I made my first purchase on the Home Shopping Network, a color digital camera. I wasn't expecting much, but now I declare it a bargain. It is made by Aiptek Inc., Lake Forest, Ca. Its pluses:

• It's the size and shape of a large butane lighter and weighs ounces.
• Has a USB port (many $200 cameras do not).
• Uses two AA batteries good for two hours of snap shots. Otherwise powered by the USB port.
• Low battery indication.
• Capacity of 80 pictures at high resolution, 360 pictures at low resolution.
• Will make a video stream, 0.9/0.2 fps.
• Has some unusual software.
• A ten second self-timer.
• E-mailing option.
• Powers down after 30 Seconds.

It's minuses:

• High resolution is 352 x 288, low is 176 x 144.
• Only supports Windows 98. (Not Windows 95 or ME)
• Manual is sketchy, but the programs are reasonably intuitive.

For my intended purpose the "low" resolution is not a problem. I use the camera for record purposes; I'll not be making portraits or enlargements. See photo printed in grayscale. With its small size it fits weightlessly in any pocket.

The camera has two buttons, one to snap the picture and one to turn on the camera and go through the menu:

• High Resolution
• Continuous (video stream)
• Self-timer
• Clear memory
• Low Resolution

The software installation (CD ROM) was without any problems and the software included is a Manager program, a special effects program including the usual greeting card stuff, Microsoft NetMeeting, and a fun program that will make a 360 degree moving panorama from a series of still shots. This requires a series of 10 - 20 shots that slightly overlap in a 360 degree circle. It is really quite dramatic. A second CD ROM is "Video Studio" for editing and capturing video clips.

The Manager program will make an AVI file from the video stream.

The only problem I have had is the e-mail function. I get "MAPI Failure" when I try to use it. Could that be because I use cheapo Juno as my ISP? It comes with a stand so it can sit on your monitor and act like the usual live PC video camera.

I am pleased with my bargain. u