Today's Consumer: News you can use

NEW DIGITAL CAMERAS SLR LENS-COMPATIBLE

Kodak was there in the beginning. Its old-fashioned Brownie cameras that required you to send the entire camera back for processing set the standard a hundred years ago. Its attempts to follow Polaroid's lead into "instant" cameras turned out to be a lawsuit-ridden debacle.

Now, still one of the world's leading makers of film, the company has taken an "if you can't beat 'em, join 'em" attitude by going whole hog into the digital camera age.

The company's latest efforts resemble the SLR cameras of past years, so popular with camera buffs and professional photographers. The new line of 14 professional cameras contain true SLRs, meaning they accept interchangeable lenses. Photographers who have a huge investment in old interchangeable lenses can still use many of them. And, being an SLR, what you see is what you shoot.

The new technology offers what is being touted as the highest resolution of any digital camera out there, an amazing pixel -- small pieces of the picture -- rate of nearly 14 million per photo.

The new units look so much like older cameras that use standard film the next time you see someone using one you may not know it.

GOVERNMENT PUBLICATIONS LISTED ON LINE

The U.S. Government Printing Office continues to crank out a wealth of information, some of it at no cost. Its latest catalog is available on line at bookstore.gpo.gov. The site offers a variety of links to many aspects of government printing.

One button lets consumers find out what's new at the office and what publications are just coming off the presses.

One lists the all-time best-selling government publications. As you might guess, the current year's tax guide and copies of the Constitution are at the top of the list. Also there is a guide to fighting terrorism.

A Smithsonian publication on the history of Native Americans also is on the top-sellers list. Locations of bookstores in major urban areas also are listed as well as ordering information.

For more, check out the Web site or contact your local congressional office or the U.S. Superintendent of Documents. Many publications sell for less than $10.