Australian PC World articles from August 2006

Australian PC World archives from August 2006

A safe bet: the spam messages in my inbox bring to mind an electronic version of a character in a trench coat whispering "Pssst. Want a cheap Rolexwatch?"--although in my case it is usually a supply of cheap Viagra or a copy of the Da Vinci Code. With new malicious threats appearing everyday, do you have the best security solution on your PC?(EDITORIAL)(Editorial)
August 1, 2006... Without a doubt spam e-mailers are quick to jump on the bandwagon of any hot topic that will entice unsuspecting Internet users to their sites. As an example, a recent round of spam e-mail invited recipients to join a book club, claiming to...

Free security tool.(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... Your recent article on 101 fabulous freebies (July 2006 issue) is a great read, with many hidden gems, but there is a series of freeware security applications from Comodo (www.comodogroup.com) that you may not have come across. The best of...

Costly upgrades.(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the editor)
August 1, 2006... I would like to echo John Crawford's concerns (Costly Security Upgrades, Readers' Forum June 2006) at the cost of Upgrades/Subscription renewals for Symantec products. I bought my father Internet Security Professional last year to provide him...

'Fair use' for copyright provisions.(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... All copyright laws in Australia other than print media are a mess (See DRM may harm open source innovation by Rodney Gedda www.pcworld.idg.com.au/index.php?id=114664212). While mass copyright breaches of music, video and TV broadcasts goes on,...

Correction: Energizer battery pricing.(Correction notice)
August 1, 2006... I read with interest the "Which AA battery lasts longest" article in PC World's June 2006 issue. Whilst the Energizer e2 Lithium does come out on top in your study, the price for the 4-pack AA, was incorrectly stated as $32. Long-lasting...

'BlueBag' exposes Bluetooth flaws.(LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS: STARTUP)(created by Secure Network SRL )
August 1, 2006... If you happened to fly through Milan's Malpensa Airport last March, your mobile phone may have been scanned by the BlueBag. Billed as a research lab on wheels, BlueBag was created by Milan's Secure Network SRL to study how malicious...

Two looks for notebooks.(notebook makers revealed plans to produce computers equipped with secondary displays at Computex exhibition )(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Secondary displays have never really caught on with notebook makers, largely because of the added software work required to support the interface. But that could be set to change with the introduction of Vista, the next version of Microsoft's...

Last bell for Win 98 and ME.(LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS: STARTUP)
August 1, 2006... Microsoft has warned that customers face security risks if they use some of its ageing operating systems after it ends support for them. The systems affected are Windows 98, Windows 98 Second Edition and Windows Millennium Edition. Support will...

Asia-Pacific's largest IT trade show.(COMPUTEX TAIPEI)
August 1, 2006... Computex is without a doubt the largest IT trade show in the Asia-Pacific region and attracts media and business people from across the globe. This year, hundreds of Taiwanese companies displayed their wares across four massive halls in and...

Intel: more efficient chips soon.(LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS: STARTUP)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Researchers at Intel have found a better way to insulate circuits, enabling them to save energy as they pack more transistors onto each processor. Intel could start building chips with these new "tri-gate transistors" by 2010, enabling...

Seiko Epson develops high-res e-paper.(electronic paper)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Japan's Seiko Epson has developed a prototype electronic-paper display that offers the world's highest resolution, the company said. The 7.1in screen that Seiko Epson has developed is approximately the same size as an A6 piece of paper (105mm...

Compact music for the road.(Creative Travelsound 400)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The Creative Labs TravelSound 400 portable speaker set covers all the basic needs for listening to your music out loud, on the go, and at a reasonable price. The one-piece speaker set swivels 180 degrees on top of a stationary base which acts...

Incoming communications.(Skype Skypeln)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... There are millions of people using Skype's voice over IP (VolP) system to make outgoing calls--known as SkypeOut--but the biggest limitation of the service in Australia is that Skype can't receive incoming calls from people on the standard...

