Best Brains: Present for the technically inept

OK, I had decided a while ago that I wanted to get my Mom a DVD player for Giftmas. I had intended all along to get her a VCR/DVD combo (so she can still play all her tapes) to replace her current VCR (which isn't bad but is getting older.) However, after reading some information in a couple of reviews/buyer guides, it was pointed out that I could probably get her just as good a DVD player separately (if not better) than with a combo unit to use *with* the VCR.

Mom is COMPLETELY technically inept. She manages to send email somehow, but she couldn't change the cables connecting the VCR to her new TV by herself. (Make no rude comments; I'm rather afraid of messing with the video electronics myself.) She can't program a remote (which, I am aware, is reasonably complicated but not overly difficult) and if she can't figure out why the remote isn't working right, she buys a new one. *sigh* I will point out, however, that she's discovered Amazon.com just fine. ;) (Even if using her credit card online scares her.)

Anyway, my original thought with buying the combo unit would be that it would be less confusing for her. However, as was pointed out in the above mentioned reviews/guides, if one half of the thing breaks down, then you lose *both* for the duration of repair. On the other hand, if you buy a decent enough machine, it shouldn't break down anyway.

I was then thinking about what she would do with the old VCR. She uses stuff until it dies, normally - not always a bad trait - and so I have this niggling feeling that she'd be uncomfortable giving away/selling the old VCR because it's "still usable".

So, what do people think? Should I go with a single unit to replace the older existing VCR or should I get a DVD player only & have her use both? Please help; I have to buy it this week (obviously) and I can use the input.

Thanks!

(crossposted to my LJ & callahanians

The "War" on Christmas

I've been pondering this issue for quite some time, and have thought about writing my own essay/diatribe about it. However, other people seem to have beaten me to it:

The Truth About Christmas: The so-called 'War on Christmas' is a nonexistent threat that does more harm than good for the Christian religion. (Found via royalcrow.)

Over in theferrett's domain, we have In Which I Tell You That Everyone's Crazy: The War On Christmas, with follow-up posts here and here.

There's an editorial in the Boston Globe which is good (albeit short & to the point): Whose Holy Day?

And, an article from our local Indianapolis Star, A holiday hot button.

I may not agree with everything in these articles, but it comes down to the fact that, as dimetherwen states in a post from her LJ here (found via metaquotes) "As for the "Merry Christmas" and "Happy Holidays" issue... for the love of Pete, everyone. Even if you're Christian, there are still two holidays in this particular season- Christmas/Kwanzaa/Hanukkah/Etc. and New Year's. Put that giant yuletide log from your ass and deal with it."

This might not be my most *original* post, but I'll tell you each one of these things really made me think. Feel free to do the same. :)

Movie meme

Yoinked from sexyexpy, with the directive "If you've seen over 70, you have no life. Number the ones you've seen. Post your score and feel like a loser." I'm pretty sure I had a life around here *somewhere*...but it seems to have wandered off for popcorn. ;)

( I scored *exactly* 70. )

It would be over 70 if the movies I've seen part of count toward the total. Or the number of movies which I *have* seen that aren't on here, including favorites "Monty Python & the Holy Grail", "War Games", "Ferris Bueller's Day Off", "The Breakfast Club", etc. Oh, yeah, and does watching "Mr. Holland's Opus" repeatedly count? ;)

[EDIT: Based on a slight change that sailorjim and kightp made to the meme, I have since gone back & bolded the movies I saw in the theater rather than DVD/On Demand.]