OTHER TECH

The show floor hasn't even opened yet, but the flood of stuff we want to get our hands on has already started. Last year's CES was kind of a let down when it came to getting new products we would actually get our hands on during the year. If last night's preview was any indication, we might leave this year's show with a longer wish list.

One of the main things record producers strive for is to effectively communicate the emotional content of the music. It begins with trying to make a recording that's as universal as possible, one that sounds good on any playback format.

For computer owners, few things bring about the sea of change like a new operating system. And for the vast majority of us, the winds (Windows?) of change are starting to blow with Microsoft's upcoming Vista replacement, Windows 7.

Just a few years ago, retailers were furious when their secret Black Friday ads leaked online before they hit he Thursday papers. Now, they can hardly wait for eager bargain hunters to fire up Acrobat and scour their flyers for deals. But, at the same time, this years deals are a little disappointing.