APRIL 2010
ONLY FOR SALE AT INCREDIBLE CONNECTION
Printer problems?
GETTING PERSONAL
SOLVED
How to Customise Your Computer
DISC JOCKEY
Cooking Classes
CD & DVD Upkeep
Become a Net Nigella
5
in
steps
ng out kiin Piick P the perfect home PC R14.95 incl. VAT
Smart
Phone? MOBILE TRENDS MOBILE TRENDS YOU YOU NEED NEED TO TO KNOW KNOW
TOP
REVIEWS MONITORS LAPTOPS CAMERAS PRINTERS SOFTWARE CELLPHONES GAMES
www.connect.co.za
ISSUE #12
14
FEATURES 10
APRIL 2010
Desktop PC Buying Advice We walk you through what makes for a great desktop PC
14 Hot handsets A report back on new smart phones and more unveiled at Mobile World Congress 2010 Barcelona
18 Personalise your Mac/PC Tips and tricks to make your PC or Mac just that much more ‘yours’
22 Printer Problems, Solved! Common printing problems and their potential solutions
26 Disc Savvy How to make the most out of writeable DVDs and CDs
30 Computer Cooking Do you want to be a gourmet chef? Learn to cook online and be a net Nigella
18 22
30
REGULARS ARS 04 06 08 68 70 72
Editor’s Letter News Trouble-free Technobabble Tamsin the Tech Tannie Competition Disconnect
REVIEWS 36 42 60
Top 5 Reviews Books
GAMING 62
Reviews ews
27
PUBLISHER Brett Haggard brett@connect.co.za EDITOR Tiana Cline tiana@connect.co.za CONTRIBUTING Johann Barnard EDITOR johann@connect.co.za
TECHNOLOGY Deon du Plessis EDITOR deon@connect.co.za JUNIOR WRITER Tamaryn Watkins tamaryn@connect.co.za CONTRIBUTORS Tamsin Mackay, Adam Oxford ART DIRECTION Infiltrate Media www.infiltratemedia.co.za
SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@connect.co.za ADVERTISING Dorothy Haggard dorothy@connect.co.za CONTACT Hypertext Media Communications (011) 783-7886 info@hypertext.co.za
Connect is a joint venture between Hypertext Media Communications and Incredible Connection
ed’s note e
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Subscribe now and you could win a state of the art Sony VAIO Laptop!
4 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
efore you even know it, your relationship with technology begins. From the cellphone in your pocket to the DSTV in your living room, we’re surround by an ever-growing amount of technology, all designed to simplify our lives. And if you look at the pace at which things are changing, it can almost seem impossible to keep up-to-date with the latest laptops, game consoles and music players. It wasn’t too long ago that each family had a solid desktop computer that ran all the programmes. Instead of worrying about mobility or weight, you would take your computer in to get updated to ensure it was running all the right virus protection software and that you would have enough memory, the right graphics card and so on. Is the desktop dead? Certainly not. In this issue of Connect, we relook at shopping for a non-portable PC. For home or business use, if you’re in need of a desktop computer there is a lot to consider from the size of the machine to the overall look. Read more on page 10. If it is about personal taste, then the look of your computer is more than what you see on the outside. The same goes for your mobile phone not everyone has the same ringtone or protective cover so why should it be any different when it comes to your PC or Mac? It’s time to get personal! Flip to page 18 to learn all about customisation as
we take you through wallpaper, icons, sounds and adjusting every step of your virtual environment to fit your mood and sense of style. From personals to peripherals, everyone who owns printer knows how frustrating the process can be. Of course you need one, but when you experience a paper jam, or a flashing red light, or your documents coming out the wrong size, sometimes you just want to chuck the machine in the bin! Luckily, this month we’re looking at everything-ink and Deon du Plessis has cleverly created a guide to some of the problems commonly experienced by printer users, and their potential solutions. See page 22. Other interesting features include a round-up of mobile phone technology (do you need a smartphone?), the different discs and their upkeep as well as using your computer to cook! If you’re as excited about the World Cup as we are, be sure to read about EA’s upcoming soccer title as well as some other great video games on shelf at the moment. If you have any technology questions, remember that Tamsin the Tech Tannie is only an e-mail away. We hope you enjoy this issue of Connect, the only technology monthly that speaks your language! We’re here to make technology simple! Enjoy the issue and keep Connected, Tiana Cline
news HP’S NEXT MUST-HAVE FASHION ACCESSORY: Hewlett Packard has teamed up with illustrious designer Vivienne Tam to fuse fashion and technology and create covetable ‘digital clutch’ netbooks and debuted them on the catwalk at the New York Fashion Week. The finest PC technology is combined with Tam’s “Butterfly Lovers” design and the end result is the HP Mini 210 Vivienne Tam Edition. It will be high on the shopping lists of fashionistas worldwide and at less than 1.2kg heavy and thinner than 3cm, it will fit easily into purses and handbags. It also comes with an animated Butterfly Lovers desktop theme, and features high-performance audio software for listeners to experience music the way artists intended. This is called “Partnering with Beats” and is produced in conjunction with Dr Dre. The netbook comes with Windows 7 Premium and boasts a built-in webcam (that also doubles as a mirror) and also has instant-on software that enables the user to chat, browse the web, send tweets, listen to music, send emails and make appointments. Everything the mobile fashion-conscious woman needs. It will be available at the end of April 2010. Visit http://hp.com/viviennetam to reserve yours!
DO YOUR HOUSE-HUNTING ON YOUR IPHONE! You can now find property using just your iPhone, thanks to a new application launched by property web giant Private Property. If you want it, all you need do is search for it in your App Store, from your iPhone and download it for free. It’s simple to use and you can opt for a location-based search, or search by suburb. The search results give you price, bed and bath details, and available images. You can then click on an individual search result to see more information – up to 12 images, property details and description. If you’re interested, you can then contact the owner or agent directly from your phone. It’s been designed to load quickly, saving you time and money and because it’s accessible while you’re on the move, it’s the perfect way to find the information you need without having to buy a newspaper or access a computer at your desk. Visit http://privateproperty.co.za for more information.
SONY SHOWS IT’S ON THE MOVE WITH NEW GAMING CONTROL
THE INTERNET NOMINATED FOR NOBEL PEACE PRIZE The Norwegian Nobel Committee has confirmed that the Internet is in the running for this year’s Nobel Peace Prize. Championed by Wired magazine in Italy, for helping advance “dialogue, debate and consensus” and has received thousands of nominations worldwide”. The announcement of this year’s winner will take place on 8 October and although it is unclear who will accept the prize if the Internet were to win, “Internet for Peace”, an organisation set up to help support the nomination of the Internet, says the prize would be “a Nobel for each and every one of us”.
6 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
CROWD-FUNDING: Growing South African Internet startups R1 at a time A small website with a big idea was launched recently and in a mere four days R755,000 was been pledged. What’s this money for? To help South Africa compete in the global online sector. A problem was identified with South Africa’s very limited “Angel Funding” network to help online start-ups create prototypes of their products because venture capitalists are interested in investing only in proven ideas that will generate revenue. So a small group of people took matters into their own hands and decided to test out crowdfunding. It works by gathering groups of 1000 people (using social media networking) who each donate R1 and pool the money into the Crowdfund. The Crowdfund Board then approves use of the fund to finance between 10 – 20 teams with exceptional ideas, and helps convert the ideas into workable prototypes, in exchange for equity. Once a workable prototype is created, the formal Venture Capital network is contacted for future funding, and the Crowdfund cashes out. And so the cycle continues. Sound like a good investment? Pop over to http://crowdfund.co.za to invest in South Africa’s future.
Sony has revealed its new motion-controlled videogame system, aimed at both casual and hard-core gamers alike. The new system will ensure that Sony doesn’t fall behind rival Nintendo, which pioneered gesture-based gaming. Sony’s new PlayStation “Move” controller will be used with its Eye gaming webcam, translating users’ motions into actions within games on the PlayStation 3 console. The Move will be especially accurate, with every twitch and punch registering precisely in games ranging from simple kids games to street-fighting and epic scale adventure games.
BlackBerry Messenger. Signed, sealed, delivered.
Celebrities, families and business people swear by it. It’s a unique, ultra-secure instant messaging service only for BlackBerry smartphone users. BlackBerryÂŽ Messenger enables you to instantly chat, send and receive pictures knowing no-one else will ever read or see them, in real-time, making it the ultimate tool for people who want to keep safely connected wherever they are. Unlimited real-time messaging, social networking, emailing and on-device internet browsing anytime, anywhere, 24/7 - all for a ďŹ xed data cost of only R2 a day.
Do you speak BlackBerry?
For more information, visit www.blackberry.co.za Š2010 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved. BlackBerryŽ, RIMŽ, Research In MotionŽ, SureTypeŽ, SurePress™ and related trademarks, names and logos are the property of Research In Motion Limited and are registered and/or used in the U.S. and countries around the world. Microsoft and Outlook are trademarks of Microsoft Corporation. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.
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There’s nothing else like it
techno jargon // BY DEON DU PLESSIS
We get a bit more random this month with all kinds of techie words that are not necessarily floating around the magazine, but which are certainly out there and needing to be de-jargonised.
8 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
GHOSTING
RESISTIVE
USB 3.0
When a fast-moving image appears to leave a noticeable trail across a screen, be it a TV or a computer monitor, this is what is referred to as ghosting. The phenomenon is usually due to the response time of the screen being too low, meaning it does not refresh fast enough to present fast-moving images smoothly.
A resistive touchscreen relies on pressure to determine where it is being pressed. The screen is made up of very thin layers that are separated by tiny distances, and when a finger presses down on the top surface, the layers beneath that point touch, which completes an electrical circuit, which then tells the screen the location of the press. This approach is not as accurate as capacitive touchscreen tech.
A new hardware standard that allows for faster data transfers over a USB connection. Currently, the USB 2.0 standard transfers data at speeds of up to 480mbits/s (in real-world terms around 30MB/s). Computers with USB 3.0 ports will be able to transfer data at speeds of up to 400MB/s, which is more than ten times the speed of USB 2.0.
CLIPPING (GRAPHICS)
This is the process of cutting out parts of a 3D image that are not visible to user’s current field of view so that the computer does not need to dedicate any processing power to them. It is done to conserve computing resources and improve 3D performance. AMOLED
This stands for Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diode. It is a new technology being integrated into cell phone screens to make them brighter, clearer and colours more vibrant. AMOLED displays are ultra-thin, and consume less power than displays of other types. FORCE FEEDBACK
This typically refers to the ability of a joystick to vibrate and move in response to what is happening on the screen of the device it is connected to. It is used in steering wheels and joysticks for computer games to provide a more realistic experience to the controller. An example would be a steering wheel moving violently in a gamer’s hands in response to his virtual car hitting a virtual obstacle. THE CLOUD
A term used to describe digital services that are accessible over the Internet, but which actually reside on physical servers in a company’s data centre. An example of a digital service that resides in ‘the cloud’ would be the Amazon.com website – you have access to, but no control over the servers that host the website, but it’s a service that can be used to order goods and have them delivered to your home.
ENERGY STAR COMPLIANCE UMPC
Stands for Ultra Mobile Personal Computer. It was a concept that was meant to define the specifications of tablet PCs and was co-developed by Intel, Microsoft and Samsung. Tablet PCs did not really take off, but with the imminent arrival of Apple’s iPad, interest in tablet computing has been somewhat revived.
Energy Star is an international standard for energy efficient consumer products. Any product that is Energy Star Compliant has been tested to adhere to a strict set of energy-usage rules, and is considered to be more environmentally-friendly than devices that do not comply. DVI
A PC that has a touch-sensitive screen that can be held and manipulated, almost like a digital clipboard but with advanced features like sound, movie playback, and the ability to run applications.
This common acronym stands for Digital Visual Interface, and it is commonly found on computer monitors, flat screen TVs and projectors. It is used to carry high-quality visual information from a video source to a screen. It cannot transmit audio, however.
TACTILE FEEDBACK
VGA
The physical feel of anything you touch. This is often used when describing the feel of a keyboard’s keys, and how they push back at your finger when pressed.
Video Graphics Array. This is an old standard used in analogue monitors, and developed by IBM in the 1980s. The pixels present in analogue monitors have the disadvantage of being affected by the adjacent pixels, electrical distortion and other kinds of interference.
TABLET PC
DYNAMIC CONTRAST
This definition was invented so that marketing people could put a large number on their company’s monitors and say it’s better than everyone else’s. It is basically a measurement of a screen’s contrast abilities taken over time; it is the ‘over time’ aspect that leads to the ‘dynamic’ in the description. Don’t be fooled by high ‘Dynamic
eSATA
External Serial ATA interfaces are designed to allow hard drives to connect to a computer in the same way as internal ones do – by using the SATA interface. This gives them far faster capabilities than external hard drives connected via USB.
CONTRAST’ NUMBERS
DAISY CHAIN
What you should be interested in rather is the static contrast ratio.
The act of stringing daisies together to form a chain, as a children’s game, is the origin of this IT term. In a similar fashion, daisy-chained devices are all connected to one another in some way, with the first device in the chain being connected to a computer.
CAPACITIVE
STATIC CONTRAST
This is a touch screen technology that uses the fact that the human body can conduct electric charge to determine where on the screen’s surface a person’s finger has been placed. The advantages of this technology are that it is not affected by scratches, dirt or moisture, and is generally more accurate and sensitive than the other type of touch screen. Apple’s iPhone, for example, uses capacitive touch screen technology.
Contrast is a measurement of the difference between the brightest white a screen can produce and the blackest black. When measured at the same time, and in the same scene, this is called the static contrast ratio, and is a far more accurate indication of a screen’s capabilities. A high static contrast ratio means that the screen can produce blacker blacks, and reveal more detail in scenes shot in low light.
WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 9
PC buying guide //BY DEON DU PLESSIS
THE INS AND OUTS OF
BUYIN
A NE
When shopping for a new PC for the home, it’s tempting to just go with the model that looks the best. It’s also tempting to buy the cheapest one, but is that really the way to go? We don’t think so. Here’s how to do it properly.
BE PROCESSOR-PICKY
First, look very closely at the printed specifications to see what kind of processor is at the heart of the system you’re considering. Since this component will determine the bulk of your PC’s performance, faster is better. So are multiple ‘cores’: dual-core is the norm these days, but quadcore is where the real performance is at. Not all processors are created equal, however. A dual-core Intel Celeron processor is woefully underpowered despite the two individual processors found on its chip, and it cannot hold a candle to the power of Intel Pentium or Core 2 Duo dual-core CPUs. Core 2 Quad processors, Intel’s powerful four-core chips, are outshone by Intel’s newest chips, the Core i5 and Core i7 range. The ideal middle path between value and performance lies with Intel’s Core i5 chips, as they are advanced, but not ridiculously pricey. On AMD’s side, the best value on offer is its Phenom II X4 processors. Anything else will underperform in comparison to Intel’s chips. WE RECOMMEND: • Intel: Core i5 • AMD: Phenom II
10 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
HARD DRIVES
Hard drives are easy: you want as much storage space as your budget will allow. Make sure the drive spins at 7200RPM, has a 16MB or 32MB cache, and select a capacity that appeals. We’re fond of 1TB (1 Terabyte) hard drives, because nothing says “Internet Pimping” quite like a thousand Gigabytes of storage space. WE RECOMMEND: • RPM Speed: 7200 • Cache Size: 16MB or 32MB • Capacity: 1TB
GRAPHIC ISSUES
If you’re not planning on doing any 3D gaming on your PC, you can happily settle for “on-board VGA”. This means graphics capabilities are built into your PC’s motherboard, which reduces the cost of the machine, but the compromise is a total lack of respectable 3D performance. In real-world terms, this means 3D games will run, but they will be noticeably jerky and will resemble slide-shows at higher resolutions and will require that you drop the game’s detail levels way down. If you’re on the fence, check to make sure your desired PC has a “PCI-Express” slot. This expansion slot will allow you to purchase an add-on graphics card, also called a “3D Accelerator”, at a later date. This will greatly improve 3D gaming performance; it will also increase the overall power consumption of your PC, so check to see that you are running at least a 500W power supply before purchasing, otherwise your PC will shut down randomly. WE RECOMMEND: • Optical Drive: DVD+R • Card Reader: 5-in-1 that can read SDHC cards
OPTICAL DRIVES/CARD READERS
These days it’s hard to find a desktop computer that doesn’t ship with a card reader or DVD drive. Our advice is to get one with a DVD+R drive, and a 5-in-1 card reader that can read SDHC cards as they are both very common formats.
WE RECOMMEND: • nVidia GeForce GTS250 or above • ATI Radeon HD4850 or above Both of these graphics cards are nicely-priced and will noticeably boost all 3D application performance.
RAM KEEPS EWE GOING
These days, 2GB is the average amount of RAM seen in entry-level PCs, and while this is good enough for everyday computing, your PC’s overall performance will benefit from more. Especially if you play games or do a lot of work with photo and video editing software. If you see a PC with only a single Gig of memory, keep looking – 1GB is simply not enough, and will only serve to hamper your machine’s performance. The maximum amount of RAM you should consider is ultimately determined by your operating system. Due to the limitations of 32-bit architecture’s ability to address memory, 32-bit versions of Windows can use a maximum of 3.3GB of system memory, so a 4GB Windows 7 PC might be a waste of money. 3GB is the 32-bit sweet-spot. 64-bit versions of Windows 7 can address up to 128GB of RAM; since commercial desktops can’t physically accommodate
that much, 64-bit Windows 7 users should be fine with 4GB or 6GB of RAM. Adding more simply doesn’t yield enough of a performance boost to justify the cost for the average consumer. Only if you do high-definition video and photo editing might you consider more, as those applications benefit greatly from vast memory stores.
WE RECOMMEND: • 32-bit Windows: 3GB • 64-bit Windows: 4GB or 6GB
WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 11
PC buying guide
SCREENING YOUR SCREEN
SHE’S GOT THE LOOK
Let’s face it, looks are important. You might want to look around at all the PCs on display and choose the ones you most like the look of, and then go to each one and check its specifications against our recommendations list in order to eliminate the unsuitable ones. WE RECOMMEND: • Whatever takes your fancy
Buying a suitable screen can be tough as there is a lot of choice out there. Having used them all from 14” CRT monitors to 30” LCD-based behemoths, we can confidently say that the perfect size monitor for any PC is a 22” widescreen. Everything is better when you’re seeing it in widescreen, even your Windows Desktop, and 22” monitors are very affordable. If you want to spoil yourself, consider a 23” LED widescreen monitor. LED screens use less power and are brighter than their LCD counterparts thanks to the new “Light Emitting Diode” panel technology that goes into their construction. For a real treat, any screen bigger than 23” is absolutely incomparable, even if it’s not LED-based. The viewing experience on a 24”, 27” or 30” screen is utterly superb, but you may have to save for a while as large screens are not cheap.
WE RECOMMEND: • Size: 22” • Response Time: 5ms or 2ms (preferred) • Technology: LCD or LED • Viewing angle: 170º/160º
When shopping, ensure that the screen of your choice has a refresh rate of 5ms (milliseconds) or 2ms. This affects the quality of fast-moving images on the screen, with noticeable “ghosting” occurring on screens rated at 8ms and above. Lastly, be sure that the viewing angle (the angle at which the image begins to distort) of your desired monitor is good. You don’t want to see distortion at very shallow angles; 170º/160º (vertical/horizontal) is the viewing angle to look for.
IT’S THE LITTLE THINGS
Other small details to keep an eye on are the terms and conditions of the PC’s warranty, how long it’s valid for, what you’ll need to do should the PC suffer any kind of failure, and what you’re not covered for. If you’re uncertain of what each PC’s warranty offers, ask a sales person and they will fill you in. This varies by company; if your desired PC only has a 1-year warranty, it is highly recommended that you upgrade it to a 3-year warranty for a few extra Rands. The peace of mind you’ll get is worth the cash. We recommend: • A 3-year warranty with a fetch & return clause. Pay for one if you have to.
CONCLUSION Don’t be afraid to ask questions and do your own research, either in-store or online. With the right buying advice under your belt, getting yourself a new desktop PC will be easy. 12 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
mobile life // BY BRETT HAGGARD
Mobile Futures The variety of mobile phone applications, what they cost and what they are able to do for us – and not the hardware – will dictate what brand of cellular handset we choose in the coming years.
