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This is a 64-thousand-dollar question if there ever was one. The first thing you need to do is make sure they really want to go digital. Just because you're a card-carrying member of the tech generation doesn't necessarily mean your parents want to join the club. If, however, you suspect all that's stopping them from enjoying the benefits of a Net connection is a little technical know-how, by all means help them make some educated buying choices. As to the decision between full computer and web-only box: If you think that they will appreciate and utilize the many other features of computing (word processing, personal finance tracking, games), then an entry-level computer isn't a bad way to go. On the other hand, if it seems like the Internet is all they'll need, then a TV-based
solution is probably best. A system like WebTV costs significantly less than a computer, is optimized for easy set-up and since it connects to an existing TV, chances are it won't sit in a back room, comfortably out of sight. Whichever solution you suggest, make sure that you are familiar with the ins and outs of the system's operation. Be prepared to answer plenty of questions, since you will most likely become your parents' all-purpose tech-support guru.
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