REACH OUT, TOUCH SOMEONE WITH PERSONALIZED CARD.

Byline: LoAna M. Gonzales Cox News Service

Greeting cards can be used to express just about every thought and feeling known to humans: joy, sadness, humor, expectation and even animosity. These paper messengers can be used to send congratulations for the birth of a baby or sympathy for the death of a parent.

Today, there are more and more ways to add a personal touch to greeting cards. Many local stores offer card-making machines that give customers the opportunity to create original anniversary, Christmas or get-well wishes.

For the personal computer owner, there are a variety of software programs available for putting together your own greeting card at home. Many of these come complete with paper and envelopes to give your cards a quality look and feel.

But if you think technology is pushing cards into oblivion, think again.

Even in the 1990s fast-paced world of voice mail, e-mail and faxes, greeting cards carry more weight than any of these other communication alternatives, according to a survey conducted by Hallmark Cards Inc. People place more value on a mailed greeting card than even a telephone call, the card company reports.

Instead of competing, technology and the greeting card industry are coming together to make card-giving easier.

``In today's world, families are searching for convenient ways to stay in touch and take special notice of life's milestones,'' said Robert Bach, vice president of marketing for the desktop applications division at Microsoft.

Microsoft and Hallmark recently joined forces to create the Microsoft Greetings Workshop, a CD-ROM software program for the home that retails for about $30.

``Creating greetings at home gives families another way to send personalized messages,'' Bach said.

The Greetings Workshop even has a feature that reminds PC owners when a birthday or anniversary is coming up. And aside from greeting cards, many programs allow you to make invitations, thank-you notes and customized banners, all in the comfort of your own home.

Waco resident Adrian Cortez, who recently purchased a home computer, said he's used a software program to make personalized cards at home.

``Sometimes when you go into the store, you can't find a card that says just what you want it to say,'' he said. ``But with this you can personalize it.''

With the holiday season upon us - Hallmark reports that Christmas is the biggest card-giving holiday of the year - it's helpful to keep in mind the methods available for sending just the right card.

The American Greetings CreataCard machines have maintained popularity among people who want to make and buy a one-of-a-kind personalized greeting card right in the store.

Frances Taylor, manager at Target, said her store's CreataCard machine gets used from morning to night.

``It's pretty much nonstop because people can go in and make any kind of card they want,'' Taylor said. ``It's a very popular machine.''

To make cards, customers are greeted with a pictorial table of contents on an interactive screen. You touch icons on the screen to make your selections. After choosing the desired occasion, you're taken through an index of design and message possibilities. Then you print your card, grab an envelope and take it to a check-out counter.

Cards made from the machine at Target cost $3.95. That's comparable to the cost of regular greeting cards, which can range in price from $2 to $5.

While there is opportunity in computer software programs and in-store machines to write your own messages, these methods for making your own cards come filled with silly or sincere ready-to-use pictures and messages.

Cortez said he's also used card-making machines to send personalized messages. He encouraged others to not be afraid of making something with a personal touch.

``I've used both (computer program and in-store machine) and they're very easy,'' he said. ``Anyone can use them.''