14 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
T
rying to imagine a world without cellular phones is one of the most horrific things you can ask any South African to do. Apart from relying on them daily to stay in contact with loved ones, friends and colleagues, mobile phones have become one of the most significant ways we differentiate ourselves from the herd – in the same way that our choice of wrist watch, shoes, sunglasses and other accessories say a great deal about who we are. But, it’s becoming less about how shiny the handset is, what ringtones it has at its disposal and how many goodlooking covers and other accessories are available for it.The emergence of smartphones and their ability to be extended by adding new software in the form of downloadable applications is turning the market on its head. If you’re a little confused right now, smartphones are that category of devices, like Apple’s iPhone, RIM’s
Blackberry and HTC’s variety of Android-powered handsets that allow people to do a great deal more than make calls and text. They allow us to stay up to date with our e-mail, interact with websites and social networking tools like Facebook and Twitter, and are great for consuming media like digital music, video and electronic reading materials.And because the vendors behind the variety of smartphones available today know they can make a ton of revenue from selling the application add-ons, the race is on to build a store that makes the most valuable and largest variety of applications available to the masses. ALL ABOUT THE APPLICATIONS
Studies conducted in the United States and Europe are backing this sentiment up strongly.While mobile phone vendors have to continue offering devices that have a compelling feature set out of the box, like fast processors, ample storage space, touch screens and easy-to-use interfaces, application stores allow them to continue making money long after they’re done selling you a phone. Why is this important? Well, in a nutshell it means as consumers we can be slightly less concerned with the variety of features a cellular phone boasts out of the box. While it’s still a good idea to make sure the handset you select meets your immediate needs, it’s becoming more and more important to consider what the likelihood is of you finding applications that truly add meaning to your mobile phone experience for at least two years after buying it. That means researching each of the application stores and looking at how many applications they have available, what those applications do and most importantly, what those applications cost. WHAT THE NUMBERS SAY
Right now, Apple is the clear leader when it comes to application availability. According to European-based analyst company, Distimo, whose research focuses squarely on the Internet store-fronts mobile phone vendors have put in place so that customers can customise their handsets easily, Apple’s store has more than 150 000 applications of various description and price. The closest competitor to Apple, Google’s Android store has close to 20 000 applications, while the three other major players, namely Nokia with its Ovi store, Blackberry with its AppWorld and Microsoft
WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 15
MAKING THE CALL – WHICH APPLICATION STORE IS FOR ME?
mobile life
APPLE Most popular categories > games, entertainment 150 000 applications Growing at 9% per month 75% of applications charged for 25% of applications free of charge Average price of an application > $3.62
ANDROID Most popular categories > productivity, entertainment 20 000 applications Growing at 15% per month 43% of applications charged for 57% of applications free of charge Average price of an application > $3.27
NOKIA Most popular categories > personalization, music 6 000 applications Growing at 12% per month 85% of applications charged for 15% of applications free of charge Average price of an application > $3.47
BLACKBERRY Most popular categories > games, utilities 5 000 applications Growing at 10% per month 76% of applications charged for 24% of applications free of charge Average price of an application > $8.26
16 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
with its store, have roughly 6 000, 5 000 and 700 applications respectively. These figures give us some insight into the reason Apple has managed to gain such great traction in the market in such a short space of time. Apple’s dominance might be under threat though. The Android operating system from Google, which is even younger than Apple’s iPhone operating system is growing at a much faster rate when it comes to application availability. The Android marketplace added more than 3 000 applications to its mix in February (an increase of just over 15%), while Apple’s store grew by just under 14 000 applications during the same period, roughly 9% of the total number of applications in its store. The two other major contenders, namely Blackberry and Nokia added 501 new applications (an increase of roughly 10%) and 734 (an increase of roughly 12%) new applications, respectively. WHAT APPLICATIONS ARE AVAILABLE?
With the variety of applications available today and the numbers growing each day, the world is your proverbial oyster when it comes to pimping your smartphone. Need a GPS solution and the one bundled with the handset is just not cutting it?Well, look no further than an application store, since vendors like TomTom and Garmin are building custom applications for sale to customers who want that functionality to live on their mobile phone.Then there’s Nokia who’s giving away its extremely comprehensive, easy-to-use and accurate mapping in the hope of attracting a bigger following to its platform.There are applications that give you access to accurate information on the weather, allow you to discover new facts about topics you’re interested in like bands and DJs and make it possible for you to retouch photos you take with your phone’s built-in camera, so they can be uploaded to the web while you’re on the road. General productivity applications abound – task organisers, to do lists, notepads, collaboration tools, instant messaging clients and more. And lastly, there’s a category of applications that are best be described by that lovely term, ‘Niche’. Here I’m talking about apps that convert your phone into a guitar tuner, turn your handset into a remote control for your television or home theatre system, mimic the functionality of a wireless trackpad, allow you take voice notes while in traffic or keep track of your golf score while on the course.
WORLD OF FUN
And let’s not forget gaming. And I’m not talking about rudimentary little sideways scrollers, platformers or shoddy racing games either. Big companies like Electronic Arts, Activision and GameLoft are throwing their full weight behind smartphone gaming, since these devices’ beefy processors are capable of producing an experience akin to and often exceeding that of purpose-built handheld consoles like the Nintendo DS and Sony PSP. It’s a massive growth market for the gaming sector and since there there’s no specific hardware overhead for these companies (and their customers) to invest in, the barrier to entry is that much lower. The shift in thinking that takes us down the road of application stores, digital content stores (such as iTunes and Nokia Music) and the ability to keep ourselves online no matter what we’re doing or where we are is really game changing. And for the first time a future where we work and play using extremely light, thin and unobtrusive terminals, such as smartphones, doesn’t seem quite as far away.
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www.iomega.com Copyright © 2010 Iomega Corporation. All rights reserved. Iomega and the stylized “I” logo, eGo and DropGuard are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Iomega Corporation in the United States and/or other countries. Certain other product names, brand names and company names may be trademarks or designations of their respective owners.
extreme makeover // BY TAMARYN WATKINS
PERSONALISING
YOUR PC … AND MAKE YOUR MAC YOUR OWN
If all the walls in your home are white, read no further. If you’ve never accessorised an outfit, customised your car, or covered your fridge in magnets and funny family snapshots, this article isn’t for you. But if you like adjusting your environment to fit your mood and sense of style, you’ll probably be interested in learning how to completely customise your operating system.
REINVENT YOUR PC
With the right tweaks, you can transform your Windows desktop into something worth framing. A quick trip to Google yields a startling amount of customisation apps, tutorials, and goodies, so narrow your search down by ’Download XP Themes topic’. Replace the words ‘theme topic’ with whatever theme you’re looking for, like The Simpsons, Liverpool, rainforest etc and, of course, you can replace ‘XP’ with whichever version of Windows you might be running. Once you’ve been clicked the ‘download’ button and selected ‘save’ instead of ‘run’, you simply install the theme like you would any other program. UNZIP AND INSTALL: Locate the downloaded file and unzip it if it’s a .zip format. Right-click the file and select ‘Extract All’ and it will open with an unzipping manager. Click ‘next’ and enter an unzip destination by selecting ‘browse’. You’ll need to click the following location options ‘My Computer’ and ‘Local Disk (C:)’ and then ‘Windows’ and ‘System32’. Click ‘finish’ and close the unzipping manager. Once the magic has happened, you can close the unzipping manager and right-click on your desktop and select ‘properties’. Here is where you’ll be doing the majority of your tweaks and customisations. Under the ‘themes’ tab, you’ll want to ‘browse’ for the theme you downloaded and unzipped. Select it, and apply it. It’s that simple.
If you want to make changes without the hassle of downloading themes and would like to keep it simple, all you need do is right-click on your desktop and select ‘Properties’. Under the ‘Desktop’ tab, you can make changes to your wallpaper, by selecting from one of the pre-loaded options, or browsing for photos you have stored on your hard-drive. You can change the background colour options, and select how you want the wallpaper picture to be displayed – either tiled, in the centre, or stretched to fit your screen.
Clicking the ‘customise desktop’ button does what it says, and it lets you do things like change your icon buttons. Choose from the available options, or download your own and follow the unzipping instructions above. Set your screensaver by clicking the ‘screensaver’ tab and selecting from the options given. We liked the ‘My Pictures Slideshow’ option, as it makes a stunning display of all the pictures you have saved in your ‘My Pictures’ folder. Change the settings for the slideshow and customise how quickly pictures should change and what effects you want your screensaver to display. Under ‘Appearance’ you can tweak things like theme colours and font options, as well as display options – this panel allows you to fiddle to your heart’s content. Don’t like the changes you’ve made? Simply revert to the standard ‘Windows XP’ theme under ‘Appearance’ and start over.
ROCKETDOCK http://rocketdock.com RocketDock helps tidy up your desktop and is an OS X-like animated application launcher as it provides a clean interface to drop shortcuts on for easy access – with each item completely customisable there is no end to what you can add and launch from the dock. Added Taskbar support allows your minimised windows to appear as icons, making productivity easier.
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PLAY DRESS-UP WITH WINDOWS:
TWEAK WITHOUT DOWNLOADING
ROTATING FLICKR WALLPAPER CHANGER http://sites.google.com/ site/flickrwall/ An application that changes your wallpaper, as often as you like. Download it, follow above unzip instructions but substitute ‘System32’ for ‘Downloaded Program Files’. Locate it, and double-click it to run. It will install a little icon on your task bar, next to your time display. Double-click on it, and follow the prompts. You can either select wallpapers by choosing the ‘Explore Top 100’ option, which will randomly display the top 100 pictures on Flickr, or select the ‘Tag Top 100’ and enter your tag terms (like green, car, flower, mountain) and your wallpaper will be changed accordingly. You can also set your screensaver to pull from the photostream of your favourite Flickr user!
THE LOW-DOWN ON DOWNLOADS FOR MAC: AC:
extreme makeover
VISAGE: http://keakaj.com/ visage.htm Allows you to quickly and safely customise your Mac’s appearance – using a simple interface containing several tabs, each of which customises a different part of your Mac. You can run screen savers as your desktop background, customise your login panel, personalise system alerts, and more. Visage keeps track of Apple’s default settings for every customisation, so you can easily switch back to the original settings at any time.
KEYBOARD CLEANER: http://jan.prima.de/ Keyboard_Cleaner.zip Comes in handy when you want to clean your keyboard, but are afraid you might trigger a command or change or delete some of your current work. You could save and close everything, but often it’s not feasible. Keyboard Cleaner shields your desktop and blocks every keystroke you might accidentally make while cleaning — except for Command-Q, which brings you out of lock mode.
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of the window to select it, then press Command-C. In another window, right-click select the application, folder, or file whose icon you want to replace and choose ‘Get Info’ again. Click the icon, as before, in the upper-left corner. Then press Command-V to replace the old icon with the new. Making the most of your desktop space is a snap. Under ‘System Preferences’ select ‘Exposè & Spaces’ which allows you to minimise clutter and switch easily between windows as you’re working. Enable Spaces by ticking the enable box and then set your keyboard shortcuts, we use F8, for example, to access our Spaces. Set the number of windows you’d like to switch between and experience new levels in multi-tasking. ORGANISE TO YOUR HEART’S CONTENT
PIMP YOUR MAC
As gorgeous as the Mac is straight out of the box, here are a few things you can do to visually enhance your Mac experience. On your dock, click the ‘System Preferences’ icon. Under ‘Appearances’ you can change the look and placement of your dock, fiddle the colour scheme and manipulate how programs appear and disappear. Under ‘Desktop & Screensaver’ you can fiddle so that your desktop is randomly changed every few minutes to something different. Select from standard (but gorgeous) picture options, use your own pictures or download new ones. Changing your screensaver is just as easy and once again you can choose from the standard options, create your own screensaver picture slideshow or download your own. Download anything Mac-related off the Apple website - http://www.apple.com/downloads/. Get wallpapers, icon sets, screensavers and more. We downloaded a set of new icons and it was easy to do. Select the icon that you wish to use in your customisation by right-clicking the icon. From the menu, choose ‘Get Info’ to open the Info window and then click the icon itself in the upper-left corner
Proper organisation saves hard-drive space by avoiding file duplications. Creating folders is as simple as right-clicking and selecting the ‘New Folder’ option. Name your folders whatever you like, and even create subfolders. This applies in Windows as well. Mac takes the OCD compulsion one step further and allows you to colour code your files and folders. Simply right-click on the file or folder and look down until you see a row of coloured blocks. Select the one you like, and start building your organisational colour scheme immediately.
If, however, you forget where you filed something, never fear. It’s simple to search for lost things. On your Mac, look at the top right-hand corner of your screen, where you’ll see a little magnifying glass – this is your Spotlight tool. Enter your search term and see results from the Dictionary (that’s right, this search tool also doubles as a reference tool) files, folders and documents. For a similar action in Windows, select ‘Start’ and then ‘Search’ followed by ‘For Files and Folders’. Select the type of file you want to search for, where you want to search and add any information you think might help you locate what you’re looking for, and simply wait for your computer to find it for you.
Upgrading to Microsoft® Office 2010 is easy. Simply buy and activate a qualifying Office 2007 product (with or without a new PC) from an authorised reseller between 5 March and 30 September 2010. Then download Office 2010 free by 31 October 2010, or have a disc sent to you for a fee. Either way, you don’t need to wait – you’ll have Office 2007 now and Office 2010 when it arrives. For complete details, ask a sales representative or visit www.office.com/techg. *Office 2010 downloads will be accessible at general availability. Request your Office 2010 product by 31 October 2010 using your activated Office 2007 Product Key and dated sales receipt. One Office 2010 product per qualifying Office 2007 purchase, limit 25 per person. Internet access is required to download the Office 2010 upgrade or order the DVD.
printer troubleshooting //BY DEON DU PLESSIS
Banish blues your printing
Printers can be both a joy to use and a thorn in your side. In this guide, we outline some of the problems commonly experienced by printer users, and their potential solutions.
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PROBLEM:
Error messages from your Operating System PROBLEM:
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Print quality degrades, or looks awful
There are many different error messages that may pop up when you try to print something, so we’re not going to list and address them all. Rather, here are some general tips for dealing with program and operating system-related error messages. Follow any instructions given in the error message to address the problem. If that does not work, enter the error message word for word into an Internet search engine like Google to see if other people have experienced the same thing, and what they did to resolve it. Uninstall and reinstall your application. This is a time-consuming process, but it sometimes helps if you’ve had no luck with Google or the error message’s instructions were useless and/or cryptic. Be sure to reboot between uninstalling and reinstalling, ng, as this helps clear the computer’s registry of potentially obstructive data, giving you the opportunity to perform a ‘clean’ reinstallation. Uninstall and reinstall your printer’s drivers and associates software. Some manufacturers like to include a lot of additional programs to help you manage your printer inter or
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Use the print cartridge alignment utility built into your printer to re-align all printer cartridges and print a test page; check the printer’s manual if you’re unsure about how to do it. This will give you an indication of what needs to be addressed; sometimes the re-alignment does the trick, other times it will reveal deeper problems, like a faulty print head or cartridges with low ink levels. Re-seating your ink or laser cartridges can be helpful. Remove them from their cradle, give them a good shake and re-insert them. Perform a test print, either from your PC or directly from the printer to check whether the print quality has improved. Test prints from within Windows can be done by right-clicking on your printer under Devices and Printers and selecting Printer Properties from the menu. Print Test Page should be an option at the bottom of the first window that pops up. If you are using an inkjet printer and your prints are looking faded or some colours don’t look as vibrant as they once did, the problem is most likely near-empty or empty ink cartridges, and it is time to replace them. Always use genuine cartridges and do not, under any circumstances, use ink refills. Companies like HP put a lot of research into creating inks that are vibrant, smudge resistant and long-lasting; apart from not getting the kind of print quality your printer is capable of, using non-genuine inks will definitely ruin your printer’s internal mechanisms over time.
do more with it; HP is particularly fond of this approach. Uninstall all software that came with your printer via the Add/Remove Programs window found in the Control Panel - reboot your PC and reinstall the printer using the original driver/software disk. You did put it somewhere safe, right? If your printer is older than a year, check the manufacturer’s website for updated drivers. Since drivers and software are under constant evaluation, tweaks and fixes to common problems are regularly incorporated into new driver packages, which are available from the manufacturer’s website. Once you have the new software, uninstall all old printer drivers and software, reboot, and use the downloaded package to reinstall everything.
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online research tools
PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
Not printing but no error messages appear from your operating system
Paper jams POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Check the printer for any flashing lights or error messages. Follow any instructions on the LCD screen or consult the printer’s manual for the solution that corresponds to the flashing lights. Re-start the print queue. Cancel your print job from the print queue, then open Control Panel, go to Services (they are under Administrative Tools), find a service called Print Spooler, right click on it and select restart. Once it has restarted, close the Services window
and resubmit your print. Check your printer cables. Sometimes cables work themselves loose via a sequence of small movements caused by the printer moving due to the jostling that inevitably happens to any desk-bound device. Ensure that both the power cable and the USB cable are firmly secured at both ends. Cancel the print job and resubmit it if it doesn’t start coming through once the cables are firmly connected again.
Amazingly, despite advances in printing technology, paper jams still occur. This is generally due to the wear and tear on the printer’s rollers - the small plastic or rubber wheels that guide the paper through the printer - or damaged or improper paper types being printed on. Clearing paper jams requires you to pull the paper out manually; always be sure to pull the paper through the printer in the direction it normally moves. Not doing so risks causing damage to the printer’s mechanism. Check to see that the paper path is clear of obstructions, check that the paper being used is appropriate for your printer, and resubmit the print.
PROBLEM:
PROBLEM:
Your printer still won’t co-operate
Printing to the wrong tray
POSSIBLE SOLUTION:
As a second-to-last last resort (the last one is giving it a good, satisfying kick), you might want to send your printer in to be checked by a printer technician. Check with the shop where you purchased your printer who they recommend you send it to as a first step, or contact the local representative of your printer’s manufacturer and ask them what to do. At this point, however, it might also be prudent to consider purchasing a brand new printer, as services and repairs are quite costly, not always effective or long-lasting, and a new printer might just work out cheaper in the long run. 24 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
POSSIBLE SOLUTIONS:
Bigger printers can have more than one output tray. If you send a print job to the printer, and it comes out in Tray 2 when you actually wanted it to print to Tray 1, you will need to fiddle with the tray output settings in the printer’s driver. Go to Devices & Printers, right click on your printer and select ‘Printer Properties’. Then go to Device Settings and check the default tray options. Change the default tray to the one you want, click Apply and OK, and resubmit your print.
disc storage: de-mystified //BY TAMARYN WATKINS
Choosing the right disc for the job Ever wondered what the differences are between CDs, CD-Rs and CD-RWs? We take all the disc terminology, break it down and explain it to you. Then we tell you how to use them, and how to care for them.
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CD
CD-R
CD-RW
DVD
DVD-R
DVD-RW
A CD is your basic storage medium. CD stands for ‘Compact Disc’ and most computers have a CD drive capable of burning files onto CD. The average CD can hold about 700MB of data, which translates into about 80 minutes of music, and about 280-300 photos saved as medium-quality JPEG files. Don’t expect to fit many video files or large folders on a CD, instead, use CDs as originally intended – for audio files. A CD-R is a variation on the CD and is a Write Once Read Many (WORM) optical storage medium. The nice thing about CD-Rs is that the whole disc does not have to be entirely written at the same time. A bit like a memory stick, you can save to it as and when you need to. A CD-RW is a CD that can be written onto multiple times, meaning you can save your data onto the CD, erase it and save more data when you need to, because it’s re-usable. It also has a storage capacity similar to that of a regular CD. A DVD is also known as a Digital Versatile Disc. Its main uses are data and video storage, as it has the capacity to hold up to six times more data than a regular CD. DVD-ROM refers to DVD Read Only Memory, which means you can only burn to this DVD once, and thereafter, it’s read only. DVD-AUDIO and DVD-VIDEO are variations on the DVD format and refer to the preferential capacity to store video and audio files. DVD-R and DVD+R (recordable) can record data only once, and thereafter function as DVD-ROMs. DVD-RW and DVD+RW means the disc is re-writable and can record and erase data multiple times.
How will I know what kind of disc I should use?
