Computer Act!ve articles from January 2009

Computer Act!ve archives from January 2009

Best of the web.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Enjoy the great outdoors, find a restaurant and see what Jane Austen would have done with Facebook Travelers notebook www.thetravelersnotebook.com This site is a must-read if you are planning a holiday, with...

Word and Open Office Q/I may have to stop using Open Office 3 because no-one with Microsoft Office can open the files that I send them. I know I can save them as a different format but doni?1/2t want to end up with multiple versions of the same document. Is.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith, Anthony Dhanendran Word and Open Office Q|I may have to stop using Open Office 3 because no-one with Microsoft Office can open the files that I send them. I know I can save them as a different format but don't...

Video reviews.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Rock out to the latest party music game, control your children's web activity and get a bird's eye view Guitar Hero World Tour Could this be the best game of the year? Guitar Hero World Tour lets you and some...

Downloads.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Make your own crosswords, recover deleted files and keep your documents locked away Google Chrome This alternative browser has now been released as a finished project, with enhancements that improve stability....

Win one of 20 routers from Billion worth i?1/21,000.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Win one of 20 routers from Billion worth [pounds sterling]1,000 Don't let downloads, or web surfing get in the way of gaming with the Billion 7300G Normally supplied as part of a broadband deal, routers are often...

Belkin Desktop Internet Phone For Skype.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Cliff Joseph Belkin Desktop Internet Phone For Skype Save money by making internet phone calls without a computer More and more people are using Skype to make cheap telephone calls using the internet rather than...

Apple Macbook 2.4GHz.(Product/service evaluation)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal Apple Macbook 2.4GHz The new Macbook combines style with substance When Apple was planning its latest press conference many people expected it to launch a new, low-cost laptop computer - perhaps something to...

Zonealarm Internet Security 2009.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Paul Lester Zonealarm Internet Security 2009 Zone Labs improves its security software Zonealarm originally made a name for itself through its free firewall software, but has since expanded its range to include a complete...

Bullguard 8.5.(Product/service evaluation)
January 8, 2009... Bullguard 8.5 Security and peace of mind, plus online backup The last version of Bullguard's internet security suite offered an impressive collection of tools to both safeguard your computer against online threats and keep your...

Conduct research with Google Scholar.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Conduct research with Google Scholar Find important research material faster and more effectively than a standard search Although Google does a pretty good job finding most things, it can sometimes fall...

Add cover art to iTunes with iArtwork.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Add cover art to iTunes with iArtwork Tracking down missing iTunes cover art by hand can be a drag -- iArtwork makes it easy It's a familiar story. A library of music stored in iTunes, but with cover art...

Start programs and open websites in a flash.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Start programs and open websites in a flash Download and install a free tool to start programs and open websites in moments Although some programs behave themselves when they install, others insist on...

Organise and edit digital photos with Picasa.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Gill Macguire Organise and edit digital photos with Picasa Manage your digital photo collection with Google's free and easy-to-use program Google's free photo-editing program Picasa has had an update -- Picasa 3 has...

Stay organised with the Firefox web browser.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Stay organised with the Firefox web browser Reminderfox is a free add-on for the Firefox web browser that manages tasks and appointments As the web becomes more important, the amount of time we spend using...

Uniblue Disk Rescue 2009.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Uniblue Disk Rescue 2009 System requirements: Windows XP or Vista 32-bit Download from: www.computeractive.co.uk/diskrescue/index Registration: Required - go to http://ca.uniblue.com File...

Buy a Uniblue product and get System Tweaker free Uniblue makes lots of other software applications, including Speed Up My PC 2009, which can tweak, optimise and enhance the computer. Driver Scanner 2009 can analyse a PC to see if drivers need to be updat.
January 8, 2009... Buy a Uniblue product and get System Tweaker free Uniblue makes lots of other software applications, including Speed Up My PC 2009, which can tweak, optimise and enhance the computer. Driver Scanner 2009 can analyse a PC to see if drivers...

HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF uniblue disk rescue 2009.
January 8, 2009... HOW TO GET THE MOST OUT OF uniblue disk rescue 2009 1Download and install the program as instructed above. Note that you must remain connected to the internet while the program completes its installation because it needs to download some...

