The largest consumer computer show on the West Coast opens its doors Thursday, Aug. 21, and will be a hub of activity through Sunday, Aug. 24.

More than 40,000 excited computer users -- and those who want to learn about computers -- will hustle through the doors of the San Diego Convention Center this weekend, where they'll find almost 400 booths filled with displays, exhibits and demonstrations that captivate audiences of all levels of computer expertise. People from all over the world will attend, some traveling from as far away as India and China.

The Expo floor takes up an area the size of four-and-a-half football fields and houses three main sections: The Consumer Demonstration Hall, Business Computing Center, and Computer Shopping Mall.

In the Consumer Demonstration Hall, looks of amazement fill the faces of those witnessing the latest advancements in computer technology, multimedia, and communications devices. Two San Diego cable TV companies, Southwestern Cable TV (booths 615, 616, 619 and 629) and Cox@Home (booths 605, 606, 612 and 613), are demonstrating their way-fast cable modems. Remember when your 28.8-Kbps telephone modem took 22 minutes to transmit a 5-MB audio/video file? Well, cable modems can get the job done in four seconds!

Two-time winner of the Expo's Best of Show award, the Electronic Flight Group (booths 507 through 512) returns to please crowds with its Virtual Air Show. Its invitation: Come fly with us! Many more exhibitors are presenting the latest and greatest in computer uses and products. Just to name a few, Internet on TV (booth 521) and Weblounge.com (booth 331) let you surf the net through your TV set; Brain-Storm Technologies (booth 353) demonstrates a new technology that uses light and sound signals to enhance your comprehensive capabilities; and K.I.D.S. USA (booth 629) offers electronic fingerprinting of children and maintenance of those prints in a nationwide secured database at no charge.

The Business Computing Center houses exhibitors who are eager to help you with all your business computing needs. Whether you need to build a Web page for your company, set up a network for your office, or find a job within the computer industry, you'll find solutions in this section. And, of course, no legitimate computer show would be complete without a shopping area. The Computer Shopping Mall offers hundreds of show specials, fabulous deals on hardware and software, and amazing bargains.

In addition to the three main areas, there's the Computer Learning Center, a hands-on instruction area for novices and gurus alike. Sponsored by NBC 7/39 Television (booths 342 and 343) and staffed by the San Diego Computer Society (located at the main entrance), the Computer Learning Center is the place for kids, parents and grandparents to sit down, try out software, and ask questions.

The Computer Gaming Center, another very popular spot, is located in the midst of the Consumer Demonstration Hall, adjacent to Center Stage. Sponsored by Computer Parts Plus (booths 201 and 202), the Computer Gaming Center has top-notch computers loaded with all the popular favorites, plus many new and exciting games that are making their debut at the Expo. There's no salesperson to peer over your shoulder or give you dirty looks; and you can experience all the adventure, intrigue, and blood-and-guts you can handle.

Also definitely worth mentioning, Kids Corner is stocked with computers and the best in children's educational software. Instructors are on hand to help kids learn while they play; and clowns entertain the young ones with magic tricks, balloon hats, and face painting. Kids Corner is sponsored by Global SchoolNet (booths 641 and 642), which will be demonstrating its Global SchoolHouse -- a place where you can meet other kids from around the world and learn about exciting Internet-based learning opportunities.

When you need an energy recharge, stop by C@fe Cybernet (booths 328, 329 and 330) in the Consumer Demonstration Hall for some Cyber Rest and Relaxation. Pull up a chair and try the latest in computer technology in a relaxed social environment. E-mail Star 100.7 or videoconference with other cyber cafes such as C@fe Cybernet in La Jolla or Gig@Bites in Rancho Santa Fe.

Don't forget to drop by the Computer Museum of America (center of show floor), where the Living Museum is featuring the annual Classic Video Game Contest. There are daily prizes for high scores on PacMan, Missile Command, Centipede and other favorites from yesteryear. Also this year, a new exhibit: "The Computer Comes Home: A History of Personal Computing" will display the machines that helped usher in the age of home computing.

Now, as if all this activity isn't enough to fill up four days, the seminars definitely command attention. With 124 to choose from, you could wile away many hours soaking up information about the Internet, desktop publishing, programming, computer careers, family computing or one of the other numerous topics. There's a seminar on every computer-related subject you can think of...and then some. With a little planning and time management, you might turn your $30 Seminar Passport into hundreds of dollars worth of education.

And, the Center Stage provides entertainment with KOGO's live radio broadcast of "The Roger Hedgecock Show," Cochenille Design Studio's (booths 623 and 624) computer-generated clothing Fashion Show, 92.5 The Flash's Computer Geek Makeover Contest, KSON's Computer Dating Game and Midisoft's (booth 874) computer-generated musical concerts. Check the Center Stage event schedule for show times.

While I haven't begun to cover everything that's happening at the California Computer Expo, the one thing I have left to say is: GO! This event comes around only once a year. If you miss this one, you'll have to wait till Aug. 20 through 23 of 1998 to experience this one-of-a-kind computer show.

See you at the Expo!

For Information about the California Computer Expo, call 800/573-3247.