Stumped for gift ideas?
Go digital for dad
on Father’s Day

» USB flash drive: Flash drives have become very popular ways to store files if you don't want to lug around your laptop. Let's say you're giving a PowerPoint presentation and you need a backup, or you have a couple of photo files you want to print out copies down at Kinko's. Flash drives are the answer. They're easy to carry around (they are about the size of a Bic lighter) and rapidly allow transfer of files through a USB port. The drive of choice in my estimation is the Cruzer Titanium, which is very rugged. Chances are even if Dad drops it from the roof it won't be damaged -- the titanium-coated metal casing has a crush force that exceeds 2,000 pounds. Price is around $70.

» Pocket-sized digital camera: Prices for digital cameras have really come down in the past year and it's now possible to get super-compact cameras that can carry out the same tasks as the high-end models. I was impressed by the Sony Cyber Shot F88 which has great macro capabilities, adaptable exposure controls, fine image quality and a long battery life. At $380, it's not cheap but its point and shoot operation and optional manual exposure controls will make both advanced photographers and beginners happy campers. Whether your interest is shooting high school sports or flowers up close at the arboretum, the Cyber Shot F88's versatility won't disappoint.

» Latest generation PDA: Palm One has recently released a new product called the LifeDrive, a $499 PDA that has four gigabytes of storage -- which is significant because you can view hours of video and play hundreds of songs. For example, instead of taking your laptop on vacation you can download the images from your camera's memory card onto the LifeDrive and free up your card for more photos. It also comes with built-in voice recorder as well as Wi-Fi and Bluetooth for transferring photos and other files wirelessly to a personal computer. You can do stuff like check e-mail or look at Word, Excel and PowerPoint documents from your desktop computer. It's expensive, but this is definitely a PDA on steroids.

» MIMO Wi-Fi: One of the coolest new Wi-Fi systems around is the Belkin Wireless Pre-N Router -- which is the ultimate better, faster 802.11 technology. The new device goes a long way to solve a problem that has plagued previous home wireless networks -- inside a house, reception tends to vary a great deal depending on the configuration. This is especially true in larger homes with multiple floors. The Belkin MIMO technology eliminates dead spots around the house and provides incredibly fast transfer rates. It also extends the reception range by a factor or two or three so that you can hang out on the lanai or in the yard and grab your e-mail or surf the web. Price is $250, which includes base station and wireless card for your laptop or desktop.