Eat, think, and buy memory

By Lylah M. Alphonse, Globe Staff, 01/19/02

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Digital storage the size of a digit

Bring your digital photos with you on your next trip, or slip those important software programs into your pocket instead of dragging your laptop through security at the airport. This tiny gadget is about the size of your thumb, but holds as much information as 44 floppy disks — and it's not even the most powerful one on the market. The Lexar 64 megabyte USB Jump Drive can hold music, documents, even photos so that you can transfer files and programs between PCs easily. It requires no drivers if you have a Windows 2000 operating system; for other systems, drivers may be downloaded from the Internet. The device can be hooked onto a keychain, so it can go everywhere you do, and can be write-protected, so you don't accidentally erase your information. It costs $40 to $70, depending on stores and rebates (some stores currently offer a $10 manufacturer's rebate on the 64 MB size and a $20 rebate on the 128 MB size, which is regularly priced between $60 and $90). The Jump Drive is available at most computer and office-supply stores (like OfficeMax, Staples, and Microcenter) and online at www.officemax.com; www.envoydata.com; www.buy.com/retail/product.asp?sku=10330553; and www.tigerdirect.com.

Mange! Bon appetit! Eat up — but what?

The European Menu Translator by Whitney H. and Anne T. Galbraith is a 120-page, pocket-sized book that may save you from ordering "boniato" (sweet potato) in Spain when you meant to get "bonitalo" (tuna). It contains translations of common and not-so-common menu items from France, Germany, Spain, and Italy. While it doesn't provide a pronunciation guide, and the words are not spelled phonetically, they are easy to look up and the guide provides enough information to help you make sure that, when in Italy, you get the "testaroli" '(pancakes) instead of the "testicoli" (which is exactly what it sounds like). A few pages of guidelines and tips answer common questions and can save the not-so-savvy traveler from making a faux pas. The book costs $8.95, and is available at Wal-Mart, Brookline Booksmith (279 Harvard St., Brookline; 617-566-6660), Wellesley Booksmith (82 Central St., Wellesley; 781-431-1160), and Barnes & Noble stores. You can also find it online at www.europeanmenus.com; www.travelanimal.com; www.brooklineboothsmith.com, and www.amazon.com.

Ready for the fine print

Many travelers carry two pairs of glasses — sunglasses and reading glasses, perhaps. This double case comes in red or black leather and keeps both pairs safe and unscratched. Each pair slides into its own padded, velvet-lined pocket; the 4-1/2-by-7-1/2-inch case fits easily into bag, purse, or briefcase. It costs $29 via the She-Works catalog, telephone 800-201-3669, or online at www.she-works.com.

Lylah M. Alphonse's e-mail address is lalphonse@globe.com.