Australian PC World articles from November 2005

Australian PC World archives from November 2005

Hype busters: broadband on the go: Internet access anywhere--no wires, no hassles! Quick to set up; easy to use. What more could you want? Well, for a start, how about a lot less hype please, and services we can all affort.(Editorial)
November 1, 2005... When Unwired and iBurst first entered the wireless broadband market, they promised the best of both worlds--the speed of broadband Internet; the freedom to roam. The truth turned out to be somewhat different. Now, Telstra's BigPond Wireless...

Better spyware removal.(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... I am a recent convert to your magazine and absolutely love it. I have found it extremely informative and I thank you for the work you put into each month's copy. After reading the article "Spyware Stoppers" in the August 2005 edition, I...

Friendly forum.(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... I recently I asked two questions on the PC World HelpScreen forum online and I'm elated by all the responses. The PC World community was more than prepared to provide me the information I required to learn more. I send my express thanks to...

Righting a top tip.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... On page 96 of the September issue of PC World is a "How to" tip for auto inserting a current date to a Word document I have tried the tip but cannot get it to work--I have followed the "recipe" accurately, I believe, but when I press the...

No frills OS, please.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... I just don't get it ["Longhorn Preview," First Looks, September page 33]! Why are transparent buttons and 3-D icons so important to an operating system? So what if Mac OS has had such things for years. What's important to me is how an OS works...

Some upgrades not for all.(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... Your September cover story, "Reinvent Your PC," tackles a good subject, but I question the article's inclusion of the Athlon 64 X2 dual-core processor upgrade. Most of your readers are not hardware enthusiasts to the point of being able to...

The better word processor.(READERS' FORUM)(Letter to the Editor)
November 1, 2005... Your September review of WordPerfect Office 12 ["Improved WordPerfect Is Still a Hard Sell," First Looks, page 25] leaves a lot to be desired. I recently obtained a copy of Microsoft Office on a new computer, and it took me only a couple...

But can you stay connected?(use of wireless routers)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Though your October review of wireless networking products ["Wi-Fi that works" page 62] was interesting, it omitted the most important test. Judging by the thousands of complaints in Wi-Fi chat rooms about random loss of connectivity with...

Baby iPod born.(new product iPod nano from Apple Computer Inc.)
November 1, 2005... After months of frenzied speculation, Apple Computer has unveiled an ultra-thin iPod about one-third the size of its best-selling iPod mini, as well as a mobile phone built by Motorola that features iTunes music player software. Apple's...

eBay to acquire Skype.(Skype Technologies S.A.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Online auction site eBay has agreed to acquire Internet telephony company Skype Technologies for $US2.6 billion. The deal is expected to help eBay move into new business areas while allowing Skype to expand the customer base for VoIP (Voice...

Kazaa loses copyright case.(copyright infringement case against the recording industry)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... In a win for the music business, a judge has ruled that the operators of the Kazaa file-sharing network authorised the widespread violation of copyright works. Federal Justice Murray Wilcox, of the Federal Court of Australia, stopped short...

Philips turns fabrics into displays.(new photonic textiles from Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Don't be surprised if someday in the bar or hotel lobby, the pillows or curtains in front of you suddenly light up and display some luxury goods. At the IFA consumer electronics show in Berlin, Philips Electronics demonstrated new photonic...

More functions for your dollar.(Brother DCP-115C, Canon PIXMA MP110, Epson STYLUS CX3500, HP PSC 1315, Lexmark X1195)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... The Sweet Spot rule is a simple one that can be applied to determine the best performing products for your money, not only for computer components such as CPUs and hard drives, but also for peripherals such as printers and multifunction...

Windows file system beta released.(WinFS)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Microsoft has released a test version of its next-generation file system, WinFS, well ahead of schedule. Developers had not expected to see a test version of WinFS until next year, according to a previous timeline provided by Microsoft. ...

Intel demos worm cut-off technology.(Circuit Breaker)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Intel researchers have demonstrated a new hardware system designed to rapidly and automatically quarantine PCs infected with worms or viruses. Announced at the Intel Developer Forum (IDF), the Manageability Engine technology--referred to...

