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October 2010

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FAST, POWERFUL PROTECTION AGAINST VIRUSES AND SPYWARE. PROTECTION AGAINST IDENTITY THEFT AND CYBERCRIMINALS.

Free security software won’t cost you an arm and a leg.

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Copyright © 2010 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved. Symantec, the Symantec Logo, Norton and the Norton Logo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Symantec Corporation or its affiliates in the U.S. and other countries. Other names may be trademarks of their respective owners.

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VOL02 Issue #06

‘Net Nasties What are the most common forms of Internet-based threats?

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24

FEATURES 10

October 2010

Chrome: Google’s Better Browser Tips and tricks for serious web surfer

18

Computer Troubles Got You Down?

Using diagnostic software to solve your PC problems

22

Fun with Fonts!

An introduction to typography

24

Framed Out shopping for an electronic picture frame? Follow our buying advice

26

Mobile Storage Memory has been reinvented, read all about it

28

Your Online Medical Bag Digital doctors and diagnosis

28

10

REGULARS 04 06 08 68 70 72

Editor’s Letter News Trouble-free Technobabble Tamsin the Tech Tannie Competition Disconnect

REVIEWS 34 40 41 45 46 48 52 54 58

Top 5 LCD Screens Peripherals Printers Cellphones Sound Digital Photo Frames Software Books

GAMING 60

PUBLISHER Brett Haggard brett@connect.co.za EDITOR Tiana Cline tiana@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 DIRECTOR Jason Palmer jason@connect.co.za

Reviews

SUBSCRIPTIONS subscriptions@connect.co.za ADVERTISING Dorothy Haggard dorothy@connect.co.za Contact Hypertext Media Communications (011) 023-8001/4 info@hypertext.co.za FAX 08654 83304

Connect is a joint venture between Hypertext Media Communications and Incredible Connection

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Subscribe now and you could win a Fujifilm Finepix F300EXR 12 Megapixel digital camera

elcome to the October issue of Connect, the only technology magazine that speaks your language. And yes, you can consider us your plain English bible to all things digital as we walk you through the Information Age. If this is your first time with us, you’re in for a treat. This issue of Connect is filled with plenty of easy-to-read reviews, a regular question-andanswer section with our resident tech tannie, and games galore.

Do you know the difference between FireFox and Safari? The Internet browser you choose can really make a difference to your user experience, which is why we’re introducing you to Google Chrome.

Developed by Google, this power browser has been around for two years and has a number of tricks up its sleeve. What makes it unique? Its minimalist look, for one. Not only does it improve security, speed and stability, Chrome does it without fussing up screen space. Read more on page 14.

For those looking to improve their computer performance, there are two features in this issue you must read. The first is a start to our security series where we update your virus knowledge and, later, help you pick the right software package. To begin with, we’re uncovering some of the most common Internet-based threats out there. You really don’t want to be letting malware, spyware, worms and Trojans get past your PC’s built-in security. Want to know what you’re up against? Turn to page 10.

The second must-read feature (on page 18) is all about diagnostic testing because, as we all know,

4 | connect | October 2010

when your computer works, it’s the best thing since sliced bread. And when it doesn’t, you’re either ready to throw it out the window, or embark on a desperate search for an Internet technician who can recover your data. But don’t let computer troubles get you down just yet. We’re here to help you understand diagnostic software so you’ll be able to know what is happening and when it’s happening with a quick analysis of your PC’s symptoms.

So the sick PC is sorted. Now, what about a sick PC owner? In this issue of Connect, we enter the interesting world of eHealth. The Internet has an abundance of information and can be a helpful reference if you know where to go and what to look for. On page 28, we offer the quick and easy lowdown on how to be eHealth-savvy.

Other topics include an introduction to typography (strictly for font fanatics) and buying advice on electronic photo frames. Why put printed photos into an (almost) obsolete photo frame when you can create an exciting slideshow, stream audio and so much more with a digital frame? There’s also a quick peak at the next level of mobile storage and some pretty cool innovations that combine solid state memory with regular platter drives for the slightly more tech-savvy Connect reader.

If anything, Connect is here to make your digital life an easy one and, before you know it, you’ll be a brand-savvy technology top dog.

Getting connected is easy, isn’t it?

Enjoy the issue, Tiana Cline Editor

Editor’s photo by Dan Elkabir / www.lightscapespdd.com

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news Free two-way SMS service launched locally Developed by two Capetonians, fsms. co.za (Free SMS) allows users to send and receive text messages at no cost from their PCs and cellphones. The service is gaining momentum and boasts several thousand users since its website went live. The venture is led by 21-year-old chemical engineering honours student Daniel Schwartzkopff and his partner, software engineer and architect, Jörg Wunderlich; and funded by Johnny Graaff, director of the Montrose Foundation.

The service is accessible via the web and WAP on your cell phone. No special software or downloads are required. Registration is easy.

Log onto the website, fill in your details, confirm your registration via SMS and you’re ready to send free text messages from your PC or via the webpage on your cell phone. When recipients reply, their message shows up in your inbox on the Free SMS website and a notification is sent to your email inbox.

For more information and to register visit www.fsms.co.za

An Apple update iTunes 10 with Ping Ping is a new social network for music that lets you follow your favourite artists and friends to discover what music they’re talking about, listening to and downloading. With Ping you can post your thoughts and opinions, your favourite albums and songs, and the music you’ve downloaded from iTunes — plus view concert listings and tell your friends which concerts you plan to attend.

A new way to nano The iPod nano has been completely redesigned with MultiTouch. This lets you navigate your music collection by simply tapping or swiping a finger on the display. Nearly half the size and weight of the previous generation, the new iPod nano features a polished aluminium and glass enclosure with a builtin clip, making it instantly wearable.

Move with your music The redesigned iPod shuffle features both clickable buttons and Apple’s innovative VoiceOver technology, enabling you to easily navigate your music and playlists without ever looking at your iPod shuffle. The wearable iPod shuffle has an all-aluminium enclosure with a built-in clip and comes in five brilliant colours – silver, blue, green, orange, and pink.

A great iPod. And then some The new iPod touch is packed with incredible features like Apple’s stunning Retina display, FaceTime video calling, HD video recording, Apple’s A4 chip, 3-axis gyro, iOS 4.1 and Game Centre – all combined in the thinnest and lightest iPod touch ever. The new iPod touch features up to 40 hours of music playback and seven hours of video playback on a single battery charge.

We pick iPhone password protectors

> 1Password Do you use the same password every time you register at a new website because it would just be impossible to remember them all if you didn’t? You’re choosing convenience over safety and with 1Password this is no longer an issue! 1Password secures your

6 | connect | October 2010

most private data without inconveniencing you. It not only creates and saves as many different passwords as you’d like, but it restores them as well, at your command.

Use 1Password to save your web usernames and passwords as well as all the information you would keep in your wallet (licenses, credit cards) and non-web account information (like iTunes and e-mail) and keep it safe from prying eyes.

Locks your data behind a four-digit unlock code and a master password, both of which you configure. Even if your mobile device is stolen or misplaced, your 1Password information is safe.