If you’re creating an audio compilation, much like a mix-tape of songs, then you’ll probably need a standard CD. If your needs tend toward saving photos and documents on a regular basis, and deleting and replacing as you progress in your work, then you’ll need a CD-RW. Storing home video footage or a large selection of audio files, or lots of high-quality photos will probably call for a DVD-VIDEO or DVD-AUDIO, or even a DVD-RW, depending on how long you think you’ll need to have access to the data you store. For back-up purposes, it’s recommended that you use a write-only format, to prevent you from writing over any important data you might need to save for longterm purposes. WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 27
disc storage: de-mystified
Burning a DVD using a PC
For this, you’ll probably need special authoring software. We recommend something like Nero 9 Reloaded. This software package will guide you through the necessary steps and assist you in creating CDs, DVDs and Blu-Ray discs and is capable of HD formatting as well.
5
TOP TIPS FOR TAKING CARE OF YOUR CDS AND DVDS • Don’t write labels on the disc surface with marker pens – if you have to, write on the transparent portion in the middle – there’s no data stored there, so nothing to corrupt or damage. • Store discs in their plastic cases when not in use - somewhere cool, dry and out of direct sunlight. • Handle discs only along the outer edges, or by placing your finger through the hole in the middle – avoid fingerprints on the bottom surface of the disc. • Clean with a soft, dry cloth to wipe away smudges, but not in a circular motion – wipe from the centre, toward the edge. • If scratched, use a small amount of toothpaste on a damp cloth to restore the surface integrity. Wipe clean and allow to air dry.
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What do I need to burn my own CDs and DVDs?
Firstly, you need to make sure you have the correct CD or DVD drive to do so. A CD-RW drive will burn CDs, but not DVDs, so you’ll need a DVD drive capable of both reading and burning, i.e. a CD/DVDRW drive and not a CD/DVD-ROM drive. In addition to the drive, you may need discburning software to actually burn the discs. Windows XP knows how to burn CDs without any special software, but to burn DVDs requires additional software and older versions of Windows might also require authoring software in order to burn CDs or DVDs. Macs come with appropriate software, built-in. Burning a CD using a Mac
Mac makes life simple. Insert a blank CD into your drive, and the operating system will prompt you by asking which application you want to run and what you want to call the CD. Open the Finder window and drag files and folders onto the blank CD icon that should be showing on your desktop. Once you have finished, click on the circle icon looks similar to a radiation-warning symbol. You will be prompted to set the speed the CD is to be burned at. Click OK and the CD burning process will be started. Burning an audio CD can also be done using iTunes, all you need do is insert a blank disc with iTunes open, and follow the prompts. Burning a DVD using a Mac
If you’re looking to simply burn DVDs without any bells and whistles, you’ll want to use iDVD, which can be located in your applications folder. Choose
the movie you wish to burn and making sure it does not exceed 2 GB. Select a theme for your DVD menu design from iDVD’s many options. Each template has an entry theme and other screens with accompanying chapters – which allow you to create menus that will show when you pop the DVD into a DVD player to watch on TV. Then change the title of the iDVD movie to your own title and customise your DVD under the Tabs icon, this allows you to drag pictures and music into the blank drop zones shown in the template. You can add music right from your iTunes library to customize your menu. After that it’s a simple matter of dragging the desired movies you wish to burn into the movie drop zone and they will automatically be placed on the menu for the DVD. The final step is to click on Burn, which starts your DVD on the rendering and burning process. Burning a CD using a PC
Create a new folder on the desktop, by right clicking on the desktop and selecting ‘New Folder’. Name the folder and drag and drop the files you want to write to disc. Right click on the folder and select ‘Send to’ and then ‘DVD/CD-RW Drive (D:)’. A notification bubble will pop up on your taskbar telling you that you have files waiting to be written to disc. Click it, and it will open a window that contains your data. On the lefthand menu, you’ll see an option that says ‘Write these files to CD’. Select it, and the CD Writing Wizard will open. Follow the prompts and make sure you have a blank disc at the ready. You can also use Windows Media Player to burn audio CDs, and it’s a simple matter of following the instructions provided.
computer cooking //BY TIANA CLINE
What’s for
Dinner? Did you know that with a simple click you could be on your way to becoming a gourmet cook? Being a digital domestic goddess (or a net Nigella Lawson, if you will) is easy if you use the Internet as your first-stop food resource.
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01 Shop Online If you know which tools you need, why not buy them online? From basic knives to the ultimate Le Creuset Dutch Oven, you’ll find what you need at the click of a button. Connect recommends the following two websites: www.banks-shop.co.za With the widest and latest range of kitchen appliances, stylish pots and pans, crockery, cutlery, glassware and more, Banks is the perfect kitchen shop both off and online. If you’re cooking up a storm in your restaurant, catering for hundreds or simply preparing a meal for the family, you’ll find everything you need. In addition to kitting out a well-equipped kitchen, the online shop has a fantastic Gift Registry section that friends and family from across the world can use and Banks wrap the gift, attach a message from the person buying the gift and deliver it to you at no additional cost to anyone. Brilliant. www.yuppiechef.co.za Why settle for regular kitchen equipment when you can have premium brands like Joseph Joseph and Dualit? If you’re not up to flipping an egg with just any run-of-the-mill spatula, Yuppiechef will deliver the very finest culinary assets to your doorstep. More than an online store, Yuppiechef is for connoisseurs, Gordon Ramsay wannabe’s, generous gift-givers and kitchen posers – it’s a fully-stocked one-stop killer kitchen tool store.
03 Local is Lekker
02 Broiling? Braaing? Baking? You may be able to toast bread and boil and egg, but the Internet can be a valuable resource if you’re looking for “how to” videos. www.youtube.com/user/howcookingworks howcookingworks.com aims to teach cooking fundamentals to anyone wanting to learn how to cook. If you’re a beginner, look our for their 101 series which teaches cooking essentials from boiling an egg to the basics of baking. www.youtube.com/user/foodwishes These video recipes are from Chef John’s website. On YouTube, you can watch these fun to make, and easy to follow recipes, and you’ll improve your culinary skills dramatically! Then, visit http://foodwishes.com, to read the story, ingredients, and details that go along with these recipes.
GAME ON! Forget training your brain! Nintendo’s Cooking Guide (for the DS) takes you through every step from compiling a shopping list, preparation of ingredients and utensils through to a step-by-step guide of how to make your chosen meal. Want to make yourself a quick dinner after a long day at work? Want to plan a week of meals for your family? Or do you want to make a Sunday roast for 10? Cooking Guide can help you solve all these and many other meal dilemmas.
TOP TIP Both Pick ‘n Pay and Woolworths offer online shopping. Instead of trekking to the store to find the ingredient you need is out of stock, get the food people to come to you! To find out more info, go to www.pnponline.co.za and www.woolworths.co.za.
Knorr’s website, www.whatsfordinner.co.za, will help you find the ideal meal. You can quickly browse through their wide range of easy-to-prepare, tasty dishes by clicking on the quick links to all the main categories or click on “What’s in my cupboard” – simply enter in what you have lying around and let the delicious recipes, using your ingredients, come to you. There is also a day-by-day guide to inspirational weekday meals, a handy measurement converter and option of collecting, tagging and rating your favourite recipes. www.food24.com is South Africa’s biggest website devoted to everything-food. From recipes and menus to reviewing your corner pizzeria, it is easy to know what’s happening in all the major cities when you click onto this website. There is also a section devoted to local wine pproduction, for those who know thhe difference between pinot noir and Riesling, as well as some cool, hhomegrown food bloggers.
04 The Beauty of Blogs
05 iPhone Apps
Food blogs are a great way to find someone with a cooking style you like. Look at Julie Powell, the inspiration behind Julie & Julia, she did a daily Julia Child food blog and is now an acclaimed author. With so much out there, we’ve found the best the blogosphere has to offer:
For those lucky enough to own Apple’s iPhone,e, there are some really fantastic food apps worth downloading.
Smitten Kitchen Fearlessly cooking from a tiny kitchen in New York City, Deb’s website offers a lot of comfort foods stepped up a bit, things like bread and birthday cakes made entirely from scratch and tutorials on everything from how to poach oach an egg to hhow ow to make tart doughs that don’t shrink up on you, but also a favorite side dish (zucchini and almonds) that takes less than five minutes to make. Everything is categorized and beautifully photographed step-by-step so you’ll know if you’re on the right track. Visit: www.smittenkitchen.com Steamy Kitchen Jaden Hair is a television chef, food columnist and awardwinning food blogger. With Asian roots, her recipes will help you understand interesting meals from across the globe - think Malaysia, Singapore, Korea, Vietnam, as well as regular recipes… Visit: www.steamykitchen.com 101 Cookbooks This is Heidi Swanson’s recipe journal where she writes about recipes that intersect her life, travels, and everyday interests. For those on the green trend, her focus is primarily on natural, whole foods and ingredients - vegetarian recipes that are good for the planet. Visit: www.101cookbooks.com
The Betty Crocker Mobile Cookbook Wandering what’s for dinner? Or how to make your favourite cake? Turn to the American expert whose been answering these questions for decades. This is the mobile version of her world-famous cookbook. Martha’s Everyday Food: Fresh and Easy Recipes Every day you’ll receive the perfect dinner recipe that’s easy-to-follow and family-friendly. Even better, you can search through all Martha’s recipe options, create shopping lists. Allrecipes.com Dinner Spinner Dinner Spinner is a free app for the iPhone and iPod Touch that lets you spin your way to a great meal. If you don’t know what you want eat or cook, give it a spin! Tap what type of dish you want to make, what ingredient sounds good and how much time you have to prepare it. Epicurious Recipes & Shopping List Epicurious.com already hosts one of the most visited sites for recipe hunters, and now you can access over 25 000 of them on this iPhone app. Recipes are pulled from magazines like Bon Appetit and Gourmet as well and chefs’ restaurants. Best part? They’re reviewed by everyday people. WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 31
THE IMPORTANCE OF GREEN IN THE HP RAINBOW HP is committed to print products and solutions that have minimal impact on the environment. With a focus on ‘reduce, reuse and recycle’ it’s no surprise that green really is the most important colour in the HP rainbow. Here’s how to take action, and make green a part of your working lifestyle:
CHOOSE WISELY: look for products that display the HP Eco Highlights label – this helps you identify the environmental features of that product. You should be looking for HP ENERGY STAR® qualified or Blue Angel products as they are up to 30% more energy-efficient than standard, non-qualified models and HP LaserJet printers that feature Instant-on Technology can save you up to 50% in energy costs. When it comes to copying, HP Instant-on Copy uses an LED light source, which requires up to four times less energy when idle and devices with HP Auto-On/Auto-Off Technology sense when you need to print and when you don’t, turning your printer on and off for you. MINIMISE IN ORDER TO MAXIMISE: Replace individual products (like separate fax machines, copiers and scanners) with multifunction devices (MFPs) that do everything you need and save on space and energy. Consolidate to fewer printers. Gone are the days of every user needing their own desktop printer. Instead, choose HP products that are network-ready and that can be easily shared between multiple users. Control these printers with HP Eco Solutions Print Console, which gives you a desktop control over the printer’s environmental setting, such as energy, paper use and supplies. This technology is available for use with selected HP LaserJet printers. REDUCE AND REUSE: make green the default mindset in your work environment. Set double-sided printing as default, and cut paper usage in half, without having to think about it. Buy recycled paper that comes from sustainable sources. Use HP tools to save ink and save paper by only printing what you really need. Change your print settings to print in draft-quality as much as possible, and only utilise best-quality prints when really necessary. Use the free HP SmartWeb printing application to combine text and graphics from
multiple web pages into one tailor-made document, thereby saving ink and paper by avoiding printing unnecessary banners and adverts. Use only genuine HP inks and toners – this saves you time and money in the long run. Generics never last as long, or produce results that are anywhere near as impressive as those you get from using genuine products. Forget about out-sourcing your marketing and business materials requirements. Print in-house with HP Digital Publishing products that deliver on-demand printing and eliminate costly print-runs and reduce waste.
RECYCLE: the HP Planet Partners programme (http://www. hp.com/recycle) provides a free and easy return and recycling service for HP print cartridges. Low-volume users can utilise the pre-paid return materials provided in the packaging of new HP print cartridges and high-volume users can order collection boxes online through the HP website. For all your end-of-life HP hardware recycling requirements, HP provides this service free to commercial customers. As a home user you can utilise e-waste drop-off points, countrywide. To locate the nearest drop-off point, please visit: http://www.e-waste.org.za/ewaste/collectionpoints.
Green Facts: • For every 12 users who keep the he energy saving power settings enabled on their monitors tors and PCs, the carbondioxide emissions that will be avoided is equivalent to removing one automobile from m the road. • All HP PCs and monitors have energy savings settings enabled, right out the box and d one of these PCs alone saves enough energy to powerr a 75W light bulb continuously for over a year. • It is estimated that ENERGY STAR® TAR® power management can save up to R800,00 per desktop computer and monitor each year.
RECOMMENDED PURCHASES FOR THE HOME OFFICE HP Photosmart Premium Fax AIO: multiple users can print, fax and scan wirelessly from anywhere in the home. Send and receive monochrome or color faxes, with or without a PC. Print lab-quality pictures from home. ENERGY STAR速 compliant.
FOR THE WORKGROUP HP Officejet Pro 8500 AIO series: this printer, scanner, copier and fax device uses up to 50% less energy than laser printers and has a 50% lower carbon footprint than the Samsung CLX 3175FN. Supports automatic duplex printing and offers more connectivity options, higher-resolution, laser-quality prints and a higher paper-handling capacity. ENERGY STAR速 compliant.
FOR THE SPECIALISED WORKGROUP HP OfficeJet K7000: This device handles large format printing, up to A3 in size. It is intended to be a high-performance unit that can be utilised by multiple users on a wired network. Affordable inks and adjustable print qualities allow the user to control ink expenditure and costs.
KICK-OFF
A MONTH TO
PRODUCT REVIEWS // BY DEON DU PLESSIS
I
t’s April already, and 2010 is rolling along nicely, if a bit fast. Only a month to go to the World Cup, and yet I can remember seeing “665 Days” on the countdown timer at OR Tambo seemingly just the other day! This month we bring you a wide variety of tech, our favourite of which was Sony Ericsson’s amazing Aino phone. Yes, I am a Sony Ericsson fan in a big way, but that’s only because the phones they make cater to my needs exactly – they’re not too complicated, the menu system is easily usable, and their screens are amazing. Throw in the Aino’s ability to stream movies from my PS3, and you’ll know exactly why I love it so much! I trust you’re also enjoying the cooler weather after the hot summer we just had; I know I am! Until next month! Cheers, Deon
While we make every effort to ensure pricing is accurate before we go to print, sometimes through circumstances we have no control over, the prices in Connect may differ from those you’ll see on store shelves. In all cases, shelf pricing takes precedence.
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REVIEWS 36 37 38 39 40 42 43 44 46 47 48 49 50 51 52 53 54 55 56 57 58 59 60
Acer Aspire One 531 Netbook Philips DCM250 Entertainment System Sony Ericsson Aino Siemens Gigaset AL140 Trio Phones Sony PSP Go Logitech Z4 Speakers Philips SHC2000 Wireless Headphones Garmin nuvi 215W Acer S243HL LED Monitor Logic3 TopDrive GT Racing Wheel TomTom GO 750 GPS Logitech Quickcam C250 Webcam Iomega Screenplay Pro HD Acer Aspire 5940G Notebook Belkin Surge Protector HP Photosmart C4783 Inkjet Printer Iomega UltraMAX 1TB External Hard Drive Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse Canon LiDE 200 Scanner LG Slim USB DVD Writer Cobra MT600 Walkie Talkies SanDisk Cruzer 16GB Memory Stick Books
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Acer Aspire One 531H NEED TO KNOW • Netbook size, notebook spec • 2GB of system RAM • Runs Windows XP R5 499.95
ACER ASPIRE ONE 751
This 3G-equipped netbook will keep you in touch wherever you go that has cellular network coverage.
ACER ASPIRE ONE D250
This entry-level netbook is the basic model needed to get in on the netbook craze. It won’t blow you away with speed, but it sure is light, small and portable!
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THE popularity of netbooks exploded after Asus launched its Eee PC back in 2007, and ever since every manufacturer that could, has added its take on the subcompact notebook. Acer’s version is the Aspire One range of netbooks, and these have undergone various changes to bring them even more in line with what it is that people seem to want. This particular iteration, the 531H, brings two useful additions to Acer’s repertoire: a 6-cell battery, and an extra gigabyte of memory for a total of 2GB. These two upgrades have breathed life into the Aspire One’s design; the battery affords the 531H a six-hour lifespan between charges (even with heavy use of the Wi-Fi connection), and the extra memory has led to an increase in system responsiveness. Just leaving the unit to idle resulted in it staying powered on for nine hours, which is really very good. The 531H is powered by Intel’s Atom processor, the N270, which runs at 1.6GHz. While not a bad thing, the Atom is still not well-suited to calculation-intensive tasks, and as such becomes the bottleneck to exceptional performance. As it is, the performance on offer is just okay, not amazing, but concessions have to be made somewhere if portability and good battery life are to be maintained, at a reasonable price. On booting up the netbook, you’re greeted by Windows XP. The reason for this is XP’s speed as well as its good power management capabilities. The 531H is fairly small and compact, resulting in a keyboard that is a little cramped, but it’s meant to be ultra-compact so this is not a flaw, as such, it just isn’t for people with big hands or fingers. The keys are easily pressed, if a bit small, and there is a webcam integrated into the 531H’s lid. Wireless b/g networking can be turned on and off with a slider switch located on its front edge, there is a VGA port for outputting to a bigger screen, three USB ports, and a multi-in-one memory card reader, as well as headphone and microphone jacks. There is no integrated 3G in this model, but if you have a phone that supports Bluetooth, connecting to the ‘net using your phone is an easy workaround. The 10’1” screen looks good, but its glossiness tends to cause
a bit of eye strain in natural light, or outside. The touchpad is fairly big at 65mm, and is responsive, as are the buttons. Using the 531H was a noticeably better experience than other netbooks running the same processor with only half the 531H’s RAM, as Windows XP definitely seemed to appreciate the extra memory. Programs open faster, and general Windows navigation is quite quick. Possibly the best use the 531H can be put to is as a communications platform that you can take with you; travelling with it is a pleasure as it is so small and lightweight, and mobile Skype chats and Internet surfing is just so much better than it is with a cell phone. The 531H’s build is sturdy, if not amazingly solid, but it will easily hold up to being carried around on your travels. The 6-cell battery does add some weight to it, though, but that is a small price to pay for six continuous hours of use. If you’re in the market for a netbook, and you’re not intimidated by a price tag of more than R5000, the 531H is a very good choice as it offers better performance than its cheaper siblings that lasts longer too. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • • • • •
Operating System: Windows XP Home Memory: 2GB Hard Drive: 160GB Battery: 6-cell Card Reader: SD, MMC, RS-MMC, MS, MS PRO, xD Webcam: 0.3MP Acer Crystal Eye Networking: IEEE 802.11b/g, Ethernet Screen: 1024 x 600 resolution, LED-backlit LCD Weight: 1.27kg PROS
CONS
• Six-hour-plus battery life • 2GB of RAM aids Windows performance • Compact design and good looks
• Keyboard is a wee bit cramped • Atom processor still struggles a bit • Screen is very glossy and reflective
OVERALL RATING
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APPLE IPOD TOUCH 8GB
Philips DCM250 Docking Entertainment System NEED TO KNOW • Play and charge your iPhone/iPod • AM/FM Digital Tuner • Includes full-function wireless remote • Also a traditional CD player R1 999.95
WHILE it might be true that sales of the iPod Classic, Nano, and Shuffle have recently started to drop, that’s only because many people are buying iPhones and iPod Touches instead. It’s hard to imagine how many billions of songs are currently stored on various embodiments of Apple’s killer portable player. And who knows how many people at this very moment are listening to music on their iPods and iPhones? This product is designed specifically for those people. While most playback happens on the go and is heard through earphones, there’s another dimension that’s added by iPod/iPhone docking stations like this one: the ability to share your music, your playlists and enjoy the experience with other people. There are plenty of iPod dock systems currently flooding the market, and the turnover of available models happens faster than you can blink. The trick is to find one that’s well-designed, reasonably-priced and that has a fair longevity forecast. In other words, one that wont cost you the earth, and that will last you a long time. This is where the Philips DCM250 comes in. This docking system has more than the iPod/ iPhone on its mind: in addition to a dock function, it also features a CD player, an AM/FM radio, an alarm clock, and a USB port for plugging in a Flash drive that contains music files. That’s already a lot of functionality in one device, and its auto-loading CD player handles CD-R/ RW, MP3, and WMA discs as well. Impressed? You should be. Styling is tidy and visually-pleasing in a minimalist, functional way thanks to the generous use of ultra-modern chrome finishes. The plastic buttons, silver grille, and mirrored panel are simple and non-fussy, but their shininess is also rather appealing. The sprinkling of control buttons on top is perhaps more than most users will want, but all those features we just discussed need to be operated somehow. The dock is up there, as is the USB port and an analog mini-jack 3.5mm input. Oddly enough, the headphone
jack is buried on the cabinet’s rear panel. The remote is fairly solid for this price point, with crisp styling and a full arrangement of controls, but its effectiveness is a bit hit-and-miss, as it doesn’t always make the dock respond with every press. The alarm function is also a bit disappointing, as it does not allow you to wake up to your music, and feels like a bit of an afterthought rather than a core feature Philips wanted to include. Performance and sound quality is rich and clear, and everyone but the most die-hard audiophiles will be impressed with its range. The dynamic bass boost function kicks in for bass-rich songs, and there is no distortion at anything but the absolute highest volume levels. For the price, the sound is excellent. The ability to play so many different formats, and do so many other things beyond just play and charge an iPod is what sold us on this device. If you’re not as convinced or as pleased as we were, after using this product, then we’ll be more than happy to accept the Philips DCM 250 as a gift.