Hands freedom.(Jabra SP500)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Better known for its Bluetooth hands-free headsets, Jabra has now added the SP500 wireless speakerphone to its range. Aimed at drivers, it comes with wall and car power adapters, a windscreen mount and a visor clip. It offers an impressive 20...

Magic mouse.(Apple Mighty Mouse)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... It's not as sleek as Apple's Mighty Mouse, nor as obsessively gamer-centric as Razer's Copperhead, but Dicota's Hover mouse has a trick up its sleeve. Unlike other wireless optical mice, the Hover is entirely battery-free. So you don't need to...

Push to talk tough.(Kyocera KX440)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Though they look and act like regular mobile phones, Kyocera's KX440s have several features that set them apart from the crowd. The most obvious is a rugged chassis that can take a little rough-andtumble (Kyocera claims that this is their most...

Remote, but accessible storage.(Western Digital NetCenter WDXE3200 )(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... You can never have too much storage, and if it's shared, then so much the better. If you're among the increasing number who have a network in their homes then a Network-Attached Storage (NAS) device like Western Digital's 320GB NetCenter is...

Strewth, it's 'out there'! Alienware Aurora T 7500.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Before we get down to the nittygritty, you should be warned: the AuroraT 7500 is one very expensive high-end PC. At close to $7000 it's a dream machine for many. For the lucky few who will be able to afford it, it will serve brilliantly as a...

Wireless broadband champions: BigPond, iBurst, unwired.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... One nice thing about a wireless broadband connection is the relatively quick process of setting up the connection in the first place, in addition to being able to log-on to the Net while out and about throughout the town. It means not having to...

Office suite gets radical new look: Microsoft Office 12 preview.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Microsoft, at its annual PDC conference for software developers, recently showed off the user interface of the next version of Microsoft Office. Much to our surprise it's a radical departure, not just from Office 2003 and all previous versions,...

Speed of sound gets faster: Soundblaster X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... While many of us appear content with our motherboard's onboard audio, integrated sound drains precious CPU cycles--especially during games using 3D effects. To fix this, Creative has released the SoundBlaster X-Fi Fatal1ty FPS, one of four new...

Luxury sound system from a PC: ASUS P5LD2 Deluxe incorporates flagship Dolby audio solution.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... A real entertainment system needs to stimulate your sense of sight as well as sense of hearing to deliver a total audio and video experience. With the high-profile introduction of new graphics interface such as PCI Express and video enhancement...

Fujifilm's simple, slim shooter: Finepix Z1.(FIRST LOOKS)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... The 5.1 megapixel Z1 is Fujifilm's first ultra-slim digicam, and offers hardware specs on par with those of the competition. But when it comes to the most important factor--photo quality--the Z1 is a disappointment. On the positive side,...

First consumer HDV camcorder: Handycam HDR-HC1.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... At $3499, Sony's new HDR-HC1 is the first high-definition video (HDV) camcorder within reach of the consumer videographer (the comparable Sony HDR-FX1 costs $5999). Instead of the more conventional CCD (charge-coupled device), the HDR-HC1...

Lounge around with Media Centre: Pioneer Dreamvision Media Centre PC.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... This Media Centre PC is designed to fit in with your existing lounge room equipment. It's about the same height as a typical VCR, but quite deep. The front fascia has a huge volume control, so it looks like authentic home-theatre gear, but the...

Affordable BTX-based system: Octek XB829 Professional.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... This mid-range system from Octek is built using a BTX motherboard in a BTX mid-tower enclosure. The BTX layout of this system has the CPU towards the front of the case. A plastic shroud covers the large heat sink that sticks to the CPU and a...

Sturdy, speedy and a real joy: Joybook S52 V54.(FIRST LOOKS)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... The Joybook S52 v54 is a highly portable, yet competitively priced, notebook that weighs around 2.3kg. It's suitable for use at work or home, and its portability is supported by sturdy, yet stylish construction. Magnesium alloy gives the...

Versatile and big on value: Optima Centoris KN 5185.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... The Centoris KN 5185 is a large notebook with a large (15.4in) screen, but there is nothing large about its price tag. At just $1999, the 5185 is an inexpensive Centrino platform. It performed well in our tests (it scored 86 in PC WorldBench 5)...

