Book™ – VTech Electronics North America
Cleverly disguised as a talking storybook, this preschool-stage phonics and handwriting teacher introduces young children to the pre-writing skills that will help them successfully learn to write! Words like apple, boy and cup come alive in the Write & Learn Letter Book as your child follows the friendly teacher and learns to identify words, sounds and letters; connect letters to words; and trace letters with a finger. Through twenty colorful, interactive pages and special writing recognition technology, the spoken-word picture book captivates and delights your child as she engages in activities that boost her skills and confidence in reading, writing, counting and letter and word identification. The electronic book teaches over 60 new vocabulary words, the numbers 1 through 12, correct letter stroke for the whole alphabet, spelling, animal sounds, and basic music composition.

The best toy developed specifically for girls of any age. Amazing Amanda™ – Playmates Toys Inc..Amazing Amanda is a doll like no other. In fact, she’s the closest thing to a real child that a young “pretend mommy” can have. By responding to voices, recognizing objects and showing emotions with realistic facial expressions, Amazing Amanda establishes an interactive mother-daughter bond that is unparalleled among children’s toys. Bratz Babyz™ – MGA Entertainment, Inc.

Before they were Bratz…They were Bratz Babyz! This imaginative and best selling line of small dolls were inspired by Roto-Cast Vinyl styles and feature funky fashions and playful accessories. Cool and Collectible, Bratz Babyz launched an entirely new line of the popular fashion doll with Entertainment plans in the works for 2006.

Dora’s Talking Kitchen uniquely captures the essence of the Dora brand, featuring a life-size Dora character that takes kids on “recipe adventures” in the kitchen, incorporating bilingual phrases and fun sound effects. The kitchen is beautifully styled in adobe and terra cotta brick – making it instantly recognizable as Dora’s kitchen.

Your Pixel Chix Pal needs your advice: Should she go out with friends? What should she wear? Where should she go? What should she eat? Help her decide these questions and more using the buttons on her cute handheld cottage. In return, she’ll reward you with fun games and other neat surprises

Tamagotchi Connection Version 2 – Bandai America Inc. rThe egg-shaped toy simulates the life cycle of a real pet, letting kids experience the fun and responsibility of feeding, tending to and caring for their virtual pet. With Tamagotchi Connection Version 2, kids can earn Gotchi points to shop for special items and food, and by unlocking new secret codes, they can shop .til they drop for even more fun treats. And, with even more new designs, colors and characters to choose from, Tamagotchi fans will be able to find the Tamagotchi that matches their personal style. New design collections include Tropical Fun, Camouflage, Makeup Fun, Sweet Candy and Spring Time.

The best toy developed specifically for boys of any age.

Air Hogs Zero Gravity – Spin Master Ltd.

The Air Hogs Radio Controlled Zero Gravity vehicle actually drives on walls! Drive from the ground to the wall, up down and in wild patterns, full function anywhere! The advanced Air Venturi system drives the velocity of air underneath the vehicle to create massive down-force that keeps Zero Gravity on the wall! Fly Wheels™ – JAKKS Pacific, Inc. High-speed, high-performance Fly Wheels, including accessories and play sets, are hitting toy aisles in a monster way! With Fly Wheels, JAKKS’ Road Champs division capitalizes on the hottest trend in vehicle customization with 100% authentic licensed replicas in 1:10th scale of the top wheel, tire, and brake manufacturers on the market today. With a simple pull of a ripcord, Fly Wheels racers can zoom at over 300 scale miles per hour and jump over 25 feet in the air!

Star Wars Darth Vader Voice Changer – Hasbro, Inc.

From the moment you put on this menacing gear, you become the ultimate villain of Star Wars. Strike fear throughout the galaxy by changing your voice to sound like Darth Vader’s! This realistic headgear and chestplate will make you master of the dark side of the Force! This is the ultimate headgear for any fan of the Star Wars movies! Easy-to-adjust straps allow you to fit the helmet comfortably on your head. Once you are wearing the helmet, three different modes allow you to adjust the pitch of your voice! Make actual Darth Vader breathing sounds, or hear real phrases spoken by Lord Vader in the movies! Best of all, activate the third mode and speak into the helmet – your voice will sound just like Darth Vader’s Star Wars Revenge of the Sith Ultimate Lightsaber Kit – Hasbro, Inc.

