Unshelved by Bill Barnes and Gene Ambaum
comic strip overdue media

Thursday, December 31, 2009

This is so cool

The folks at National Geographic are offering an external hard drive for $199.99 that is partitioned, with about 60-70 GB containing the full 120-year run of their magazine and an extra 90-100 GB for your own files. Here's the blurb:
Explore 120 years of amazing discoveries, fascinating maps, and the world's best photography with The Complete National Geographic. This definitive collection of every issue of National Geographic magazine, digitally reproduced in stunning high resolution, brings you the world and all that is in it. Use the advanced interface to explore a topic, search for photographs, browse the globe, or wander on your own expedition.

Access all of the maps, photos, and magazine issues found on the DVD collection in one external hard drive. Browse and search the entire collection without needing to swap out DVDs. Lightweight and travel-friendly, the hard drive is just 3" x 5" and requires only a USB connection. We’ve left plenty of hard disk space to accommodate future upgrades. We’ve also allocated approximately 90GB of hard disk space for your own personal use.

Choose up to 25 characters for laser engraving on the back of the drive to create a truly one-of-a-kind gift for friends, family, or colleagues.

The Complete National Geographic on 160-GB Hard Drive cannot be shipped outside of the U.S. and Canada. Please allow 2-3 weeks for delivery.

Of course, if you'd rather have the DVDs and don't mind swapping them out, they're just $59.95, and cover the same years (1888-2008) as the hard drive, plus the same bonus disk of behind-the-scenes looks at National Geographic and photography tips. I'm not sure what provision is made for future issues; the hard drive has space for upgrades. BTW, Amazon has the DVDs for about $45! [Acutally, I liked that so much I went ahead and ordered it; I had a $35 gift card for Yule from some friends so that made it about $10. Thanks YKWIA and A! :)]

But I have to admit, the drive is cool. I just got an external hard drive, though, so I really don't need another. But I do love National Geographic and always have. This will be fun.

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