Simple transfers.(Belkin USB Data Transfer Cable)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Although USB keys and the file transfer wizard in Windows XP have made things a lot easier, finding the best way to get data from your old PC to your new one is still a frequent support query. Belkin's USB Data Transfer Cable makes this...

Skype with style.(Doro 225ipc softphones)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... The 225ipc is a USB softphone designed for use with Skype, allowing you to key numbers on the handset for SkypeOut calls, or select one of your Skype contacts directly from the blue LCD. Unlike many softphones, the 225ipc also has a speaker on...

New Core for desktops: Intel Core 2 Duo CPU.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... In the current PC market, AMD's Athlon 64 CPUs are generally regarded as the best that money can buy against Intel's Pentium range of CPUs, which, with their ageing architecture, don't perform quite as well. With the Core 2 Duo, however, Intel...

Gallery-size enlargements: Epson Perfection V700 Photo.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... If you're looking for a scanner that's capable of producing colossal enlargements from your film images, the $968 Epson Perfection V700 Photo is an excellent choice. Epson's latest model is the first flatbed scanner we've reviewed that offers a...

Solid, next-gen platform: Gigabyte GA-965P-DQ6.(FIRST LOOKS)
August 1, 2006... It seems that every time Intel releases a new CPU it also has to release a new chipset to run it. A case in point is the new Core 2 Duo CPUs, which will require a version of the Intel 965 chipset to run. Gigabyte has been quick to market...

Toshiba's HD DVD-playing notebook: Toshiba Qosmio G30-AV650.(High density digital versatile disc )(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Toshiba's latest luxury notebook, the Qosmio G30oAV650, is the first notebook available with an HD DVD drive for playing high-definition content. We looked at a shipping unit, and we liked many of the heavy portable's outstanding audiovisual...

Top specs, mixed results: Plus Corporation Atlas AM2 4000.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... MD's new AM2 platform provides the foundation of this stealth designed system from Plus Corporation. It's powered by an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ CPU, which gives it enough grunt to run performance taxing rendering, encoding and gaming functions, and...

Reduced size costs functionality: Pioneer DreamVision ViiV Mini PC.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... The DreamVision ViiV Mini PC is a small media centre PC that sacrifices functionality for the sake of a small form factor and an inconspicuous design. Externally, it looks like a slightly oversized DVD-ROM drive. The design is achieved due to...

NAS for home, small business: Anthology Solutions Yellow Machine P400T.(network attached storage)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... For a small business with a handful of computer systems to look after, serious network attached storage (NAS) backup solutions may not be a high priority due to their cost and the implementation expertise required. For less than $2300,...

Slick MacBook does Windows too: Apple computer MacBook.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... With its new MacBook, Apple has filled out its Intel-based portable line with an entry-level model. But this mobile Macintosh packs so many clever, practical features into its compact case that using it never feels like a compromise. The...

Versatile, all-rounder notebook: Pioneer DreamBook Light 822.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Pioneer has definitely aimed for the performance market with its DreamBook Light 822 notebook, which is the most powerful notebook we looked at this month. Running an Intel Core Duo T2500 (2GHz) processor and 1GB (2x 512MB) of DDR2 533MHz RAM,...

Enthusiast gamer's delight: Dell XPS M1710.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... First and foremost, this is an expensive gaming machine. An Intel Core Duo (2 16GHz) CPU has been combined with 2GB of 667MHz DDR2 RAM and a GeForce Go 7900 GTX, which offer a supreme amount of portable gaming power. The XPS M1710 has a 17...

Super size me: CHIMEI CMV221D 22in LCD.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... If you want to be productive, you need a big screen with a high resolution. But at the same time, you probably don't want to spend too much money on a big monitor screen. CHIMEI's 22 in LCD screen is a prime example of a large screen that won't...

Dual-purpose headphones: Jabra BT620s.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... The BT620s marks a move from Jabra's more conventional monophonic Bluetooth headsets to a pair of stereo headphones designed for the music-lover who doesn't want to miss a call on their mobile. To this end, the BT620s can pair with two...