Your time has come. The final step in becoming a true Jedi Knight is building your own lightsaber. It is your destiny to feel the Force. You will forever be an honorable, brave and trustworthy guardian of peace and justice throughout the galaxy! Unless…You know the power of the dark side. With each passing moment, the power calls to you. Strength, control, supremacy, it can all be yours if you become a mystical Sith apprentice. Pledge your allegiance to the Sith, and you too will experience the true power of the Force!

Will you become a true Jedi, or will you join the Sith? The choice is yours. Build your own lightsaber today and play your part in the epic battle of good verses evil!
Tyco® R/C Shell Shocker™ – Mattel

Tyco R/C’s latest innovation in radio control is a shocking transformation! Featuring bio-mechanical design, the Shell Shocker vehicle transforms from a cyberball to a cyberbeast! Mud, grass, or pavement can’t stop the Shell Shocker; the incredibly adaptability will fascinate kids! The Shell Shocker vehicle’s special creature features and bio-mechanical design is unlike any other R/C vehicle ever with a large front wheel that allows for flipping action and the ability to drive over obstacles. The rear wheel arms turn the vehicle by moving in an up and down motion.

Including children’s board, card, CD-ROM or electronic game formats. (For CD-ROM or electronic games, formats must have ESRB’s “Early Childhood” rating: content may be suitable for persons ages 3 and older. Contains no materials that parents would find inappropriate.) Apples to Apples® -Out of the Box Publishing, Inc.

Apples to Apples® is the wild, award-winning card and party game that provides instant fun for four to ten players! It’s as easy as “comparing apples to apples”…just open the box, deal the cards, and you’re ready to play! Select the card from your hand that you think is best described by a card played by the judge. If the judge picks your card, you win that round. And everyone gets a chance to be the judge! Each round is filled with surprising and outrageous comparisons from a wide range of people, places, things, and events. Fast moving and refreshing, Apples to Apples is perfect for any get-together with family and friends! Every child’s first favorite game – now with an exciting musical DVD! Jump, wave, and hop up and down to the music! Play three games with Mr. Mint and his friends!

Dream Life™ -Tiger Electronics First role-playing game for Tween girls, and first plug and play game for tween girls. Turn your TV into your own world: place the storage unit on the TV, plug the cords into your TV, and use the wireless, palm-size remote to personalize your life with a click. Select new clothes to buy; choose your hairstyle; make new friends; decorate your room.

Cranium Hullabaloo is the surprise-filled, high-energy game that turns bouncing off the walls into bouncing across the room! Players move from one colorful shape to another and use their bodies to perform the many Hullabaloo moves — touch your nose to a circle, spin to a red, put your elbow on a musical instrument. When Hullabaloo says, “Freeze!” the player on the lucky pad wins! Every few minutes there’s a new winner who gets to take a bow, make a victory jump, or do a funky monkey dance. Faster than a scavenger hunt, more creative than Simon Says, and able to make imaginative leaps past musical chairs, Hullabaloo provides hours of fun for any occasion — birthday parties, play dates, even a rainy day. Ready to play?

Sudoku™ – Techno Source USA

Fuel your obsession for Sudoku with the new electronic touch screen handheld from Techno Source! This pocket sized phenomenon puts over 100,000 puzzles in the palm of your hand and eliminates hours of endless erasing through your newspaper! Simply fill in the grid so that every row, column and 3 x 3 box contains the number 1 through 9. With both beginner and advanced modes, anyone can learn to master the ultimate logic puzzle!

The Dominator is the best R/C plane with full function, radio controlled performance! Fly this plane for 2 minutes on a single charge. Made of durable foam for increased performance and customer satisfaction. You can control your flight by using on-board varying motor speeds. The all-in-one controller/charger is easy to use. Requires 6 AA batteries (not included).

Banzai Falls QuickSet Water Slide – Toy Quest Kids can beat the summer heat by sliding down this gigantic Banzai Falls water slide through a tunnel of water into a splash pool. Slide comes with a blower motor with on/off switch so setup is quick

Fold 2 Go™ XL Trike – Radio Flyer The Radio Flyer Fold 2 Go XL Trike’s telescoping push handle lets you push your little rider along, or folds into the seat back so he can take off on his own. The steering locks for easy adult pushing, and a safety latch helps keep the trike secure when you need it to stay put. Moon Shoes 2000 are mini trampolines made for kids as well as adults. These Moon Shoes are made of high-quality and high-density plastic and adjustable nylon straps with sure-footing and non-skid threads.

PlasmaCar – PlaSmart

The PlasmaCar is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. It’s so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface.

