Australian PC World articles from May 2005

Australian PC World archives from May 2005

Write on! The guys from Queer Eye made "tjuzing" (pronounced "zooshing") a household term. At PC World, we relied on you--not five TV queens--to give us feedback, and have done our own "mini-makeover". Now you'll find it even easier to get the best technology tips, in-depth PC advice, tutorials, and thorough hands-on product testing!(EDITORIAL)
May 1, 2005... The best magazines keep in touch with their readers--to find out what readers like and what they would like; to elicit the hot topics that make everyone sit up and take notice, and to help deliver timely and expert information where it is...

Better the Windows you know?(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... I read that Microsoft intends to limit software upgrades to properly registered users (Microsoft to require Windows piracy check, www.pcworld.idg.com.au), I assume that will mean I won't be able to get upgrades for two copies of Windows 2000 I...

Health effects queried.(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the Editor)
May 1, 2005... The mobile telecommunications industry takes the issue of health and safety surrounding mobile phone use very seriously and wishes to clarify some misconceptions that may arise from your article (Study: Mobiles affect DNA in isolated cells...

Missive of the month.(READERS' FORUM)
May 1, 2005... Congratulations to Herman D'Hondt! BB You are this month's winner of a copy of Spy Cleaner Gold, which keeps "big brother" out of your PC by scanning and removing spyware, adware and malware to protect your privacy--worth $49.95.

Size matters at CeBIT.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... CeBIT exhibitors always hype the smallest improvement or upgrade on their consumer electronics devices to claim a world first. But even to the sceptical, some of the wares peddled this year were impressive. Samsung has scored two major hits...

Yahoo mail jumps to 1GB of storage.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... Yahoo will increase the inbox capacity of its free Web mail service, raising storage to 1GB, exceeding Microsoft's Hotmail and matching Google's Gmail. Yahoo Mail users all over the world will begin to see the larger inboxes between late...

XP may gain Longhorn features.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... Windows XP may be updated to support a new file system technology that Microsoft is working on for the next version of Windows. Called WinFS, the technology promises to make it easier for users to find data stored on their computer. WinFS...

Intel gets the lead out.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... Removing the lead from its processors has so far cost Intel more than $US100 million. The chip manufacturer currently uses a small amount of lead as an ingredient in the solder that is used to package semiconductors and attach them to...

Long-term computing.(SWEET SPOT)
May 1, 2005... While the components in Sweet Spot are ones that offer the best performance for your dollar in their respective categories, sometimes investing in products above the Sweet Spot-defined areas will end up saving you money in the long term. The...

Phishers widen their net.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... Phishing attacks skyrocketed in the second half of 2004, as did spam and new software vulnerabilities, says security company Symantec. The number of phishing (online identity theft scam) e-mail messages intercepted by Symantec grew 300 per...

Hackers turn attention to Mozilla.(START UP: LATEST REVIEWS, INDUSTRY NEWS)
May 1, 2005... The growing popularity of Mozilla-based Web browsers appears to be attracting the attention of the malicious hacking community. Between July 1 and December 31, 2004, the number of documented vulnerabilities affecting the Mozilla browser and...

Extreme pixel pushers.(SWEET SPOT)
May 1, 2005... If you're a keen gamer, then the mid-range graphics cards that adorn our sweet spots are probably not enough to satisfy your thirst for super-fast frame rates. For this reason, you should look into the high-end graphics chips on the market: the...

Now Treo does even more.(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... The Treo 650's design balances the sometimes-conflicting needs of a PDA and a mobile phone. New features include a removable rechargeable battery, MP3 player and Bluetooth. The display is now a brilliant 320x320 screen, up from old...

Walkie-talkie.(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... Interested in hands free headsets for your Bluetooth mobile? Cellink's product sits in your ear with a gel plug. Alternatively, supplied foam covers offer more grip, or you can attach a loop to your ear. The Jabra is bulkier, but more...