All-round value: BenQ Joybook R55.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Driven by an Intel Core Duo (1.66GHz) CPU and 1GB of 533MHz DDR2 RAM, BenQ's 15.4 in Joybook R55 managed to complete most tests with relative ease. It took 157 seconds to encode 53 minutes worth of WAV files to 192Kbps MP3 files; it scored 88...

Steady handling, great acceleration: Acer Ferrari F-20 LCD monitor.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Draped in the automobile manufacturer's red and black colours and wearing the famous prancing horse logo, Acer's Ferrari monitor is full of prestige and audacity. If you can afford it, you'll not only have a monitor that's a status symbol, but...

Beef up your protection: Norton SystemWorks 2006 Basic Edition.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... SystemWorks 2006 Basic Edition is the latest addition to Norton's suite of utilities. Despite the "Basic" tag, it's aimed at more experienced PC users--those who already have some protection but want to beef it up a bit. No antivirus software...

System Mechanic bounces back: System Mechanic 6.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... Once the maker of one of the best PC cleaning and optimisation tools on the market, lolo Technologies had slipped a bit in recent years, turning out mediocre versions of its flagship System Mechanic software. I'm happy to see that System...

Search the net offline: Webaroo.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Webaroo is a product which allows you to browse for content without being connected to the Web, and could completely change the way you use the Internet. And best of all, it's free. You start by downloading the application. You're then...

Big overhaul, but features needed: Windows Media Player 11 beta.(Microsoft Corp. released desktop video software)
August 1, 2006... Microsoft is putting a new face on Windows Media Player, with the application's biggest overhaul in years. In an apparent bid to steal users back from the ever-growing popularity of iTunes, Microsoft has released the beta of Windows Media...

Vigorous security: Draytek Vigor 2700VG ADSL2+ modem.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... The 2700VG is an ADSL2+ modem and a wireless router, with two VoIP ports, which can make calls through the regular phone network (PSTN) if your Internet connection is down. However, it has a greater emphasis on security than other ADSL...

One for all, ADSL2+ modem: Billion Bipac 7404VGP ADSL2+ modem.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... This ADSL2+ modem can be used for high-speed Internet access, wireless networking and VoIP functions, and its settings can be flexed to cater to your needs. It has a quality of service (QoS) feature so that you can tailor inbound and outbound...

Burning movies made easy: Ulead DVD MovieFactory 5.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Rather than attempting to be everything to everyone, Ulead's $99 DVD MovieFactory 5 instead focuses on just one job--burning video and movies to disc. Getting started is easy. The launcher's interface offers quick access to features that...

DVD copying to PSP or iPods: Roxio Easy DVD Copy 2.0 Premier.(PlayStation Portable)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... If there's been a theme running through the major IT innovations of recent years, it's that you should be able to access your data from any location and at any time. The sheer convenience of the iPod and the PSP (PlayStation Portable) makes...

Smart set top box: Humax PVR-SMART.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... There's nothing more satisfying than buying a digital set top box that works perfectly straight out of the box. The Humax PVR-SMART is one such box, well, for the most part, anyway. It's a decent looking set top box with a 160GB hard drive...

All-in-one security: suites of antivirus, antispyware and firewall software can provide convenient, solid protection against today's worst threats. Our tests of nine contenders show who's got your back.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... It takes a multifaceted strategy to fight today's complex range of security threats, which can no longer be neatly separated into distinct categories. Worms may ride in with spam, and spyware apps may unleash Trojan horses, so your PC requires...

The cookie diet: take charge of what Web sites know about you with these simple tips.
August 1, 2006... Internet Explorer, Firefox, Opera and other browsers keep surprisingly accurate records of your online activities, and not just in their history windows. Clearing out the virtual breadcrumbs in your Internet cache and browser histories not only...