This slim, shiny and very touchable device holds up to 1 750 songs. It has a 3.5” widescreen with multi-touch display and a battery life of 36 hours. It’s also Wi-Fi enabled.
GRIFFIN ITRIP AUTO
While the Philips DCM 250 has you covered pretty much everywhere, use the iTrip for your car. It uses SmartScan technology to find the clearest frequencies on yo your car radio, wherever you are.
NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Compatible with iPhone, iPhone 3G, iPod, iPod mini, iPod nano, iPod 5th Generation • Playback media: WMA CD, MP3 CD, CD, CD-R, CD-RW • Output Power (RMS): 2x15W • Auto digital radio station tuning • Connectivity: USB, 3.5mm headphone jack, auxiliary in • Alarms: Radio alarm, sleep timer • Loader type: Motorised, slot • Sound enhancement: Dynamic Bass Boost
PROS
CONS
• Not just an iPod docking station • USB port for playing music off a flash drive is nice • Rich, warm sound
• Not for people that don’t like shiny gadgets • Alarm function feels like an afterthought • Remote could be better
OVERALL RATING
SANDISK SK CRUZER 16GB FLASH SH DRI DRIVE
Store your favourite MP3s on this Flash drive and plug them into the DC250 when the mood strikes.
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PLAYSTATION 3
The PS3 is truly becoming the next-gen console leader with the new ability to stream movies to a cell phone. It’s no longer just a games-playing machine.
BLUETOOTH PS3 MULTIMEDIA REMOTE
With Bluetooth connectivity, you no longer have to be within sight of your PS3 to control media playback. Ideal for when you’re watching on your phone, in your bedroom.
SONY PLAYSTATION PORTABLE
The PSP is a dedicated mediaviewing and game-playing device that can interface directly with your PS3. It can even make calls, once you install Skype on it and hook it up to your Wi-Fi network.
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Sony Ericsson Aino NEED TO KNOW • Touchscreen and keypad-driven phone • Can stream video from a PS3 • Tons of features R6 999.95
SONY Ericsson’s Aino phone is a feature-packed smartphone that can interface directly with a PlayStation 3. It’s a hybrid phone, as it makes use of both a touchscreen and a conventional keypad. There are also many interesting and useful features buried within its menu structures, but the main reason we’re interested in it is its ability to stream videos directly from a PS3, over a wireless network. Before we get to that, we must comment on the Aino’s slide mechanism. It’s very smooth, and is used to change the phone from a touchscreen phone, to a regular one that uses a keypad. Sony Ericsson has made the unfortunate decision to only let you use one access method at a time, so when the phone is open, the screen no longer responds to touches. This is a pity as sometimes it would be nice to be able to press the screen, particularly during Web browsing, when pressing a link is easier than navigating there using the direction pad. Other things that should be mentioned include the sheer amount of applications and functionalities built into the Aino. It supports location-based services via the integrated GPS aerial that will tell you where you are and where the nearest restaurant/bar/cinema/gig is (which even works here in SA!), Google Maps can be accessed from your phone, and it even has WisePilot GPS navigation built-in. Using all of these depends heavily on the strength and quality of your 3G signal, so using them can sometimes entail more of a wait than you’d like thanks to our wonderfully efficient local cellular networks. WisePilot does require an additional subscription service, however, of about R800 per year for basic services. You can also try it out for just one week for around R40. The Aino can also connect to the Internet via Wi-Fi access; should you have a wireless network in your home, you can use it to surf from your phone. You can also stream movies from your PlayStation 3 directly to the Aino, so that you can watch from somewhere perhaps more comfortable than your living room in much the same way you can with your Sony PlayStation Portable. Doing this requires Wi-Fi access to be configured on the phone (easy, as there is a handy wizard), and to set up your PS3 to recognise the phone as an authorised device (also easy). The movies we tried were smooth and the quality was very good thanks to the beautifully clear screen that the Aino is equipped with. Using the phone is where it really scores the most points. The keypad is very comfortable and the keys are just the right
size for most fingers. The menus are easy to navigate, they make sense, and the phone’s general responsiveness lies somewhere between ‘good’ and ‘quick but not exceptionally zippy’. We were not, however, impressed with the touchscreen. First, because the phone has to be closed for the screen to accept touch input, and second because the touch interface is completely separate from the keypad interface. The phone presents some of its entertainment functions, like multimedia playback and image viewing, via the touch interface. These can still be accessed using the keypad, of course, but in theory it’s easier and quicker using the touchscreen. We weren’t as convinced, and used the keys far more than the screen. Call quality is brilliant, the phone feels solid, but not overly heavy in your hand, and overall we must admit to being mightily impressed. Add in movie-streaming capabilities via a PS3, and the Aino becomes a very cool phone to own that does what a phone should, as well as some extras that not everyone else can boast. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • • • • • • • • •
Dimensions: 104 x 50 x 15.5mm Weight: 134g Screen Size: 240 x 432 3.0 inch Screen: Colour TFT 16M colours Type: Slider Soft Keys: Limited touchscreen functionality Other Keys: Accelerometer sensor for auto-rotate GPS Antenna: Fixed Internal Phonebook: 1000 x 20 fields Internal Memory: 55MB Memory Slot: microSD up to 16GB, 8GB included Standby: 380h (2G) / 367h (3G) Talk Time: 780 mins (2G) / 270 mins (3G) PROS
CONS
• Excellent build quality and interface • Packed with useful features • Movie streaming is lots of fun
• Touch interface not hugely useful for phone functions • GPS navigation functionality requires additional service subscription • Touchscreen does not work when the phone is open
OVERALL RATING
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Siemens Gigaset AL140 Trio Cordless Phones NEED TO KNOW • High-quality wireless landline telephone handsets • One main phone with two satellite phones • Energy-saving power pack design R999.95 or R349.95 each
SIEMENS is a company well-known for its high-quality telephony products, and with the Gigaset AL140 Trio, it is offering the discerning consumer even more than just good value: instead of just one cordless phone, they give you three. One is the main phone that will be connected to your telephone jack, and the other two are satellite phones that work off the main base station. A total of four handsets can be registered to the main base station at any one time, providing further flexibility. The setup procedure involves registering each phone to its base/cradle. This requires nothing more than plugging each of the three bases into a wall socket, and placing each phone securely into the cradle of its base. To avoid potential confusion on the phones’ part, you need to place the phone you’ve selected as the primary (they all look identical) into the main base station, and let it go through a short registration process. Once that is complete, place the next phone into its cradle, press and hold the registration/paging button on the main base station, and the secondary handset will automatically register itself. Do the same with the third handset, and Bob’s your uncle: you now have three phones attached to your home or office phone line that can be placed in convenient, separate locations. Each base station serves as a charger for the phones’ rechargeable batteries, but the phones themselves will last a good 100 hours without being recharged, and will let you talk continuously for up to 13 hours before they run out of juice. Not even the most committed gossiper can last that long without a rest! The LCD displays light up when a call comes in, so you will always see them easily in the dark. It’s not a pretty display, however, but it conveys all necessary information. The menu system built into each phone is easy to navigate and self-explanatory, the buttons on the handsets give good tactile feedback, and they also make a sound when pressed so that you know your press has registered. There are a number of rings to choose from, too, ranging from jingles that rise in volume the longer they go on for, to more traditional phone sounds. If these will be office phones and will be
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ringing regularly throughout the day, we highly recommend you avoid the jingles, as they get annoying, fast. The handsets are made of plastic, but they have a nice weight to them thanks to their rechargeable batteries. They are a little chunky, but this is by no means a bad thing as they are also comfortable to hold up to your ear for extended conversations. They look smart enough to suit even fancy office environments, and will also fit in nicely in your home. The ability to page misplaced phones is apparently standard in all modern cordless phone sets, as is free calling between handsets, both features which these phones support. Aside from a few annoying ring tones - arguably a highly subjective opinion and yours may differ wildly - there really is nothing to criticise about these phones. There are three of them, setting them up is relatively simple, and they just work. Sound quality is excellent, build is solid, and they feel comfortable in your hand and against your ear when you’re using them. They even use a power-saving design that helps reduce their overall electricity usage. Now that’s a design we can get behind.
BELL STUDIO 4200 DUO
These cordless phones, reviewed in our January issue, offer much the same in the way of features as this Gigaset set does, but there are only two.
NOTEWORTHY SPECS: • • • • • • • • •
Illuminated display Alarm clock with hot key Caller ID function Page misplaced phones with the pager button on the main base 60% less energy use than other conventional Gigaset wireless phones Variable reduction of transmitting power Phonebook for up to 40 numbers and names List of missed calls Expandable to up to 4 handsets PROS
CONS
• Three handsets in the box • Power-saving design • Free calls between handsets • Excellent audio quality
• Some of the ringtones can be annoying • LCD display is a bit unattractive
OVERALL RATING
DUAL PHONE 3088 SKYPE PHONE
The option exists to use the Internet to power your calls, which this Skype phone offers. Connect it to your home network, and let Skype handle your calls via the ‘net. No PC required.
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PERFECT COMPANIONS
Sony PSP Go NEED TO KNOW God of War: Chains of Olympus The prequel to the outstanding God of War franchise, Chains of Olympus is every bit a God of War game as its bigger brothers on the PS2/ PS3. Stunning graphics and amazing action make this a must-have game for your PSP Go.
Grand Theft Auto: Chinatown Wars Returning to its top-down roots, Chinatown Wars is quite possibly the best GTA game in a long time. It has amazing graphics for a handheld game as well as an entertaining story filled with classic GTA humour and over-the-top violence. One of the best games ever made, ever!
• Play games on the go • Great portable media player • 16GB of internal memory R 3 299.95
PORTABLE gaming, as many people agree, is a rather attractive prospect. What could possibly be better than sitting in a bus for 30 minutes all the while playing some God of War, or waiting in the airport for a flight while racing around Silverstone’s curves in a supercar? The PSP Go is Sony’s evolution of its original handheld console. While it has been dubbed the ‘ultimate handheld experience’, we have to ask: is the Go really worth the heavy price of admission? Let’s be honest up front, the PSP Go is one charming little device. Its compact size and stylish good looks make the previous PSP 3000 look like a mangled mess and the new, high resolution screen has to be seen to be believed, it’s that good. Add the fact that the PSP Go is not much bigger than the average smart phone and Sony’s new handheld seems to have hit the nail on the head. Aside from its extremely attractive looks, the PSP Go also offers a great portable media experience. Its stunning screen is a real joy to watch movies on, with vivid colours and sharp, high resolution. The inclusion of 16GB of internal memory means there is plenty of space for movies and music alike, and if 16GB isn’t enough, the PSP Go’s support for Sony’s memory stick micro M2 allows you to add another 16GB of memory if you wish. The PSP Go also offers a plethora of connectivity options. With built-in wireless support and Bluetooth connectivity, the PSP Go can now be naturally integrated into your digital home entertainment, allowing you to do everything from controlling your PS3 wirelessly through Sony’s remote play feature to supporting Skype natively, and even allowing you to tune in to the Internet radio station of your choice. The PSP Go is a truly digital device for a digital life style. Now to the elephant in the room; as mentioned above, Sony has made the move of making the PSP Go a truly digital device. What this means is that we no longer have to worry about those awkwardly-sized UMD drives
that graced the older PSP, but instead, all the games for your PSP Go will have to be downloaded from the Playstation Store directly to the Go. This in itself presents two problems. The first is that if you own a previous PSP and want to play your old UMD games, you currently have no other option than to buy them again online. The other problem is that since every game needs to be downloaded, you will need a lot of spare bandwidth for the +1GB you will need to download each game. The PSP Go finds itself in an interesting position. For one, it costs almost as much as a 120GB PS3 and that is a fully-fledged console, and its digital distribution model, although far more suited to a portable device, will let it down in an environment where Internet bandwidth still isn’t as cheap as it should be. That said, the PSP Go is a remarkable device with a huge library of games already available to it. If you can afford the price of admission and already use the Internet to its full potential, then the PSP Go will be a welcome addition to your travel plans. If not, you’re probably better off getting the cheaper PSP 3000. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • •
Bluetooth 3.0 support Wi-Fi 802.11b wireless support 16GB internal memory available Memory Stick Micro M2 supported (up to 16GB) High resolution 3.8 inch LCD screen PROS
CONS
• Stunning screen to watch movies on and play games. • Stylish and just the right size for portable use • Brilliant integration to the Internet and PSN • Huge library of currentlyavailable titles
• Digital distribution only • Analogue Stick could have been placed better • Costs almost as much as a PS3 console
OVERALL RATING
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Logitech Z4 Speakers NEED TO KNOW LOGITECH Z-2300
With over five times the power of the Z4’s speakers, it’s no surprise that the Z-2300 is a far louder set despite also having only two satellite speakers.
LOGITECH Z-5500
These 5.1 speakers are close to, if not at the pinnacle of consumer-level PC speaker engineering. They are very, very loud and crystal clear.
PERFECT COMPANIONS
iPod Touch Plug your Touch into your Z4s and wile away the hours chilling to your favourite tunes.
42 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
• 2.1 Speaker set for PC • Wired remote that sits on your desk • Auxiliary and MP3 inputs R1 499.95
IT would appear that Logitech has a set of speakers for every occasion and circumstance. With the Z4 2.1 set, the peripherals company is catering to people who want good quality speakers for their home computers, but who don’t need a set that will blow the neighbours across the road away. The kind of people that will or should be interested in these speakers are the kind that like a bit of balance: the Z4 speaker set is neither a tinny, underpowered or cheap set, and nor does it offer an ear-shattering explosion of noise with a zillion satellite speakers and a price tag that would make Bill Gates blush. Rather, it offers great quality sound for someone who likes playing games and listen to music and maybe watch the odd movie, but who does not want or need an additional three speakers to make that moviewatching or game-playing experience ultra-realistic. In essence, these are Logitech’s Everyman speakers, as they offer a far above-average listening experience while not going overboard with extras. The set consists of a large subwoofer, which produces all the sounds on the low end of the sound spectrum, two satellite speakers that can be placed on either side of your monitor, and a controller which you can rest on your desk. Setting it up is as easy as pie, as all that is required is to follow the instructions and connect up the speakers according to their orientation, plug the controller in and connect everything up to the mains. Doing so shouldn’t take even the most technologically-challenged person more than ten minutes. The quality and volume of the sound that is possible to elicit from these speakers is very good, especially if you’ve got it set up in a small to midsized room. Gamers will enjoy the loud BOOMS the subwoofer will produce, making gunfire and explosions particularly juicy, although anyone who shares the house with them may not. In those cases, it’s simple to connect a pair of headphones to the speakers, as there is a 3.5mm headphone jack in
the controller, so you won’t even have to go rooting behind your computer for the green audio-out jack. Another input exists to allow you to hook up your MP3 player to the speakers, too. Mid to high-range sounds are taken care of by the satellite speakers, and the audio they produce is crystal clear. Music of all kinds sounds amazing, so don’t worry that your tastes are rather eclectic; all your songs will sound great once you’ve got your music program’s equaliser correctly configured. They cope well at high volumes, with no distortion, and the bass you’ll experience from your music is very satisfying. While very good in their own right, the Z4s are still slightly inferior to the Logitech Z-2300 speaker set we reviewed in 2009 in terms of their overall sound quality and volume capabilities. This is because the Z-2300 set boasts over five times the power of the Z4s, so it will be noticeably louder and clearer. Our advice here is that if loud is what you want from your 2.1 speaker set, then the Z-2300s are the way to go. For a more reserved, yet still laudable audio performance, go with the Z4s. For less than R1500, these are great speakers. For gamers who don’t need overpowering sound and music lovers on a bit of a budget, they are brilliant. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • •
Total RMS power: 40 watts RMS Satellites: 17 watts RMS (8.5 watts x 2) Subwoofer: 23 watts RMS Total peak power: 80 watts Frequency response: 35 Hz–20 kHz Signal-to-noise ratio: >92 dB PROS
CONS
• Good sound quality • Deep bass reproduction • Mac and PC compatible
• Only two satellite speakers so no surround sound • Audio quality and volume is eclipsed by the bigger Z-2300 set
OVERALL RATING
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Philips SHC 2000 Wireless headphones NEED TO KNOW • Wireless for freedom of movement • Lightweight design makes prolonged use comfortable • Infrared technology ensures crystal-clear reception R399.95
THE SHC 2000 wireless headphones have clearly been designed with comfort in mind. A soft, rubbery headband holds the headphone in place, which means that the top of your head never needs to come into contact with the hard plastic on top, and there is more than enough cushioning around the ears as well. This product allows you to watch TV or listen to music without disturbing those around you. Perfect for lying in bed, and watching TV while your spouse reads a book next to you. It is equally suited to hearing-impaired people as it allows them to listen to a TV program or play video games at a volume level that is comfortable for them, without disturbing others around them. While comfort and convenience are no doubt important, the most important factor is, of course, sound quality. A base unit plugs directly into the mains and the sound is transmitted to you by infrared over a maximum distance of around 20 metres. With infrared technology, the closer you are, the better it works. A slight problem does come in, however, is the fact that there needs to be a direct, unobstructed, path from the base unit to the infrared sensors on either side of the headphones, or you’ll experience a fair amount of hissing. So you won’t be able to get up off the couch and go make tea, without a fairly unpleasant auditory experience. This can be a pain sometimes, but when the direction in which to point the base unit is established and maintained properly there is no trouble. The sound quality when listening to music is excellent, and from a decent Hi-Fi system you will notice no difference between direct, plug-in headphones, and the wireless SHC
2000s. The headset itself requires two triple-A rechargeable batteries, but if the power is kept off when not in use the batteries should last a very long time. Expect to get about 10 hours of usage from a single battery charge perfect for a serious DVD marathon. Other features include an on/off switch on the headphones themselves to save the batteries. This also stops you from turning the headphones off at the base unit, which then produces a deafening amount of static. A handy volume control can be found on the right ear too, so there is no need to reach for the remote to turn down the volume, or actually get out of bed and fiddle with the buttons on the TV. Convenient? Definitely. In terms of the price of these headphones, you’ll definitely get more than you pay for. We were surprised by the quality, and despite the fact that we had a few issues with line-of-sight; we would not hesitate to recommend the Philips SHC 2000s.
LOGITECH CLEARCHAT STEREO
Adjustable, padded headband and plush ear pads as well as a rotating noise-cancelling microphone make this the perfect companion for PC-based chats, listening to music while you work and playing games.