Mobile blogging.(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... SplashBlog lets you use your PDA/ mobile phone to take a photo and transmit it wirelessly via GPRS to your personal SplashBlog Web page, ready to share with friends or family. We tested the Palm-based software using a Treo 650, but Pocket...

Colour your world.(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... Targeted directly at home and small office users, the C525 A from Fuji-Xerox is easy to use and costs just $799--complete with 10/100 network card for TCP/IP networking! It has a standard paper handling capacity of 200 sheets and a...

Antivirus at the right price!(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... Although it's based on Grisoft's own paid-for AVG 7.0, this free version doesn't offer quite the same feature set. You may not get technical support, access to the fastest update servers or scheduling abilities, but given its price--or lack...

Dirty deeds.(QUICK TAKES)
May 1, 2005... Notorious former-hacker Kevin Mitnick is at it again. His new book, The Art of intrusion: The Real Stories Behind the Exploits of Hackers, intruders & Deceivers, follows on from his best-selling The Art of Deception. Now a consultant and...

Core remains stable.(SWEET SPOT)
May 1, 2005... As you can see from the table on page 15, our Sweet Spots for this month's core components are the same as last month, with no changes to any of the categories. However, we have noticed AMD CPUs getting slightly cheaper over the last few...

Intel joins 64-bit party: Pentium 4 660.(FIRST LOOKS: NEW PRODUCTS, HANDS-ON TESTS)
May 1, 2005... AMD may have ushered in the era of 64-bit desktop computing almost two years ago, but now Intel has launched its own 64-bit enabled Pentium 4 CPUs just prior to the touted late April/early May release of Microsoft's 64-bit version of Windows...

Photoshop and CS upgraded: Creative Suite 2.0.(FIRST LOOKS: NEW PRODUCTS, HANDS-ON TESTS)
May 1, 2005... It's easy to overlook that a new release of Adobe's popular Creative Suite (CS) means an entirely new version of Photoshop. Not only that, CS2 brings with it new versions of all the applications within. For CS2 Standard, this means Photoshop,...

Protect and back up your data: Bullguard 5.0.(FIRST LOOKS: NEW PRODUCTS, HANDS-ON TESTS)
May 1, 2005... Spyware, adware and viruses continue their assault on our PCs and it's proving difficult to keep the Net nasties at bay. Because there's a lot of software available now to help thwart such security and privacy risks, we were interested to see...

Ricoh introduces a new concept in laser printing--low cost b&w and controlled access to colour.(FIRST LOOKS: NEW PRODUCTS, HANDS-ON TESTS)
May 1, 2005... If your office printing need is mainly for black-and-white documents with only the occasional need for colour pages, then Ricoh created the CL4000DN with your business in mind. If you thought you couldn't justify the additional...

D-SLR great for beginners: *ist DS.(FIRST LOOKS: NEW PRODUCTS, HANDS-ON TESTS)
May 1, 2005... Pentax's oddly-named "*ist DS" is a 6.1Mp D-SLR (digital single-lens reflex) camera competing with products like Canon's now older EOS-300D. Although it was released late last year and now also has 8Mp competition, the *ist DS is still one of...

The iPod in-crowd: on parade: the best accessories and add-ons for your iPod.
May 1, 2005... TunePower iPods are ideal for travelling but their batteries die far too early for long-haul flights. Add Belkin's TunePower for an additional 8-10 hours of play time. While it adds some bulk to the iPod, it's still fairly slim and comes with...

The cutting room: whether you're aspiring to be the next Martin Scorsese or looking to sort out those shaky camera sequences, there's an affordable software solution for you. Rosemary Haworth casts her eye over the contenders.(PART II: Digital Video Feature)
May 1, 2005... You may have got yourself a video camera and a DVD-burning drive, but the real work begins when you start turning your raw footage into a cohesive narrative. There is a wide range of editing software available--from inexpensive (and basic)...