Desktop killers: with dual-core processors, speedy hard drives and widescreen displays, the latest notebooks are powerful enough to make your desktop PC unnecessary. Our PC World Test Centre report will point you toward the best replacement for your tower.
August 1, 2006... Go on, admit it. You've been thinking about ditching your desktop in favour of a notebook. You're not alone--many people have already made the switch and now revel in the ability to pick up their computer and go. Thanks to dual-core processors,...

Build your own PC: to get just the PC you want, build it yourself--it's easy with our step-by-step guide.
August 1, 2006... "Dollar for dollar you'll get more power and features in a PC assembled by a big company than in one you build yourself." That's the conventional wisdom. But new standards and improved component integration that packs more functions into fewer...

Greater graphics for less: you don't have to be a gamer to benefit from a better graphics card. Our lab tests of 15 cards identify the best choices. Starting from $176 boards to more sophisticated set ups, we have the card to suit your needs.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... In an age where graphics card technology is refreshed every six months, it can be hard to figure out what to buy now and how long it will perform optimally for your needs. The sweet spot for a new graphics card lies somewhere in between an...

Visual arts: build your own Web browser and compile a movie database with the free tool Visual Basic Express--PC World shows you how step-by-step.
August 1, 2006... Workshop details Time: two to three hours Expertise level: intermediate to advanced Kit: Visual Basic 2005 Express; Windows XP SP2/2000 SP4 USING VISUAL BASIC After you install Visual Basic 2005 Express (download it from...

Latest and greatest.
August 1, 2006... The graphics card market offers plenty of choices that can be confusing to the uninitiated buyer. Plenty of different price points and a massive amount of brands can make it hard to pick a card that's right for you, especially if you want to...

PCs.(Personal computers)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS PCs pc world TEST CENTRE $1500-$3000 1 Infocom FPS4200 pc world Price: $2950 BEST BUYS Phone: (02) 9279 4272 URL: www.infocom.com.au Warranty: 2 years RTB ...

Media Centre PCs.(TOP HARDWARE, REVIEWED AND RATED: BEST BUYS)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS MEDIA CENTRE PCs pc world TEST CENTRE MODEL FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS 1 Claritas CLT-302 Intel Pentium D (2.8GHz), Intel Price: $2999 945G,...

Notebooks.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS NOTEBOOKS pc world TEST CENTRE SUB-$2500 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS 1 HP Pavilion DV1610 Intel Core Duo...

Wireless routers.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS WIRELESS ROUTERS pc world TEST CENTRE WI-FI SPEEDS MIMO ROUTERS WI-FI SECURITY 1 Netgear RangeMax 240 WPNT834 ...

19in LCD monitors.(Liquid crystal displays)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS 19 IN LCD MONITORS pc world TEST CENTRE PANEL TECHNOLOGY RESPONSE ...

ADSL2 modems.(Asymmetric Digital Subscriber Line)(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS ADSL2 MODEMS pc world TEST CENTRE ADSL2 ADSL MODEMS STANDARDS 1 Dynalink RTA1025W ADSL; ADSL2; ADSL2+ pc world ...

DVD burners.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS DVD BURNERS pc world TEST CENTRE 1 MODEL CD SPEEDS pc world BEST BUYS Pioneer DVR-Al 1XLA CD-ROM 40x Price: $99 CD-RW 32x ...

TV tuners.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUYS: TV TUNERS pc world TEST CENTRE MODEL FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS 1 DViCO FusionHDTV PCI; USB 2.0; HDTV; SDTV; pc world DVB-T Dual Digital ...

Projectors.(Buyers guide)
August 1, 2006... BEST BUY PROJECTORS pc world TEST CENTRE PROJECTION ZOOM TECHNOLOGY/ APERTURE/ MODEL ...

Not playing.(Windows XP)(access to the CD-ROM and DVD drives )(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q Both my CD-ROM and DVD drives auto-play when a disc is inserted. Until recently, inserting a memory stick into a USB port or a memory card into the card reader did so, too. I have set up an action for each drive in their properties and run...

