Computer Act!ve articles from November 2006

Computer Act!ve archives from November 2006

Highlight certain cells automatically.(in Microsoft Excel)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Highlight certain cells automatically in Excel Find out how conditional formatting in Excel can automatically identify particular information Excel has so many fancy formatting options that it is possible...

Manage Windows XP better.(with DM2)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Mark Wilson Manage Windows XP better with DM2 Learn how a free utility can add a range of helpful and exciting features to all applications and windows Most computer users regularly work with a large number of programs...

Set free with MP3.(converting files with Microsoft Windows)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Set free with mp3 It can be frustrating to find that music purchased and imported in Apple's iTunes application won't work in mp3 players (except iPods, obviously), as they're stored in the company's AAC format....

Long player.(using Microsoft Windows for long sound recording)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Long player If you are frustrated by the 60-second recording limit when using the Sound Recorder option in Windows, there is a way to increase the length of recording time. Start a recording session and let it...

No need to confirm.(delete confirmation report can be removed in Microsoft Windows)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey No need to confirm Windows' insistence on asking the user if they're sure they want to delete something can be tiresome. To remove this confirmation request, right-click on the Recycle Bin and choose Properties....

Email clean-up.(Microsoft Outlook Express)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Email clean-up It's frightening how many email messages can be collected over the course of a few months. If you're a heavy emailer, or share the PC with family members, then the occasional tidy up is essential. In...

Design and send.(email)
November 9, 2006... Byline: David Howells Design and send HTML newsletters If you're still sending out emails with only text find out how Word can add a dash of style If you receive electronic newsletters, the chances are that they'll be...

Advanced creation and editing.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Rob Beattie Advanced creation and editing in Wikipedia Part two of our look at the online encyclopaedia anyone can edit shows how to create brand-new articles Wikipedia is an extraordinary attempt to build an...

Stronghold Legends.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Mike Anderiesz Stronghold Legends It's obligatory for every real-time strategy game to get a 'hero mix' -- essentially the same game with an updated helping of super-powered beings, capable of levelling half your base all on...

ENlight LP-772.(lcd monitor)(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Simon Williams ENlight LP-772 A self-assembly computer chassis piggybacked onto an LCD monitor Most self-assembly -- often called barebones -- PCs are a small rectangular box, to which you attach a separate monitor and the...

Casio Exilim Card EX-S770.(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Gavin Stoker Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 Desirably slim 7-megapixel compact with widescreen functionality Casio's Exilim digital compacts consistently marry attractive design to lightweight metal construction -- just what...

Something wiki this way comes.(www.wikipedia.org)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Laura Frewin Something wiki this way comes Wikipedia is fast becoming the first point of call for anyone looking for information on the web -- but is it reliable? Wikipedia (www.wikipedia.org) has become one of the...

Pentax K100D.(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Gavin Stoker Pentax K100D Budget 6-megapixel digital SLR gives versatile performance Destined for big sales this Christmas, and retailing for around [pounds sterling]200 more than a snapshot camera, the wealth of creative...

The Elder Scrolls III - Morrowind.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey The Elder Scrolls III - Morrowind The Elder Scrolls III -- Morrowind gets one of the shortest reviews in this round-up for one very simple reason: even if we could dedicate the whole magazine to looking at this...

ER.(computer game)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey ER If you have every fancied yourself as a bit of a George Clooney, the game of the popular TV show ER may be for you. To be honest, we weren't too hopeful that any game based on a TV drama show would be any...

The World's Best Board Games.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey The World's Best Board Games The World's Best Board Games or the World's Most Famous Board Games? This CD-Rom can't seem to decide, with the packaging bearing one title while the program displays the other. Either...

Myst V End Of Ages.(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Myst V End Of Ages The Myst adventure-game series is not unlike Marmite -- you either love or loathe it. Those in the latter camp generally cite over-reliance on pretty graphics and lack of obvious gameplay as...

Game on.(computer games reviewed)(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Game on We kick back and relax this issue, taking time out to review five affordable games on CD- and DVD-Rom We know -- it's nice work if you can get it. Being paid to write reviews of computer games. We...