A nice touch is that 1Password has a browser built right into it. Tap a saved login and you’re immediately taken to the site, your username and password entered. You can also synch safely and securely with 1Password for the Mac over a Wi-Fi connection (as long as both the mobile device and the Mac are on the same network). The sync is two-way, so new information can be easily added on your mobile device and synced back to your Mac! 1Password is available on the iTunes App Store for $9.99

Faster searches, smarter predictions, instant results Google unveiled a new version of its search engine: Google Instant, which produces results before you have finished typing and offers suggestions for what you wanted to look for. With Google Instant the average search will be shortened by two to five seconds per query - which, given the billions of people who use the service every week, would mean 11 hours of searching saved every second.

According to Google, their key technical insight was that people type slowly, but read quickly, typically taking 300 milliseconds between keystrokes, but only 30 milliseconds (a tenth of the time!) to glance at another part of the page. This means that you can scan a results page while you type.

The most obvious change is that you get to the right content much faster than before because you don’t have to finish typing your full search term, or even press “search.” Another shift is that seeing results as you type helps you formulate a better search term by providing instant feedback. You can now adapt your search on the fly until the results match exactly what you want. In time, we may wonder how search ever worked in any other way.

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© 2010 Research In Motion Limited. All rights reserved. BlackBerry®, RIM®, Research In Motion®, SureType®, SurePress™, BBM™ 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.

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techno jargon // by Deon du Plessis

This month we put some more techie words under the microscope in an effort to discern more of their meanings and make them totally not-confusing.

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Text re-flow

Kinect

Platter technology

When text is ‘re-flowed’, nothing amazing happens. This is just a clever way of saying the text is re-formatted, and usually happens when something to do with the view changes, most commonly zooming in/out of a page/document/website. This is more likely to happen on a mobile phone, as these devices don’t have the biggest screens and re-formatting a web page for convenient viewing is a common activity they are tasked with.

Instead of just adding motion controls to an existing controller, Microsoft has re-written the rulebook with Kinect. Kinect is a camera that tracks body movements, which are then translated into on-screen actions.

This means you can use your entire body to control your games, which brings a whole new dimension to gaming, and not in a PR-speak kind of way, either. We will feature an in-depth look at Kinect in our November issue.

SATA 3.0

GPRS

The current standard for hard drive data transfers is SATA-II, itself an improvement over the original SATA specification. SATA 3.0 is the latest version, and devices that conform to its requirements will boast twice the performance of SATA-II hard drives in theory.

Benchmarks are not out to confirm that yet, but it seems a safe bet that over time, SATA 3.0 hard drives will noticeably whip the transfer rates of current drives. Backwards-compatibility is built into the SATA 3.0 specification, so SATA 3.0 drives will work on older motherboards, just at the speed of SATA-II. This also means the physical connector will not change.

This older communication standard preceded 3G by some years. It is still in use today, found in a large number of mobile phones. The reason it is not gone entirely is it can still be used for communication in the case of 3G network failure. GPRS stands for General Packet Radio Service, and unlike 3G, it is a ‘best-effort’ service which means a certain level of performance is not guaranteed.

Traditional hard drives use round metal discs called platters to store data. Each platter is broken down into sectors, which are then ‘mapped’ in a logical fashion.

Reading data off a drive involves an ‘actuator arm’ that moves up and down the platters to locate the relevant sectors. Both the action of moving the actuator arm and the spinning motion of the platters need electricity, so if these movements can be minimised, less power will be used by the drive. Large-capacity drives use multiple platters; each platter stores only some of the data. The current maximum amount of data stored on a single platter is 500GB for consumer-level hard drives.

Red Ring of Death This phrase was made famous by Microsoft’s original Xbox 360 gaming console. The red ring in question is made up of four lights that surround the unit’s Power button; usually, these are green to indicate the presence of controllers, but they can also turn red to indicate a technical problem.

When all four are illuminated red at the same time, this means the console has probably overheated and will need to be serviced by an accredited Xbox service centre (in SA, this means ‘return to Microsoft ASAP’). If your 360 is out of its warranty period, kits are available online that may help you fix the problem yourself. Hint: Enter ‘red ring of death kit’ into any popular online search engine and see what comes up.

bada bada is the name of Samsung’s new mobile phone operating system, and the lower-case ‘b’ is intentional.

It competes with the likes of Nokia’s Symbian, Google’s Android and Blackberry’s Blackberry OS, while also catering for the lower-end of the mobile phone market.

The word itself is Korean for ‘ocean’ or ‘sea’.

Modular A modular object is made up of various individual pieces (modules) which all fit together to form a whole.

In computer terms, a modular program is one which is made up of many separate programs.

This means a software package can be provided to users with certain functionality enabled or disabled by default; unlocking it at a later stage requires only the correct pass key to be entered into the program. It’s also a smart way to create applications, as portions (modules) can be isolated from one another, a handy technique that helps with troubleshooting during development.

SuperAMOLED AMOLED stands for Active Matrix Organic Light-Emitting Diodes, and it is a technology used to create ultra-thin yet bright and vibrant displays for mobile phones and televisions. Samsung has further refined AMOLED by integrating touch-sensitive technology into the display itself rather than overlaying it onto the screen, calling the new standard ‘SuperAMOLED’. This allows for the creation of incredibly thin and lightweight touchsensitive screens that perform better outdoors and in high-light situations.

Down-firing subwoofer A subwoofer that employs a speaker that is directed straight down at the floor is called a down-firing subwoofer. It’s really just an exciting way of describing which way the speaker directs sound. Subwoofer fundis recommend down-firing subs as these maximise the vibrations caused during bass-heavy music and movie scenes, which go a long way to immersing you in your entertainment and making the action and notes feel that much more personal.

www.connect.co.za | 9

antivirus advice //by Deon du plessis

10 | connect | October 2010

’net nasties The most common forms of Internet-based threats and the security software that is designed to combat them – part one.

W

ith the large amount of securityfocused changes made to the inner workings of Windows 7, you could easily be tempted to ignore your computer’s security and just let the operating system handle threats. However, this is not an advisable thing to do: many threats exist that can and will bypass all of Windows 7’s builtin security features to bring your system down, or worse – steal your personal data.

Free is good

Money well spent With these two programs installed, your system is less vulnerable to attack by hackers and malicious types, but you should still seriously consider purchasing dedicated security software like Kaspersky, Symantec, McAfee and the like.

The benefits of these paid-for packages include a wider range of features that protect against a greater number of threats; it’s only if you’re really careful and don’t surf dodgy websites or download suspicious files that you can get away with going the free route. Families with more than one person using a single computer are strongly advised to go the paid-for route, as opinions on what is safe and smart have been known to differ rather widely among members, and paid-for software is probably the best way to address this disparity.

If you are dead set against purchasing security software, however, there are two completely free options that can help minimise your risk – Microsoft Security Essentials and Windows Defender. Security Essentials functions like an antivirus program, and Windows Defender works to keep your system clear of spyware and malicious software.

