Technobabble: Short circuits

Last update: October 1, 2007 - 4:54 PM

SHORT CIRCUITS

A brief look at new and noteworthy experiences among DVDs, video games, gadgets and the web:

GAME

"Halo 3: The Official Guide" (Prima, $20)

"Halo 3" has been out for a week, but fan-written online guides for the popular game are lagging -- probably because gamers are too busy playing. As of Friday, only one partial walk-through had been posted on GameFAQs (www.gamefaqs.com). That's one reason why this 214-page guide, available wherever the game is sold, is such a big asset now. Another is that it provides detailed maps of every level, which the game doesn't. Of course, there also are loads of secrets, tips and hints, but no spoilers.

DVD

"The War" (PBS, $130)

Free your TiVo from the 15-hour grip of Ken Burns' latest über-documentary with today's arrival of this six-disc set. The program follows World War II through the experiences of people in four U.S. cities, including little ol' Luverne, Minn. The nicely packaged DVD adds a making-of featurette, extra interviews, deleted scenes, galleries and commentary by Burns and codirector Lynn Novick. The retail price might seem high, but many discounters are selling it for less than $85, and proceeds partly benefit PBS.

SITE

Sputnik (www.mentallandscape.com/S_Sputnik.htm)

Thursday marks the 50th anniversary of the launch of Sputnik, the small Soviet satellite that started the space race and stoked Americans' fears, as well as a desire to do better. Retired researcher Don Mitchell's excellent website, with its vintage photos and easy-to-understand words, explains how the Soviets made history. He even includes MP3 files of Sputnik's distinctive audio signal, which ham radio operators around the world tuned in to hear. Proving how times have changed, NASA also has a fantastic Sputnik website (history.nasa.gov/sputnik).

RANDY A. SALAS

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