Atari Anniversary Edition.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Atari Anniversary Edition If this round-up was only concerned with gameplay, then Atari Anniversary Edition would be a stand-out title. But it is, even against the better graphics of other games here. Of course,...

Best bets for recipe cards.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Jacqueline Wilson Best bets for recipe cards To transfer recipes from the computer to the kitchen, by far the easiest option is to print them out. For frequently used recipes, it might even be a good idea to have print-outs...

Eating phenomena.(knowing about global food from internet)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Jacqueline Wilson Eating phenomena One of the great things about joining the online gastronomic community is that it lets you learn about global food, cooking and traditions. No one outside the US knew what a Turducken was...

digital home - installers.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Paul Allen & Gordon Laing Home comforts If you're splashing out on some home cinema equipment, professional installers can make sure you get the best performance from your kit The lights fade on the auditorium, a 60in...

Top DIY tweaks for tidy home cinema.
November 9, 2006... Top DIY tweaks for tidy home cinema 1. Mount a plasma or LCD TV on a wall. Most sets have a standard set of mounting holes on the back that will fit VESA-compliant brackets, but remember that TVs can weight up to 50kg, so be sure the wall...

Plextor PlexEraser PXOE100E.(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Simon Williams Plextor PlexEraser PXOE100E Want to permanently erase a CD or DVD? This drive does it without breaking the disc When a CD or DVD comes to the end of its useful life, you probably bin it and forget it. But...

Family Tree Maker v16.(genealogy software)(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Byline: James Taylor Family Tree Maker v16 The best-selling genealogy software just got better Coming as a two-CD International Edition that will upgrade all previous versions, Family Tree Maker (FTM) v16 is the latest version of...

DIY: the ultimate challenge.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Paul Wardley DIY: the ultimate challenge Savastore and shuttle are two major suppliers that supply self-build kits, but smaller independent outfits have them too. Self-build means exactly what it says: you receive a basic box...

Some snags.
November 9, 2006... Some snags acents Build-to-order PCs might not be supplied with a properly authored manual, either online or printed. Some suppliers simply send you the leaflets and CDs that come with the components. acents Expect to wait between...

US Robotics Internet Mini Phone.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran US Robotics Internet Mini Phone Above-average call quality and it's easy to use This Skype phone looks much like most of the other Skype phones on the market currently. However, its unadorned exterior...

Sharkoon X-Tatic.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Ben Tudor Sharkoon X-Tatic Most of us need to keep our PC sound volume to a reasonable level. This is unfortunate, as many games rely on sound as much as vision to create an atmosphere. Headphones are the most obvious solution...

Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV.
November 9, 2006... Byline: David Phelan Virgin Mobile Lobster 700TV Virgin's latest mobile phone lets you watch TV on the move. But instead of downloading the images over the phone network, they are received through an aerial so no data charges pile up....

Viewsonic VG2021.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Viewsonic VG2021 A good-quality, no-frills flat screen Viewsonic's VG2021m is a simple 20in monitor that comes with only a VGA port for connecting a computer. In this day and age, that's a fairly sparse...

Samsung SyncMaster 940MW.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Samsung SyncMaster 940MW High definition-ready screen that packs in a whole range of features Samsung's SyncMaster 940MW is a 19in widescreen monitor combined with a TV. Although it's first and foremost...

Canon PowerShot A630.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Canon PowerShot A630 An 8-megapixel digital compact with a flip and swivel LCD monitor Canon has two ranges of compact digital cameras: the high-end, ultra compact Ixus and the mid-range, rather bulkier...

GTR2.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Eddie Henderson GTR2 GTR steams into pole position with this inspired racer Based on the FIA (Federation Internationale de L'automobile) GT racing calendar -- a huge global event where racers use a variety of souped-up...

Blitzkrieg 2: Fall Of The Reich.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Eddie Henderson Blitzkrieg 2: Fall Of The Reich Blitzkrieg 2 was a game that split real-time strategy gamers. But despite its many critics, it's proven to be continuously popular since its release last year. Fall of the Reich...

Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Eddie Henderson Tiger Woods PGA Tour 2007 EA's latest Tiger Woods golf simulation unsurprisingly doesn't offer much that's new, but it's still an excellent representation of the sport with some superb gameplay modes and great...

