Fritz (a.k.a. Franklin) is determined to find out what makes the small southwestern town where he now lives so secret that it's not on any map and no one is allowed to say or write its name. He and his seventh-grade classmate Kathy join forces as they attempt to decode phrases like "tickling the dragon's tail" and to discover where their scientist fathers go when they disappear for days at a time. But it's a summer prank rather than their snooping that causes the military police to view Fritz and his friends as a threat to wartime security.
Reviews
"Along with a colorful cast of friends that includes Kathy, a smart but emotional girl whose brother is fighting in Europe; Manny, a Spanish-American boy who knows the local traditions; and Jacob, a Jewish boy whose family escaped the Nazis, Fritz discovers a number of clues that he carefully records. . . . Eventually, the truth about the "Secret Project" is revealed as the kids experience a unique and controversial piece of American history . . . ."--Children's Literature
"The Secret Project Notebook by Carolyn Reeder humorously and realistically weaves the history of the bomb project with the daily life of twelve-year-old Fritz, his family, and his friends. Of course, Fritz is interested in finding out what's really going on, and he keeps the information he and his friends collect in a secret notebook. He also gets into trouble. A prank he and some friends play on the mail censor goes a little too far, but that's nothing compared to what happens when he and a friend go horseback riding in a restricted area . . . . "--Thereby Hangs a Tale
Notebook and laptop computers are portable computers that usually feature integral keyboards and monitors. There are two basic types of devices: personal computers (PCs) and Macintosh® computers. Personal computers run Microsoft® Windows® operating systems such as Microsoft Windows 2000 and Microsoft Windows XP. Macintosh computers run versions of MacOS®, the operating system for Apple® Macintosh computers. Microsoft and Windows are registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. Apple, Macintosh, and MacOS are registered trademarks of Apple Computers, Inc. Notebook and laptop computers that run UNIX® and Linux® are also available. UNIX, a family of multi-user operating systems, is a registered trademark of The Open Group. Linux, an open-source implementation of UNIX, is a registered trademark of Linus Torvlads.
Selecting notebook and laptop computers requires an analysis of memory and storage specifications. Most devices include random access memory (RAM) or Flash memory. Some computers include integrated drive electronics (IDE) or proprietary technologies such as CompactFlash®, a registered trademark of SanDisk Corp. Other computers include a tape drive, a 1.44 MB 3.5” floppy drive, or removable magneto-optic (MO) storage technology. Notebook and laptop computers with drives that can read or record compact disks (CDs) are commonly available. Compact disk read-only memory (CD-ROM) drives can read but not record information. By contrast, compact disk recordable (CD-R) drives can write once and read many times while compact disk rewritable (CD-RW) drives can read, write, erase, and rewrite disks. Disk drives that can read or record digital versatile disks (DVDs) are also available.
Notebook and laptop computers feature a variety of display, resolution, and user interface options. Cathode-ray tube (CRT) devices use an electron beam to illuminate phosphor dots and are suitable for users who require relatively high screen resolutions. Flat panel displays (FPD), which are often very thin, are used with many notebook and laptop computers and include technologies such as liquid crystal display (LCD) and gas plasma. In terms of resolution, notebook and laptop computers meet standards such as video graphics array (VGA), super video graphics array (SVGA), extended graphics array (XGA), and super extended graphics array (SXGA). Interface options include built-in speakers, headset jacks, color displays, voice recorders, and MP3 players.
Notebook and laptop computers vary in terms of slots and expansion bays. Most use accelerated graphics port (AGP) cards, PC cards, or peripheral component interconnect (PCI) technology. Input/output (I/O) ports can be serial, parallel, infrared, wireless, or networked. Universal serial bus (USB) is the standard serial bus for low-to-medium speed peripheral devices. Ethernet is a common protocol for local area networks (LAN). Some notebook and laptop computers incorporate wireless fidelity (Wi-Fi) or wireless local area network (WLAN) technology. Others use Bluetooth® technology. Bluetooth is a registered trademark of the Bluetooth Special Interest Group (SIG), a trade association of electronics manufacturers that promotes Bluetooth technology and ensures compliance.