NOTEWORTHY SPECS: • Wireless infrared technology • Stereo sound output • 108 dB sensitivity
PROS
CONS
• Attractive price tag • Comfortable to wear • Impressive sound quality
• Maintaining a direct line of sight to base station at all times can be annoying • Elasticised headband sometimes slips down and needs to be readjusted
OVERALL RATING
LABTECH SPIN 85
Enjoy your music and gaming through these entry-level speakers. They are nice and compact, and can be plugged into your PC, CD or mp3 player.
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Garmin Nuvi 215W GPS NEED TO KNOW
TOMTOM XXL
If you’re looking for a wider touchscreen display, the TomTom XXL is perfect. With its 5” touchscreen. It comes with maps of Southern Africa and is constantly updated TomTom Home software.
GRIFFIN POWERJOLT BLACK-6130
What’s a road trip without a sound track? The PowerJolt allows you to take your iPod on the road and listen to music while keeping your iPod fully charged.
• 4.3” touchscreen display • 2D and 3D maps view • Bluetooth hands-free phone calling • Choice of route setup: faster time, shorter distance or off road R2 799.95
IF you’re looking for simplicity, affordability and useful features – this new GPS device from Garmin ticks all the right boxes. Punted as the ‘personal travel assistant for life on the go’, this straightforward satnav device guides you with turn-by-turn directions and keeps you safe on the road by finding the best route for you. Not only is this a satnav device, but it functions as a hands-free kit for your mobile phone as well via Bluetooth, with a built-in microphone and speaker. Simply pair it with your compatible Bluetooth phone and talk through your nuvi while keeping your eyes on the road and your hands on the steering wheel. The nuvi 215W comes preloaded with Garmap Southern Africa Streetmaps, which allows you to simply touch the colour screen, enter your destination and the device will take you there, turn-by-turn, with spoken directions and moving maps. It gives you more than 675 000km of routable road data across South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Lesotho, Zambia, and Malawi, as well 150 000+ points of interest and routable roads and tracks for 55 game reserves and parks in South Africa, Botswana, Zambia and Malawi. That’s more than enough new terrain to explore, and should definitely satisfy any wanderlust you might experience. The device allows you to view map detail, driving directions, photos and more in bright, bold colour. The 3.5-inch display is easy to view from virtually any direction and is even visible in sunlight. The nuvi 215W also notifies you of custom points of interest such as named businesses, while proximity alerts warn you of upcoming POIs (Points of Interest) as you approach. A handy feature that we took an instant liking to was the “Where Am I?” function. This gives you details about your position: Simply tap the car icon for your exact latitude and longitude
co-ordinates and you will also be given the address and directions to nearby hospitals, police and petrol stations. Handy for break-downs and emergencies. Crime is an ever-present worry in our county. This device gives you one less thing to worry about – it comes with Garmin Lock, which is an anti-theft protection system that uses GPS technology to safeguard your GPS by locking to a secure location of your choice, like your house. If your device never returns home, it’s never unlocked, and no one else can use it. Simple as that. A device like this is handy for more than getting from Point A to Point B – it’s about finding those hidden gems along the way, and stopping to explore and appreciate the beauty of your surroundings. But wait, there’s more travel tools, like the JPEG picture viewer, world travel clock with time zones, a currency and measurement converter and calculator, to mention a few. And with a sleek, slim design that fits comfortably in your pocket or travelbag and a rechargeable battery that gives up to four hours of navigational assistance between charges, there’s really no excuse not to take it everywhere with you. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Compatible with Windows 2000 or later and Mac OS X 10.4 or later • USB port • CD-ROM
PROS
CONS
• Route avoidance (avoid highways, tolls etc.) is very handy • Can choose between QWERTY or ABC keypad for input • Safety camera warnings can be very useful and can be downloaded from http://garmap.co.za)
• Doesn’t speak street names (eg: “turn right at Clark Road in 200m”) • Not motor-cycle friendly • Does not auto-sort multiple destinations to find the most direct route
Copyright © 2010 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, Norton and Norton 360 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affi liates in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and Internet
PRODUCT REVIEWS
OVERALL RATING
44 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
C
Copyright © 2010 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, Norton and Norton 360 are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affi liates in the U.S. and other countries. Microsoft, Windows, Windows Vista and Internet Explorer are trademarks or registered trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the U.S. and/or other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners. | *Based on Symantec internal data comparing features of competitors all in one security solutions.
NERESW ION V
Give a hacker a hand to steal your identity? Allow
Deny
Every click matters. Fake emails cost consumers more than £85 billion in 2009 1. Norton™ 360 offers the industry’s most comprehensive*, all-in-one protection against digital dangers. It helps guard against online threats, automatically backs up important files, and keeps the PC running at optimal performance. Get more information at www.norton.com 1
http://ww.ferris.com/?p=322011
**Based on Symantec internal data comparing features of competitors all in one security solutions.
CS-00153-IN indd 1
26/02/2010 12:57:16
PRODUCT REVIEWS
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SAMSUNG XL2370 LED SCREEN
This was the first LED-based screen we reviewed, and it is a lot more impressive than the Acer screen. Highly recommended if you’re after superior image quality.
SAMSUNG T260 We’ve said this before, but the T260 is a fantastic monitor. It might be bulkier than the S243HL, but its size sure makes up for the fact.
ACER X233HBD
This 23” LCD monitor boasts full HD resolution support, a 5ms response time and DVI and VGA inputs.
46 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
Acer S243HL 23” LED Monitor NEED TO KNOW • LED-based computer screen • Widescreen viewing area (23”) • 2x HDMI inputs, 1x VGA R2 999.95
ACER’S new S243HL computer monitor is special for a good number of reasons. Firstly, it uses LED-based backlighting, which produces excellent contrast and uses far less power than traditional LCD monitors do. Secondly, it features two HDMI inputs; this is uncommon in the average LED screen, and makes the S243HL an excellent choice as a display for gaming consoles. Third, it’s incredibly thin – 15mm at its thickest point. This gives the screen its appealing aesthetics, making it a good choice in style-conscious offices or home studies. The final excellent point is that it’s a 24-inch screen, with a price tag more commonly associated with smaller, 23-inch monitors. Taken at face value, the S243HL offers some seriously good value for your money. Digging a little deeper, though, reveals a handful of flaws that off-set its otherwise wonderful qualities. The first thing that will catch your eye even before you’ve marvelled at the screen’s thickness is its big, bulky base. Acer has taken the strange decision to orient the bulk of the base slightly right of centre, with a flat metal arm that protrudes to the left to give the screen balance. Sure, it’s quirky, but it may also be a little off-putting to those who prefer symmetry. But, to be fair, a large bulky base is necessary to house the controls and inputs and maintain the screen’s 15mm thickness, as these are typically what make LCD screens as thick as they are. Almost as if to make up for this bulk, the base houses two HDMI inputs, a VGA input and a 3.5mm audio-in jack. Since the most common connector from a PC to a screen, DVI, is not present, Acer has included an HDMI to DVI converter cable. With two HDMI inputs and a VGA port, the possibility exists to hook up multiple devices to the screen. It also has a built-in speaker, which of course isn’t very powerful, but it’s at least there so you can game without needing external speakers. This versatility should make the S243HL a highly desirable monitor. Unfortunately, the designers at Acer didn’t quite nail the main reason for buying an LED screen – its overall image quality. We were a bit disappointed, especially as we compared it side by side with a far older
LCD-based screen. For starters, colours don’t appear quite as warm as on other screens, possibly thanks to the S243HL’s slight blue bias. Its contrast is likewise unimpressive, yielding slightly foggy visuals. This is especially apparent when running the exact same scene on another screen right next to it, which we did. It also requires some fine-tuning, as the image quality out the box is not great. The finest setting has to be chosen before on-screen text becomes sharp and clear, and the colours require some adjusting before they start looking natural. Another potential issue is that to facilitate the screen’s thinness, a power brick is necessary as opposed to a regular, ‘brick-less’ power cable. This is only a minor inconvenience, but it does add more to existing cable clutter. These issues aside, however, the S243HL is still a good 24” screen, for a very appealing price. Its looks place it comfortably in any study or office environment, and its versatility makes it a good choice for gamers or people who run multiple devices in the same space. Once Acer’s engineers improve the overall image quality, hopefully in the next version, this screen will easily go from a ‘nice to have’ to a ‘have to have’. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • • • •
Display Size 61cm (24”) Wide, 16:9 Full HD, 531x299 mm Resolution 1920x1080 @60 Hz Contrast Ratio: 8 000 000:1 (Dynamic), 1000: 1 (Static) Inputs: 2x HDMI, 1x VGA Integrated Speaker: Yes, 2W Brightness: 250 cd/m2 Response rate: 2ms Colours 16.7M PROS
CONS
• Beautifully thin design • 24” for the price of a 23” • Multiple HDMI inputs • Brilliant power consumption (17.9W)
• Very average image quality • Settings need tweaking out the box • Power brick is cumbersome
OVERALL RATING
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LOGITECH G25
One of the best steering wheels on the market, Logitech’s G25 is sturdy, responsive and robust.
Logic3 TopDrive GT Steering Wheel NEED TO KNOW • For PC, PS2 and PS3 • Force feedback steering wheel • Connects via USB R899.95
THE only thing better than a driving game controlled with a keyboard or a gamepad is a driving game controlled with an actual steering wheel. Logic3 has a wheel that works on the PC, PS2 and PS3, it’s called the TopDrive GT, and it’s wireless. The intended use of the wheel is to enhance your virtual driving experience with a steering wheel that feels like a real one does under your hands, complete with vibration and force feedback for those times when you hit things you shouldn’t, like the guy in front of you. The build quality of the TopDrive GT wheel is excellent: the wheel itself is 10 inches in diameter, it’s coated in rubber and feels pretty good under your hands. The rubber grip ensures your hands don’t slip, and the wheel itself feels like it won’t snap off under the stresses you’ll be putting it under as you play. The gear lever unfortunately sits on the right side of the wheel as it is an American product, but with a bit of practice it’s possible to get used to it. The lever is relatively small, and lets you change gears as realistically as something small and plastic can allow. The pedals are also well-built, and will fare well under the onslaught of your frantic accelerating and braking feet. The wheel connects to your PC/PS2/PS3 using a wireless receiver that connects using a USB port, so there won’t be any new wires to trip over in your games room or lounge; it is secured to whatever table you would like to use it on using suction cups. These were actually rather impressive, as they really kept the wheel still even in the most intense races. There is a rubber coating on the bottom of the pedals that helps keep them in place. There are three levels of steering sensitivity, which have to be set manually, but this is clearly outlined in the product literature. Also, the wireless receiver must be inserted into a USB port on your PS3 or PS2 before the consoles are turned on in order for the wheel to be detected. The Windows installation requires the manual connection plus the installation
of a driver; while this is simple to do, setting the wheel to respond as you’d like it to may take some fiddling with its settings in Windows as well as the game you’re playing. It is possible, however. We advise you to follow the manual’s instructions closely when connecting the wheel to your device, as it needs to be properly aligned when the console is powered up, otherwise its calibration will be off. The biggest annoyance with this wheel turned out to be that there is absolutely no force feedback when connected to a PS3; on PS2 and PC it works just fine. This is not a fault, however, as it is specified on the box. While the feedback in Windows and on PS2 is quite good, it’s not the strongest we’ve felt, but it’s still fun to experience. This is a wheel for someone interested in trying this force feedback/ steering wheel malarkey out for the first time; for someone more serious about their gaming, Logitech’s superb G25 is still far superior in terms of its build quality and force feedback. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • • •
Tri format Steering Wheel & Pedals Compatible with PlayStation3, PlayStation2 & PC 10 inch (25.5cm) Steering Wheel with Rubberised Grip Vibration Feedback for PC & PS2 Realistic Gear Stick Adjustable Steering Sensitivity Button Relocation feature
PROS
CONS
• Wireless connectivity is a big plus • Rubber grip feels good in your hands • Suction cups are very good at keeping the wheel secured
• No force feedback for PS3 games • Windows setup can be tricky to get right • Extra care is needed when connecting it
OVERALL RATING
PERFECT COMPANIONS
Test Drive Unlimited Take any of a wide range of cars for a spin, indefinitely. This beautiful game is enhanced tenfold with the addition of a steering wheel.
Fuel Drive and ramp over fantastic landscapes in this open-world racer from Codemasters.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
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TomTom GO 750 GPS NEED TO KNOW • Pre-installed maps of Southern Africa & Europe • TomTom Google Search • Responds to voice commands • Make hands-free calls R2 999.95
TOMTOM ONE
If you’re looking for a simple device that will help you navigate from Point A to B, without any additional frills and fuss, the TomTom One is perfect.
PERFECT COMPANIONS
Sandisk MicroSD 2GB If you’re going to be updating your TomTom maps frequently, or loading additional maps for traveling outside of South Africa, additional memory is essential.
48 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
TOMTOM GPS units are popular because of their simplicity and the GO 750 is no exception, despite looking quite different to other TomTom models. In terms of looks, the important features remain the same: an interface that’s controlled entirely by a finger-operated touch screen and a button for power. A more curved shape, a silver border around the screen and metallic grey backcasing distinguish the TomTom GO 750 from those that came before. The TomTom GO 750 doesn’t have the EasyPort mount used in cheaper models, instead it has an ‘active dock’. The locking mechanism of the active dock is secure and it’s comfortable to clip off single-handedly and there is a built-in power connector through a standard mini-USB port. One drawback of the active dock’s integrated power is the fact that you can’t charge the GO 750 without it, which would have been handy to charge your GPS at home before setting off on your trip. The appearance of TomTom GO 750’s user interface is similar to previous GO units and the main menu consists of three pages including ‘Navigate to’, ‘Help me!’ and preferences. Searching for an address is made easier by the fact that the device offers voice control. There are more than 140 commands that you can use; in addition to finding your way to an address, you can also avoid a roadblock, zoom in and out of the map, increase the volume, and add any location to your favourites. Tapping the large microphone button on the home screen accesses the voice command function, and allows you to then speak the command and the GO 750 will react. Like most voice recognition technology it still has a few flaws - it often struggled to understand our commands, and we needed to speak quite close to the built-in microphone on the unit. Once your destination has been selected, your GO 750 displays the fastest route available using IQ Routes and allows you to modify it if necessary. Here you can avoid a roadblock, calculate an alternative route or make different stops along the way. The IQ Routes technology is based on actual user data rather than the traditional maximum speed process. It determines a route by considering all possible roads and then selecting the one that should take the least time and aims to avoid main roads where necessary. The GO 750 has
text-to-speech technology, which means that it speaks the names of streets as you approach, which allows you to focus on driving. This device also includes a Bluetooth hands-free function for making calls through your Bluetooth-enabled mobile phone. Perfect for complying with traffic legislation that requires a hands-free kit if you’re going to be making calls while cruising the roads. The hands-free function of the GO 750 has improved when compared to previous models, with a louder speaker and better range for the microphone, however you’ll still get better sound quality from a dedicated Bluetooth hands-free kit. In addition to amendments and improvements to the maps being uploaded by other users monthly, Map Share allows you to make your own adjustments to maps through the unit itself. You can add your own points of interest, update road closures, edit phone numbers and add new street names and share this information with other TomTom users by uploading the changes using the included TomTom HOME software. The ‘Help Me!’ safety function displays information and directs you to your choice of services including police stations, hospitals, mechanics, public transport and pharmacies. It also has useful first aid, traffic regulation, and repair and maintenance guides. All of these features go to prove that TomTom is dedicated to keeping you safe, both on the road and in an emergency and if you’re looking for a reliable traveling companion, look no further than the GO 750. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • •
4.3” full colour LCD touchscreen Weight: 218 g 4 hour battery life (rechargeable) 2GB internal memory PROS
CONS
• Text-to-voice allows you to keep your eyes on the road • Hands-free calling is a bonus • User-driven map updates are very useful in a country with constantly changing road-names.
• Can’t charge the device without the active dock • Voice command usage takes practice • 2GB of internal memory might be insufficient if updating maps constantly
OVERALL RATING
Logitech Quickcam C250 Webcam NEED TO KNOW • 1.3MP camera with built-in microphone • Compatible with all popular instant messaging programs • Comes with Logitech Vid: free video calls • Attaches to desktop/notepad securely with a universal clip R399.95
WEBCAMS help bring the world and your loved ones closer to you, so it’s important to choose a high quality, feature-packed one that’s simple to install and easy to use. That’s why we liked this little versatile webcam from Logitech. The best thing about this webcam is that it’s plug and play. Stick the cable into the USB port on your desktop computer or notepad, and wait for the device to be detected, so there’s no need to even use the software that comes bundled in the box. In terms of performance, the picture is clear and the microphone picks up conversation very well. The webcam is attached to your screen with Logitech’s universal clip, and this is what keeps it secure. The camera head itself can be moved up and down and side to side, ensuring that you can sit comfortably, and still get the perfect video display angle. The microphone is very sensitive, and doesn’t require you to raise your voice – which is great, you can just chat normally. The webcam copes brilliantly with low light levels, which means it has very good exposure control, the video-streaming picture is smooth and the audio is crisp. Right-Sound technology works to eliminate background noise, so the audio that is transmitted to the person you’re chatting to is also clear and perfectly audible. Another excellent feature of this webcam is the Logitech Vid application. It’s a new, fast and easy way to make video calls and if you have a Logitech webcam, Vid is free for you and anyone you call. One of the things we’d also like to highlight about Vid is the fact that you can set calls from certain people to auto-answer, making it very convenient to always be available to certain contacts. Adding new contacts and managing your contacts is as easy as it is to do on your cell phone. When you’re ready to make a video call, Vid uses your friend or family member’s e-mail address to connect. The person you wish to contact then needs to accept your e-mail invitation to participate in a video call on Vid,
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and you’re both connected and ready to chat. Once you’ve mastered the art of webcam chatting, you might like to know that there’s fun to be had with your webcam too. And by fun, we mean good, clean, fully-clothed fun. Logitech’s Video Effects make your chat into something different, something funky and can add a whole new dimension of creative possibility to your conversations. Video Masks allow you to ‘wear’ a mask, using your own facial features. Use your mouth and eyes to animate clouds, a lion, a clown or the Mona Lisa. If you want to use an avatar, this feature takes it to the next level. An avatar is no longer just a static picture; rather, you can choose a character to reflect your personality, and watch it track all your facial expressions as you move. You can also take snapshots with this webcam, perfect for creating profile pictures for Facebook, MySpace, LinkedIn and other social networking sites. Overall, this webcam is simple to set up and keep at home, along with your desktop PC or even to take along on your travels with you, if your notebook doesn’t have its own built-in webcam. Logitech is a strong brand when it comes to webcams, and we’re confident this device’s quality and solid build will serve you well for a long time. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS
LOGITECH INTERNET CHAT HEADSET
Convenient in-line volume/ mute controls as well as a noise-canceling microphone blocks unwanted sound for clear audio while chatting over the Internet. Nine feet of cable allow for extended movement and use – perfect for when you want to have a private conversation.
• Microsoft Windows 7, Microsoft Windows XP SP2 or later, Microsoft Windows Vista • Works with Mac OS X as well • 1 x USB 2.0 port
PROS
CONS
• Easy to set up and use • Works well, even in lowlight conditions • Free video calls using Vid application
• No option to change status in Vid application to ‘unavailable’ or ‘away’ – can only log out • Might experience issues with calls if you have a particularly sensitive firewall
OVERALL RATING
MS LIFECAM NX-6000
This handy little device gives you 2.0MP video as well as 7.6MP still photos. It has a built-in microphone and a wide-angle lens.
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SONY PLAYSTATION 3
The PS3 can play highdefinition Blu-ray discs as well as some HD video files, and makes for a really versatile home entertainment system.
Iomega Screenplay Pro HD NEED TO KNOW • Multimedia recording and playback device • Includes an HDMI port for big TVs • Converts old tapes to digital format R2 499.95
MICROSOFT XBOX 360
The 360 can also stream movies over your home network, although its storage capabilities are a bit limited.
PERFECT COMPANIONS
Acer S243HL LED Monitor With two HDMI inputs, the S243HL can easily handle HD videos played through the Screenplay Pro HD.