Popular Internet Security Software solutions: > Norton Internet Security > Kaspersky Internet Security > McAfee Total Protection > BitDefender Internet Security > AVG Internet Security

Download it > Windows Defender: www.microsoft.com/windows/ products/winfamily/defender/default.mspx > Microsoft Security Essentials: www.microsoft.com/ security_essentials/

SO, What kind of threats are out there?

Let’s take a closer look at some of the more common security threats that make surfing the Internet unprotected akin to skinny-dipping in a lake full of electric eels . . .

www.connect.co.za | 11

antivirus advice

Keyloggers These dangerous programs operate in the background, logging exactly what you type as well as where you’re typing it (Internet Explorer, Chrome, Firefox, Word, etc.). They can be used to capture your bank account details when using Internet Banking, which is why it’s so important that your bank offer a “virtual keyboard”, so you’re not pressing any keys when entering your private information. Fortunately they are considered a major threat and as a result, most, if not all, modern security software packages treat them with massive prejudice and eliminate any files that even remotely resemble them. > Threat Severity: Very high > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Excellent

Spyware

Trojans A Trojan virus is named after the Trojan Horse of Greek mythology. The story goes that Greek soldiers hid inside a large wooden horse made to look like a gift, thereby fooling the Trojans into bringing it into the city of Troy. Once in, the Greek soldiers opened the city gates, allowing the Greek army to enter and destroy Troy from within. In a similar fashion, Trojan viruses fool computer users into double-clicking them by pretending to be legitimate software. Once executed, the malicious code within the file can modify your system in a number of ways.

Spyware is any software that gathers information about you, your Internet browsing habits or passwords for websites and Internet banking facilities, for transmission to a third party. It usually operates quietly in the background when present on your system, and if you don’t have security software installed, you may never even know it was there – until you get your credit card bill or your savings are mysteriously transferred to a bank you’ve never heard of. > Threat Severity: Medium to High > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Excellent

Trojan viruses are capable of:

12 | connect | October 2010

• Capturing personal information for use in identity theft schemes • Keystroke logging (See `Keyloggers’) • Deleting or modifying system files, data theft/deletion • Creating vulnerabilities that allow a hacker to take control of your computer, remotely • Recording passwords and transmitting them to a predetermined location • Modifying system files to allow harmful (or just plain annoying) websites to open in a browser automatically

A rootkit is a collection of tools that grant a hacker administrator-level rights to a computer system.

Once that has been granted, the hacker is free to do whatever he likes to the system, including installing any malware, spyware or virus he cares to. Detecting it is problem #1, as it is tricky to do. Problem #2 is removing it – this often requires a complete reinstallation of the host operating system.

> Threat Severity: High > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Excellent

> Threat Severity: Super severe > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Good, not great

Rootkits

Worms

Adware

A computer worm is a more sophisticated form of attack.

Instead of needing to be embedded within a file and executed in order to do damage, a worm is a piece of software that spreads itself from computer to computer over a network by exploiting vulnerabilities in either the operating system (Windows) or software programs. An exploit is the computer equivalent of a legal loophole, whereby certain functions of legitimate software are used to mask the actions of the malicious code.

A worm can do the same sort of damage as a Trojan, except it does not need to be manually initiated by the computer user to deliver its payload. A major difference between Trojans and worms, apart from a worm’s ability to spread itself automatically, is that worms can also artificially generate masses of network traffic, which can bring down a network by overloading it.

A common function of a worm is to create a “back door” into a computer system, which effectively places that computer under the worm creator’s control. An army of these computers – referred to within security circles as ‘botnets’ (a network of robot computers) – can be used to launch concentrated attacks against other computers, servers and websites.

Famous examples of malicious worms include the MyDoom and Sasser worms that emerged in early 2004.

Adware is, thankfully, more annoying than harmful. Any software that causes your computer to display Internet-based advertising you did not click on (in a browser window that just pops up unexpectedly, for instance) can be classified as adware. Happily, Windows and every major browser have built-in mechanisms designed to prevent adware from finding your PC in the first place. If, by some fluke it manages to install itself, all major security packages can easily detect and remove it with minimal fuss.

> Threat Severity: High > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Excellent

> Threat Severity: Low – adware is more a nuisance than anything else > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Excellent

Botnet army A botnet army is made up of thousands (sometimes millions) of computers that have been infected by a worm that grants the worm’s creator remote control over them. They can be used to overwhelm websites with network requests, causing them to either malfunction or respond so slowly as to be effectively unavailable.

Think of each infected computer as a Springbok fan logging on to the Computicket website to secure tickets for the next Test – the more fans that do this, the more requests for tickets will need to be processed. Enough requests and the website’s server won’t be able to process them all, resulting in it responding incredibly slowly or crashing completely and having its ability to provide services denied (hence the term ‘denial of service’, or DoS). Ramp this scenario up to include literally millions of individual computers trying to access a specific website at once, and it’s easy to see how a website can be completely overwhelmed. > Threat Severity: Severe, but only to those vulnerable to DoS attacks > Likelihood of being detected and neutralised by security software: Directly proportional to your security software’s ability to detect and remove Trojans and worms

Web War One Estonia was the target of a botnet attack in 2007, whereby botnet commanders ordered millions of infected computers to bombard the country’s banking, news and e-commerce sites with Internet traffic. This effectively jammed Estonia’s communications network and denied Estonians access to essential e-services.

This brought the country to a complete standstill. The incident has been called “Web War One”, and some believe that it might herald a new aspect of modern warfare – shutting a country’s communications down before a major military invasion.

Thankfully this was not the case for Estonia, turning out instead to be Russian hackers expressing their displeasure at the removal of a monument that commemorated Russian soldiers whose lives were lost in World War II.

To Be Continued…

Next month we explore how Internet security software is evolving to stay ahead of the ever-changing Internet threat landscape.

www.connect.co.za | 13

power browsing //by Tamaryn Watkins

Google’s better browser FireFox, Safari, Internet Explorer and Chrome. They’re all browsers that offer more or less the same thing: a portal through which to conduct your online activities. This month, in Connect, we take a look at Google Chrome and see what all the fuss is about.

14 | connect | October 2010

WHy switch to Chrome?

It won’t crash: Chrome’s main attraction is probably its multiprocess architecture which means that Chrome is built in such a way that you’re protected from having one single bad webpage or application take the whole browser down with it. Every tab, window and plug-in runs in its own environment, so one faulty site won’t affect anything else with which you might be busy.

Need for speed: Chrome is the ultimate in fast-paced browsers. It launches from your desktop within seconds and because it’s powered by the WebKit open source-rendering engine, it loads web pages in a snap. Web applications are also super-quick to open and use as they’re powered by V8, which is a powerful JavaScript engine that improves JavaScript performance immensely.

It’s unobtrusive: Saying that Chrome’s interface design is streamlined is somewhat of an understatement. It’s a program that’s intentionally designed to barely look like a program.