The PlasmaCar is adult-friendly, too. For starters, it doesn’t require an expensive power source that needs constant replacement. No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two. It’s quiet too-the only sound you’ll hear is the sound of its wheels. It provides kids with plenty of exercise, more so than most toys. And the PlasmaCar is engineered to be absolutely safe when used appropriately. It’s been extensively tested, and meets or exceeds all significant international safety standards.

The best toy that through play help children develop special skills and/or knowledge. FLY™ Pentop Computer – LeapFrog Enterprises Computer power on paper! FLY Pentop computer’s power comes from an optical scanner that sees everything you scan and write on special dot-matrix FLY paper. It’s got a brain (a built-in computer processor) and it’s got a voice. It’s even got its own language. If you’ve got a math problem, FLY Pentop computer can solve it. You can schedule anything and FLY Pentop computer will remind you. You can draw drums and keyboards and record your own tunes. Play games with your friends–anywhere, any time! Plus, you can load FLY Pentop Computer with FLYware™ cartridges to add new games and adventures. (FLYware cartridges coming soon!)

Leapster L-Max™ Learning Game System – LeapFrog Enterprises

Take learning to the MAX!™ The full Leapster and Leapster L-Max library allow your child to play action-packed games while learning essential preschool through 4th grade skills! Learn on the Go! The Leapster L-Max handheld lets you play anywhere and learn everywhere! Plug it into your TV and grow! The TV expands the learning lessons! Dual screen learning advantage takes learning to the MAX! For example, you can learn to write letters on the L-Max handheld screen and the letters you write appear on the TV and star in an animated story! Nitro Notebook™ – VTech Electronics North America

With its cool look and design, Nitro Notebook is power-packed with learning tools – and fun. Kids choose from 80 arcade style games to learn math, reading, Spanish, logic, music, and more. Nitro Notebook even reads stories aloud to teach phonics and build comprehension skills. Artificial Intelligence technology tracks kids’ performance and adjusts the skill level as needed. Now the cool kids and the smart kids are one and the same! V. Smile Pocket™ Learning System – VTech Electronics North America

The V.Smile Pocket turns Game Time into Brain Time by combining a video game platform with educational content. V.Smile Pocket is a portable learning system that goes anywhere AND it can be connected directly to the TV for big screen game play at home. Geared for kids 5 and older, the V.Smile Pocket features high resolution game play on a truly amazing screen. The Pocket console operates on 4 AA batteries or it can be recharged with the V.Smile Power Pack.

The best toy that inspires creative play through various forms of activity. Black Belts Home Karate Studio – Spin Master Ltd.
Become a Karate Master at home with the Black Belts Karate Home Studio. Learn blocks, punches, stances, & kicks all in a fun & safe way. Comes complete with a 30 minute action packed video Doctor Dreadful™ Freaky Food Lab – Funrise Toy Corp With the Dr. Dreadful Freaky Food Lab, you can make 20 diabolically delicious experiments. The best part is you can build your own laboratory and eat everything you make! The Freaky Food Lab comes with an injector station to make gruesome gooey creatures, lab links to custom build your lab, experiment cards, a skull bowl, food packets, and more.

LEGO Star Wars – LEGO Systems Inc.

The force is strong with the 2005 LEGO® Star Wars range which offers children (and adults!) the thrill of building, creating and customizing their very own Star Wars universe. The focus is on vehicles, wrapped up in compelling new packaging with ‘Try Me’ functions. New features include light-up lightsabers which are bound to be a real hit with children and adult fans alike. The 2005 LEGO® assortment provides a mixture of classic and new Episode III products, and is the most authentic Star Wars assortment ever.

Activate Darth Vader’s lightsaber in the TIE Fighter set and battle for the fate of the galaxy! The Set is suitable for children aged 7+ and will tantalize and tease fans, old and young. Play out the final life or death battle at the Volcano between Obi-Wan and the tormented Anakin re-enact the monumental lightsaber duel between General Grievous and Obi-Wan witness Darth’s amazing transformation and create awe inspiring Clone vehicles.

The Glow Doodle Bear combines the soft cuddliness of a plush bear with the fun of activity drawing. Draw on the Doodle Bear with the marker & stamper combination 2-in-1 markers, wash the Doodle Bear in the washing machine – and start all over again! Then add to the excitement & bring Doodle Bear into the dark & write secret messages with a Magic Glow Light Pen & Magic Glow Light Clip-on. The special glow in the dark material allows children to write messages on the bear & see them glow in the dark. Hold the bear up to the light & then turn the lights out – and the bear glows brightly too! Set includes 15″ Glow in the Dark Doodles Bear, 2 Markers, 1 Light-up Pen, 1 Light-up Clip-on Pen and an Oodles of Doodles Poster. Markers and Bear are machine washable.