Make XP last longer.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal (PCW rewrite) Make XP last longer Microsoft might already be working on Windows 7 but many people still feel that XP does all they need. We explain how to keep your copy fighting fit In May 2001, Microsoft...

Buy an XP PC.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal (PCW rewrite) Buy an XP PC Microsoft stopped selling Windows XP in shops in July 2008 and has also stopped selling it to PC manufacturers. However, that doesn't mean that you cannot find a copy if...

Support Group.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal (PCW rewrite) Support Group Windows XP might not be available to buy as easily as you'd like - see page 15 for details - but Microsoft hasn't abandoned its XP-loving customers. Standard support for Windows XP is due...

Make Vista look like XP.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal (PCW rewrite) Make Vista look like XP Even if you are eventually forced to make the jump to Windows Vista, there's no need to struggle with an unfamiliar interface. Some people like Vista's fancy translucencies,...

Logitech Squeezebox Boom.(Product/service evaluation)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Logitech Squeezebox Boom Make streaming music easier The Squeezebox Boom is a departure for Logitech. Previous Squeezeboxes needed to be plugged into an amplifier or a set of speakers, but the new...

Canon Powershot SX10 IS.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Gavin Stoker Canon Powershot SX10 IS The longest zoom around makes this camera a powerhouse The 10-megapixel Canon SX10 offers a huge 20x zoom with a focal length that runs from a very wide angle for landscapes,...

Bring your photos to life.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Paul Wardley Bring your photos to life Turn dull photographs into stunning shots using high dynamic range processing techniques You've probably already seen high dynamic range (HDR) photographs, even if you didn't know it...

how to create an HDR image from a RAW file.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Paul Wardley how to create an HDR image from a RAW file 1Download and install Raw Therapee from www.rawtherapee.com. Use the navigation box in the bottom left-hand corner to locate the folder containing RAW images, then...

New keyboard for gaming Logitech has launched the G13 Advanced Gameboard i?1/2 a hybrid gaming keyboard that can be used with either a PC or a Mac. It comes with pre-configured settings for popular games including World of Warcraft, Lord of the Rings and Cal.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek New keyboard for gaming Logitech has launched the G13 Advanced Gameboard -- a hybrid gaming keyboard that can be used with either a PC or a Mac. It comes with pre-configured settings for popular games including...

nhearing at risk from mp3 players People using MP3 players are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has warned. In a survey of 246 people, the charity found over two thirds were listening to music.
January 8, 2009... nhearing at risk from mp3 players People using MP3 players are at risk of permanently damaging their hearing the Royal National Institute for the Deaf (RNID) has warned. In a survey of 246 people, the charity found over two thirds were...

Holiday bargains found online.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... nholiday bargains found online Silver surfers are using the internet to save money when they book their holidays, according to new research. In a survey of 142 people, holiday company Sunshine found that two-thirds are booking holidays on...

Data disaster a hot topic Dogs and hapless criminals often feature in the annual top 10 data disasters list, compiled by data recovery firm Kroll Ontrack. But the data disaster 2008 award goes to a man who hid his laptop in the oven to protect it from bur.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek Data disaster a hot topic Dogs and hapless criminals often feature in the annual top 10 data disasters list, compiled by data recovery firm Kroll Ontrack. But the data disaster 2008 award goes to a man who hid...

GIS comes to the classroom Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software that lets people create digital maps i?1/2 has become part of GCSE and A-level curriculums. All schools will have the option to use the software in geography lessons and fieldwork cours.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Ian Thompson GIS comes to the classroom Geographic Information Systems (GIS) software that lets people create digital maps -- has become part of GCSE and A-level curriculums. All schools will have the option to use the...

Sony Reader PRS-505.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Ben Rockbird Sony Reader PRS-505 Keep a whole bookshelf under a single cover Electronic books have been talked about for years, but it's only recently that manufacturers have come up with technology that can come close to...

Microsoft Lifecam Show.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Microsoft Lifecam Show Microsoft's Lifecam Show is a webcam that can be used either on a desk or on the move. The main camera unit is a small lozenge-like shape that attaches to the supplied holders using a...

