Word: instantness
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...neither could George Bush or Al Gore. It is more our fault than theirs that the race is instant-replay close; neither could be expected to quit while the law lets him think he can win. Bush is a baseball guy; he understands extra innings. But under the rules, he's sure he's the victor; a few foul balls and close calls are just part of the great game. Last week's recounts all put him ahead, even after hundreds of unpostmarked overseas military ballots were thrown out, and the only thing that could change that was a hand...
...machines were the steam engines of democracy, weighty and expensive. It was at the peak of their popularity, in 1964, that nimble cardboard punch cards arrived, trailing instant prestige as descendants from the same tabulating process used by the computers of that day. They were also cheaper than the old machines, which meant localities could buy more of them to reduce long lines at polling places. By now the punch cards are the most common election device, used by 34% of voters, and the old machines have gone out of production...
...wait a year or so for second-generation devices--and why should you?--I recommend the Nomad Jukebox. For one thing, it's upgradeable--meaning when the wrinkles are ironed out of its operating system (which in its current version forgets those songs you've lined up the instant it powers down), you'll be able to download the improved version for free...
...digital video recorder is basically a big, fat hard drive like the one in your computer, only it's hooked up to your TV. It's like a VCR, only digital. It automatically records whatever you're watching, all the time, so you can rewind, pause, slo-mo or instant-replay live TV. If you're watching something you've already recorded, you can skip ahead through the commercials. Best of all, the DVR has a built-in channel guide, so you can tell it to record a show, and it will do so without having to be told...
GRINCH ME! Bored at work? With IM Games' new instant-messenger versions of classic board games, you can grab a buddy for checkers, chess and backgammon any time of the day or night. Just download the free software from flipside.com and you can play checkers in real time with anybody on your buddy list (special game pieces for the holidays feature the Grinch and Cindy-Lou Who). One downside: the games are only for ICQ users. Everyone else will have to find some other way to kill time...