Sony adds new DVD-R to DL: DRU-800A.(FIRST LOOKS)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Sony has released its DRU-800A, its latest double-layer burner, which replaces the DRU-720A. The DRU-800A is a sleek unit with a clear panel on the front. However, more impressive is its functionality. It can handle CD-R, CD-RW, DVD+R, DVD+RW...

Budget burner built for speed: BenQ DW1640.(FIRST LOOKS)(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Stepping up from the BenQ DW1620 Pro, BenQ is still trailblazing with the DW1640. This 8x DVD+R DL is setting the benchmark in double-layer burning, as is BenQ's $89 price tag. Across the board for all media this is a fast drive, only falling...

All-in-one security: ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Zone Labs' new ZoneAlarm Internet Security Suite 6 adds anti-spyware capabilities to an already bursting all-in-one security package. In addition to tools for preventing and removing adware and spyware, the suite includes a firewal antivirus...

Apple's dazzling iPod nano.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... What you notice first about the iPod nano, of course, is its size. It's tiny sure, but that isn't all that unusual for flash memory players. What's really impressive about the nano--and a real breakthrough for a lilliputian MP3 player--is its...

Better safe than sorry: Steganos Safe 8.0.(FIRST LOOKS)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Keeping your data safe from prying eyes is a necessity these days, whether it's to stop hackers or others closer to home who have direct access to your PC or notebook. Steganos Safe 8.0 is the latest in a long line of data-protection utilities...

Streamed audio-recording utility: Replay Radio 5.3.(Brief Article)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... There are a number of legal and not-so-legal ways to record digital music--ripping it from a CD, cassette or vinyl being the most obvious. But it's only recently become possible to create permanent copies of the tunes and broadcasts you enjoy...

Go mobile: the best gear for working away from your desk. Plus, top tips for going mobile.(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Whether we travel most of the year or just want to work on the daily commute, most of us need an array of mobile gadgets these days. We rounded up the best options for different scenarios for whatever your computing life entails. Plus, read on...

Road warriors.(Joybook S52 v54, Lenovo X41T, Toshiba Libretto U100)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... If you're constantly working on the road, you're going to need a delicate balance of power and portability. Luckily, notebook makers have you firmly in mind. Here's some options you might want to consider: Joybook S52 v54 The Joybook...

Desktop replacement.(Dell Inspiron 9300, ASUS V6000V, Ferrari 4005WLMi)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... If you want a full-featured notebook that only occasionally steps away from the desk (or you're willing to sacrifice size for extras like a large screen), you're in luck: there's a huge array of options for desktop replacements. Here's some...

Media centre notebooks: all work and no play ... well, you know the drill. These notebooks take multimedia mobile.(Toshiba Qosmio G20, Asus W2V, HP Pavilion zd8004AP, Pioneer Power Notebook 900T)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Toshiba Qosmio G20 Toshiba's stylish new Qosmio (pronounced "Kozmio") G20 desktop replacement notebook uses Windows XP Media Center Edition and is ideal for the lounge room. Features include an in-house developed image processing chip...

Student.(Pioneer DreamBook Slim 805, HP Compaq nx6120, ModTech Civic Panoramic)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... This is one of the most challenging categories for notebooks. On the one hand, you want a sturdy, powerful system, but on the other, it needs to be light on young backs and able to withstand a bit of rough treatment. Here's some options that we...

Smart phones.(Nokia 9300 Communicator, ASUS P505, O2 Xphone Iim, Treo 650)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Smart phones have been eating PDAs for breakfast lately, and it's easy to see why: they pack a phone into a capable handheld device. Treo 650 The Treo 650's design balances the sometimes-conflicting needs of a PDA and a mobile phone,...

PDAs.(Archos Pocket Media Assistant PMA430, Asus MyPal A730W, Axim X50v, Palm LifeDrive, Palm Tungsten E2)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... If you really want to travel light, forget the notebook: PDAs are more powerful than ever these days. You'll be surprised at what you can get done with one of these tiny options. Axim X50v If multimedia matters to you--especially video...