Chrome’s designers explain that they wanted users to completely forget that they’re even using a browser. So, because most of your screen space is allocated to the site you’re visiting, and there are no logos, buttons or unnecessary menus taking up any space, we believe Chrome’s designers pretty much achieved their objective.

Y

our web browser is arguably the most important piece of software on your computer and all online activities usually happen inside the browser. You spend much of your online time using one: whether it’s searching, chatting, e-mailing, shopping, banking, browsing the news, or watching videos online, you’ll be doing this inside a browser. As such, it’s important to pick one that’s right for you.

Connect looks at the latest offering from Google, and suggests some tips and tricks to get the best user experience out of Chrome.

How to Download Chrome Head over to http://www.google.com/chrome and click the big ‘DOWNLOAD NOW’ button, after selecting your operating system.

Chrome has it going on TOP TIP: Chrome is available for Mac OS X, Windows and Linux, it’s the browser that’s ideal for all users, across all platforms.

If you’re looking for a browser that has speed, simplicity, stability, security and the ability to use add-ons and extensions easily and safely, you might want to check out Google Chrome. If you’re looking for a browser that integrates flawlessly with all your other Google applications, then switching to Chrome will be a natural and easy choice to make.

Search, simplified: One of the signature features in Chrome is a little something called its “Omnibox”, which is essentially an integrated all-purpose bar at the top of the browser.

Here, you can do many things: type in a URL or a search term, or both, and Chrome intuitively takes you to the right place without asking any annoying questions. Omnibox has the ability to learn from your input – this talent extends beyond the regular autocomplete functionality. For example, say you want to use a certain site’s search function. Once you’ve visited that site once, Chrome will remember it has its own search box and will give you the option of using it right there from Omnibox. In other words, this is a supersmart automation of keyword functions.

Tab control: Tabbed browsing on Chrome is all about power. You can grab a tab and drag it out into its own individual window, or you can drag and drop tabs into existing windows to combine them. Chrome also offers the option of starting up in any tab configuration you want, be it a custom setup or a refresh of the set of tabs you were engaged with in your previous online session. Other browsers require third-party add-ons to provide this capability, but Chrome offers it standard.

Browse incognito: Chrome offers a private browsing option, called “Incognito”. You can open a special type of new window and rest easy knowing nothing you do in it will be logged or saved on the computer. This window is isolated from the rest of your browsing experience, so you can have a private window open alongside a regular windows, and each will operate independently.

www.connect.co.za | 15

power browsing

Control those tabs All the shortcuts you need for easy tab management.

This is how > Control + T opens a new tab. You can drag tabs around to change their order or drag a tab out of the window into its own window. Control + Shift + T opens the most recently closed tab. Press the key combination again to open the tab closed before that one. Google Chrome remembers the last 10 tabs you’ve closed. How smart is that? Jump to different open tabs using Control + 1, Control + 2, Control + 3, etc. Control + 9 takes you to the last tab.

Control + Tab lets you cycle through your open tabs in order, until you find the one you want. Control + Shift + Tab cycles through tabs in reverse order.

Finding your way around Chrome With no unnecessary logos, buttons, bars, text or adverts, your central port of call for Google Chrome is the Omnibox. Type in the web address you’d like to visit, or your search query, and explore from there.

Tips, tricks & shortcuts Shortcut your world Create desktop and Start menu shortcuts to web apps such as Google Mail.

This is how > Go to Gmail.com and select Create Application shortcuts from the Page Control menu (locate this in the top-right corner of the browser – it looks like a page with the corner folded over). Now choose where you want to place the shortcut. This works for other Google apps such as Calendar and Documents, and a few other services as well.

Go incognito Browse undercover, securely and privately.

This is how > Control + Shift + N opens an undercover window and all sites you view in this window won’t appear in your history; cookies served by sites in this window will be deleted when the window is closed. You can open a link in an incognito window by right-clicking the link and selecting Open link in incognito window.

Bookmark it Saving favourite sites for quick access.

This is how > Click the star on the left of the address bar and then select a folder to which to add your favourites. Control +B hides the Google Chrome bookmarks bar; press Control + B to bring it back again.

16 | connect | October 2010

4 Fun Chrome Plug-Ins: 1 Picnik Extension for Chrome allows for editing the images you come across while browsing the web, without having to leave the browser.

2 Note Anywhere lets you make notes on any web page, and when you open that site again, the notes are still there.

3 Time Tracker keeps track of how much time you spend on various sites.

4 Diigo Web Highlighter and Bookmark will highlight web pages with multiple colours, and add tags and sticky notes as you read online.

The History lesson Check your history.

This is how > Right-click or hold down the back button until you get a drop-down list of sites to go back through. Selecting Show Full History at the bottom of the list opens a new tab with your full browser history. Control + H is the keyboard shortcut to bring up the History page. Delete history for chosen days by scrolling to the day you want to delete and clicking Delete History for this day on the right-hand side of the window. To delete cookies, go to Tools, and select Options and Under the Hood.

Scroll down to the Security section, and click Show Cookies. Now you can click Remove All or Remove Individual Cookies.

Polish your Chrome Make Google Chrome really shine by accessing additional functionality by loading your Chrome with plug-ins.

Browse or search the gallery for extensions that take your fancy or strike you as potentially useful. Once you find an extension you want to install, click its link to go to its home page. Click Install to download the extension. A dialog box might pop up about the data and functionality that the extension will be able to access; click Install to continue. Once the extension is downloaded, it’ll automatically install and load.

Tip Manage your extensions The extensions you’ve installed are populated on the Extensions page. To open that page, click the Tools menu and select Extensions. Some extensions may have additional settings that you can edit. Click the Options buttovn (if active) for the extension to see these settings. Extensions automatically update whenever an update is available.

Online Backup

The McAfee 2011 range is now available at all Incredible Connection Stores.

McAfee and/or additional marks herein are registered trademarks or trademarks of McAfee, Inc. and/or its affi liates in the US and/or other countries. McAfee Red in connection with security is distinctive of McAfee brand products. All other registered and unregistered trademarks herein are the sole property of their respective owners. Š 2009 McAfee, Inc. All rights reserved.

diagnostics //by Deon du plessis

Diagnostics Computer troubles got you down?

Diagnostic software can help!

18 | connect | October 2010

W

hen a computer works, it’s a marvel of modern technology and innovation, bringing all manner of information into homes and businesses. The networks they run on connect the world, quite literally, and it’s difficult to imagine our lives without them.

When a computer stops working as expected, however, our informationdependent lives can grind to a halt. This is why the ability to troubleshoot a misbehaving computer is such a useful skill, but it’s a

daunting task to anyone not intimately familiar with its inner workings.

This is where diagnostic software can play a useful role. A computer is such a complex system of inter-related parts that without a proper diagnostic tool, it can be difficult to pinpoint exactly what the cause of your problem is. In this article, we will present some of the more common problems computers can experience, and provide a list of software that can help determine what part of the PC needs attention.

What is diagnostic software?

Blue Screen of Death (BSoD) When your computer suddenly displays a blue screen with white writing on it and then reboots, that’s called a Blue Screen of Death.

