For those techie folk on your shopping list, here are some ideas in the $20-$80 range. To keep things interesting, we avoided the obvious list of Apple iPods and peripherals (although those never fail to please). The extravagant gift in this list includes a nice twist to spread your generous spirit a little further.
Tech Gift #1 — The Ultimate Hardware Geek’s Swiss Army Knife.
How many pocket knives come with a DIP switch setter and torx bits? Very few indeed. This unique Swiss Army knife contains a specially selected set of tools to fit the daily needs of computer hardware techs. This is a great tool for making computer repairs. It includes 4 double-head hex bits, as well as various sizes of Philips and regular slotted screwdrivers. A total of 41 different functions in a single tool – amazing!
Tech Gift #2 — Subscription to MAKE: Magazine.
Packed full of projects, each issue of MAKE: provides hours of hands-on projects for that tinkerer in your life. Where else can you find step-by-step instructions for building such things as a solar-powered xylophone, remote control bird feeder, or hundreds of other MacGyver-worthy projects
(via RedHat Geek Guide)
Tech Gift #3 — Tiny Remote Control Helicopters.
I’d seen these tiny RC Helicopters on TV commercials, but it wasn’t until I actually flew one at a client’s studio that I realized how much fun they are. The helicopters themselves are made out of a light, durable foam body. The remote controls are basic, but they definitely takes some time to learn. Get a couple of these for a studio and you can say goodbye to productive work for about a week.
(via Chase Jarvis studios)
Extravagant Tech Gift — XO Laptop. Give One & Get One.
Give One Get One
You may have heard about the One Laptop per Child (OLPC) project whose mission is to empower the children of developing countries by providing one connected laptop to every school-age child. With the first version being the ingeniously designed XO laptop (also known as the $100 laptop).
From now through Dec 31, 2007, OLPC is offering a Give One Get One program in the United States and Canada. This is the first time the XO laptop has been available to the general public.
For a donation of $399, one XO laptop will be sent to a child in a developing nation and one will be sent to the child (or techie) in your life in recognition of your contribution. As an added bonus up to $200 of your donation may be tax-deductible.