15 things they don't want you to know.(ways of product selection)(Column)
November 1, 2005... Psssst! Wanna know a secret? How about a whole stack of them? Sadly, the Colonel's Secret Recipe remains shrouded in mystery, but I'm going to spill the beans about a lot of things that technology companies would rather you didn't know. These...

Take a different way to work: Microsoft Office is the gold standard for productivity suites--and it has a price tag to match, There are free and low-cost alternatives, but do you get what you pay for? PC World finds out.(602PC Suite, Ability Office 4.0 Professional, EasyOffice Freetrial, OpenOffice.org 1.9)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Most of the tasks we carry out on our PCs are handled by a suite of productivity tools; e-mail, word processing, spreadsheets and so on. The most common package of this kind is Microsoft Office, but at over $600 for the least expensive version,...

Hey, big spender!(BEST BUYS: TOP HARDWARE, REVIEWED AND RATED)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... Staying on the cutting edge of PC technology is always an expensive task, especially considering the relatively short reign at the top that most high-end PCs have these days before being superseded. If you are the type who likes to keeps pace...

PCs.(BEST BUYS)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... BEST BUYS PCs [pc world TEST CENTRE] $1500-$3000 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS [1] Alsotech Vogue Torosaurus Lite AMD Athlon 64 3400+, VIA Price: $2399 ...

19 inch LCD monitors--best buys: Polyview V293.(Advertisement)
November 1, 2005... [pc world BEST BUYS] The PolyView V293 is a terrific screen for everyday use, watching movies and even playing games. It has a very low price tag of $499, yet provides excellent contrast, brightness and colour reproduction. If you've read...

Notebooks.(BEST BUYS)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... NOTEBOOKS SUB-$2500 FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS [1] BenQ Joybook S52 v54 Intel Pentium M 740 (1.73GHz), Price: $2399 Intel 915GM chipset (2nd Phone: (02) 9352...

TV tuners.(BEST BUYS)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... BEST BUYS TV TUNERS [pc world TEST CENTRE] MODEL FEATURES AND SPECIFICATIONS [1] Nebula DigiTV PCI PCI interface; SDTV, HDTV; DigiTV Price: $239 ...

DVD burners.(BEST BUYS)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... DVD BURNERS [pc world TEST CENTRE] MODEL CD SPEEDS DVD SPEEDS [1] LG GSA-4163B Multi CD-ROM 40x DVD-ROM 16x, DVD+R Price: $179 CD-R 40x DL 4x,...

Wireless routers.(BEST BUYS)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... WIRELESS ROUTERS [pc world] TEST CENTRE WI-FI SPEEDS WI-FI SECURITY MIMO ROUTERS SECURITY [1] Netgear...

19in LCD monitors.(liquid crystal displays)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... 19in LCD MONITORS [pc world TEST CENTRE] PANEL TECHNOLOGY RESPONSE TIME INPUT MODEL DOT PITCH SPEAKERS ...

Inkjet multi-function devices.(BEST BUYS)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... INKJET MULTI-FUNCTION DEVICES [pc world TEST CENTRE] PRINT RESOLUTION 2-SIDED PRINTING ...

Motherboards.(BEST BUYS)(Illustration)(Buyers Guide)
November 1, 2005... MOTHERBOARDS [pc world TEST CENTRE] AMD MOTHERBOARDS CHIPSET CPU SUPPORT [1] ABIT AN8 NVIDIA Athlon 64, Athlon 64 Price: $195 nForce4 FX 53...

Boot errors.(use of Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition)
November 1, 2005... Q I recently upgraded the hard disk in my Toshiba Satellite laptop from 2GB to 6GB. I reinstalled Windows 98 SE and upgraded the BIOS from the Toshiba Web site. Since then, I have been experiencing a fatal error in VXD VMM(06)+00003585 during...

Upgrade question.(use of Microsoft Windows 98 Second Edition)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q I have an old Packard Bell computer running Windows 98 (first edition). I have a full Windows 98 Second Edition CD. Is it possible to load this, while leaving in place all the drivers from the first edition? --John Smith A If you...