Invalid key.(Microsoft Windows XP Home)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q A friend's computer recently failed and I replaced the motherboard, processor and power supply to repair it. The PC came with a recovery disc, but when I tried to restore from it, the system would not boot up because of the new motherboard...

Resize me.(using Windows XP)(memory partitioning)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q My PC has XP SP2 and an 80GB disk--and I'd like to partition it. I read this is possible under XP by using the Computer Management tool, selecting Disk Management, right-clicking the unallocated portion and selecting New Partition. However,...

Not a virus?(TOP TIP)(www.virustotal.com)(to check the virus)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Sometimes, your antivirus software may pick up a file that it considers to be a virus, but may actually be a legitimate file. If you're ever worried that a reported infection may not be as bad as it seems, you can check to see if it's a real...

Autostreamer troubles.(Windows XP installation)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q I've been trying to update my installation files using Autostreamer. I chose "I want to use my original Windows CD" and when I insert it, Autostreamer detects it. But when I insert the Microsoft SP2 disk that came with PC World and browse to...

Tree surgery.(Windows XP)(shared documents)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q MY Documents has two folders: Shared Documents and Ian Stoker's Documents. Files I put into My Documents at the top of the tree are stored in the folders at the bottom, too. I'd like to delete the bottom folders. I can't delete Shared Files...

Insufficient depth.(HARDWARE)(Intel 82810 Graphics Controller)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q MY Packard Bell Club 70H has XP Pro and a flat-panel running on an Intel 82810 Graphics Controller. The display settings are 1024x768 with either 16-bit or 24-bit. How can I install 32-bit colours, as recommended for Google Earth? --Ian...

No audio.(HARDWARE)(audio cards)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q My PC runs Windows 98 SE. The DVD player will read data CDs, play DVD video and go through the motions of playing CD audio, but sound is available only through the headphone socket, not the speakers. My CD writer works correctly and I get the...

Avoiding conflict.(SECURITY)(OneCare Live)(anti virus software, network security software)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q I am interested in trying the beta of OneCare Live. My PC runs XP SP2 and has Norton AntiVirus and Firewall. Will it conflict with these programs? --Mal Guthrie A According to the Microsoft Web site, the programs known to conflict...

Deleted dialler.(SECURITY)(EGCOMSERVICE_1040.dll virus)(Brief article)(Column)
August 1, 2006... Q At startup I receive this message: "Error loading EGCOMSERVICE_1040.dll". How can I remove it? --Bill Wilson A Egcomservice is a Trojan that may dial premium rate numbers using your modem, or download a dialler from the Internet. The...

Games not available.(SECURITY)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Q Since installing Norton Internet Security 2006, I've been unable to start the games on MSN Messenger. --Daniel Newton A Make sure you're using MSN Messenger 6.0 or later, as MSN 5.0 is not supported by Norton IS. Most people who have...

Ready repairs.(TOP TIP)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... Reader Colin Thorpe got in touch to say that when he opens Word or Excel files in Office 97, he gets the message, "This document is being used by Colin Thorpe. Do you want to make a copy?" If you're getting the same problem, try opening the...

Memory misery: Steve Bass finds fixes for memory card misery and a powerful, low-cost tool for sorting out digital videos.
August 1, 2006... So you made a complete Bass of yourself by dropping a digital camera into the surf? I can help you retrieve the images; I can also help if you accidentally deleted a bunch of photos. The Hassle: My digital camera decided to take a dip in...

Image-conscious: windows media player gets an image problem, plus mozilla woes, java holes and battery bugs.
August 1, 2006... I bet you never thought the album art that Windows Media Player (WMP) shows while playing your favourite music could be the key to letting an attacker trash your computer. Or that downloading a new "skin" to change WMP's looks could open the...

Fab freebies: professional web apps can cost a fortune, but there are some surprisingly good tools for free, if you know where to look.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... While I often concentrate on commercial applications, many of the technologies the Internet itself is based on stem from open-source projects. Until recently, many of these free technologies were hard to use. In this column, I'll take a...