Picture perfect: successful digital movie-making calls for thorough planning, not to mention careful editing. Leave your mistakes on the cutting-room floor with our guide to top-notch video.(PART II: Digital Video Feature)
May 1, 2005... As with many things in life, you only get out of video-making what you put in. With hour upon hour of dud footage already to our names, we know only too well the importance of being well prepared before you set out for a videoing session. ...

Worry-free wireless: want to go wireless, but worried about security and performance? You need to be on your toes to keep your Wi-Fi devices secure and working well.
May 1, 2005... Everything was working well when Harold Martin first set up his wireless network. But after a few weeks, the wireless gateway mysteriously started having problems. "It would drop the connection after five minutes," he said. Harold, who...

The new Web challengers: watch out, Internet Explorer: a pack of powerful browsers are gunning for you. We rate the top tools--and crown a new champion.
May 1, 2005... There's something new on the Web every second, but most people have been using the same old browser and search sites for as long as they can remember. We put the latest versions of five browsers, along with three shells for Microsoft's...

End your PC woes: had it with Windows glitches, hardware headaches and internet irritations? Here's how to get rid of them for good.
May 1, 2005... Duck--there's another PC annoyance coming your way. And right behind it, an endless barrage of technology-induced irritations, aggravations, and stress-causing hassles. Stay calm--and prepare yourself to be a little less annoyed. We have plenty...

Acrobat 7.0 think again! The new Acrobat 7.0 family now offers a host of new features that make sharing documents easier and more productive than ever.(PROMOTION)
May 1, 2005... Adobe Acrobat 7.0 offers a family of desktop applications that provide capabilities far beyond converting documents to Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF). Now, workgroups can use Acrobat 7.0 and Adobe PDF to manage a range of essential...

Cool burnings.(BEST BUYS: TOP HARDWARE, REVIEWED AND RATED)
May 1, 2005... Welcome to the new-look Best Buys section, which we have redesigned in an attempt to make it look nicer and easier to navigate. Rest assured, the same amount of content is present--it's just that we've made it look different. Neater, if you...

Sub-$1500.(PCs)
May 1, 2005... Altech Gameforce Sniper [1] The Gameforce Sniper from Altech is ideally for first-time PC buyers, students and families. It won't blaze through every latest game and application at breakneck speed, but should suffice for Internet access...

$1500-$3500.(PCs)
May 1, 2005... APUS Universe Pro 3500A9 [1] The wholly aluminium Thermaltake Tsunami case which houses the components has several security features. A large swingable door on the front can be locked at the side of the case with a key. It also has a...

Over $3500.(PCs)
May 1, 2005... Plus Corporation Altera FX-55 [1] A perfect system to meet all types of computing needs, the Altera FX-55 is feature-packed and has some great expansion possibilities for future upgrades. The black Coolermaster Cavalier mid-tower case...

Sub-$2500.(NOTEBOOKS)
May 1, 2005... Viewmaster Portiva 5z70 1 The powerful 5z70 may use the now older, original Centrino platform, but that doesn't stop it being good value for money. It's also another notebook that's originally manufactured by ASUStek in Taiwan (as the...

$2500-$4000.(NOTEBOOKS)
May 1, 2005... Dell Inspiron 9300 1 This $3899 model (pricing as of 1 April--as with all Best Buys notebooks) included a 17in display with UXGA (1920x1200 pixel resolution) option and a 256MB NVIDIA GeForce Go 6800 graphics controller supplying both VGA-...

DVD burners.(BEST BUYS)
May 1, 2005... Throughout the past 10 months DVD burners have increased in "spec" and dropped in price, which is always a good combination. Now you can buy many models from reputable retailers for around $130, and some for under $100. Pushing the demand...

Mouse trap.(Windows XP)
May 1, 2005... Q I am having a problem with the mouse snagging on the Send To list that appears when I right-click a folder. When I run my cursor down the list of items, it sticks on Send To for several seconds. Obviously I can avoid this by dragging the...

Key to the registry.(Windows XP)
May 1, 2005... Q I remember that in Windows 98 the registry consisted of system.dat and user.dat (or daO--I forget which) but there don't seem to be equivalent files in Windows XP. Where in Windows XP is the registry stored and what's it called? Is it in the...