7-Eleven Slurpee Drink Maker – Spin Master Ltd. Make tasty frozen drinks with the 7-Eleven Slurpee Maker! No cranking required. It’s automatic! Create your own Slurpees, just add soda or juice! Product includes the battery-powered Slurpee Maker, spoonstraw & cup! Try these cool combinations: The Summer Splash (orange juice, lemonade and orange soda) The Cherry Punch (cherry soda & fruit punch), or the Fruit Twister (cranberry juice, grape juice, and fruit punch). Create your own flavors but watch out for that Brain Freeze!!!

Electronic Entertainment Toy of the Year

Electronic Entertainment Toy

For toys created for children of any age that have a considerable electronic component involved. This includes “plug ‘n play” and interactive videos. It knows what you’re thinking! If it reads your mind within 20 questions it wins, if not, you win! Can you fool 20Q? The deluxe edition features an easy-to-read scrolling display. The screen changes color as 20Q gets closer to reading your mind! Image of CHATNOW Two-way Radio Communicator CHATNOW Two-way Radio Communicator – Tiger Electronics

Chat with your friends or send them text messages up to two miles away with the CHATNOW communicator! Talk one-on-one with your best friend or chat with everyone in your CHAT ZONE at the same time! You can send and save text messages, even add symbols to personalize them! Take pics of your pals and save them to your communicator. . . there’s a digital camera built right in! Animate their photos and save them to your personal buddy list!

I-DOG Interactive Music Companion – Tiger Electronics.

Now plug your MP3 player into I-DOG and hear your tunes through I-DOG’s speaker! Toggle I-DOG’s tail to turn off the speaker and listen to music via headphones. I-DOG feeds on YOUR music. Your music helps form its personality by the type of music it hears, and its mood changes depending on how much music you share with I-DOG. Image of I-DOG Interactive Music Companion Image of Star Wars Saga Edition® Lightsaber Battle Game
Star Wars Saga Edition® Lightsaber Battle Game – Tiger Electronics

Put the Power of the Force in Your Own Hands! Slash your war through a galaxy far, far away. Grab your lightsaber and enter the exciting world of the Jedi. . . right in your living room! You’ll find helpful friends on your journey – and dozens of deadly foes. Wield your lightsaber quickly and cleverly to fend off the attackers and defeat opponents!

M.A.G.™ The BATMAN™ Villains of Gotham City™ TV Action Game – Thinkway Toys Defend Gotham City against The Joker, Clayface and a host of their henchmen before the ultimate showdown against Bane. You control BATMAN’s actions with wireless motion sensitive gauntlets. Punch and BATMAN punches on screen! Gauntlets also empower you to block hits and land kicks Awesome 2-way interaction. Feel and hear instant feedback on the vibrating chest plate No console or software required – unit connects directly to your TV with multi-level game play Amazing 3D Graphics with 64Mb and 256 colors Set includes gauntlets, chest plate and game unit with AV input cable Image of M.A.G.™ The BATMAN™ Villains of Gotham City™ TV Action Game Most Innovative Toy of the Year The best toy that combines the most unique blend of innovative technology and play value for children today.

Air Hogs Zero Gravity – Spin Master Ltd.

The Air Hogs Radio Controlled Zero Gravity vehicle actually drives on walls! Drive from the ground to the wall, up down and in wild patterns, full function anywhere!The advanced Air Venturi system drives the velocity of air underneath the vehicle to create massive down-force that keeps Zero Gravity on the wall!Comes completely ready to run with 6V Ni Cad battery, charger and 9V controller battery  Air Hogs Zero Gravity Image of FLY™ Pentop Computer FLY™ Pentop Computer – LeapFrog Enterprises

Computer power on paper! FLY pentop computer’s power comes from an optical scanner that sees everything you scan and write on special dot-matrix FLY paper. It’s got a brain (a built-in computer processor) and it’s got a voice. It’s even got its own language. If you’ve got a math problem, FLY pentop computer can solve it. You can schedule anything and FLY pentop computer will remind you. You can draw drums and keyboards and record your own tunes. Play games with your friends–anywhere, any time! Plus, you can load FLY pentop computer with FLYware™ cartridges to add new games and adventures. (FLYware cartridges coming soon!)