Missing number.(use and security of Microsoft Windows XP SP2 )(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q I am occasionally receiving two error messages on my new PC running Windows XP SP2. One may be connected with sending e-mail using Mozilla Thunderbird. It says: "ccApp.exe. The ordinal 129 could not be located in the dynamic link library...

All thumbs.(use of Microsoft Internet Explorer)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... We often get readers who want to know why files called "thumhs.db" keep appearing in folders for no apparent reason, and how they should go about getting rid of them, so here's an explanation. Files named thumbs.db appear if you've...

The show won't go on.(Windows XP)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q I finally managed to convince myself to upgrade Windows XP Home to SP2. Since then, I have been unable to open PowerPoint files (.pps) that are attached to an e-mail. When I try, I receive the error: "This file does not have a program...

Short changed?(HARDWARE)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q My new computer is supposed to have a 160GB SATA hard drive, but the total capacity is only 146GB. Is that normal? --Tak Chiu A That does seem a fraction on the low side, but it's probably nothing to worry about. Hard disk...

Rogue dialer.(SECURITY)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q As a result of letting my son roam the Web unsupervised, I now have a message box appearing when I log on to my computer that says "For your instant access click Yes". There is no "No, thanks" option, and it automatically installs a...

False alarm.(SECURITY)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q I recently installed Windows XP Professional on my computer. Since then, I regularly receive an alert message that reads: "Messenger Service. Message from SYSTEM to ALERT on 5/23/2005. STOP! WINDOWS REQUIRES IMMEDIATE ATTENTION. Windows has...

Time out.(GENERAL)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q My computer doesn't keep very good time, so I use the Windows time service with a Registry tweak from PC World to run it daily. Recently, I noticed that the time was off again and I found that the time service was reporting an error...

Hold the front page.(websites)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... Q I am developing a Web site for our local community that I would like people to use as a portal. I would like to include updated news headlines from a site such as BBCi. Someone suggested that I could use RSS for this, but it appears that you...

Correct a windows activation error.(TOP TIP)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... If you have more than one copy of Windows XP, you might reinstall Windows and then activate it using the wrong product key. If you do that, Windows Update will think you're using an illegal copy and you won't be able to download any updates....

Monitors: adding a new monitor can buy you more desk space, a larger screen or better image quality. Back to basics shows you how to connect and set yours up properly.(HERE'S HOW: BACK TO BASICS)
November 1, 2005... So far, in our Back To Basics articles, we've covered just about everything inside your PC from optical drives to graphics cards, sound cards to CPUs. But what about the outside? There's still a major part of your PC that we haven't looked at,...

Flavour of the month: keep track of the sites you've visited and find out which ones are worth taking a look at, with delicious--a social bookmarking tool that's as tasty as it sounds.(internet)
November 1, 2005... The Internet is a disorganised place, and sorting and classifying this amount of information is no easy task. Even using bookmarks can become unmanageable once you've got more than a couple of dozen in your folder. If you want to try a new...

Making amends: having two contacts folders can be useful under certain circumstances--just make sure they don't get mixed up in your address book. Here's how to get it right.(Column)
November 1, 2005... Having more than one Outlook contacts folder is a good way to keep work and personal addresses separate. And if you use tools such as Anagram or the Linkedln toolbar to grab contact details from incoming e-mail, you can use a second contacts...

Everyday Linux gripes: Matthew Newton puts his linux loyalty aside for long enough to indulge in the tech columnist's favourite pastime-griping.(Column)
November 1, 2005... As you already know, if I have to sit down in front of a computer, I want it to be running the Gnome desktop on Linux. I've watched it mature from a downright ugly, needlessly complex playground for geeks, to an attractive, simple interface...

Two of a kind: the latest updates of the DivX and quicktime codecs have turned up within a few weeks of each other. Can they really change the way we watch video on our PCS?(DivX 6.0 and QuickTime 7.0 desktop video software)
November 1, 2005... You wait all year for a video codec, then two come along at once. Within a few weeks of each other, DivX 6.0 and QuickTime 7.0 have arrived, each offering unique features intended to push computer video formats to a different level. ...

