Andrew Nimick - Technology consultant Andrew is an independent technology consultant whose focus is what technology can do for business and finding the best tools for the job.

Its nearly Christmas time, and for the first year we will not be buying Lego (sad). The requests this year are all of the electronic variety. Ipod, phone, xbox, that kind of thing.

If your teens are like mine they know what they want and do their research. I suggest listening to them as they may well have specifically sought out the best bargain and know a lot more about the purchase than you think. Take mobile phones for example, such a choice such a range. You may think that buying one with all the buttons and all the features is going to be well received. Only to find on Christmas day, you bought from the wrong network and now they cannot text their friends, or worse their friends cannot text back!!
If you get an Xbox, please make sure they know not to move it with the disc in, it is a sure fire way to turn a $80 game into a cup station. And unless you like changing batteries buy a second corded control or a recharging lead.

Some of you will be buying new computers and mostly laptops, please do not just look at the price and package on the day. Do some research on the support you will get. Who will do what if something goes wrong. If it has Windows Vista on and you can upgrade for free, make sure you register before the cut off date so you don't loose out on the better experience Windows 7 supplies. Good support is essential, of the big brands my best bets are Apple, Dell, HP and Asus. My worst is Acer, they send your laptop to Australia and wipe it for you! One client had the same fault fixed 3 times this way, only after I got involved did it get done "again" in Auckland (they will replace it if it does not work this time!). But you decide for yourself, read reviews and check forums on the company websites or magazines like PC World.

With regard to camera's and video camera's check that they will connect to you computer first. Not all video cameras can connect to an Apple Mac as their software is Windows only. I also suggest using the built in software if you can, I have seen so much rubbish come with cameras. While that which came with the operating system was great, it did the job in XP, got better in Vista for Windows, Apple Macs come with Iphoto which is great. For a free well featured photo editor and organiser try Picasa from Google. For more editing features try Ifran View (many professionals swear by it) its free for non commercial use.

I am not going to mention TV's DVD etc as they are not my area, yep I know about them but, I am instead going to put out an invite for someone who is really into the entertainment side to join me a write about it here on SunLive in the New Year. If you have a shop, are just passionate or work in the field in some other way, then please shout out. we would love to hear from you.

Well all that remains is for me to wish you all Merry Christmas and happy holidays.

Andrew