Saitek Aviator joystick.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Tim Smith Saitek Aviator joystick A good joystick makes all the difference when playing flight simulators. The Saitek Aviator is a better-than-average joystick, with innovative button design and two throttle controls. ...

Net chart.(Blogger.com, Typepad.com, Wordpress.org, Oxfamunwrapped.com )(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Why not try your hand at keeping an online diary with our choice of blogging sites? www.blogger.com Blogger is one of the best-known blogging sites and it's now owned by Google, which means its users...

Mesh Elite E6600 Express.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Mesh Elite E6600 Express Get ready for Vista with this high-performance desktop PC It looks like Microsoft is finally ready to release the next version of Windows, called Vista, early next year. That's...

Netgear SPH101 Skype Wifi phone.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Rob Jones Netgear SPH101 Skype Wifi phone Make Skype calls without a PC Skype has become the most popular way of making phone calls over the internet, but unlike rival internet telephony services which work via a router,...

Readers to the rescue.(using Mozilla Firefox as well as Microsoft Internet Explorer 7.0 in system)(maintainence of your printer)(using sound card in personal computers)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran THE PROBLEM I'm thinking of using Firefox as my browser, but I'm using Internet Explorer (IE) 7 at the moment. If I installed Firefox does IE stay on the PC? How do I make Firefox my default browser? ...

Casio Exilim Card EX-S770.(7 megapixel camera)(Product/service evaluation)
November 9, 2006... Casio Exilim Card EX-S770 Desirably slim 7-megapixel compact with widescreen functionality Casio's Exilim digital compacts consistently marry attractive design to lightweight metal construction -- just what you'd want from a pocket...

Fewer homes want net.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek Fewer homes want net The number of people who have no intention of getting internet access at home is growing, according to a new study by broadband analyst Point Topic. Around four in 10 UK households (about...

Customise your Google searches.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek Customise your Google searches Google has launched a tool that allows users to tailor their searches to the websites and blogs they are most interested in. Google Custom Search Engine can be adapted to focus on...

Phone device aids deaf.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Phone device aids deaf An innovative screenphone promises to make it easier for the millions of deaf and hard of hearing people in the UK to make and receive phone calls. The phone, produced by...

BT broadens its Vision BT has signed three new partners for its forthcoming BT Vision TV on-demand service. BT Vision is supplied via a set-top box that provides on-demand TV through the user's BT broadband connection, as well as 30 Freeview channels via.
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff BT broadens its Vision BT has signed three new partners for its forthcoming BT Vision TV on-demand service. BT Vision is supplied via a set-top box that provides on-demand TV through the user's BT broadband...

No problem.(upgrading computer with Microsoft Vista)(using Apple Computer Inc.'s software on Microsoft Windows)(way of connecting a printer to two computers)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Tim Smith Anthony Dhanendran Reinstalling Windows QI bought an upgrade disc for my Windows 98 computer to install Windows XP as well as a new hard disk. After formatting the new hard disk I tried to install Windows 98, as the...

Nibs.('Know It All for Parents' from United States. Department of Education on internet security)(curing stroke with computer chip)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff CD safety net Parents are to be given CDs containing lessons on internet safety for children. The 'Know It All for Parents' discs have been commissioned by the Department for Education and Skills as a way to educate...

Mix and match sites aim to boost web search success.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Tim Smith Mix and match sites aim to boost web search success Two new tools that claim to help people get better results from search engines have been launched. Webfetchpro works by using several search engines at once,...

Put precious memories in a digital vault.(online storage services from British Telecommunications PLC and Carbonite)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek and Anthony Dhanendran Put precious memories in a digital vault BT and Carbonite are offering consumers free online storage services. This will allow people to free up computer memory by storing precious...

Counterfeit clampdown Microsoft said its campaign to clamp down on counterfeit copies of its software is working. Microsoft said earlier this year that around two-thirds of the 1.5 million computers built and sold to consumers and small businesses by loc.
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff Counterfeit clampdown Microsoft said its campaign to clamp down on counterfeit copies of its software is working. Microsoft said earlier this year that around two-thirds of the 1.5 million computers built and sold to...

in brief.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek This year the Royal British Legion is offering an alternative way to give to the Poppy Appeal. For a donation of [pounds sterling]1.50 you can download an image of a poppy to your mobile phone by texting POPPY to 85099....