Come together: bridging the MAC/PC divide once seemed like a distant fantasy, but These days it's not so difficult--as long as you pay attention to These useful networking pointers.(networking methods)(Column)
November 1, 2005... Once upon a time, the very thought of networking Macs and PCs was fantasy. Today things are different--not only can you freely exchange floppy disks (whatever they are) but it's now a piece of cake to hook up a mixture of PCs and Macs to the...

Finding your level: some golden oldies this month: photoshop's levels tool and paint shop pro's histogram adjustment, which can still show the youngsters a thing or two.(imaging)(Column)
November 1, 2005... Sometimes the worst thing about "featuritis"--the condition caused by flashy but superfluous features being added to new versions of software--is the fact that very often, existing tools can do the job just as well. Image-editing...

Fine-tuned fingers: we know that typing tutors can help us type faster, but now interactive software can make learning musical instruments and even theory fun. Here's how to get started.(Voyetra Teach Me Piano Deluxe)(PlayPro Interactive Keyboard 2.6)(Charanga Keyboard Coach)
November 1, 2005... Relatively cheap software can help you master the instrument you've always wanted to learn how to play. Of course, software will never replace a dedicated teacher (or student, for that matter), but you do get the flexibility of studying at your...

F.E.A.R.(computer game)(First Encounter Assault and Recon from Monolith)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... From the gory outset, F.E.A.R. wastes no time drawing you into its dark, atmospheric environments and suspense-laden gameplay. Your character is a new recruit to the F.E.A.R. (First Encounter Assault and Recon) team, gifted with preternatural...

Not what you think.(BACKBYTES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... When is a router not a router? When it's an Iceguide-ready network bridge, that's when. Iceguide is a subscription-based 7-day electronic program guide (EPG) for free-to-air broadcasts. However, while Iceguide works with standalone personal...

Box of tricks.(BACKBYTES)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... In principle, Sitecom's USB On-The-Go Copy Box sounds like a great idea, if a little wordy. It's a small device, powered by three AAA batteries, that lets you transfer data from one USB product (like a digital camera, MP3 player or thumb drive)...

Dungeon Lords.(PC)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Dungeon Lords is an RPG that, like many others before it, borrows heavily from Tolkien. This means elves, dwarves, magic and hordes of goblins giving you a hard time as you save the mandatory world-in-crisis from its mandatory certain doom. ...

Darwinia.(computer games)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Darwinia refuses to fit comfortably into any one genre, and doesn't make a lot of sense until you play it for yourself. By the time you do, however, the chances are that it'll have you hooked. Wrapped in the colourful, vector-based visuals...

The good, the bad, and the muddy.(BACKBYTES)(Brief Article)
November 1, 2005... If it hasn't already, Deadwood is one of those rare television gems that will hook you from the first episode, and those of you who missed it can now catch the first series on DVD. It tells the story of a small lawless camp-town struggling to...

Dungeon Siege II.(Product/Service Evaluation)(Product/Service Evaluation)
November 1, 2005... Does Dungeon Siege II dethrone Diablo II? No. But the good news is that it comes closer than any game yet. Dungeon Siege II openly embraces its Diablo II lineage, making comparisons simply unavoidable. This isn't a bad thing at all--Diablo II...

Work that body!(BACKBYTES)
November 1, 2005... Sony Computer Entertainment has taken its motion-detecting EyeToy on a surprising tangent, teaming up with Nike Motionworks to produce EyeToy: Kinetic--a complete workout in a box. EyeToy: Kinetic uses on-screen guides to run you through a...

Busted. Grounded. Owned.(internet forums)(Brief Article)(Column)
November 1, 2005... Many notable things have happened over the past month, not least of which was Mrs Backbytes bringing home an intriguing range of cold and flu viruses for me to try out. Another was the local supermarket's inability to stock enough medicines for...

Penned in.(pen spinning tricks from www.pentrix.corn)(Brief Article)(Column)
November 1, 2005... As my recuperation slowly continued, I quickly realised that watching hours of Oprah, Dr Phil, and the indescribably appalling daytime "soaps" was doing more damage to my brain than a flu virus ever could. So, turning once more to the Internet,...