Why do BSoDs happen? > A BSoD happens when a problematic driver – software that tells the computer how to use the hardware – is installed on the system. This is usually easily solved by finding, downloading and installing the correct drivers for your hardware, although identifying exactly which component is in need of a proper driver is a case of trial and error. BSoDs can also be caused by defective RAM or motherboards.

Any piece of software that tests your hardware’s capabilities can be called diagnostic software. The idea is that if a component is defective, rigorous testing will cause it to fail or at the very least produce some kind of unexpected behaviour that can be further used to pinpoint the cause of the problem.

What kind of issues can lead to a computer malfunctioning? Here’s a list of common problems.

The computer does not respond quickly Slow computers are a common experience for many office workers. There are many possible reasons for an unresponsive PC, and determining the reason behind it can be difficult.

Common reasons for a slow computer > Too many programs might be open at once. > One particular program might not be responding, effectively preventing other programs from accessing the processor. > You might have used up all of your system’s available memory or your Windows “swap file” (space on the hard drive that Windows treats like extra memory) is too small.

Overheating When computer hardware gets very hot, it stops working efficiently. This is why computers have multiple fans, with the most important ones placed on top of the processor and graphics card.

Heat-related behaviour > A complete system freeze is the most common result of overheating hardware. In the case of an overheating graphics card, visual artifacts appear onscreen, often followed by a crash back to the desktop or a system freeze.

Not enough power A computer’s power supply provides the electricity that keeps it working. When components draw too much power, or the power supply itself is defective, that’s when the fun starts.

Power-related behaviour > Unexpected rebooting or random shutdowns are the primary symptoms of power-supply problems.

www.connect.co.za | 19

diagnostics

Diagnostic software to the rescue Determining the problem is always the first step towards finding a solution. By making good use of diagnostic software, it can be possible to narrow down the list of possibilities. Here’s a collection of free software that can be downloaded from the Internet to help with this task.

CPU Meter Gadget This handy gadget comes standard with Windows 7 and Windows Vista, and shows just how busy your CPU and memory are. This gives you a good indication of how hard your system is working, and can be a useful tool for troubleshooting those times your computer seems to slow down.

Get it from > Click Start>Control Panel> Programs>Desktop Gadgets

General troubleshooting tips: > Manual use of Windows Task Manager Use Windows’Task Manager (press Control-Alt-Delete and select Start Task Manager) to make sure only essential software is running. To establish whether an unfamiliar task or process is potentially harmful to your computer, enter any suspicious filenames listed under Processes into Google and see what the Internet has to say about them before ending them. > Addressing overheating Open up the computer case and confirm that the CPU, graphics card and case fans are all still spinning. If they are spinning but the inside of the case feels too warm, try using a room fan to blow air into the case to see if that stops any freezing or rebooting you might be experiencing. If it does, you might want to consider cleaning or upgrading your fans. > “Defragging” is not a magical cure-all When you’re told by a support person to defragment your hard drive to address whatever problem you have just described to them, tell them to try again. Defragging only solves very specific problems, and massively degraded system performance, overheating and random reboots are not on the list.

When a file is created on a hard drive, it is written to “sectors” on the physical platters, but these sectors don’t always exist right next to one another. A “fragmented” file is one whose parts are scattered all over the drive’s platters. In theory, this means that reading it in its entirety takes longer than if all parts were located in close proximity to one another. “Defragging” is the process of re-writing the data on the hard drive so that all parts of individual files can be read in sequence, which, theoretically, lowers the time it takes for them to be read.

In reality, modern hard drives are so fast that the time it takes to read a fragmented file is almost indistinguishable from the time it takes to read one that is un-fragmented. Only in cases of severe fragmentation (which takes years to develop) will defragging speed up your computer noticeably.

20 | connect | October 2010

3DMark Vantage If you suspect your graphics card may be the cause of reboots, either because it is defective or the computer’s power supply is not powerful enough, a great way to test it is to run this demanding graphics benchmark from veteran 3D graphics company Futuremark. By making the graphics card perform to the utmost of its ability, chances are good you can reproduce the rebooting problem and thereby confirm that it’s either the graphics card or power supply causing the problem. If you manage multiple runs of the benchmark routine without incident, the card and power supply are not the issue.

Get a trial version from > http://www. futuremark.com Memtest86+ This software will perform a batch of in-depth memory tests that tests the functions of your system memory. If the RAM fails any of these tests, chances are one or more of your DIMM modules (the fancy name for the memory chips that reside on the motherboard) is defective and needs to be replaced. Running the tests requires a USB memory stick and the ability to boot from a USB port.

Get it from > http://www.memtest.org PassMark BurnInTest Standard Edition 6.0 This software suite will perform an intense “burn-in” test that is designed to stress all of a computer’s components in order to establish reliability and root out potential problems. It’s called a “burn-in” test as any computer that runs the software will heat up considerably due to the demands placed on the system. If your computer passes all of these tests without misbehaving, the problem is likely to be software-related.

Get a trial version from > http://www. passmark.com

Experiencing the future A glimpse at what’s around the corner from Intel’s Developer Forum, San Francisco.

W

e can surely all agree that the developments in the personal computing space over the past year have been nothing short of breathtaking.

And the phenomenal advances the industry has seen over the past year to a great degree, result from Intel’s ‘Core’ family of processors and the significantly raised

performance levels, power efficiency and simplicity it unlocks for the man in the street, where previously, these benefits were reserved for high-end customers.

If the announcements coming out of Intel’s Developer Forum held in San Francisco during September are anything to go by, that breathlessness is not over.

Getting Graphic The new processor family is likely to shine brightest however is in the graphics department, where Intel has been smart enough to build capabilities that speed up the most-common graphics tasks into the hardware itself.

That means for the first time ever, tasks that required a dedicated graphics card - HD video, 3D video, mainstream gaming, multi-tasking, online socialising and multimedia – can be carried out comfortably with nothing more than one of these next generation processors.

Shared resources

Faster, better, cheaper hardware The second generation of the ‘Core’ processors family that’s due out during the course of 2011 brings even more performance, power efficiency (battery life) and graphics performance to the mix, and promises to even further extend the company’s mission of bringing fantastic user experience to computer users of all description.

The second-generation processor family has been Code-named ‘Sandy Bridge’ and is a revolutionary leap because it includes a new ‘ring’ architecture that allows the processor Cores and graphics engine to share resources more efficiently, not to mention enhanced Turbo Boost technology that drives performance higher, while lowering power consumption.

Next-generation Intel Turbo Boost Technology adapts by varying turbo frequency to maximize performance or conserve energy depending upon the type of instructions. Intel Turbo Boost Technology boosts power levels to achieve performance gains for high-intensity “dynamic” workloads.

The result is cost efficiency, since resources such as memory don’t have to be replicated, increased performance since the architecture can divert power to where it’s most needed – processing or graphics - and a much lower power consumption level than ever before.

That means users get a higher performance computing capability that offers increased battery life at much less than what they would normally expect to pay.