Mr Site Takeaway Website Beginner.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Mr Site Takeaway Website Beginner We looked at the Pro version of Mr Site's all-in-one website builder a few months back and concluded it wasn't quite powerful enough to justify the [pounds sterling]100...

nsuperior laptop battery launched HP is planning to offer a new line of laptop batteries which are said to outperform standard lithium-ion models. The Sonata batteries fully charge in about 30 minutes and will not lose power before the laptop is turned on.
January 8, 2009... Byline: staff nsuperior laptop battery launched HP is planning to offer a new line of laptop batteries which are said to outperform standard lithium-ion models. The Sonata batteries fully charge in about 30 minutes and will not lose...

Channels join forces.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek Channels join forces on free on-demand TV The BBC, ITV and BT have announced they will work together to develop a way to deliver free TV-on-demand services via broadband. This will mean a new generation of...

Euro Truck Simulator.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Euro Truck Simulator 10-4, good buddy, watch out for those Smokeys Info: www.excalibur-publishing.com PEGI: 3+ Also consider: Bus Driver; Ship Simulator Overall: HHHHH Retail price:...

Left 4 Dead.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tom Royal Left 4 Dead Escape the zombie apocalypse. Again Info: www.l4d.com PEGI: 18+ Also Consider: Dead Space Overall: HHHHH Retail Price: [pounds sterling]27 If you're a fan of the cinema or video...

Find your files in Vista.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andy Zarkesh Find your files in Vista Organising files and folders is a bore -- we show you how Windows Vista makes light work of what can seem like an endless chore Whatever you use your computer for, you'll inevitably...

how to Sort files into stacks.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andy Zarkesh how to Sort files into stacks 1File stacking is most useful when working with files that have been tagged. In order to tag them, you'll need the Details pane. If it isn't visible reveal it by clicking Organize,...

Shadow me.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andy Zarkesh Shadow me If you have ever worked for days on an important document only to accidentally overwrite it with an earlier version, you'll know how frustrating this can be. If you happen to have a copy of Windows...

The Searchers.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andy Zarkesh The Searchers Vista offers a much more advanced Search tool than Windows XP. Not only does it index all the files on your hard disk so that search results appear quicker, it also allows advanced search terms to be...

Microsoft pledges to meet web search guidelines.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek Microsoft pledges to meet web search guidelines Microsoft is set to become the first company to meet European Commission (EC) guidelines on search anonymisation. In a letter to the Commission last month, the...

Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Gavin Stoker Fujifilm FinePix S2000HD High-quality movies combined with a long zoom lens Most digital camera users don't want to move up to a bulky, expensive SLR. Fujifilm's S2000HD is an attempt to hook casual...

ASI Be Anywhere.(Product/service evaluation)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Cliff Joseph ASI Be Anywhere Control your home computer from anywhere Windows has a feature called Remote Desktop, which allows two computers to connect over the internet -- perhaps using a laptop at home to connect to the...

Microsoft updates Live range.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Microsoft updates Live range Microsoft has announced a number of improvements and new features for its Windows Live range of online services and software. Windows Live Home can now have themes as well as a small...

Best buys.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran peak performance Keep your PC in tip-top condition by using our choice of utilities to remove unnecessary files, secure data, back up your files and clean your computer's software 1 Webroot Secure Backup...

Windows Watch Santa may well have treated many of us to a new computer but what should you do with the old one? Your local tip should be able to dispose of computers properly, as electronic or electrical gadgets cannot be put out with normal waste. And al.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek and Tim Smith Windows Watch Santa may well have treated many of us to a new computer but what should you do with the old one? Your local tip should be able to dispose of computers properly, as electronic or...

Wii strap prompts safety concern.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andrea Vassou Wii strap prompts safety concern Nintendo has been hit by a lawsuit over health and safety issues surrounding its Wii Remote straps. Molly Elvig, from Colorado in the US, has filed a [pounds sterling]3...

Online voucher searches increase.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Ian Williams Online voucher searches increase More people are searching the internet for online vouchers in order to beat the credit crunch, research has found. Hitwise said web searches for discounts have grown 133 per...

Safe and secure.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Will Stapley Safe and secure Keep your PC safe from harm on the internet Acting as a gateway between your PC and the internet, a firewall is an essential security tool that no computer should be without. If no...

free firewalls.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Will Stapley free firewalls We've shown you how to perform basic tasks using Zonealarm, but there are other free firewalls available. Comodo Internet Security (www.computeractive.co.uk/2154813) not only includes a firewall, but...