The role of video cards
Video cards translate your computer's output into a video signal your monitor can read. You may also hear these cards referred to as video boards, video display boards, graphics boards, graphics adapter cards and video adapter cards, but for the sake of consistency we'll call them video cards. Similar to your computer, a video card has a processor of its own, called a graphics accelerator. The processor translates the digital information from your computer into a video signal. The video card and its graphics controller chips determine the images that your monitor can display.
Video cards can be further broken down into two classes: integrated (onboard) and dedicated.
Integrated
Many PCs come with video cards built right onto their motherboard. These cards are also known as onboard video cards, as they tap the PC's system memory rather than providing their own separate video memory source. Memory is measured by RAM, and the more RAM that a video card can use, the faster it can process and display information. Also, more RAM allows the card to display higher resolution images with sharper details and richer colors. Because sapping the system memory can slow your PC's video performance, integrated video chipsets have long been considered inferior to dedicated video cards. However, onboard cards have begun to bridge this gap. Also, integrated video cards are more convenient and less expensive than dedicated video cards because they come already built-in to PCs.
Dedicated
Dedicated video cards are separate peripherals that need to be connected to your PC. Since they come with their own video memory, they are widely considered superior to integrated chipsets and are often the choice of users who need to support graphics intensive programs, such as video games and multimedia software. Because of their higher performance and separate video memory, these video cards also cost more.
Dedicated video cards connect to your PC through either a Peripheral Component Connection (PCI) or Accelerated Graphics Port (AGP). PCI is a plug-and-play enabled bus system that allows you to connect up to five peripherals. AGP is an upgrade of this interface, and was designed to display streaming video and 3D graphics on your monitor.
3D accelerationMany video card processors are designed with special processors for displaying 3D graphics. These processors provide more realistic animation, lighting, and sharper graphics, especially for games and multimedia software.
Video playback
MPEG video playback capability is possible with most graphics cards. With this technology, PCs running the Windows® XP operating system can offer video playback quality far beyond what is possible on many high-end televisions today. Many video cards also support DVD video playback, allowing you to watch entire DVD movies on your PC. However, be sure to check that your PC—especially your processor—fulfills the minimum system requirements for DVD playback before purchasing such a card.
Benefits of In-Store Pickup and the 24/24 Pickup GuaranteeIn-Store Pickup is the fastest, cheapest and most convenient way for you to get your purchase. Your purchase is available for pickup within 24 minutes after you receive an order confirmation email. If it isn't ready, you get a $24 gift card.Pay no shipping charges for your purchase. Pick up your purchase at your convenience.You get our lowest price automatically.
Product availability Some items may not be available for in-store pickup, including CDs, DVDs, DIRECTV items, gift cards, video games, PC games and software and some Kids' Electronics. Please check the availability information on the individual products for details.
Details: 24 minute Pickup Guarantee applies from timestamp on order confirmation email until the time order is ready for customer pickup. Guarantee excludes customer wait time in store lines. Offer valid on orders placed at circuitcity.com or by phone during pickup store's normal operating hours up to 30 minutes prior to closing. Guarantee not valid the day after Thanksgiving, 12/26 or 12/27. Guarantee excludes services. $25 minimum purchase. One $24 gift card offered per qualifying in-store pickup ticket, which must be claimed at time of pickup and is good for future purchases. Terms and conditions are applied to gift cards.What you need to bring to the store
For your protection, the owner or an authorized user of the credit card must be present to pick up the merchandise. When you arrive at the store, follow the signs with the 24/24 Pickup Guarantee logo to the in-store pickup area. You will be asked for the following:Your order number (hand the Circuit City associate the order confirmation email you printed from the website after your purchase) Proper photo ID (a valid state-issued ID or driver's license) Credit card used to make your purchase (if applicable) Your signature acknowledging receipt of the product
In-Store Pickup and the 24/24 Pickup Guarantee are available at all Circuit City locations except our mall-based Circuit City Express Stores (identified on our site by a store name beginning with CC Express). Your In-Store Pickup can be picked up anytime during regular Circuit City store hours, and the 24/24 Pickup Guarantee will apply to purchases made up to 30 minutes before closing.
The selected Circuit City store location will reserve your order for 14 days after you have received your order confirmation. To prevent any cancellation or refunds of your order, please pick up all items within this timeframe.
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