iZ is the ultimate fusion of music and toy with a personality of his own. Twist and turn iZ’s ears to create new combinations of rhythm and lead tracks: press his belly to change-up the beat! iZ’s eyes bounce to the rhythm and lead and his horn glows in rainbow colors to the beat! Want to listen to your own favorite tunes? Use the included cable to plug in your iPod or any music source and listen as iZ plays your songs in his own way! Roboraptor™ – WowWee Dinosaurs are back and roaming the earth in the 32″ long Roboraptor, an advanced fusion of technology and personality. With his advanced artificial intelligence personality, realistic biomorphic motions, direct control and autonomous (free-roam) modes, the Age of Dinosaurs has truly returned

VUGO Player – Tiger Electronics

Record or download your favorite shows, music or pictures on the VUGO multimedia system! 128MB of virtual memory store hit television shows, hours of music or your favorite photos! Plug it in to your DVD, television, satellite receiver or computer, record or download what you want and then view on the go! The full-color screen and built-in speaker enhance the portable experience, and the pop-out stand equals hands-free entertainment! File management software makes it easy to store and access your VUGO favorites on the computer! The best toy primarily distributed through specialty retailers.

3-D Pool Table -Zocker Toys

The 3D Pool Table is the first pool table in the world to have both horizontal and vertical game play. The game is similar to pool in that a player wins the game by hitting the balls into the pockets. The difference is that there are 3 levels, 2 cue balls, and 8 game balls (4 game balls each). The goal is to use your cue ball to send your game balls down to the bottom pockets first. The exciting part of the multi-level table is that balls can be hit up the scoops. Strategy becomes a major part of this game and with a little skill, game balls will be going up or down to different levels. 3D Pool is fun for the entire family and is built to last. Image of 3-D Pool Table

Blokus – Educational Insights

Develops logic and spacial perception while teaching kids to be tactical. Players take turns placing pieces on their board, each starting from their corner. Each new piece must touch at least one other piece of the same color, but only at the corners! The goal is to get rid of all your pieces. The game ends when all players are blocked from laying down any more of their pieces. Includes one gameboard with 400 squares, 84 game pieces in four bright translucent colors, and an instruction guide.

PlasmaCar – Plasmart Toys

The PlasmaCar is a mechanical marvel that makes use of that most inexhaustible of energy sources, kid-power, by harnessing the natural forces of inertia, centrifugal force, gravity, and friction. It’s so easy to operate; all it needs is a driver and a smooth, flat surface. The PlasmaCar is adult-friendly, too. For starters, it doesn’t require an expensive power source that needs constant replacement. No batteries, no power-cells, no liquid fuel-just the occasional cookie or two. It’s quiet too-the only sound you’ll hear is the sound of its wheels. It provides kids with plenty of exercise, more so than most toys. And the PlasmaCar is engineered to be absolutely safe when used appropriately. It’s been extensively tested, and meets or exceeds all significant international safety standards.

TIPOVER! – ThinkFun Inc.

You’ll flip over TIPOVER! This three-dimensional, multi-level challenge game will delight problem solvers at any skill level. To start, set up crates of different colors and heights on the game grid to match any one of 40 Beginner-to-Expert card challenges. Next, tip over the crates to connect your Tipper to the red crate, which is your final destination on the card. There’s a catch; your Tipper can’t jump over empty grid spaces. Only you control your fate by tipping over the right crate!

UGLYDOLL – Prettyugly LLC

The Uglydolls have taken the world by storm with a broad range of appeal from newborn to 80. Kids get the message that being Ugly is cool. That accepting your differences being individualistic and embracing your flaws is redefining what UGLY means. There isn’t another product on the market that is this soft, has this broad age appeal and that has a message to kids of all ages to not be so fussy about imperfections. Many toy products on the market today project an idealized image or superhuman superhero – not Uglydolls. The narratives teach kids to have a sense of humor — an often overlooked element of having fun. Property of the Year The licensor that had the greatest success spreading its brand or property throughout the industry while generating interest and excitement.

Bratz – MGA Entertainment Inc.

