RE: Many girls request gender-specific media

From: Dempsey or Brown (dempsy@ix.netcom.com)
Date: Mon Aug 23 1999 - 16:42:18 EDT


More on the Matell Computers

Filling in a couple of the blanks from:

http://www.mattel.com/corporate/company/news_media/index.asp?section=press_relea
ses

where Mattel has detailed the specifics of the two
computers. The colors are (for the Barbie(r) model)
"...the beautiful silver-colored BARBIE(r) computer with
pink and purple floral accents, will include a customized
tower, monitor, keyboard and speakers and will come with
special Barbie(r) accessories such as the Barbie(r) Digital
Camera, a Barbie(r) mouse, mousepad and CD holder." And
for the Hot Wheels(r) Model, "The sleek blue and gold HOT
WHEELS(r) PC will also come with a customized tower,
monitor, keyboard and speakers and will boast the famous
flame logo. Hot Wheels(r) accessories will promote the
power, speed and performance of the brand and will include
a Hot Wheels(r) steering wheel peripheral, mouse, mousepad
and CD holder."

Then to the matter of the software:
"The BARBIE PC will feature 20 titles including the
entertainment releases Barbie(r) Riding Club, Barbie(r)
Super Sports, Barbie(r) Cool Looks(TM) Fashion
Designer(TM), and education titles Mavis Beacon Teaches
Typing!(r), Compton's(r) Encyclopedia '99, Math
Workshop(TM) and The Ultimate Writing and Creative
Center(r)." And: "For boys, the HOT WHEELS(r) computer will
feature 20 titles including entertainment titles such as
Hot Wheels(r) Stunt Track Driver, Hot Wheels(r) Custom Car
Designer, Hot Wheels(r) Collector's Guides and Myst(r) and
education titles Compton's 3D World Atlas(TM) '99, Math
Workshop(TM), Kid Pix Studio(r) and The Oregon Trail(r) 3rd
Edition: Pioneer Adventures(TM)."

Then we have a clincher: "When a child learns a sport or an
art at an early age, they are more likely to excel in that
area throughout their life. Today it is the same with
computers. As technology revolutionizes everything we do,
it is becoming increasingly important that children are
familiar with it," said Mark Durst, president, Patriot
Computers.

Last week I offered a synopsis of the evolution of the
industrial age hallmarks and now Mattel has offered to
train girls to type and do makeup and boys to be pioneers
and design high-tech stuff. The genders are different, I
agree. Their skills, if I read the news release are also
perceived as important. This morning on the news I heard
that, in the Seattle area, the average adult makes $34,000
while the average software worker takes a bite of over
$200,000. While I want to agree with Mr. Durst, "When a
child learns a sport or an art at an early age, they are
more likely to excel in that area throughout their life.
Today it is the same with computers. As technology
revolutionizes everything we do, it is becoming
increasingly important that children are familiar with
it,'' said Mark Durst, president, Patriot Computers." I
also read the list of what he wants kids to learn to do
with the tools available. There I KNOW we disagree!!!
(However, it is hopeful to see the math workshop on both
machines.)

Herb
Dempsy@ix.netcom.com



This archive was generated by hypermail 2.1.2 : Fri Apr 12 2002 - 15:14:37 EDT