50 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
THE art of building and maintaining a Media Centre PC is a rather challenging one, and to keep a PC of that calibre around just for movie and music playback in the living room is quite a costly exercise. To address this, various companies have developed standalone, comparatively inexpensive devices that use multimedia interfaces and a hard drive to perform the same function. Now, to record TV, play music and movies in the lounge, you just need a small, attractive box, like the Screenplay Pro HD 1TB from Iomega. We’ve looked at the Screenplay HD before, but we are glad to say that the Screenplay Pro HD is a different animal, even if only slightly. The most significant design change is the addition of an HDMI port, for easy connection to High Definition television sets, as only one cable is needed to transfer audio and video data. It retains the other composite connections, but to take full advantage of all the features on offer, the use of the HDMI port is a must. We are sad to say, though, that the interface still needs work. To put it bluntly, it’s ugly to look at, with menus a combination of pretty graphics and an awful old-fashioned text-heavy file manager. It can in no way compete with the likes of even Microsoft’s Media Centre software in the looks department, and is therefore also not as easy to use for beginners. There is a port for a network cable, so that the Screenplay can be accessed over your home network. This allows you to copy movie files to and from it, and if you have a shared folder on your computer, you can stream the videos it contains over your network and onto your TV, all through the Screenplay Pro HD. While the device can play many popular formats, there is no support for the playback of any movie file that makes use of the H.264 codec. This is unfortunate as this means many HD video files will not play on the device, as the more popular ones make extensive use of H.264. Instead, Iomega recommends that any HD movie file that uses H.264 are streamed from a PC or Mac, and re-encoded ‘on the fly’ into a format that the Screenplay
Pro HD supports using some included ‘transcoding’ software. This process is complicated, and not particularly elegant; the alternative is to convert the file first before playing it over the Screenplay, into a format the device supports. The Screenplay Pro HD can, on the other hand, receive input from a VCR or DSTV decoder. In addition to being able to play your old tapes back through the device, you can also - with the touch of a button - record those old videos and even live TV to the Screenplay’s hard drive. The resultant video files are stored in a digital format, which you can then copy to your PC and back up to DVD. Like many of Iomega’s products, the Screenplay Pro HD has some good features that can come in handy, but it also has some flaws which may turn away power users, or people with high expectations. Sure, it does play HD movies (as long as the file type is supported), and yes, the HD output is clear, but the omission of support for a popular High-Definition movie file format like H.264 is a rather glaring one. Ideally, a device like this should support all popular formats, and movies should just play without any need for concern over how it was encoded. Sadly, this is not the case, and we have to dock points off the overall score for it. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • •
Storage: 1TB Interfaces: HDMI, Composite, Component Network: Wired Ethernet Remote Control: Yes File formats supported: MPEG-1, MPEG-2 (HL/ML), .MPEG-4 (part 2), ASP, DivX (3.11, 4.x, 5.x, 6.x, HD), Xvid, MP4. AVI, MOV, MKV, VOB
PROS
CONS
• Can be used instead of a full media centre PC • Record live TV and convert video tapes to a digital format • 1TB of hard drive space
• Ugly and clumsy interface • No native support for the H.264 HD video codec
OVERALL RATING
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Acer Aspire 5940G NEED TO KNOW • Core i7 processor • 4GB of DDR3 RAM • Glossy 15.6” HD screen R19 999.95
ACER’S Aspire 5940G is one of the first notebooks we’ve seen that’s been kitted out with Intel’s latest mobile processor, the Core i7 QM720, and boy is it impressive. It has also been given the pretty, shiny and glossy looks that modern notebook design has become so fond of, and its feature list is full of the kind of hardware that will make any tech enthusiast drool. In short, it’s a trendy, powerful notebook that image-conscious as well as performance-conscious buyers will be immediately attracted to. First, the aesthetics. Acer has tried really hard to make a high-gloss, blingy notebook, and in that they have largely succeeded. They have also succeeded at making a fingerprint magnet, which will be one of the first things you’ll notice about the notebook. The second thing is the very glossy screen; it is highly reflective, which seems to be the trend, but this is not the greatest in well-lit rooms. It does have a side benefit of emphasising dark colours and making them look rich and warm, but just be aware that in well-lit rooms, you may see your face on its highly polished surface. Once you’ve finished admiring yourself, you’ll notice the LED-backlit keyboard and touchpad. The touchpad is smooth and responsive, but the right and left buttons can be a bit sticky at first. This should loosen up over time, so nothing to dock points for. The keyboard is a nice size so you won’t feel cramped when typing on it, but you may not enjoy the fact that the left Shift key has been reduced in size. We’re big fans of full-sized left Shift keys, especially the right edge, and the smaller size proved to be annoying as we’d constantly miss it. It only takes some practice to get it right, but some people may not want to have to adapt. The rest of the keyboard is simply beautiful. Keys are well-spaced from each other, they press easily and give good feedback, and they look good. The entertainment controls on the right side are handy plus they look slick and futuristic. You’ll need these, because the 5940G comes standard with a Blu-ray reader and burner, so you can watch HD movies as well as burn any HD movie clips you’ve shot yourself. Which brings us back to the somewhat puzzling screen. Acer has provided a screen that, while gorgeous and clear with great contrast and
SONY VAIO VPC-F117
stunning colour saturation, is not fully HD. This means its resolution is only 1366x768, a strange choice for a notebook with a Blu-ray drive. Sure, you can watch Blu-ray movies at 720p, a resolution some find indistinguishable from full 1080p, but if you’re shooting and editing full HD movies using an HD camcorder, the limitation will frustrate you. The rest of the usual notebook trappings, wireless-N networking, Bluetooth, an HDMI port, USB ports and a multimedia card reader are all here too, and all work as expected. The 5940G powers its games with ATI’s mid-level Radeon HD4670 graphics card; as a result, games are playable, but only with lowered detail settings and even then will lag behind the performance of a desktop PC. Still, this is good enough for the odd game on the go. Overall the Aspire 5940G is a good looking, high-performing notebook that will chew through any non-gaming task with ease. It’s marred somewhat by its fingerprint-attracting casing, its odd-resolution screen and tiny left Shift key, but it’s still a very impressive notebook with excellent performance characteristics that is worth a closer look. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • • •
Display: 15.6” HD Screen @ 1366 x 768 Storage: 500GB SATA II Memory: 4GB DDR3 Operating System: Windows 7 Home Premium Graphics: ATI Mobility Radeon HD4670 Ports: HDMI, 3x USB 2.0, 1x eSATA, 1x Ethernet, Headphone jack, Microphone jack, VGA output • Media Controls: Play/Pause, Stop, Previous, Next, Fast Forward, Rewind • Battery life: Up to 3 hours
PROS
CONS
• Core i7 processor is very, very speedy • Blu-ray playback and recording • Keyboard is very comfortable • Colour saturation and contrast are excellent
• Case attracts fingerprints • Highly reflective, glossy screen • Screen resolution is not fully HD • Tiny left Shift key takes some getting used to
OVERALL RATING
For only slightly more, Sony’s Vaio range boasts a bigger, full HD screen and a Core i7 CPU and very attractive aesthetics that will directly challenge the 5940G.
SAMSUNG XL2370 LED MONITOR
The option exists to output your Blu-ray movie to an external screen using either the HDMI or VGA ports. Samsung’s excellent XL2370 LED monitor is a good choice for this purpose.
ACER S243HL LED MONITOR
The dual HDMI input ports on the back of this screen make it a good choice as a monitor for multiple computers.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
PERFECT COMPANIONS
Acer Aspire EZ5600 PC Protecting your home PC is vital; there’s nothing quite like the inconvenience of having to rebuild or repurchase a PC after a particularly lethal lightning strike.
Belkin SurgeMaster Surge Protector (F9T410ZA2M) NEED TO KNOW • Surge protection for up to four plugs • Protects telephone and fax lines • 2m cable for positioning convenience R249.95
Mecer 600VA UPS Also consider picking up a UPS to give yourself a few extra minutes to save your work before powering down and heading for the candle cupboard.
Verbatim 500GB USB Drive Backing up can really save you a lot of trouble and heartache. This 500GB portable USB drive from Verbatim can certainly help with that.
52 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
IT has become just another aspect of South African life to be slightly concerned about the state of our electricity supply. If not the supply, then certainly the quality, and with the instability of our local grid showing itself all too regularly, it has become essential to protect our appliances and devices from any electrical fluctuations that may damage them. Belkin’s SurgeMaster range of surge protection products do just this. This particular product, a four-port multiplug, can accommodate up to four three-pronged power plugs at a time, as well as offer surge protection for a telephone line. A red light illuminates to indicate your “Protected” status, and there is also a switch that glows red when power is running through the multiplug, to indicate you are ‘live’. Protecting your ADSL router or even a dial-up modem is a must in these connected times, and the SurgeMaster provides this. By connecting your telephone line to the input port on the plug, and the ADSL router or dial-up modem to the output port, you can rest easy that any lightning strikes or power supply fluctuations will not take out your modem. Being a Belkin product, the SurgeMaster is made of sturdier stuff than the multiplugs you’re likely to find in your local supermarket, and as such Belkin offers a lifetime warranty on the product’s build, and if it breaks, through no mishandling on your part, you’re entitled to bring it back to the store for a replacement. Belkin is also so confident of the device’s protection capabilities, that it even offers a R100 000 “connected equipment warranty”. This means that if your appliances or devices get damaged by a lightning strike or a power surge while they are properly connected to the SurgeMaster, Belkin will reimburse you. Of course, proving the circumstances of any surge-related
damage will be the challenge, but it’s still nice to know that Belkin’s confidence is so high in their own product. Either that or they really know how to put out some great PR. Practically, there’s not much to say about the SurgeMaster. The box it comes in is easy to open, it’s simple to deploy, and you know it’s working when your appliances and devices power up. You know you’re protected when the red light labelled “Protected” lights up, and you know you’re actually protected when a big bolt of lightning strikes your house and your appliances don’t go bang. Of course, there is always something to complain about and in this case it’s the fact that there are only slots for three-prong plugs. If you have lots of devices that want two-pronged plugs, you’ll need to buy an adapter. This is no train smash, though, as it is quite possible to just hook up appliances to the SurgeMaster, or purchase another Belkin surge protector with a combination of three- and two-pronged plugs. Overall this is a very good quality product. It’s sturdy, it does what it says it does, and if it doesn’t even when used properly, the manufacturer can be held accountable. That’s what we call a win-win situation. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • •
Heavy-duty 2m cable 4x three-prong plug ports 1x telephone line input and output LED light to indicate power and protection
PROS
CONS
• Surge protection for up to four plugs • Also protects phone lines from surges • Manufacturer confidence is reassuring
• Only supports threepronged plugs
OVERALL RATING
RELATED
PRODUCTS
BELKIN N+ WIRELESS ROUTER
With an N+ router installed, your wireless network coverage area is very large. Consider this for large home or office environments.
HP Photosmart C4783 Inkjet Printer NEED TO KNOW • Affordable photo printer • Scans and copies too • Good for a small office or home environment R1 199.95
SOMETIMES you don’t need a printer with all the frills, but you do need one that prints nicely, in both colour and black, and which can produce great-looking photographs too. HP’s Photosmart C4783 is that kind of printer: it won’t fax, but it will copy, scan and print, and produce documents that look professional and polished. This makes it a very good choice for a home office environment. It’s not the fastest printer out there, and it won’t churn out the prints at a rate of knots, but it’s solidly dependable, and for a small home office environment, that is what is most important. It’s also able to connect to your wireless home network without too much fuss, making the decision as to where to put it a rather easy one – anywhere that is within range of your network router. HP has mastered the art of the setup, too, as getting the C4783 up and running is a very easy task thanks to easy to read documentation, and a setup wizard that walks you through everything you will need to do. You will need to know some details about your home network, though, such as its name and the security key. Print quality for photographs is very good; while you might get slightly better quality out of a professional printer shop, it’s more than good enough for the home. The printer is a bit on the large side; while it’s only an A4 printer, its footprint may result in some unexpected desk clearing. HP’s usual engineering standards apply, and so the feeling is a little on the plastic side, but that’s the norm for printers in this class and by no means a deal-breaker. The C4783 can also read Sony’s Memory Stick Duo and SD, xD and MMC memory cards. This allows you to remove your memory card from your digital camera and insert it directly into the printer, and choose whichever photos you want to print without needing to use your PC.
The high-quality - if a bit small - LCD screen on the front of the printer will let you view your pictures in full colour before printing, and the easilypressed buttons at the edge of the screen are used to select your photos and set the amount of prints. The printer’s menu is easily usable even by a first-time printer user, making it very easy to learn and use on a daily basis. The only real quibble about this printer is directed at its cartridge system – it uses HP’s tri-colour and black cartridge system, which, while still quite good, is not as consumer-friendly as other systems that use individual cartridges for each colour. This is because if you use one colour more than the others, you’ll need to replace the entire cartridge rather than just the expended colour. In all, however, this is a good home photo and document printer. The fact that it scans and copies too, and is wireless, makes for a solid purchase.
HP OFFICEJET J4580
If photos aren’t that important to you but you want to inexpensively print, scan copy and fax, HP’s J4580 may just be the printer for you.
PERFECT COMPANIONS MPAN
NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Resolution: Up to 1200 x 1200 rendered dpi black when printing from a computer • Speed: Print speeds vary according to the complexity of the document • Printing Method: drop-on-demand thermal inkjet • Duty cycle: Up to 3000 printed pages per month • Connectivity: USB and Wireless Networking
PROS
CONS
• Affordable photo printing, scanning and copying • Connects wirelessly to your home network • Easy installation and operation
• Cartridge system could be better • Print speed is not very fast • No USB port for memory stick printing
OVERALL RATING
HP Premium Plus Photo Paper To truly present your photos as you saw them in your mind when you pressed the shutter, use HP’s excellent Premium Plus Photo Paper when printing.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
PERFECT COMPANIONS
Apple Macbook Pro This is the best notebook Apple has to offer, bar none. From a company with such an excellent product track record, that’s a pretty good endorsement. Related Products
Iomega UltraMAX 1.5TB External Hard Drive NEED TO KNOW • Firewire 400 and USB 2.0 Connectivity • Strong industrial enclosure design • Works on both Mac and PC R2 299.95
Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1TB Seagate’s 1TB USB external hard drive is a good alternative if your needs aren’t served by FireWire 400 and you’re happy with USB and Windows.
Verbatim Executive 500GB For more portable storage and a pleasant rubbery exterior, consider Verbatim’s excellent 500GB Executive portable USB drive which requires no additional power cables.
54 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
IOMEGA seems to have a hard drive for every imaginable use, operating system and capacity. This month, we have an UltraMAX 1.5TB external drive on review, and it’s a high-capacity drive best-suited to Mac users. This is partly because there are already so many external hard drives out there designed to work with Windows right out the box, but mostly because the UltraMAX drive features two FireWire 400 ports. Since FireWire ports are standard on all Macs but not on PCs, it makes sense that this drive would primarily appeal to Mac users. Windows users aren’t left out in the cold, however – there is a USB 2.0 port on the back so that the drive can connect with a regular PC, too. It will need to be reformatted as it is formatted specifically for Mac OSX 10.1 or later out the box, but correcting this is a minor task easily undertaken through Windows itself. The hard drive is a regular drive, and can be formatted using the NTFS, FAT32 or HFS file systems. Iomega has included some security with the drive to prevent it going walkabout from your desk. There is a small hole in the strong aluminium case that can be used to secure the drive to your desk with a high-strength security cable. This is handy for us South Africans considering the “ooh look, that’s not nailed down it must be mine” mentality that seems to have worked its way into our collective culture. As for the actual performance, we noted a definite difference between FireWire 400 and USB, as it should be. Despite the fact that on paper, USB 2.0 is a 480mbit/s specification and FireWire is ‘only’ a 400mbit/s specification, the differences in how FireWire works vs. how USB 2.0 works results in far faster transfer speeds over FireWire than USB. For transfers of small files, we saw a difference of around 33%, and for larger files and more data, FireWire completed the transfer 70% quicker than USB 2.0 did.
As a bonus, the second FireWire 400 port on the drive lets you connect other FireWire devices in what is called a “Daisy chain”, so you can have multiple FireWire devices on your Mac, and only need one port to accommodate them. Never, under any circumstances, should you connect using both FireWire ports at the same time, as this could damage the unit. Iomega also includes its backup software – EMC Restrospect - with the package, but it’s not strictly necessary. The UltraMAX drive is well-suited to Time Machine backups due to its large capacity, although the noise the drive makes may have you wanting to keep it turned off when not in use. It’s not airplane-over-your-house loud, but it’s certainly noticeable. If you like quiet, the sound may bother you. The drive’s case also gets a bit warm, but this is normal for most external drives. If you’re concerned about it, consider putting a fan on it to help keep the aluminium chassis cool. It’s not without its concerns, but overall the UltraMAX drive is great for Mac and Windows users alike. It’s fast, stable, and comes with a few extras to make the purchase that much more enticing. Grab one if you’re an Iomega fan. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • • •
Interface: USB 2.0 and FireWire 800 Dimensions (mm): 240 x 410 x 140 Format: HFS+ (default) Cables included: Power, FireWire, USB Weight: 1.14kg PROS
CONS
• Sturdy aluminium casing • Very nice capacity • FireWire connection makes for fast file transfers
• Casing heats up noticeably • Fan noise might annoy some • Windows users will need to reformat the drive
OVERALL RATING
DPI means “dots per inch”, and in this context is indicative of how far a mouse cursor will move for a given amount of hand movement. A higher DPI will result in your cursor moving further when the mouse is physically moved a set distance. If, for example, an 800 DPI mouse is moved an inch and the cursor moves 3 inches on-screen, a mouse with a 1600 DPI rating will move the cursor 6 inches when it is moved that same inch.
RELATED
PRODUCTS
LOGITECH G3 MOUSE
Microsoft Basic Optical Mouse NEED TO KNOW • Very simple mouse • Sturdy construction • Wired via USB cable R199.95
THERE isn’t a whole lot we can say about a mouse. It’s usually a matter of appearance, ease of function and the number of buttons that distinguish modern digital rodents from one another; in this case, however, the mouse in question is undeniably… well… dull. It’s not flashy. It’s not wireless. It doesn’t have a million programmable buttons, and it doesn’t look like it stepped out of a Star Trek movie set hundreds of years in the future. What, then, should compel you to buy one? For starters, its price. For less than two hundred Rand, you can pick up one of these mice from any Incredible Connection store that has stock. That (rather convincing) argument can be followed up with “reliability and quality”: Microsoft has long prided itself on the top-notch quality of its hardware, as evidenced by its sterling track record of which we have first-hand experience. In addition, the Basic Optical Mouse is comfortable for hands of all sizes, is easily usable by both right- and left-handed people, and it is very smooth for use both as an office mouse and for gaming purposes. It comes with Microsoft’s Intellipoint software that allows you to customise its functions, and even though it only has three buttons (right, left and middle), these can be changed to activate any of the functions on Microsoft’s extensive list of alternatives. It is also instantly recognised by all versions of Windows since Windows XP, meaning you needn’t even install IntelliPoint if you don’t want to – just plug it in and off you go. Windows 7 gives you all the customisation options IntelliPoint does, without the need to install the software. That’s the best part about using hardware designed by the same people that created the operating system you work on. The only real downsides to this mouse are relatively minor, and only applicable if you’re a hard-core technophile who insists on the absolute best. They include an absence of cutting-edge aesthetics found in Logitech’s mouse design, a DPI sensitivity far below that of mice better-suited to the needs of gamers, and the inability to change the mouse’s DPI sensitivity. Gamers like high-DPI mice because small hand motions result in faster
mouse cursor movement, useful in first-person shooter games where reaction time and accuracy count heavily towards success. Even so, we like this mouse because of - not despite - the fact that its looks are middle-of-the-road and its DPI is so average. That makes it a brilliant office mouse, and also handy for playing the odd game when cursor movement is not so crucial. It feels very good in your hand, and the pads on its underside ensure smooth movement over whatever surface you have it on, too. Speaking of which, it won’t work well on very shiny surfaces, as these are too reflective for its sensor to accurately track how it is being moved. This too is no major failing, as it is not often office work or the odd game will require your PC or notebook to stand on a glass coffee table or marble surface. Still, be aware of this fact if your home or office has such surfaces and you find yourself wanting to use your computer on them. Our recommendation here is buy this mouse if your needs are rather spartan, and all you’re really looking for is a mouse that is reliable, comfortable, sturdy and user-friendly, but which can still play the odd game should the need arise. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Tracking technology: Optical • Operating system compatibility Windows 7/Vista/XP, Mac OSX v10.1 – 10.5.7 • Right & Left-button lifespan: 3 000 000 clicks each • Middle button lifespan: 250 000 presses • Scrolling: Standard vertical scroll wheel • Connection: Wired USB • DPI Rating: 800
PROS
CONS
• Simple, yet effective design • Sturdy build quality • Comfortable to use, smooth action
• Will not work well on reflective surfaces • Looks aren’t as stylish as the competition • DPI rating isn’t high
OVERALL RATING
This basic Logitech model will do much the same as Microsoft’s entry-level mouse, but it does look a little nicer, and is a wee bit smaller.
