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In the old days, choosing a video game system for children wasn't all that hard. After all, parents didn't have to worry about games carried by systems like Atari (there was nothing threatening about Pac-Man or Space Invaders). Today, however, with the proliferation of games with mature content available on games supported by the major system manufacturers, parents want to know which system carries the most kid-friendly games, ones that the young ones will enjoy and one that parents will not regret spending money on.

Let's start with the Sony PlayStation 2, the best-selling game console on the market today. There are literally thousands of titles available for this system, which cater to every age range. There are approximately 600 games for the PS2 that have the "E" rating, meaning that it is suitable for players ages six and above. However, many of these games are too complicated for young children to play. Games that children ten years old and above can enjoy are rated E10+, while those that are rated EC (Early Childhood) are of course, suitable for the very young. The PS2 carries about a dozen E10+ games, including movie-based titles like Shrek Super Slam for PlayStation 2 and Chicken Little. EC titles that little ones can enjoy include Dora the Explorer: Journey to the Purple Planet, Eggo Mania and At the Races Presents Gallop Racer.

Nintendo's gamecube console continues to be popular because it carries titles that are popular with children. The Entertainment Software Rating Board (ESRB) lists 263 video game titles rated E for the gamecube, and these include some of the most popular and beloved among the children of today and years past, such as Sega's Sonic GEMS Collection, Nintendo's own Mario Party 6 and Mario Tennis. The Legend of Zelda series and several Pokemon titles are available exclusively on the gamecube as well.

Microsoft's xbox and xbox 360 video game consoles likewise have many, many titles that are rated E; the xbox with approximately 270 games and the xbox 360 with so far about a dozen -- but count on the number of xbox 360 titles to increase since it's a new release. Some games published by microsoft exclusively for the Xbox and the Xbox 360 and which have the E rating are Astropop and Feeding Frenzy. However, remember that most game publishers release crossover titles, or games that are available on multiple platforms. For instance, Eidos Interactive's LEGO Star Wars (rated E) is available for the gamecube, PS2 and Xbox; Activision's Madagascar (rated E10+) is available on the same platforms, while Global Star Software's Dora the Explorer (rated EC) is available on the PS2 and Xbox, but not on the gamecube.

What about parental control options? Among the four systems, the Xbox and the Xbox 360 have the most efficient parental lock functions. Parents are able to set limits on the games and films to be played on the systems. If you set the system to play only E-rated games, kids won't be able to play DVD's or games that have Teen, Mature, or Adults Only ratings. The gamecube also has a parental lock feature, albeit a less effective one. Users note that all it does is tone down certain effects that might be troubling for children (for example, the amount of blood seen in games) but do not block the playing of games at all. It doesn't even screen or bleep offensive language. The parental control function of the PlayStation 2 is even worse -- it doesn't allow parents or anyone to restrict access to video games at all. The most parents can do is to set the PS2 to prevent their kids from watching DVD movies with inappropriate content.

When it comes to price, the gamecube comes out tops. Available for only $99, it's significantly cheaper than the PlayStation 2 and Xbox, whose prices range from $150 to $199 (or more if bundled with game titles). The Xbox 360, being the newest of the bunch, is the highest-priced. For $299, you get the system and a wired controller. For $399, you get a wireless controller, a headset that players can use to talk to other people online, a 20 GB hard drive that is loaded with game-related videos and music, and a remote.

Parents should go out and try each system personally as well as look at the different titles available for them before deciding which one to buy. Factors such as number and age of users at home, game title availability, and budget should also be considered. Each system has its own pros and cons, and families will differ in their preferences: some will be content with the limited but popular games of the gamecube; some might prefer the wider offering of the PlayStation 2 or the Xbox; others might opt for the high-tech features of the Xbox 360. But all things considered, making the right choice will provide hours of wholesome, fun, and worry-free entertainment for the little ones and for their parents as well.

Mark Robbins is a gamer providing valuable tips and advice on video game systems, game cheats, and giving new game reviews. http://www.official-game-cheats.com.

Being a new truck driver can be extremely difficult! You have a lot on your mind and it takes a while to master your truck driving techniques. It also will take a while before you can toss the map away and be comfortable with the fact that you know your way around the country. In time you will know where every truck stop is located in the entire country.

The problem is you need to spend all of your time getting your logs done right, planning and plotting trips, finding a spot to sleep, and working on your truck driving skills that you have no time to plot your trucking career.

You dont have the time to plot out your truck driving career because you are too busy doing all of these things and the break-in companies are aware of this. They know you are a new truck driver learning and they take advantage of this fact. They paint a perfect picture of your truck driving career with them and will try to scare drivers about other companies. They will spread rumors or give bad information. Its sad.

They do this because you are making them a lot of money. These trucking companies could be paying you three times what they do and still turn a profit but they dont. They pay you the minimum and charge a bunch for your benefits. It would not make good business sense for them to tell you about companies that pay 40-65 cents a mile! They keep you away from home for 2-3 weeks at a time when you can make more and be home everyday elsewhere.

New truck drivers get caught up in being new. I know this because I was a new truck driver once but I figured it out fast. There are good truck driver jobs that pay top dollar in the trucking industry and you can be home everyday like a normal person. You can get these jobs with very little or no experience at all. I talk to drivers still working for break-in companies years later and I scratch my head. We all drive the same roads in the same weather so why should drive for less. Good luck.

Troy Dudenhoefer is a Top Paid Truck Driver and Author of " How to Make $65-95,000 driving a Truck... and Be Home EveryDay" http://www.richtruckdriver.com

Camp stoves are an essential piece of equipment, whether you're going for a short weekend trip or a two week hike. There are several factors to consider when purchasing a camp stove which will largely depend on your requirements. Examples include how many people you will be cooking for, whether or not it needs to be ultra portable and what fuel is most appropriate.

Camp stoves are available in a variety of sizes, and prices range from $25 right up to $250 depending on features. If you typically travel alone, take short trips or need to travel light, a single burner propane stove will be more than adequate. Although you don't have the power of a large stove or the extra burners, a single burner stove offers great value for money, is highly portable, and the fuel bottles are readily available in the majority of camping stores. The Coleman 1-burner propane stove is a good example.

If you're going to be cooking for a party, or have the luxury of a vehicle to transport your gear, a multi-burner stove may be the way to go. But a single burner stove will take less room and still get the goob done.

Though camp stoves themselves aren't particularly heavy, remember that you have also got to carry enough fuel to keep the stoves going whilst you're away.

If you are looking for more than just casual use from your camp stove, you should also look at things such as performance, efficiency and alternative fuels.

Propane is generally the most suitable fuel to use, though if you will be travelling to high altitudes, you may be better off looking for a stove that runs on an alternative such as white fuel.

The efficiency and performance of a camp stove is measured in BTU, or British Thermal Units. A reasonable rating for a single burner camp stove is around the 10,000 BTU mark, and each subsequent burner should yield the same increase. Purchasing a more powerful camp stove may be advisable if you intend to be on the go for much of your trip.

Although you can pick up cheap stoves in the majority of camp stores, it is always worth paying a little extra and buying a good quality model from a respected brand. A better camp stove will be much more reliable and you can expect much more efficient burning of fuel, saving you time and money in the long run. Coleman camp stoves are a great way cook when you are in the woods.

Coleman camp stoves are a great way to go camping.