Bottom line Putting all the pieces together -- seamless interactions with computing devices all around -- enabled by performance, the 2nd Generation Intel Core processor family is based on a balanced architecture that directs all of the resources wherever and whenever it’s needed, delivering smart performance as well as a seamless and stunning visual experience.

This glimpse into the future is brought to you by:

Intel Corporation – Sponsors of Tomorrow

For more information visit: http://www.intel.com/?en_ZA_01

typography 101 //by Tiana Cline

fun with pe y t ht g i r e th Find

T

ypography is everywhere – from the Are you crazy for Calibri or mad letters you see on the printed pages about Monotype Corsiva? Do you of magazines and books, to websites, stick to the typical Times New road signs and even cereal boxes. But there’s a good chance you’ve never Roman or always type in Arial? given a second’s thought to the type of font used.

Sometimes it’s not necessarily The word “font” is well known to many computer about what you write, but the users, which isn’t surprising as fonts have become style you pick to do it in that an integral part of our lives. They’re with us when we’re creating websites, filling up spreadsheets, matters. What are fonts? How designing posters or sending e-mail. do you pick the right type? And what happens if what you have What is a font? is not enough? We answer these Going back in history, the word “typeface” referred to the questions and more below. metal sheets made by a printer and used when making books, Did you know?

Helvetica was designed by Swiss graphic artist Max Miedinger in the late 1950s.

The name is derived from Helvetia, the Latin name for Switzerland.

22 | connect | October 2010

newspapers and magazines. Today, typeface and font are interchangeable terms, both describing letter styles.

A font family is a collection of all the fonts in a typeface, with different sizes, weights (such as bold), and slants (such as italic).

Many fonts may look similar, making it tough to tell the difference between them, as often the subtle variations can only be spotted by an experienced eye.

More than meets the eye If you’re the sort of word processor user who immediately clicks on the formatting palette when highlighting a word or phrase, you’ll know how many options there are from which to choose.

There are two basic things to consider when picking a suitable font: legibility and readability. Not only is it important to distinguish one letter from another, the actual readability is often dependant on the font used. (And when it comes to picking out a font for a website, you’ll need to consider issues like low screen resolution, background colour and letter size.)

Did you know? Times New Roman was commissioned by and named for The Times of London in the early 1930s. In 2004, the US State Department parted ways with Courier New, announcing that all official documents would use Times New Roman, size 14. However, in the 2007 edition of Microsoft Office – after a long and storied run – Times New Roman was replaced by Calibri as the default font.

Mind the gaps In addition to lines, words, and characters on a page, there are spaces. And those spaces have names...

More is better For creative types in the digital space, it’s easy to become bored looking at the same font sets over and over again. When installing any new program (such as Microsoft Office), it comes with its own fonts that are automatically installed. But what if you want more?

There are numerous websites where you can download fonts for both PC and Mac, some paid-for and some free.

Both leading and kerning are used to tweak type when you want the text to flow well.

Did you know? Futura can be found on many movie posters as well as on the plaque left on the moon by Apollo 11 astronauts, and in jersey numbers of American football team, the Pittsburgh Steelers.

> www.1001freefonts.com > www.urbanfonts.com > www.dafont.com > www.fontstock.net > www.fontcubes.com

Did you know? Commissioned by IBM, Courier New was designed for typewriters by Bud Kettler in 1955. The font was nearly released with the name “Messenger”. “After giving it some thought,” Kettler said, “a letter can be just an ordinary messenger, or it can be the courier, which radiates dignity, prestige, and stability.”

Installing Fonts in MICROSOFT OFFICE

Kerning adjusts the spaces between letters so that the placement appears to be visually consistent. Certain letter combinations, like `Ta’, have too big a space between them.

With kerning, you can adjust the spacing to make letters closer together (or farther apart) so that the words don’t look jumbled.

Leading is also called “line spacing”. Leading originally referred to strips of lead that typesetters placed between lines of type in order to space them out. When you’re reading something, the spaces between the line you’re reading and the lines above and below that line are supposed to guide your eyes from one line to the next.

If that space isn’t considered carefully, it’s hard to keep track of where you are. That’s where leading comes in – you can adjust the leading of an entire paragraph to make it uniform.

Font Websites

Installing Fonts in Mac OS X Before installing fonts, close any open applications. For some applications, new fonts do not appear in the font menu if you install them while the application is open.

In the Finder, open the folder or disk that contains the fonts you want to install.

Select the font suitcases for the fonts you want to install. For PostScript Type 1 fonts, also select the printer outline files. Drag and drop the fonts into the Fonts folder in the Library folder.

Close any open Windows applications, such as Microsoft Outlook.

In the Control Panel, click Appearance and Themes. On the File menu, click Install New Font.

In the Drives list, click the drive you want. In the Folders list, double-click the folder that contains the fonts you want to add.

Under List of fonts, click the font you want to add, and then click OK. TIP: Additional free TrueType fonts are included with Microsoft Publisher. If you’re looking for free, shareware, or commercial fonts, visit Microsoft Typography for an updated database of more than 600 type- and typography-related websites.

TIP: Another option is to use Font Book, preinstalled on all Macs under Applications.

Not only does it sort and preview your font collections for you, it lets you install, search, organise, activate, and deactivate fonts as well.

www.connect.co.za | 23

buying advice //by Tiana Cline

o t o h p digital

frames Why settle for an old-fashioned picture frame when you can have a stylish digital photo frame that electronically changes the image, showing off a gallery of your favourite pics? But with so many to choose from, how do you select one that will guarantee sharp images and more? Connect helps you shop.

L

et’s be honest, nondigital photo frames are a thing of the past. Because digital cameras can store thousands of images, the likelihood of compiling an album is also quite remote, with many people choosing to share their holiday snaps online using websites like Facebook and Flickr. For photographic fiends tired of staring at the same old mantel line-up, a digital frame is the perfect solution as they let you create slideshows to display all of your pictures.

Some even offer a host of other features like video, audio, Wi-Fi and Bluetooth.

Here are simple steps to help you pick the perfect digital picture frame...

24 | connect | October 2010

TIP

What do you need?

It’s all about bells and whistles. Over and above displaying images, many digital photo frames have extra features like web browsers, RSS feeds and audio streaming. If you want Internet content, you’re going to pay a heftier price and also face elaborate and confusing menu options that require not-so-simple setups. If photos are the only things you want, look for a frame low on features and you’ll save money. However, if you’re more tech-enabled and are keen for Internetbased features (like weather forecasts), be sure to get a frame that features Wi-Fi.

TIP

Resolution rules and ratios

When considering screen resolution, a good trick is to never go below 640 x 480 pixels. Anything lower than this will display subpar, boxy images, and the details will be lost. Even if the frame is at a bargain price, we suggest being a little more fussy on this aspect.

The aspect ratio determines the width and height of the image. Choose 4:3 for standard full screen or 16:9 for widescreen. Most digital cameras shoot in 4:3.

TIP

Location, location, location

Before buying a digital frame, be sure to think about its placement. Like any piece of digital equipment, not every device is created equal.