Now in its fifth year since its debut in mid-2001, the Bratz brand has created excitement worldwide.. From the phenomenal introduction of the Bratz Babyz line to sponsoring the 2005 Grammy Awards Lounge in Los Angeles, Bratz has created excitement with retailers, licensees, press and consumers.. Not only did MGA expand successfully into Girl’s Lifestyle Home Decor with its innovative Livin’ Bratz line, the brand established new entertainment partners including Universal Music (CDs), THQ (videogames) and 4KIDS TV, which lauched the highly-rated Bratz:The TV Series on Saturday mornings on FOX.
Image of Dora the Explorer™ Cinderella – Disney

This Disney classic’s re-release on DVD created an opportunity for toys based on the movie. Dora The Explorer – Nickelodeon

Dora The Explorer is designed to engage pre-schoolers in a play-along adventure. Online, your kids can join Dora and her band of animal friends as she journeys through the Spooky Forest, Crocodile Lake, and other exciting places. It’s on these quests that Dora faces problems and needs your child’s help. Dora can’t continue her adventure without your child’s input. The series is designed to actively encourage pre-schoolers in a play along adventure. Dora The Explorer builds on Nick Jr’s promise to ‘Play, Laugh and Learn.’ Each day Dora and her monkey companion Boots go on a high stakes journey Star Wars – Hasbro Inc./LucasFilm

The 1977 record-breaking movie Star Wars not only revolutionized filmmaking and began an everlasting cultural phenomenon, but also completely reinvented the action figure market. Nearly 30 years later, Hasbro worked closely with Lucasfilm to bring the excitement from the final installment of the legendary saga to life for kids and fans everywhere resulting in one of the most successful toy brands of 2005

Thomas & Friends – HIT Entertainmentn The return of Thomas & Friends to television was complemented this year by the franchise’s celebration of its 60th year. Thomas & Friends has a strong and loyal consumer base. Licensee success for Thomas products is very strong. The property’s appeal transcends its theme and drives sales success across all toy categories.

Minolta XtreemÔ GX-4 Camera

GX-4 Camera

If you are like me, you have experienced that gut-wrenching feeling as you watched your camera head for the bottom of a stream or swimming pool after trying for that “Once-In-A-Lifetime” shot. Either that or you drive half way across the county and it is raining when you get to Mount Rushmore. Then you sit there and wonder if your camera will get too wet while you get that shot for the scrapbook.

I’ve always wished for a camera that is waterproof, dust proof, and semi-indestructible. But my dreams were always crushed when I went to the camera store and saw the prices of waterproof cameras. Now Minolta has introduced a new line of cameras for everything from skateboarding to mountain climbing to surfing. The new Xtreem GX series are designed for all types of outdoor use. The GX-4 model is even water proof down to 16.5 feet for snorkeling or surfing.

Even if you don’t plan on taking the camera snorkeling, the Minolta Xtreem camera is good for all around picture taking. When you are at the soccer or football field, you never have to worry about the camera getting wet or muddy. With the water resistant design, it is the type of camera that you don’t have to worry about. This way when your kid makes that impressive save in the rain, it can be captured for all the grand parents to marvel at! The camera uses the Advanced Photo System with easy drop-in loading, and three print formats. The three picture formats include the classic snapshot, high definition, and panoramic. A number of accessories are also available to improve usability. A belt/arm band, holster, or mini tripod make it easy to take those great shots. The prices vary on the cameras but are typically around $125-$140.

With questions or comments about this web site. Copyright © 1998-2001 What’s a Kid 2 Do?, all rights reserved. Visit our web site Your child’s growth and development is always a concern for many parents. Is my child too big, too short, too thin, etc. etc. etc? To help answer that question, we have provided growth charts to help you monitor your child’s development.

What Are Growth Charts?

Doctors use growth charts to compare a child’s measurements with those of other children his age. This helps the doctors determine whether a child’s growth is adequate. Boys and girls are plotted on different charts because their growth rates and patterns differ. For both boys and girls there are two sets of standard charts: one for infants ages 0 to 36 months and another for children ages 2 to 18 years. The charts are a series of percentile curves that show the distribution of growth measurements of children from across the country.

The growth charts most commonly used in the United States were developed by the National Center for Health Statistics and were first released in 1977. Recently, the center revised the charts to update their data and reflect greater cultural and racial diversity. (The original infant charts were based on data from one study of mainly middle-class, formula-fed Caucasian infants from southwestern Ohio – not a very inclusive population sample. The data for the older children’s charts were collected in national health surveys from 1963 to 1974). Also, these new charts go up to age 20.

Looking at the Charts

The new charts represent the most recently published (June 2000) standards for U.S. children. By plotting your child’s measurements on these charts, doctors are able to compare your child’s growth patterns with data collected on thousands of U.S. children. Remember that only those measurements that are obtained in your child’s doctor’s office or taken by another properly skilled person should be plotted. Home measurements are frequently inaccurate and can lead to faulty data.

© 2024 NXtasy