Lost and found.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Lost and found It is possible to rescue lost files -- but success depends on prompt action. Here's how to boost your chances Losing files for any reason is a stressful experience. Whether documents have been...

Use PC Inspector File Recovery to reinstate lost files.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Use PC Inspector File Recovery to reinstate lost files 1Launch the program (as an administrator in Vista) and click the bin tab next to the 'Recover deleted files' label. Select the relevant disk from the list and...

Damaged CDs and DVDs.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Damaged CDs and DVDs Due to the fact that CDs and DVDs are often strewn across desks instead of being kept in sturdy cases, it is not surprising that they often get scratched. This type of damage can prevent optical...

Met prepares for fraud influx.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek and Computing Met prepares for fraud influx Learning how to tackle cyber-crime must become part of standard police training, according to the head of the Metropolitan Police e-crime co-ordination unit. ...

nbbc releases iplayer for mac The BBC has released a new version of the iPlayer that allows Mac and Linux users to download programmes as well as stream them. Users of Windows XP, Vista, Mac and Linux have been able to stream programmes for up to seven da.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek nbbc releases iplayer for mac The BBC has released a new version of the iPlayer that allows Mac and Linux users to download programmes as well as stream them. Users of Windows XP, Vista, Mac and Linux have been able...

Are big brands better than local suppliers?
January 8, 2009... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Are big brands better than local suppliers? As with any other product, it's possible to buy computers from several big-name manufacturers, which are known across the world. But it's also possible to pick up a...

Web users warned to safeguard sites.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek Web users warned to safeguard sites people with their own websites need to take more responsibility for securing them against attack, said security company Sophos. Graham Cluley, the company's senior technology...

Readers to the rescue.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Readers to the rescue Q|Are passwords in Firefox stored anywhere that I can access them? I would like to keep a written copy of them in case I have any problems with my computer. Jack Adamson A|Left-click on...

BT rekindles Phorm concerns.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek BT rekindles Phorm concerns Critics disappointed as ISP moves closer to using web-monitoring technology news THAT BT is likely deploy the controversial Webwise web monitoring technology has reignited privacy...

UK urged to recycle gadgets.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Dinah Greek UK urged to recycle gadgets With Christmas out of the way, UK consumers are being asked to think more about recycling unwanted electrical gadgets and gizmos. Recycle Now said although the UK has a good track...

nhackers enable illegal felling Logging companies are using hackers to evade limits on tree felling in Brazil, according to a Greenpeace report. Greenpeace said the cyber-criminals hacked into a system designed to monitor logging in the Brazilian state.
January 8, 2009... nhackers enable illegal felling Logging companies are using hackers to evade limits on tree felling in Brazil, according to a Greenpeace report. Greenpeace said the cyber-criminals hacked into a system designed to monitor logging...

A helpful Sage Firefox shows RSS news feeds as a kind of bookmark called Live Bookmarks. This is fine for quick news but not for feeds with more interesting content as each one has to be loaded separately. The Sage news reader is a better way of reading t.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith A helpful Sage Firefox shows RSS news feeds as a kind of bookmark called Live Bookmarks. This is fine for quick news but not for feeds with more interesting content as each one has to be loaded separately. The Sage...

Choose your buttons If you find the side buttons on a Microsoft mouse more of a problem than a help it is possible to disable them. Left-click on the Start button, then All Programs, Microsoft Mouse and then Microsoft Mouse. The buttons tab shows a pictu.
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Choose your buttons If you find the side buttons on a Microsoft mouse more of a problem than a help it is possible to disable them. Left-click on the Start button, then All Programs, Microsoft Mouse and then Microsoft...

Powered hubs When buying a USB hub iti?1/2s worth looking for one with its own power supply. Each set of USB sockets on the computer has a total of 500mA to power devices. Therei?1/2s no clear way of telling which sockets are grouped together but normally the so.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Powered hubs When buying a USB hub it's worth looking for one with its own power supply. Each set of USB sockets on the computer has a total of 500mA to power devices. There's no clear way of telling which...

Password protected.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Password protected If you want to keep Word documents safe, they can be scrambled so they only make sense with the correct password. Click on the Tools menu and then on Options. Left-click on the Security Tab. Type...