Some run on batteries, while others need to be charged. If you have one that requires a plug socket, it might be best to place it where the wires will be inconspicuous.

Another issue worth considering is portrait or landscape. If the frame doesn’t have a built-in accelerometer, you’ll only be able to position it one way.

Check List: There’s a lot to consider when buying a digital photo frame.

Below is an A-Z checklist of what to look out for: > Aspect Ratio: The aspect ratio determines the width and height of the image. Choose 4:3 for standard full screen or 16:9 for widescreen.

Most digital cameras shoot in 4:3. > Contrast Ratio: The greater the contrast, the more vibrant the photos will appear. > High Definition: Look for an HDMI output for viewing photos in high definition on an HDTV. > Image Control: These factors affect how crisp, clear and colourful the pictures look, including high-definition capability and sharper images. > Look: Consider different finishes and colours, or opt for interchangeable faceplates. > Remote Control: Most digital photo frames come with a remote control so you can stop the slide show and access the user interface to make changes, like changing the length of time the photo is on the screen, and the contrast of the picture. > Resolution: More pixels create a sharper photo. Choose a higher resolution for crisper images. > Size: Frames come in a range of sizes to fit the needs of any room.

Choose from 7” to 14”. > Sound and Video Playback: These optional features allow you to view videos and create photo slideshows set to your favourite MP3 playlist. > Storage Capacity: Digital frames offer a range of storage capacity. A memory of 512MB holds about 125 photos, and 1GB vholds about 250 photos. > Style and Appearance: Present digital photos in a way that matches your décor and leaves an impression with family and friends. > Touch Panel: For easy interaction, a touch panel means changing photos or viewing options with an easy-to-use, touch-sensitive border. > Wireless or Bluetooth Options: Load photos to the frame from a Wi-Fi network or a Bluetooth-enabled device like your cellphone.

TIP Don’t be brand-conscious Big-name brands often come with a big price tag. Rather check out the frame first by reading online reviews. Lesserknown models are often half the price and can provide the same picture quality and required features.

www.connect.co.za | 25

mobile storage //by deon du plessis

mobile storage:

the next level New hard drives can improve your notebook’s battery life, thanks to some pretty cool innovations that combine solid state memory with regular platter drives. Connect takes a closer look.

I

s the idea that a new hard drive could not only improve the overall performance of your notebook, but also save battery power a foreign concept? If so, welcome to the future – that’s exactly what new notebook hard drives from all the major manufacturers are capable of. In defiance of tradition, this new technology isn’t prohibitively expensive, either.

Over the last four years, the price of solid-state memory – the kind you’re likely to find in any old USB memory stick – has dropped as production has ramped up. This has led to the manufacturing of hard drives that only use solid-state memory technology called SSDs (solid-state disks). This approach has four main advantages over more traditional storage methods: the first is that it uses no moving parts; the second is that it’s very small; the third is that it uses less power than a traditional hard drive; and, lastly, SSDs are significantly faster than their old-fashioned cousins in certain instances.

What’s the catch?

Despite a significant price drop, however, a hard drive that only uses solid-state memory is still very expensive when you compare it with the per-gig price of a regular hard drive. To address this, hard drives have been designed that combine solid-state memory with

26 | connect | October 2010

traditional platter technology to form ‘hybrid’ hard drives that enjoy the best of both worlds: SSD performance benefits and regular storage technology’s excellent affordability and high capacities.

Seagate’s Momentus XT is one such hybrid drive, boasting 500GB of storage along with 4GB of solid-state cache memory. A technique called Adaptive Memory stores frequently-accessed data in the 4GB cache, which saves the drive the need to physically locate the data on its platters, an action that takes time. Benefits of this approach are increased read speeds that result in noticeably faster overall system performance, so boot times are shorter, programs open faster and games load quicker than they would with a regular drive.

More power to ya Additionally, because a hybrid drive operates more efficiently, it does not need as much power to run, resulting in less of a power draw on the battery, which, in turn, keeps your notebook mobile for longer. A full-on SSD drive is even better for a notebook’s battery life as it has zero moving parts, further reducing the drive’s power-drain.

Going hybrid is, therefore, an all-round win, as it’s not only affordable, it makes your notebook perform better too while also providing plenty of storage space.

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electronic health //by tamaryn watkins

digital Your online medical bag call for answering any The Internet is your first port of a product or getting service g din fin s, ion est qu ted ela h-r tec ldn’t it be the same when recommendations. So why shou t gives you the quick and it comes to your health? Connec ealth-savvy. easy low-down on how to be eH

28 | connect | October 2010

All information is intended for general knowledge only and is not a substitute for medical advice or treatment for specific medical conditions.

eed to find a new doctor or specialist?

Or perhaps you’re a hypochondriac who needs to read up on the latest disease you’re sure you have. Medical information is now readily accessible on the World Wide Web and because of this, much of the mystery surrounding modern medicine has been debunked for the average person. But where and how to find the information relating to the kind of medical help you might require? Connect looks at how to get the help you need, where you need it.

Pick a Practitioner Everyone needs a doctor at some point in their lives, but where do you find them? Perhaps you need the services of a nurse, or you’d like to hire some medical equipment, or need to know where the nearest 24hour pharmacy is. You can find all this information online – it’s easy, free of charge and convenient.

Look local...

Self-Diagnostics

Askthedoctoronline.co.za Got a medical question? You can submit it online, and rest assured that a team of qualified experts will advise you, point you in the right direction as to what sort of medical help you should seek (if any), or what sort of specialist you should be booking an appointment with.

You can search for a medical practitioner based on location and specialty. There’s also a large database of useful and interesting articles relating to general health and specific medical conditions.

If you’re one of those people who likes to keep to a minimum the time spent at a doctor’s rooms, it could be useful to walk into the practitioner’s office with a pretty good idea of what is wrong with you. So, to make it easier and faster for the doctor to confirm your diagnosis and prescribe treatment, you might find you’ll benefit from a bit of self-diagnosis. There are a number of online facilities that offer access to a service like this, and it’s free of charge.

Whichdoctor.co.za South Africa’s central portal for listing, searching and browsing all medical practitioners, by province and speciality. There’s also a directory for nurses, dentists, medical aid societies, pharmacies and even a veterinary services directory.

What are the symptoms? > WebMD Symptomchecker: http://symptoms.webmd.com/ A comprehensive survey detailing all your symptoms relating to various parts of the body. Allows you to isolate possible problems, and offers useful advice as to what medical assistance you should be seeking. > Your Diagnosis: http://www.yourdiagnosis.com/ Asks questions about every body system, and records all your allergies, medications and immunisations, as well as listing your family history and past medical problems. Drawing on this comprehensive medical profile that you’ve created, YourDiagnosis does a complex analysis of all information gathered about your symptoms and will produce a list of all possible and probable medical diagnoses.

www.connect.co.za | 29

electronic health In Case Of An Emergency: First Aid: http://firstaid. webmd.com/default.htm Your first stop for emergencyrelated information, covering everything relating to cuts, bruises, stings and poisons, and how to handle various situations.