MICROSOFT BLUETRACK EXPLORER MOUSE
This is one of Microsoft’s latest, most advanced wireless mice. It uses BlueTrack tracking technology to ensure it operates flawlessly on virtually any surface, reflective or not.
LOGITECH ANYWHERE MOUSE MX
Logitech’s new Darkfield tech drives the Anywhere Mouse MX. It’s also superb to use on any shiny or non-shiny surface, it looks amazing and it’s comfortable to boot.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
RELATED
PRODUCTS
Canon CanoScan LiDE 200 Scanner NEED TO KNOW • Lightweight and compact scanner • 4800x4800 dpi maximum scanning resolution • No power brick, only needs a USB cable R999.95
CANON CANOSCAN LIDE 100
The previous-generation version of this scanner is slightly slower and scans at a slightly lower maximum resolution, but it is still available and a tad cheaper than the LiDE 200.
CANON PIXMA MX860
If your scanning needs are few, consider an all-in-one printer that can scan, while also being able to print, fax and copy.
56 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
CANON has been making scanners longer than today’s Matric class has been going to school, and in all that time the company has learned a lot about how to make affordable, effective scanners. One of their more recent efforts, the CanoScan LiDE 200, is a good example of this: it’s faster than its predecessors, its quality is very good and it’s not very expensive. It is also an attractive-looking scanner that will complement any hightech office or home office environment, and it is rather user-friendly. It has four buttons on the front of the device that let you scan, copy (scan, then immediately print if you have a printer connected), scan to .PDF and scan to e-mail with the press of a single button. In a very cool move, Canon has freed the LiDE 200 completely from power cables; it functions entirely off a single USB cable that serves to connect it to your PC or notebook. This means it’s very portable, and its convenient and compact size means you can slide it into a laptop bag and carry it with you should the need arise. Installing the scanner is pleasantly simple; load the CD, run the install file, follow the instructions and connect the scanner when prompted. You will need to set up things like where you want your scans and .PDF documents to be saved, configure which e-mail client you’d like to use (the defaults are Outlook and Windows Mail), and the quality of your scans. This doesn’t take too long to do and the program’s interface is intuitive enough that getting a handle on the basics won’t be a problem even for new users. The scanning process is quicker than in models from a few years ago; the LiDE 200 scans the average page in 14 seconds if you don’t count the time it takes for the software to respond to the request, or the time it takes to save the image (in which case it varies, but is usually around 30 seconds). Its default setting of 300dpi produces images that, while not absolutely perfect, are easily superior to scans produced by scanners of yesteryear at the same resolution. Best of all, it can scan at resolutions of up to 4800 x 4800, all the while checking the scanned image for blemishes or scratches which
are automatically corrected, resulting in a better-looking scan. Scans at the maximum resolution are not going to blow anyone away with their perfection, however they are more than good enough for the office or home uses the scanner is best-suited to. The scanner battles a bit with optical character recognition (OCR), so you won’t be able to scan in a document rich with tables and images and columns and have it converted perfectly into an editable format. The basics it gets right, though, so you can scan in text-heavy documents and get results that only need minor editing before they are readable. As for what you can comfortably scan, the LiDE 200 can accommodate flat pages, books, brochures, photographs, and even books with relatively thick spines. This is thanks to the scanner’s hinge, which automatically adjusts to whatever you have on the scanner’s bed. You won’t be able to scan encyclopaedias, but you’ll at least fit more than just a flat A4 page. In all, the LiDE 200 is a good scanner for home and office use. It’s functional, it looks great, it has handy shortcut buttons for common tasks, the software is easy to use, and it’s quite fast. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • •
Scanner Type: Flatbed Colour Image Scanner Max. Resolution: 4800x4800 dpi Interface: USB 2.0 Hi-Speed OS Compatibility: Windows Vista™, Windows XP/2000 and Mac OS® X v.10.3.9 - 10.5.x4 • Software: ArcSoft PhotoStudio, MP Navigator EX, Solution Menu4 • Power Source: Supplied via USB port • Max. Power Consumption: 2.5W (1.4W Standby)
PROS
CONS
• Power cables not necessary • Buttons to most-used functions on the front • Faster scanning than older models
• Struggles a bit with accurate OCR • Software interface could use some tweaking • Ultra-high resolution scans won’t wow purists
OVERALL RATING
RELATED
PRODUCTS
LG Slim External DVD Writer NEED TO KNOW • Ultra-fast, portable 8x DVD±R burning • Create labels with laser-printing LightScribe technology • Compatible with Windows Vista/7/XP • USB-powered R999.95
YOU wouldn’t expect a DVD writer to be sexy, but LG has shown us that it’s capable not only of making good-looking phones, but that it can even make a portable DVD writer into something eye-catching. This device is a very small DVD burner made specifically to be used with laptops, and comes in two versions, the simpler GSA-E50N and the LightScribe-capable GSA-E50L. It draws all necessary power through its USB connection that is also used to connect it to the notebook. This unit is an excellent purchase if you plan to use it while on the move, as it doesn’t require an external power source. Even better is the fact that it draws power from only one USB port and not two, like other devices in the same category. As the name suggests, its dimensions are as small as possible, and LG really gets it right with a width of 21.4mm and weight of 380g. It’s almost as small as a CD case and only about three times thicker, proof that dynamite really does come in small packages. It’s compatible with the last three Microsoft operating systems (Windows 7/Vista/XP) and is able to read as well as write in the three standard DVD formats: DVD+R/RW, DVD-R/RW and DVD-RAM, as well as reading and writing rewritable CDs. It also works with Mac and is easy to set up in either operating system – it’s pretty much plug and play, all the way. This device is quiet, efficient and capable of writing at speeds of up to 8X (DVD) and 24X (CD), which is rather impressive considering that these units are designed as portable and slim devices that are powered solely through the USB port, sharing the laptop’s battery. LightScribe laser-printing technology allows you to carve labels with the writer’s laser onto the CD or DVD’s surface, right inside the drive. All you need to do is launch the software, design your label and then simply flip the disc over and burn the design onto its top side. This means no more writing on your discs with a marker pen. Instead, you can quickly and easily create classy labels, wherever you are.
People who enjoy doing their own graphic design and want to add a professional touch without having to worry about ink and paper labels will probably get the most use out of it. Another superb feature of this LG writer is its SecurDisc technology that adds an extra layer of protection to your valuable data as well as providing encryption and password protection, allowing you to control who has access to your files. It also extends the life of your data through some advanced programming techniques, making it readable even when the disc it is stored on is slightly damaged. We considered complaining about the fact that the USB cable could be a bit longer, as this might make it a bit of a problem when using a desktop computer, but the device is clearly intended to be a notebook companion so there really wasn’t much grounds for serious complaint. So if you’ve bought a notebook that doesn’t come with a DVD writer, or you need one that’s portable, reliable and fast, look no further than the LG Slim External DVD Writer. You won’t be disappointed.
SELECTOR 100 BLACK
This handy storage system holds up to 100 discs and works with a patented, onetouch disc retrieval system and is perfect for storing your CD and DVD collections in one place.
NOTEWORTHY SPECS: • • • • • • •
LightScribe labeling technology 8x DVD write speed 24x CD write speed 2MB buffer USB 2.0 Interface SecurDisc Technology Nero and CyberLink CD/DVD creation software included
PROS
CONS
• Small, sleek and lightweight • Able to read and write a variety of formats • Offers data protection and the ability to create your own labels
• On some notebooks it requires power to be drawn from both USB ports • Cable a bit short to use on desktops • Drains notebook battery fairly quickly
OVERALL RATING
STUFFIT DELUXE
StuffIt uses advanced compression technology to compress photos, MP3s, PDFs and Microsoft Office documents into archives that are 100% compatible with both Mac OSX and Windows.
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PRODUCT REVIEWS
RELATED
PRODUCTS
SIEMENS GIGASET AL140 TRIO
These devices offer free internal calls between handsets and are capable of three-way conference calls, as well as transferring calls between handsets. PHILIPS CD1304
This package includes base and 4 handsets and allows you to make internal calls between handsets, within a 300m range. Also has hands-free speakerphone options.
HTC TATTOO
Stay in touch with this touchscreen cell phone. It offers superior range, clarity and functionality than the Cobra MT600 walkie talkies do, but it will cost you far more.
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Cobra MicroTalk MT600 portable two-way radios NEED TO KNOW • Up to 5km talk-range • 5 distinct call-alert tones • Rechargeable batteries • Key lock and belt clip R399.95
CELL phones are arguably the best invention when it comes to mobile communications, and also the worst. Calls are expensive, the battery never lasts, and you can never find reception when and where you really, really need it. That’s where a portable two-way radio comes in handy. A portable walkie talkie like the Cobra MicroTalk MT600 more specifically. The best part about these devices? No call-costs or license fees. None, whatsoever. The two units communicate with each other over ultra-high radio frequencies and are perfect for hiking trips, boating excursions, camping trips, bike road-trips, kids play, events’ co-ordinators, restaurant managers or anyone else who needs to be in constant contact with those around them. The range is fairly good, but expect reception quality to drop if there are lots of buildings or trees in between you and the other user. These devices can also communicate with all other walkie talkie units that are within range. Talk on eight different channels and protect your conversations from eavesdropping with 121 different privacy codes. Scan mode also allows you to scan through channels, so you’ll never miss a call because you were on the wrong channel. Make use of hands-free talking with voice-activated transmission. Simply start talking, and the unit will transmit. If you don’t want to accidentally transmit anything you might say, simply activate the keylock. The Roger-beep functionality lets you know when the other person has finished transmitting, so you can respond. Five distinct call alert tones lets you know who’s calling, much like a cell phone. Auto squelch automatically filters out weak transmissions or unwanted noise due to terrain or range constraints. The maximum range extender
feature overrides the auto squelch feature to provide extended range reception.The units come with rechargeable batteries and a wallcharger, that can charge both units simultaneously, or just one at a time. These devices also have a battery-saving function. If there has been no transmission within 10 seconds, they will kick into battery-saving mode, thus prolonging battery life and giving you talktime when you need it most. You can also keep a pack of standard batteries handy, for those instances when plugging the devices into the charger isn’t feasible. The backlit LCD display shows you what channel you’re currently on as well as indicating battery status. It’s clearly legible, even at night – minimising frustration. These units are small, convenient and easy to carry in your pocket, handbag or place on the dashboard of your car. The belt-clip means you wont lose it when you’re on the move. So if you’ve ever been let down by your mobile phone, or you’re looking to cut back on your telephone bill, we’d recommend picking up a pair of these mobile two-way radios. NOTEWORTHY SPECS • • • •
8 different channels UHF: ultra-high frequency transmission Auto-Squelch feature Rechargeable NiMH batteries
PROS
CONS
• No subscription, call or licence fees • Hands-free talking • Battery-saving functionality is very useful
• Reception is reduced when there are buildings and trees in the way • Both users cant talk at the same time, have to wait for the other person to finish speaking
OVERALL RATING
The reason the drive is not formatted with NTFS out the box is for the sake of longevity. The FAT32 file system requires less physical reading and writing of data than NTFS does, and the lifespan of Flash memory is measured in the number of reads and writes it supports. NTFS dramatically increases the number of reads and writes the drive will receive, thereby decreasing its projected lifespan. Leaving it as FAT32 will ensure the drive lasts longer, but of course your files will be limited to a maximum size of 4GB.
SanDisk Cruzer 16GB Flash Drive
RELATED
PRODUCTS NEED TO KNOW • 16GB of Flash memory • Take your favourite apps with you • Nice ‘n Compact R519.95
AS far as technology goes, it appears we’re on the down-slopes of the complexity vs price graph, with price decreasing even as complexity increases. This is only because a lot of the technology on offer at the moment is not new; Flash memory, for example, has been around for a long time now and manufacturers have reached a production volume that has led to their price decline. For those not in the know, this is referred to as “the economies of scale”, which basically means that as production increases, price per unit decreases. Now, for just over R500, you can get your hands on a very useful 16GB of completely portable digital storage; even a year ago, this would have cost you significantly more. While you might be thinking that is a lot, especially when you can get a great deal more portable storage for only a few hundred extra Rand, this is still an impressive feat considering you can keep this 16GB of storage on your key ring, in your pocket. SanDisk’s Cruzer Flash drives (also known as thumb drives, memory sticks and USB memory keys) are well-known for their looks and reliability; they feature retractable necks which help to reduce the chance of suffering terminal damage, and come standard with SanDisk’s U3 software. Arguably, this is how SanDisk distinguishes its Flash drives from those of the competition. The U3 platform can be used to store and launch various applications, so that you can take your favourite applications with you wherever you go, and use them on any computer while still retaining your own personal settings and preferences. There are a great number of applications that are specifically designed for the U3 platform, which can be downloaded from the Internet and installed directly to the Cruzer memory stick. Accessing these is as easy as clicking on the U3 icon that appears in your task bar and clicking the desired application icon. There is a wide range of applications available for your perusal, the most popular of which are programs like Open Office (a completely free office productivity application similar to Microsoft Office), Mozilla’s FireFox web browser (free), Avast Antivirus (free) and even the popular communications program, Skype. All of these, once installed, will go with you wherever you take your Cruzer Flash drive, and all you’ll need when you move around
is a computer to use them from. It’s not all roses, however, as the Cruzer drive doesn’t support large files by default. This is because it comes preformatted with the FAT32 file system, a much older file system that does not support files that are larger than 4GB. We highly recommend you either format the drive or convert from FAT32 to NTFS. To do the conversion (the far easier option), click Start, then Run, then CMD and press Enter. Then type in convert [drive letter] /fs:ntfs, where [drive letter] is the letter assigned to your Cruzer Flash drive. The process is quick if the drive is empty, and slower if there is a lot of data on it; of course, backing up everything on the drive before you try this is highly recommended. Another consideration here is speed. If you’re looking to make use of the full transfer rate USB is capable of (around 25MB/s), the Cruzer will do the job. Realistically, expect to get somewhere in the region of 20MB/s (the speed of your PC may affect this as well), which means you can transfer large files quite fast. The reason for this quick speed is that the drive can be used as ReadyBoost memory, a technique whereby Flash memory is used by Windows 7 as physical RAM, thereby speeding up your computer. So, if you like the large amount of space on offer and you’re keen to store applications and their settings on the Cruzer Flash drive and take them wherever you go, this is the drive for you. Just be aware that storing files larger than 4GB will require a conversion to the NTFS file system.
VERBATIM 16GB FLASH DRIVE
If you want to save twenty bucks, pick up a Verbatim 16GB flash drive. It has no retractable neck and its suitability to ReadyBoosting is not guaranteed
NOTEWORTHY SPECS: • • • • •
Capacity: 16GB Retractable neck Enhanced for ReadyBoost Brilliant amber LED U3-enabled
SEAGATE FREEAGENT GO
PROS
CONS
• 16GB of portable memory is a lot • U3 lets you take your applications and settings with you • Retractable neck minimises the chance of permanent damage
• Does not support 4GB+ files out the box • Conversion to NTFS is an inconvenience • Converting to NTFS will shorten the device’s lifespan
For around three times the price, you can dramatically increase your portable storage capacity with Seagate’s 2.5” FreeAgent Go 250GB USB drive.
OVERALL RATING
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book reviews
FIX YOUR OWN COMPUTER FOR SENIORS FOR DUMMIES
NEED TO KNOW • By Corey Sandler • 384 pages
THIS book has been written specifically for first-time computer users, and uses jargon-free language to help beginners find out what is wrong with their computer, and how to address the various problems that they are likely to encounter. Learn how to troubleshoot your PC, and determine whether it is the hardware or the software that is at the root of the problem. The book also teaches basic maintenance tips that are designed to help reduce the risk of problems arising in the first place, as well as introducing basic tutorials on how to install new hardware peripherals like external hard drives, scanners and printers. If you’re a first-time user, or you’ve felt intimidated by the complexity of computer systems in general, this is a great book to help get you through the introductory information necessary to fight that intimidation, and get you on the road to being a confident user of computers.
NETBOOKS – THE MISSING MANUAL
NEED TO KNOW • By J.D. Biersdorfer • 320 pages
THIS book contains all the information necessary to arm a potential netbook buyer with the kind of practical knowledge that will ultimately lead to a successful and satisfying netbook purchase. Biersdorfer gives very good advice on what to look for, and cautions against things that may look wonderful in the shop, but which may end up causing annoyance down the line (cramped keyboards, we’re looking at you). She also goes into detail about which operating system to choose and why, the benefits of solid state disk drives over more conventional hard drives, as well as how RAM affects performance and therefore what amount will give you optimal bang for your buck. Her style is friendly and engaging, and by the time you reach the end you will be a well-informed consumer, ready to purchase a netbook that will not only fit the 60 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
‘small and cute’ requirement, but it will also perform far better than if you had just gone with the first one you saw.
DO-IT-YOURSELF PC UPGRADE PROJECTS
NEED TO KNOW • By Guy Hart Davis • 288 Pages
THE author of this accessible book knows that upgrading a computer and tackling a hardware project is not as difficult or as complicated as many people think it is. Hart Davis takes readers through 24 interesting PC projects, covering tasks like replacing hardware components, upgrading memory, turning your PC into a VOIP phone/videoconferencing hub/ media centre and more. He breaks the tasks up into sections by difficulty, and his projects are fun, practical and useful. In the advanced section, he goes into how to load another operating system onto your computer that you can switch to on boot-up, how to encrypt your data, and even how to build a case that muffles all noise. For anyone interested in cool computer projects, this book is a mustread. All the steps and all the advice necessary to complete them are included here in an easy-to-read fashion that won’t have you scratching your head.
WINDOWS 7 INSIDE OUT
NEED TO KNOW • By Craig Stinson, Carl Siechert and Ed Bott • 1408 pages
THIS massive tome on all the ins and outs of Windows 7 takes the reader way beyond the basics, and is excellent reading if you’re into taking your PC just that much further. Windows 7 is a phenomenal operating system, and the three authors do an excellent job of helping readers perform tasks, troubleshoot their systems and get things done in ways that save time. Many of 7’s advanced settings are explored in this highly organised book, helping even experts squeeze just that much more value out of the operating system. Prior knowledge of and familiarity with Windows 7 is a prerequisite here, so if you’re looking for just the basics, you will feel a bit out of your depth. But if you stick with it, you’ll discover more about it than you ever thought possible. This book is an excellent resource for people who want to get more out of Microsoft’s latest operating system.
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game reviews //BY TIANA CLINE, PETER DAWOUD, DEON DU PLESSIS & JOHANN BARNARD
2010 FIFA WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA R699.95 With the much anticipated FIFA World Cup set to kick off in a matter of weeks, fans are preparing for an all-out football fest being hosted in Africa for the first time in the 80-year history of the tournament. And true to form, and following on past tie-ups with this global spectacle, EA Sports has released the only official and exclusive version of its popular FIFA football game - 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa. Widely recognised as the best football game, this special release lives up to the hype one would expect to be associated with soccer’s ultimate contest and the mostwatched sporting event in the world. The true-to-life experience that EA notched up for its FIFA 2010 edition has been enhanced even further for the FIFA World Cup version, vuvuzelas and all. Given the festive nature of the atmosphere at World Cup games, EA has placed strong emphasis on crowd participation and cut-scenes that involve players in the excitement and passion that the tournament elicits. And yes, this includes the manic vuvuzela-blaring that has already been ear-marked as one of the unique features that will separate the Africa edition of the World Cup from past events. Fortunately EA is aware that not every fan considers the cacophony delivered by the vuvuzela an enhancement to the experience, and they can be disabled or toned down. This special edition of FIFA 2010 includes a reported 100+ tweaks and enhancements that are not all token improvements for the sake of marketing. Building on the success of the engine that itself had been upgraded for the standard FIFA 2010 version, EA Sports has delivered a package that has even better graphics and life-like representations of not only players, but team managers as well. The bones of the game though are what 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa is about – and it offers an unsurpassed experience that allows you to play as any one of the 199 nations that have fought for qualification and supremacy over the past four years. Choose your team, even if they didn’t make it to the finals that start in June, and rewrite World Cup history by leading your nation of choice through the rigours of qualification, before taking on the soccer giants on the biggest stage in the world. Not only will you be able to take in the splendour of the 10 official stadiums that us taxpayers have bankrolled, but each nation’s home stadiums form part of the play as you lead your hopefuls through the qualification rounds. In addition to the regular play modes, EA Sports has introduced the first online World Cup tournament in which you take your team through the group stages against opponents from across the globe. Relive and rebuild the hopes of nations – such as the unfairly ousted Irish after Thierry Henri’s infamous handball incident – to take your nation on a quest for the highest honours. Even though the release of 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa follows a relatively short time after FIFA 2010, the gameplay and graphics enhancements – but specifically the festive and immersive nature of the biggest tournament in the world – make this a game well worth adding to your collection.