Mobile movies Finnish mobile handset vendor Nokia has announced that the blockbuster movie Mission Impossible 3 will be available on memory cards with its Nseries devices. The memory card launch of the film will coincide with the film's DVD release. Initi.
November 9, 2006... Byline: vnunet Mobile movies Finnish mobile handset vendor Nokia has announced that the blockbuster movie Mission Impossible 3 will be available on memory cards with its Nseries devices. The memory card launch of the film will...

Shoppers get price choice.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek Shoppers get price choice People who shop for their groceries online are being given help to find the best bargains offered by the four biggest online supermarket chains. Mysupermarket is a price comparison...

Roaming around Mobile phone operator O2 has announced a new deal for its contract customers that will reduce the charges they pay to make phone calls while abroad. Subscribers to the 'High Roamer' package will receive calls free when overseas and the cos.
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff Roaming around Mobile phone operator O2 has announced a new deal for its contract customers that will reduce the charges they pay to make phone calls while abroad. Subscribers to the 'High Roamer' package will receive...

Clarity for online bankers.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek Clarity for online bankers UK company Bank Clarity has launched software that its developers claim will flag up fraudulent transactions. Bank Clarity Personal is designed to learn about users' spending patterns...

New initiatives replace axed PC scheme.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran New initiatives replace axed PC scheme Two companies have set up alternative schemes to the now-defunct Home Computing Initiative (HCI). HCI was set up to enable lower-paid workers to buy their own...

Standby for power saving The Oneclick Intelliplug is a multi-plug adapter that automatically cuts all power to secondary devices via a master switch. Used with a PC, it ensures that monitors and speakers are not left in standby when the computer is turned.
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff Standby for power saving The Oneclick Intelliplug is a multi-plug adapter that automatically cuts all power to secondary devices via a master switch. Used with a PC, it ensures that monitors and speakers are not left in...

IPPR demands right to copy.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek IPPR demands right to copy The music industry shouldn't be allowed to dictate how consumers listen to digital music, watch movies or read books, the Institute for Public Policy Research (IPPR) has said. The...

Belkin recalls travel adapter US manufacturer Belkin has identified a potential safety flaw in its Universal AC Travel Adapter. The company said the adapters do not pose any risk if used as detailed in the instructions, but it has voluntarily initiated a.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek Belkin recalls travel adapter US manufacturer Belkin has identified a potential safety flaw in its Universal AC Travel Adapter. The company said the adapters do not pose any risk if used as detailed in the...

Zombies ready to attack Cyber criminals are assembling a network of close to a million zombie PCs, which it is believed will be used to launch a wave of phishing attacks to defraud web consumers at Christmas. These networks are usually broadband-connected.
November 9, 2006... Byline: staff Zombies ready to attack Cyber criminals are assembling a network of close to a million zombie PCs, which it is believed will be used to launch a wave of phishing attacks to defraud web consumers at Christmas. These...

ISPs resist call for better filtering as web threats grow.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek ISPs resist call for better filtering as web threats grow The internet industry is divided over whether internet service providers (ISPs) should be doing more to protect consumers against criminals online. The...

EU plans to ban energy-guzzling devices.(European Union)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Dinah Greek EU plans to ban energy-guzzling devices Proposed EU legislation could enforce new energy standards for manufacturers Brussels has launched a new legislative drive to get European Union (EU) citizens to turn off...

Cookery widgets.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Jacqueline Williams Cookery widgets If, like the rest of us, you can't get enough of Yahoo Widgets -- the tiny applications that sit on the Desktop and offer any one of a range of handy features -- you'll love these two food...

Food for thought.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Jacqueline Williams Food for thought The home PC gets plenty of use storing pictures, music, accounts and more, but it can also help you to cook up a storm These days home computers let us do everything from talking to...

Share and share alike.(data storage)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Cliff Joseph Share and share alike With so much stuff available to download, a PC's hard disk is quickly filled. We look at a storage option that's perfect for the home network In the age of plentiful downloads and...