Wiki page block criticised.(Brief article)
January 8, 2009... Byline: Andrea Vassou Wiki page block criticised Online rights groups have described the Internet Watch Foundation's (IWF) decision to block a page on the Wikipedia online encyclopaedia as a 'knee-jerk reaction'. The IWF, a...

Kidsi?1/2 DNA to come off record.
January 8, 2009... Kids' DNA to come off record Children under the age of 10 will no longer have their DNA stored on the national database, the Government has said. Around 70 children will now have their profile removed. Home Secretary Jacqui Smith...

Tips and tricks.(Brief article)
January 21, 2009... Tips and tricks Whenever you achieve an effect in Q that looks promising, generate a high-resolution sample by changing the values in the Result size box, and then use the Save As button on the top toolbar to store a JPEG or BMP version on...

Interactive.(Brief article)
January 21, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Avoid online scams, stay organised and watch flight simulator videos Wattzon www.wattzon.com There's a lot of talk about carbon footprints but how can any of us really know how much energy we use? Wattzon is...

Daily reminders Q/I used to have a daily reminder appear in Word when I logged into Windows 98 but haveni?1/2t been able to find a way of doing this in Windows XP. Marian Anderson A/This is simple to set up using the Scheduled Tasks tool built into Windows. L.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith, Anthony Dhanendran Daily reminders Q|I used to have a daily reminder appear in Word when I logged into Windows 98 but haven't been able to find a way of doing this in Windows XP. Marian Anderson A|This is...

Interactive.(Brief article)
January 21, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Add stylish shelving space in your home, take an atmospheric trip into an airlock and send Vista to sleep Getting started with Ubuntu Ubuntu is a good alternative to Windows but the desktop does look a little...

Downloads.(Brief article)
January 21, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Try out a portable compression tool, design and cost a Lego project and take to the skies 7-Zip Portable This excellent compression utility can now be installed onto a USB memory key, so it's always handy. ...

Win a Western Digital portable hard disk.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Tim Smith Win a Western Digital portable hard disk Back up important files and take your documents with you on the move No matter how big the hard disk in your computer, sooner or later you're going to find that it runs...

Make snazzy Office documents the easy way.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Make snazzy Office documents the easy way Get a head start on fancy documents with free artistic templates It's always good to discover great new programs -- but it can be even better to get more from the...

Save time by editing photos in groups.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Save time by editing photos in groups Resizing photos individually is time consuming. Instead, do them all at once with Photo Filtre As digital cameras get cleverer and the pictures they produce get...

Jazz up Windows with satellite photographs.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Jazz up Windows with satellite photographs Use satellite imagery to create a Windows Desktop that shows the Earth as seen from space The Windows Desktop is usually regarded as a means to an end -- a...

Share and synchronise files with Dropbox.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Share and synchronise files with Dropbox Working with several computers can make it difficult to manage files, but Dropbox can help Many people regularly work with more than one computer and this can mean...

Create attractive word patterns with Wordle.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Rob Beattie Create attractive word patterns with Wordle Use the Wordle website to make word clouds to illustrate websites, blogs or even T-shirts Some websites are just fun rather than being absolutely necessary, or...

Watch live television over the internet.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Watch live television over the internet Find out how a free program can let you watch many of your favourite TV channels online With broadband internet connections getting ever faster, companies are...

Intro.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Mark Wilson Share and synchronise your files Working with multiple computers can make it difficult to manage files. Find out how Dropbox can help p36 Watch live TV over the internet Find out how a free program can let...

Jargon.
January 21, 2009... Aspect ratio A measure of the width and height of a display. Bandwidth A measure of the maximum amount of data that can be transferred over a connection at any one time. Blog Short for 'web log', a blog is an online journal or news...

Keep track of your website.
January 21, 2009... Byline: Scott Colvey Keep track of your website Got a website or blog? Then use Google Analytics to find out who's reading it If you run a website, for business or pleasure, it's not hard to figure out how many visitors it...

Other analytics options.(Brief article)
January 21, 2009... Byline: Scott Colvey Other analytics options Google Analytics is a powerful tool, but if you don't need the incredible level of tracking it offers there are simpler options. One obvious option, as mentioned in the intro, is to add a...