December 21, 2005

By Walt Zwirko / WFAA-TV

Computer Corner is a weekly video report examining the latest trends in technology. Helpful links are listed. Walt Zwirko reports from WFAA-TV in Dallas.

We're in the holiday spirit in the Computer Corner this week.

Because Christmas is a celebration for Christians around the world, there's nothing better than the Internet to learn more about customs and traditions far from our land.

I found a great example at the Web site of Woodlands Junior School in Kent, England. The kids there, ranging in age from 7 to 11, are sharing their own family Christmas stories.

We learn from them that in England, children leave not cookies and milk, but mince pie for Santa (or "Father Christmas," as they know him). They also put out carrots for his reindeer.

The Woodlands kids share their story of traditional Christmas Tea, featuring — what else? — mince pies.

Another British Christmas highlight: Crackers. No, not Ritz or Saltines but, apparently, small explosive devices that burst open to reveal a tissue paper hat, a joke and a little gift.

The Woodlands Junior School Web site offers even more interesting information about the holiday while setting a good example for other students around the world to share their own cultural traditions.

The Computer Corner sleigh now soars across the pond to Prince Edward Island on Canada's east coast, where the provincial government has put together a fascinating and interactive Web site that serves to document holiday celebrations (while also encouraging tourism to this scenic outpost).

You can help decorate the Confederation Bridge linking the island to the mainland with an online application.

The site also features a nifty facility to create your own Island calendar using scenic PEI photos.

You can even send your own animated digital "Christmas card," and — perhaps most importantly — use a tool to make your Christmas list.

Look around the Internet, and I'm sure you'll encounter other sites that will help broaden your appreciation for the holiday season.

KEEPING TRACK OF SANTA

Powerful radar beams are about to be aimed northward as Christmas Eve approaches.

Dallas-Fort Worth International Airport has its control towers ready to intercept Old Saint Nick on Saturday night, and you can follow right along with Santatracker 2005.

The Web site offers a highlight clip from last year's reindeer arrival along with some online games to keep kids (and adults) busy until the big day, including a holiday wish list word-finding contest and even a "snowball challenge" target practice.

Starting at noon on Christmas Eve, Santatracker will keep interested parties posted on the Big Man's activities, and there's even a phone number — 972-586-NOEL — that will be available from noon until 11 p.m. on Saturday with progress reports.

The granddaddy of all Santa tracking sites comes from NORAD — the North American Air Defense Command — in Colorado.

One can only imagine the daily tension that must exist deep inside Cheyenne Mountain, where military officials from the U.S. and Canada monitor and protect the airspace surrounding the two nations.

Once a year, though, these dedicated professionals shift their focus slightly to a jolly old bearded man in a bright red suit who poses no threat to either country.

NORAD's Santa tracking service, which is offered in English and five other languages, started 50 years ago with a mistake.

On Christmas Eve in 1955, a department store in Colorado Springs ran an ad inviting youngsters to call in and speak with Santa. But the phone number was misprinted, and the NORAD hotline started ringing instead.

Santa wasn't there, of course, but staffers used their radar systems to relay information about his current position to eager children.

Today, NORAD's service takes full advantage of the Internet to distribute information from its satellites, radar systems, jet aircraft and Santa Cams around the world.

The NORAD Santa site also has inside information about Santa and his multinational operations. They'll even be keeping track of how many cookies he consumes on his gift-giving mission.

You'll want to bookmark the NORAD Santa Web site for Saturday and for every Christmas to follow.