62 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
NEED TO KNOW • Enhanced graphics and gameplay • Take your team through qualifying, all the way to the final • Play in the 10 official World Cup stadiums
>>CONSIDER THIS<< PES 2010 The most realistic soccer game on the planet - Pro Evolution Soccer 2010 - lives up to its name by delivering dramatic improvements in the amount of licensed content as well as instadium atmospheres and player likenesses. Goal! WWW.CONNECT.CO.ZA | 63
game reviews
NAPOLEON: TOTAL WAR
NEED TO KNOW • Three new episodic campaigns • Cutting-edge multiplayer modes • All new Napoleonic battles and units
SUPREME COMMANDER 2
NEED TO KNOW
The Settlers 7: Paths to a Kingdom A fresh, modern and innovative game, you’ll easily become engaged in the exciting campaign, skirmish maps and multi-player challenges.
armies engage in combat, the game offers player the option of auto-resolving the conflict or the much more exciting real-time battle option. Napoleon: Total War, recycles a lot of features from its predecessor, Empires, and although it offers some truly amazing set-piece battles and outstanding views, one can’t help but feel more improvement was needed in the AI department. That said, Napoleon is an outstanding game that recaps a truly amazing period in history. If this is your first look at the Total War series, you’re in for a treat. Also, fans of the franchise will feel right at home. R499.95
COMING >>SOON<<
GET >>THIS<<
Napoleon Bonaparte was a radical military thinker – his accomplishments on the battlefield not only led to his rise to power but also cemented his place as one of history’s most dramatic and intriguing revolutionaries. Napoleon: Total War offers PC players the opportunity to control Napoleon’s armies in some of his most remarkable battles. Much like previous Total War games, Napoleon combines the traditional turn-based strategic mode with the much more tactical, real-time battles and skirmishes. The bulk of your strategic thinking will take place in the game’s strategic over-world map. From here, you can manage and move your armies, develop technology and build infrastructure. Once your
R.U.S.E This one-of-a-kind RTS game allows players to bluff their enemies and lead their nation to victory, controlling the action from the heart of the battlefield to the full theatre of war.
YAKUZA 3 is a gritty, action-packed game that throws you head-first into the seedy underbelly of the Japanese underworld and leaves you there to fight your way out. Following the events of the second game in the series, you take up the role of Kazuma Kiryu, Yakuza and currently the owner of an orphanage. Yes, it is as weird as it sounds, but in traditional Japanese fashion, trying to make sense of this over the top soap opera is like trying to work a truck while knitting with your toes – impossible, but you know you want to try anyway. The bulk of the game takes place in an open-world environment, where the game encourages you to explore, and it is a rather long game. Average players will take around 30 hours to complete this title, and given the sheer volume of content available, compulsive completists may have a problem. But when all is said and done, Yakuza 3 is a special experience. It’s essentially Japanese, and your enjoyment of this game will be directly related to your ability to handle its melodrama and over-the-top characters. R799.95
• Take on the role of three enigmatic commanders • 18 missions • An exhilarating multiplayer experience • Action-packed battles on a massive scale
It’s been said that real-time strategy games is chess for nerds. After all, RTS games are designed for the thinkers among us. The original Supreme Commander (SupCom) was truly a special game. Sharp AI, massive maps, intense multiplayer and a rich story all made up a fantastic game that fell short with its steep learning curve and enormous scope. With SupCom 2, the developers have made an exciting strategy game that not only retains the feel of the original but tones the complexity back making for a far more welcoming game to newcomers all the while managing to keep things interesting for fans of the original. Featuring the original three races and playing through the three different campaigns on offer, one can’t help but start rooting for your chosen race as the story unfolds. The first few missions can take up to 20 minutes to complete with the final few clocking in anywhere around the two hour mark. SupCom 2’s real drawcard is its multiplayer action – the maps are diverse and surprisingly focused on action given their massive size. Battles can stretch for a couple of hours with hundreds of units involved, and the overall online experience is far more streamlined and lag-free than before. Supreme Commander 2 is a brilliant game and unquestionably one of the best strategy games you can buy right now. R699.95
>>CONSIDER THIS<< >>CONSIDER THIS<<
YAKUZA 3
NEED TO KNOW • Tokyo and Okinawa rendered with stunning accuracy • Play mini-games like billiards, karaoke and golf • Intense fights more brutal than ever before.
64 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
Dragon Age: Origins – Awakening How players choose to rebuild their order, resolve the conflict with the mysterious “Architect,” and determine the fate of the darkspawn are just some of the many intriguing moral choices that will shape each player’s heroic journey.
Battlefield: Bad Company 2 B Company fights their way through snowy mountaintops, dense jungles and dusty villages with a heavy arsenal of deadly weapons. Get ready to blow up, shoot down, blast through, wipe out and utterly destroy everything foolish enough to get in your way.
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ogitech’s new Vid application allows for high-quality video conferencing to take place between people that own Logitech webcams. Even if you own a webcam from someone else, you can still use Vid, you just can’t take advantage of the superior quality on offer. Instead of a complicated interface, Vid presents you with simplicity – all that is required is to install the software, physically connect your Logitech webcam to your computer, and enter the e-mail address of the person you wish to contact. If they have Vid installed, they will be asked to join you in a video conversation consisting of VGA-quality video, at 30fps. If not, they will be invited by e-mail to sign up and download the application. And that’s it. Vid does not over-complicate matters with a confusing interface, or options that need to be set, and neither will it ever bother you with unsolicited communications from people that want to sell you things. Of course, you will need a high-speed Internet connection to take full advantage of Vid. A minimum upstream and downstream speed of 256kb/s is required, otherwise Vid cannot perform. Users of other webcams aren’t left out in the cold, either, as they can use Vid for 30 days for free, their calls just won’t look as good as they would with a Logitech webcam. After that they will need to reward themselves with a Logitech webcam, or make contact with someone who already owns one to continue using Vid. Vid really simplifies the act of communicating, making it easy to contact friends and family without over-complicating things.
game reviews
MOTO GP 09/10
>>GET THIS<<
LAST year’s Moto GP 08 was a game that offered fans of the sport with just enough to keep them happy without really going the extra mile. This time, developer Capcom has created a comprehensive career mode that will require that you not only win races but manage your engineers, team manager and even press officers; all of them working together with the goal of making your racer the next Moto GP champion. If that wasn’t enough, you are also tasked with managing your racer’s reputation. Everything you do during the race from overtaking, slipstreaming to showboating, everything affects how manufacturers view you and will affect
Blur The ultimate wheel-to-wheel racing experience, dropping players into heart-pumping, electrifying action with multiple cars trading paint as they charge towards the finish line.
their willingness to invest in you and your supporting team. Also included is a much-improved Championship mode, taking part in all the calendar races from the 09/10 season in three different bike classes, and the inclusion of an interesting Arcade mode wrap up the offline options. On the online front, Moto GP 09 offers players a chance to race against anyone across the world on any track currently available in the current GP season. Although the online options are still a bit lacking, the overall polish and entertainment on offer cannot be ignored. Stunning visuals really sell the feeling of speed and the overall gameplay is fun and challenging. If you are a fan of the sport, this is the closest you can get to the real thing without needing talent and a billionaire to bankroll you. R599.95
>>COMINGSOON<<
NEED TO KNOW • Career, arcade and multiplayer mode • For racing • Compete in a full championship season across 3 bike classes
SBK X Superbike World Championship Remove the sure footing of four wheels, introduce sub-two-second 0-60 acceleration, tarmac flying past you at 180MPH, and you’ve got a taste of what’s in store for this racing spectacular!
JUST CAUSE 2
NEED TO KNOW • Huge, open-ended world to explore • Non-linear mission structure • Massive destructibility RICO “Scorpio” Rodriguez is back in this explosive, action-packed and highly acrobatic sequel to one of 2006’s sleeper hits. This time, Scorpio is helping a rebel group in South East Panau fight against the local government, ostensibly to overthrow them “for the good of the people”. This is a frenetic third-person action game that features a non-linear mission structure that lets you tackle whatever you want, however you want, and the game provides you with all manner of Bond-esque weapons, tools and acrobatic tricks to help you get the job done. Your main objective is to cause “chaos” by blowing things up, and the more “chaos points” you rack up,
the more missions you unlock. Rico now has a grappling hook at his disposal, which can hoist him to previously-unreachable places, pull enemies off their feet, and even attach enemies to other objects, like cars! The action is fast-paced, missions and ways to approach them are varied and there is a massive world to explore (and blow up). The game will challenge even high-end systems, however, but this is because the visuals are just so beautifully-crafted. Definitely one to consider for fans of open-ended action games and massive destruction. R699.95
>>CONSIDER THIS<<
>>GET THIS<<
Super Street Fighter IV (PS3, X360) Super Street Fighter IV features the full roster of 25 characters from Street Fighter IV such as Ryu, Ken, Crimson Viper, Abel and Rufus, while adding eight characters new to the world of Street Fighter IV. Super Street Fighter IV adds new Ultra Combos and advancements to the state-of-the-art online matchmaking and online gameplay introduced in SFIV with numerous additional features. This game takes many of the groundbreaking features introduced in SFIV and refines everything to deliver the ultimate vision of Street Fighter to fans the world over.
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GTA IV Help Nico Bellic settle in to one of America’s most violent cities, make some cash and get the girl(s). If you want to. You could also just wander around causing chaos.
Saints Row 2 Irreverent action and wide-open city-exploring is on offer from this fun, if unrealistic crime simulator.
Sid Meier’s Civilization V Civilization is one of the greatest strategy franchises of all-time. Now, Firaxis Games will take this incredibly fun and addictive strategy game to unprecedented heights by adding new ways to play and win; new tools to manage and expand your civilization; extensive modding capabilities; and intensely competitive multiplayer options. Civilization V will come to life in a beautifully-detailed, living world that will elevate the gameplay experience to a whole new level making it a must-have for gamers around the globe!
FINAL FANTASY XIII
NEED TO KNOW
>>CONSIDER THIS<< Blue Dragon This unique adventure from Final Fantasy series creator Hironobu Sakaguchi will take gamers on a fun-filled ride through a fantastic world full of strange and wonderful characters.
will annoy you like no other. This doesn’t hamper the deep story, though, and you will find your heart touched, once again, in the way of all FF games. Combat is similarly rich and detailed, a combination of real-time and turn-based, and its complexity will keep you challenged and engaged all game through. Pay attention, though, as it can be punishing if your attention slips, even for a second. It’ll take over 40 hours to complete FFXIII, so there’s a lot of bang for your buck here. While the more linear levels may seem frustrating, the story they help to flesh out is interesting and heart-warming, the characters are as fresh as ever, and the setting is simply beautiful. In all, this is a worthy addition to the Final Fantasy franchise, and fans of the previous games will undoubtedly find satisfaction in its telling. R699.95
>>CONSIDER THIS<< Dragon Age Origins: Awakening For a more traditional RPG experience, this expansion to the award-winning Dragon Age Origins will give gamers another 40 or so hours in the rich fantasy world of Ferelden.
Iron Man 2 (Wii, PSP, DS, XBOX360, PS3) Suit up and take to the skies again! This brand-new story thrusts you deep into the Iron Man comic world adding to the excitement of the upcoming Iron Man movie sequel. Battle epic enemies (like the Crimson Dynamo) in this original story penned exclusively for the game by renowned comic writer Matt Fraction.
TAIN ’ DU
S
THE thirteenth game in the Final Fantasy series marks a slight departure from previous games, in that it is more linear than before. This is not a bad thing, however, as it is an experiment that pays off, honing the narrative to a knife-point while still including some free-roaming exploration. It is stunningly presented and its production values are beyond even Hollywood’s standards, featuring cut-scenes to humble even the best full-production animated movies. This time around, you play as six unlikely heroes, embroiled in a world at war, and you get to employ magic, weaponry and awesome fighting moves on your quest to save the world. The setting is exemplary, with every detail seemingly hand-crafted, and the worlds you’ll explore are rich in beauty, story, majesty, and jaw-dropping attention to detail. The characters are as likeable as any in a FF game, with the exception of one, whose high-pitched voice and permanent bubbliness
E
• The best-looking FF yet • More linear than previous games • Deep, engaging characters • Epic story
CHOICE tel: 011 450 4168
fax: 011 450 4577
www.edutain.co.za
tech tannie
Just like Peppermint PEPPERMINT Crisp, CRISP she gets stuck in your teeth & tastes a bit funny after a while... IF YOU HAVE QUESTIONS, GRIPES OR JUST SEEK SOME SOLACE, E-MAIL TAMSIN, OUR FRIENDLY TECH TANNIE AT TECHTANNIE@ CONNECT.CO.ZA
68 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
issue of the month: Q:
I have an HP 550 laptop with Windows Vista but I formatted it and installed XP. Problem is I have a Realtek sound driver but it doesn’t work with this laptop. I’d like to know how much would it cost to get a sound driver installed? Sounds Sebelo in Stellenbosch
A:
Ag, nee. This is a pain in the koeksister, isn’t it? First off, you don’t need to pay anyone to get your sound up and running nicely again. You can do it all by yourself and it won’t take too long. You will need an internet connection to do this, however, so if you don’t have the internet at home, try and get it done at an internet cafe, or ask your boss if you can use the work connection for an emergency. I am assuming you have a Realtek system in your laptop so all you need to do is download the Realtek AC97 audio driver package for Windows XP. The different downloads are on the Realtek site and I would strongly recommend that you go through them rather than some dodgy online site. It’s a far safer proposition. Once you’ve downloaded your drivers, simply activate them and your sound should work a treat. If it doesn’t work then try some of the other driver options. One of these should fix the issue but if the problem persists you may have to take your laptop in to a service centre to look further under the hood.
Q:
Certain e-mails are received with a red X that must be clicked to open text/graphics and/or photos. My system cannot open these files; I am using Microsoft Professional 2003. What must I do? Xtremely Frustrated Felix in Franshoek
A:
This issue happens because of the 99 file name problem. This occurs because you can’t have more than 99 copies of the same file name in the same folder. It is more than a little annoying and there are a couple of ways for you to fix this. The first is to exit out of Outlook 2003, go to Start>>Run and type cmd> and click OK. Scroll down until you hit the following registry key: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\Microsoft\Office\11.0\Outlook\Security\ OutlookSecureTempFolder. Inside this key you should see something like %USERPROFILE%\ Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\OLK3d – highlight and delete this, then close out of the registry and open Outlook 2003. This should fix your problem. However, this can sometimes fail because the temp folder that Outlook is using may have changed. To find out what the temp folder is, go to an email with the file attachment and open it. Then select Save As – in the name you should see the folder that appears by default (usually OLK something) – copy that folder address down and go to Start>>Explore>>User Name [yours]>>Local Settings>>Temporary Internet Files. In the address bar add the default folder name you just wrote down to the end of the address i.e. c:\Documents and Settings\13234\Local Settings..../ This will show you all of the temp files in that folder which you can delete. Once you’ve deleted these, right-click on your address to create a shortcut for your desktop so whenever the issue pops up again, you only need to double-click on the desktop icon. I hope this sends you merrily on your Outlook way without a problem, although you may have to do it again when you hit that dreaded 99.
Q:
I want to know how to partition my hard drive so I can run two different operating systems on it. How do I go about doing this? Hardened Herman in Harties
A:
I am assuming that you’ve checked the space requirements for the operating systems and that your hard drive is capable of supporting both them and the rest of the stuff you’re going to store on there. If you haven’t done that hard work yet, then I suggest you do. Otherwise you’re going to have an extremely slow computing experience. First, start your computer in the Command Prompt Mode. Do this by going to Start>>Run and typing cmd or command and then pressing enter. Type FDISK and the partition window will appear with several different menu options. If you’re partitioning a second drive then select 5 and then the drive, otherwise skip to the next step. Then select Create DOS Partition, then enter 2 to Create Extended DOS and choose N when the programme asks you if you want to use the maximum
available size. Allocate the amount of disk space you want to the second partition, type in a name for the partition and press Enter. The partition menu will now appear so you can create additional partitions if you so desire. If you only want the one then just press Esc to exit the partition command. You will now have to format your newly hatched partition. This should work a charm if you follow the instructions carefully but, if you’re not entirely sure you want to get quite so technical, you can always invest in some partitioning software to do the job for you. You can easily nab some from your local Incredible Connection and any one of the informed sales staff will be able to give you clear advice as to which option is the best.
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disconnect //BY ADAM OXFORD
WERE THESE SUPPOSED TO SAVE US TIME...
W
hy do we use computers? Is it because they’re a gateway to an always- on world of information navigated by the highways and byways of cyberspace? Is it because they’re portals into 3D worlds of entertainment and interaction that just a few years ago would have seemed like science fiction? Is it because everyone else has one? The answer, of course, is all of these things and one more. The fundamental reason we use computers is because, like any machine, they’re supposed to make us more efficient and able to do jobs we couldn’t do before. There’s a problem with this presumption, though, which can be traced back to a character flaw in our historic ancestors. After they learned how to rub the sticks together, human beings weren’t happy with simply lighting the fire to keep them warm at night and spending a bit more time with the kids. They filled the extra hours of illumination learning how to read, write and, eventually, perform Shakespeare. The wheel may have been invented in order to expedite dragging home the day’s kill for supper, especially once we had fire to cook it on, but it was used to explore the world and eventually create the motor car. The point is that we’re never happy. Anyone who thought that computers would take care of all the tedious stuff like spreadsheets and sales charts while we sat back and threw another beer steak on the braai must have been smoking large floppy disks. We can’t help but be productive, we’re just not genetically programmed to relax. Any gaps in time computers create are quickly filled by opportunities, thanks to all the neat stuff they enable us to do. They give us the tools to interact with a world exponentially more complex and clever than our natural habitat, and it would be churlish not to play in it. Without their reality- enhancing abilities, we wouldn’t have the internet Internet and antiretrovirals. Or at least, that’s the case for the tiny number of people who can design a mainframe or know how to customise pharmaceuticals. If a recent report is to be believed, for most of us computer use has a net cost in terms of work time, rather than an overall benefit. For a start we spend, on average, 12 hours a month fixing computer problems. That’s nearly two days out of the office just trying to make the computer work the way it should. Of course, we don’t actually do this troubleshooting during office hours, which is probably why 65% of Americans reckon they spend more time with their PC than their spouse. Then we get into the malaise of the
modern age: “information overload”. That’s the relatively trendy idea that computer use overcomplicates life to the point that it cripples us. The human mind, the argument goes, is so ill-equipped to deal with the real- time flow of news, e-mails, text messages, tweets and Facebook updates that we’re expected to stay on top of, that it simply stops coping with the other old fashioned stuff. According to another report, information overload has been estimated to cost the US economy $650 billion a year. You can prove anything with statistics, mind, and I’m a little sceptical that the time lost by Americans forwarding humorous videos of cats falling over has the same relative worth as the combined economies of South Africa, New Zealand and Hungary combined. That’s a lot of dispraxic cats. The truth is, as always, somewhere in between. If there is a lesson, it’s that we need to maintain some sort of balance in our lives. In order to maintain my own equilibrium, I’m off to read a book. As soon as I’ve finished filing my e-mails, that is.
72 | CONNECT | APRIL 2010
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