Independents' day.(computer shops)(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Paul Wardley Independents' day Most computer shops build their PCs to order, and if you find a good shop with helpful staff you'll be able to ask questions and compare items before you buy. Buying from an independent might cost...

Tailor - made PCs.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Paul Wardley Tailor - made PCs If you can't find a PC that suits, or can't afford it when you do, build-to-order may provide the answer Most of us buy our first PC as a package from an online store or from a...

Free and premium packages.(Brief article)
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Free and premium packages With all this money being spent on expensive anti-virus labs, it's hard to imagine how the free anti-virus programs (such as Avast and AVG) can compete. However, both of these free...

The web police.
November 9, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran The web police Anti-virus software is an invaluable safeguard. But how do AV companies combat new viruses? Virus writers used to be stereotypical nerds -- teenage boys in bedrooms, avenging what...

HP Photosmart A618.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Simon Williams HP Photosmart A618 Could HP's Photosmart A618 be the first of a new breed of wide-mouthed photo printers? Having a small, portable printer that can create real-life snaps from memory cards or a digital...

Internet Explorer 7.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Mark Wilson Internet Explorer 7 Does Microsoft's long-awaited browser stand up to all the hype? The first thing that any user of Internet Explorer 7 (IE7) will notice is how it looks. It dispenses with the usual menu...

Mozilla Firefox 2.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Anthony Dhanendran Mozilla Firefox 2 The popular alternative to Internet Explorer gets a revamp Mozilla's Firefox appeared nearly two years ago, as the first real alternative to the domination of Microsoft's Internet...

Newnovelist 2.(Product/service evaluation)(Brief article)
November 23, 2006... Byline: Paul Wardley Newnovelist 2 Nothing to read? Then write your own bestseller with Newnovelist I f you're already writing fiction,Newnovelist won't polish your prose, but if you're a frustrated writer who doesn't know where...

Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Luke Peters Microsoft Natural Wireless Laser Mouse 6000 A brand new shape for the old stalwart With the aim to reduce the risk of repetitive strain injury (RSI), Microsoft's latest take on the mouse is the Natural...

Make use of worksheet tabs.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Make use of worksheet tabs in Excel Learn about tabs in Excel spreadsheets and create multiple worksheets that can interact If you use an up-to-date web browser such as Opera, Firefox or Internet Explorer...

Use Google's book.(Google Book Search)(Website overview)
November 23, 2006... Byline: Rob Beattie Use Google's book search service Google Book Search tracks down hard-to-find books and displays either extracts or the full text Google Book Search is a new way to find books on the internet and 'look'...

Preview prints.(print action)(Brief article)
November 23, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Preview prints A good way to save printer ink and paper is to preview what you are about to print, as this will avoid unwanted results. To set preview mode and draft output as defaults for any print action, open...

Fit for purpose.(Excel spreadsheet)(Brief article)
November 23, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Fit for purpose In an Excel spreadsheet, it is often necessary to change the width of a column, or columns, in order that the content of the cells can be fully viewed. A quick way to do this is to first select the...

Desktop duties.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Desktop duties If you have a lot of icons on the Windows Desktop, chances are that many are barely used. Make life easier by keeping the regularly used icons on, say, the left-hand side and dragging the remainder...

Punctuated help.(Brief article)
November 23, 2006... Byline: Scott Colvey Punctuated help In almost all Windows applications there is a quick and easy way of finding out what the various toolbar buttons and window elements do without trawling through the manual or help file. Click on the...

Run programs with an Apple Mac-style launcher.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Mark Wilson Run programs with an Apple Mac style launcher Add class to Windows XP by adding a Mac-style program launcher to provide easy access to software When it comes to launching programs and navigating Windows,...

Store and print addresses.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Paul Wardley Store and print addresses The first of a two-part guide to managing addresses and any other kind of data in Excel Excel is ideal for storing any data that can be broken up into recurring patterns. In an...

Get a handle on games.
November 23, 2006... Byline: Eddie henderson Hidden cheat codes can help you get more out of older games, but they are also open to abuse. We see whether cheats prosper Since the dawn of competition, people have cheated in a bid to gain an extra advantage....