Warning signs: Scott Dunn runs you through the best early warning system your PC has--the windows event viewer.
August 1, 2006... Every time Windows XP or 2000 starts, it keeps a record of events that happen on your system. Not general events like "This user has started Solitaire ten times today," but highly specific details of Windows' startup, your log-in, the services...

A good year: during the long wait for office 12.0, Microsoft barely noticed Corel pipping them to the post.(Microsoft Corp. developing business application software 'Microsoft Office 2007')
August 1, 2006... Roll over "Office 12.0", it's now "Office 2007". To emphasise the fact that Office is now a lot more than just Word, Excel and Outlook, the official title will be: The 2007 Microsoft Office System. If Word, Excel and Outlook are all you...

Convert ops: a dull task is worse when you've got naff software, but the latest bitmap converters are bringing joy to designers' lives.
August 1, 2006... Despite the best efforts of graphics-software developers, the gulf between bitmap and vector formats is set to remain. Perhaps this isn't surprising--after all, they're entirely different. Bitmap images are simply a collection of individual...

VOB's your uncle: whatever your reasons for doing it, and wherever you've taken the content from, editing DVD video is easier than you might think.(Video over broadband )
August 1, 2006... Lately, I've been getting an increasing number of requests about editing VOB files the video content on DVD movie discs--and whether it's possible to convert them into a format that's more readily editable or shareable. I'm sure the reason for...

Speed tweaks: the control freak within windows XP has had a nasty effect on networking speeds. Regain your authority--and quickly.
August 1, 2006... Ever hanker for the good old days? I'm talking about the networking days of 98--of Windows 98 in particular. Have you ever thought that networks seemed faster back then? If so, you're not wrong--some networking features haven't improved...

Half Life 2: Episode 1.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... [PC] Available in retail or via the Steam payment and download system, Half Life 2: Episode 1 marks a radical change in the way developers can deliver their content to gamers. By offering episodic content, Valve can reduce lead times, and...

Catch some Pzizz.
August 1, 2006... UK-based Brainwave Ltd (the company responsible for the Pzizz) describes it as "a personal life coaching system", claiming that its neuro-linguistic programming, binaural beats and soothing sounds will induce a "wonderfully relaxed state in the...

Tomb Raider: Legend.(BACKBYTES)(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... [PC/PS2/Xbox/360] It's been a long time since Lara has been good in anything. After an amazing debut in 1996, subsequent Tomb Raider sequels set her on a downward spiral that put her at rock bottom with the appalling Angel of Darkness....

Rise and Fall.(Product/service evaluation)
August 1, 2006... [PC] Like most real-time strategy (RTS) games, Rise and Fall puts you at the head of a great civilisation, (in this case, ancient Greece, Rome, Egypt or Persia) and lets you lead vast armies to conquer your enemies. But it also lets you...

A quick plug.(Altec Lansing IM716 headphones)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... If you want a pair of high-quality headphones to block external noise, but you don't want to wear something large and conspicuous, a good choice would be the iM716 high-definition ear buds from Altech Lansing. They can be fitted with Etymotic...

The Movies: Stunts and Effects.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
August 1, 2006... If you were hoping that the Stunts and Effects expansion pack for Lionhead's cinema-sim The Movies would include some extra staff for your beleaguered studio, I'm afraid that you're out of luck. While it integrates beautifully, this add-on does...

Turning tides.
August 1, 2006... While it's certainly a better idea than immersing your graphics card in a fish tank, Thermaltake's new Tide Water Liquid VGA cooler system leaves much to be desired. While being self-contained and easy to install (compared to many water cooling...

Bytesback: this month, Dr. Backbytes demonstrates something marginally interesting and shamelessly plugs his friend's latest book.(Digital Retro)(Book review)
August 1, 2006... Worth noting Here's a peculiar thing that you might want to try when you're really bored--and I mean really bored. Open up Notepad on your PC. Type "this app can break" (without the quotes). Save it to your hard drive and close Notepad....