Space saver.(Windows XP)
May 1, 2005... Q I have finally got round to installing Windows XP SP2. The install process carefully backs up all the files it is going to replace, and puts them in C:\Windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$. On my system, that is 455MB worth of files. I don't want...

Share and share alike.(INTERNET)
May 1, 2005... Q Broadband hasn't made it out to where I live yet, so I'm stuck with a plain old dial-up connection until it does. I have two PCs (a desktop and a notebook) and am currently using a line-splitter and an extension cord to allow me to connect my...

Searching for an answer.(INTERNET)
May 1, 2005... Q When I type a keyword into the address bar of Internet Explorer 6 in WinXP, it reappears as http:///?%20keyword and comes up with a "Page cannot be displayed" message. I know that on other computers this results in a fruitful search. What...

If it makes you feel any better...(TOP TIP)
May 1, 2005... The team here at PC World also has its moments when it comes to solving its own technical support issues, particularly of late. Here are two examples from the last month. (Names have been withheld to protect the reputations and egos of those...

Bad picture.(HARDWARE)
May 1, 2005... Q I have a Canon A75 [digital still camera] which can take up to three minutes of video at 320x240. I tried recording part of a TV program with this camera (using a tripod) but I get black lines running across the screen. I understand that has...

Can't start the music.(HARDWARE)
May 1, 2005... Q I have burnt a .cda file to a CD-RW using Roxio and also Nero. These play in my car, but not on my home Pioneer CD player, which does not recognise the CD. What is the problem? --David Mills A The problem is likely to be one of two...

Joy of hex.(SECURITY)
May 1, 2005... Q I'm trying to remove a browser hijack from a friend's computer. I'm sure it would help to identify the program that keeps restoring the hijack if I could look inside the suspect program to see if it contains the unwanted Web address. Is there...

Getting help.(HELPSCREEN ONLINE)
May 1, 2005... If the answer you were looking for isn't here this month, don't panic. You can still find help if you go to PC World's online HelpScreen section (www.helpscreen.com.au). All you need to do is register with the site--which is free and...

Sound cards: installing a new sound card can do more than just increase your PC's audio capabilities. You may find it increases system performance, too.(BACK TO BASICS)
May 1, 2005... It's difficult to think back to a time when the only noise you'd get from your PC was the beeping from its internal speaker, and a sound card was an extravagant upgrade for the music enthusiast. Though they work on the same principles,...

Taking control: sometimes you want word, sometimes you don't. Make sure you have the choice. And don't sweat over finicky formulas--get excel to help out.(OFFICE)
May 1, 2005... Next time you find a link on a Web page to a Word document or a PowerPoint presentation, do you want it to open in your Web browser using the ActiveX Web viewers? I'm guessing, like me, you'd prefer it in Word or PowerPoint, given that you have...

Problems solved: sometimes, digital video will throw up mistakes that are really difficult to troubleshoot. Laurence Grayson provides the solutions to three of his favourites.(DIGITAL VIDEO)
May 1, 2005... If I had a dollar for every someone asked me why the DVD they've just created is jerky and unwatchable even when they've encoded it at a high bit rate, I'd have about, let me see, about four bucks. Possibly five. Not quite the amount I need for...

Revolution or evolution? Internet radio isn't new, but online's latest buzz word--Podcasting--offers some new twists. Danny Allen tunes in.(AUDIO)
May 1, 2005... Hype aside, MP3 players--from mobile phones to the iconic iPod--are actually kind of cool. I mean, here we have stylish and compact critters with snowballing capacities that let us store contacts, everyday-files like Word documents and most of...

Come on in, the Linux is lovely! Matthew Newton gives his recommendations for those of us who are thinking of taking the Linux plunge, but need a little coaxing.(LINUX)
May 1, 2005... Every month, I get a rush of e-mail from readers who have one question for me: How do I get started with Linux? It's a simple question, and I wish there was one simple answer for the folks who've decided they've had enough of Microsoft Windows....

Surfing for the sedentary: here's a free gift for every reader: no more remembering to check sites for updates--wait until they come to you.(INTERNET)
May 1, 2005... I haven't had much time to surf the Web this month, I'm afraid. But fear not--I can hear those of you sighing with relief at the back--I've just discovered a wonderful feature that means I don't have to. Well, I say discovered, but I've known...

Waking the dead: ever had a computer spring to life even though it was switched off when you last looked? Here's how to exorcise the ghost in the machine.(NETWORKING)
May 1, 2005... Before I made the enthusiastic jump to broadband, I was the proud owner of a standalone PC with a regular dial-up Internet connection. Every now and again, I'd come home after a hard day's networking to find my Windows XP machine up and...

GTR--FIA GT racing game.(PC)
May 1, 2005... GTR--FIA GT Racing Game started life as a mod for EA's Formula 1 2002 racing sim. Based on the FIA's real life GT Racing series in Europe, the rood proved a hit and became wildly popular. It didn't take long for the SimBin development team (the...

Digital jukebox with a twist.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... Sony is readying an audio jukebox designed to integrate with a home stereo system and replicate many of the digital music functions that computers offer, such as a music library, CD ripping, and the ability to buy music from online services....

Serious game control.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... Standard PC keyboards aren't really suited to gaming. So, rather than try to adapt, why not look for something you can customise to suit you? The extra ambidextrous command pad that comes with the 104-button Saitek Gaming Keyboard can be...

Rugby 2005.(Xbox)
May 1, 2005... Building on the popular but shaky foundations of Rugby 2002 and Rugby 2004, the latest instalment is a quality sports simulation that can happily hold it's own against heavyweights FIFA, Madden and NBA Live. It's pure fun, and while the voyage...

Solar-powered battery charger.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... Available in six different colours, this waterproof and weatherproof portable charging device is ideal for people on the move. The Solio can be plugged into a mains wall supply; used outdoors with the solar panels, and can even charge devices...

The Matrix Online.(PC)
May 1, 2005... With its powerful parents and Warner Bros Interactive Entertainment overseeing the development process, The Matrix Online has been through a divorce with Ubisoft, a recent marriage with Sega, a tight-lipped beta program and a slipped launch...

Gaming audio with extra punch.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... At the CeBIT trade in show in Germany, Logitech launched the PlayGear Stealth earphones for the PSP--designed to pack a lot of sound in a compact form. They will be released in Europe in June and in the US in April. Another release was the...

MPEG4 + MP3 jukebox.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... With dimensions of 80x148x24mm and weighing only 160g, this slim and compact device is great for entertainment wherever you may be. Supporting a slew of audio and video media formats (DivX, XviD, MPEG 1, 2, 4/MP3, 0GG, WMA, JPG), just add a...

TPS report not included.(BACKBYTES)
May 1, 2005... Want to re-create your favourite scene from the cult movie Office Space? The Cubes is a toy set for adults who want their own corporate environment. You can purchase a character (Bob is pictured) complete with office walls and equipment, and...

I can feel it in my waters.(BYTESBACK)
May 1, 2005... To most people, a "black box" is the device recovered from an aircraft that met an untimely end. It holds critical flight and communication data that can help pinpoint the cause of the crash. But a different kind of black box--40 in fact,...

Please leave your message after the beep ... blip ... blip ... bleep ...(BYTESBACK)
May 1, 2005... Feeling lonely? The personals not performing for you? Partner prospecting via online chat leaving you a Net result of zero? Maybe what you really need is some alien attention. Thanks to a group of US engineers, you can place a booty call to...

Walk this way, if you're game.(BYTESBACK)
May 1, 2005... Hollywood's has its movie star Walk of Fame. Now, San Francisco has unveiled the Walk of Game! Created to honour computer gaming "giants", the star-studded stroll, in the Metreon Entertainment Center, gives winners a two-feet-square...