First Aid Essentials:

W H

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The basics you need to keep in your car/handbag for emergencies: Tweezers: The safest way to remove a splinter or a tick is with a clean pair of tweezers.

Health 24/7: Another useful (and local) online resource for all things health-related is www.health24.com. Health24 is a complete all-in-one-place medical resource. There’s an A-Z of all possible health topics, and sections dealing with health issues and information relating to men, women, children and babies. There’s diet and nutrition, where you’ll find loads of healthy eating tips and recipes, and all the information you need to ensure that your dietary needs are met. There’s the Ask An Expert Forum that aims to answer all your questions. You might also want to explore the tests/ quizzes section to analyse various aspects of your health and anatomy. Find advice, support, information and everything you’re likely to need, right here on Health24.com.

> Define Health: www.medterms.com MedTerms medical dictionary contains over 16 000 definitions of medical terms and conditions, in easy-to-understand language. All definitions are written by medical experts and are listed alphabetically.

> Watch Health: www.youtube.com Having a specific surgical procedure, and want to know what to expect while you’re out cold on the table? Search Youtube videos and find videos of surgical procedures for you to watch.

Health On-The Go Use your iPhone smartly – to monitor, control and inquire about all aspects of your health.

Anaesthetic spray/lotion: For painful stings or itchy ant bites, these salves provide quick relief from mild pain and itching.

Hand sanitiser and gloves: Avoid contamination of a wound when attending to an injury by using hand sanitiser and gloves.

Pain relief: Aspirin, acetaminophen and ibuprofen are popular over-the-counter pain relievers, which can be given for immediate pain relief.

Gauze and tape: For cuts and scrapes, use gauze pads to apply pressure to small wounds until the bleeding subsides. Use with tape to serve as a bandage.

Adhesive plasters of difference sizes can also help protect minor cuts and scrapes.

Antiseptic wipes/spray: To sanitise wounds and prevent infection.

WebMD (http://www.webmd. com/mobile) Allows you to check symptoms, access drug and treatment information and get first aid essentials, while out and about.

Beating Stress (available from the iTunes Store for 99c) Are you stressed? This application contains some invaluable tips on how to overcome and manage stress.

30 | connect | October 2010

iHomeopath Lite (available from iTunes Store for free) If you’re looking for alternative treatments to everyday ailments and problems, this app will prove very handy.

Men’s Health (available from iTunes Store for free) A directory of malerelated health issues and treatments, health tips and nutritional guides.

Vitamins & Minerals (available from iTunes Store for free) Want to learn about essential vitamins and minerals, what they do and what food to eat to get the right balance?

This is the app for you.

Antibiotic cream: Prevent infection, keep wound moist and prevent plaster/bandage from sticking to the wound.

Oral antihistamines: Be ready to counter an allergic reaction to insect bites or stings with oral antihistamines.

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product reviews // by Deon Du PLessis

Rocktober is game time!

REVIEWS

W

elcome to the time of year where gaming starts to dominate product news (hooray!), and time starts to go faster and faster as we begin the slide towards Christmas. This October, Microsoft released its revised Xbox 360 console to much fanfare – it boasts a new look, updated hardware and comes with some fancy engineering designed to help leave the ‘red ring of death’ squarely in the past. If you already own an Xbox 360 it’s not essential to buy the new one, but if you do you’ll get a nice big hard drive and built-in wireless networking for a pretty decent price. Check out the review on page 37 for lots more details.

Of the other products we have for you this month, the Extended Warranty on page 38 proves to be rather useful, and you might also be tempted by the new 3TB external drive from Seagate.

As always, there’s lots to get excited about in Connect! We’ll see you in the next issue. 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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Blackberry Torch Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera Packard Bell LX86 Notebook Microsoft Xbox 360 Slim 250GB 1-Year Extended Warranty LG E2250V LED LCD Monitor Microsoft Wireless Comfort 5000 Desktop LG GE20 External DVD Writer Seagate GoFlex Desk 3TB External HP LaserJet CM1312 MFP Samsung Galaxy-S Logitech Z-523 Speakers Verbatim 2.1 Speakers Skullcandy HESH Headphones Samsung SPF-87H LED Photo Frame Kaspersky PURE 3-user eZee Business Management Software Magix Digital DJ Fuzz & Ditto at the Sea Books

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Print Savvy or Print Renegade?

In this day and age a printer has become a must-have peripheral in every household and office alike.

What do your printer purchasing habits say about you? Do our fun quiz and fax it off to 0865483304 to stand the chance to win a Lexmark Pinnacle Pro 901 printer.

1 What is your computer set up at home? a. A laptop b. A desktop c. A combination of the above d. I only have a computer at the office Score:

2 What printer do you use to do your printing on? a. An inkjet printer at home b. A laser printer at home c. The office printer d. I use a business centre Score:

3 In an average week, how many pages do you print? a. Less than 5 pages b. 5 to 30 pages c. 30 to 50 pages d. More than 50 pages Score:

4 Are you aware that your printer can save you electricity?

Do you have your printer set up in Powersave mode? a. Yes b. No c. Didn’t know it was possible d. My printer uses electricity?

Score:

5 When you plan on buying a new printer, do you do research before you make your decision? a. I read reviews online b. I read reviews and gather info from the manufacturers websites c. I look out for the cheapest printer d. I take the in store sales assistant’s word for it.

Score:

Scoring: a b c d

6 How is you printer connected? a. USB cable b. Wired network (Ethernet) c. Wireless network d. I have not yet connected my printer Score:

7 Do you print on both sides of the page? a. Sometimes b. Always c. I wasn’t aware that printers could do that d. No Score:

8 How old is your printer? a. Less than 1 year b. 1 to 2 years c. 2 to 3 years d. I can’t remember, I think it arrived with Noah’s ark Score:

9 Which of your printer functions do you use most? a. Print b. Scan c. Copy d. Fax Score:

10 What kind of documents do you mostly print? a. Photos b. Text documents c. Photos & text documents d. School projects & research Score:

11 What length of product guarantee would be preferable? a. 1 year b. 3 years c. 5 years Score:

12 Where do you buy your cartridges? a. At the store that I bought my printer b. I shop around to find the best deal on original cartridges. c. I go where the cheapest deal is regardless of them being original or generic d. It is cheaper to buy a new printer Score:

13 Who installed your printer? a. Me, myself, I and the user’s guide b. A friend c. A paid-for techie d. Installing a printer is easy, why do I need any help?

Score:

14 If you had to purchase a new printer, what would the most likely reason be for the replacement? a. The old one was out of its warranty and has broken. b. Newer and improved technology has been introduced in the market. c. It got too expensive to replace the cartridges. d. It’s cheaper to buy a new printer than to buy new cartridges Score:

15 Who is your printer vendor of choice? a. Hewlett–Packard b. Lexmark c. Canon d. Other Score:

Enrty: Now go ahead and add up your score to find out what kind of printer user you are. Then fax this page to 0865483304 along with your name & contact numbers to stand a chance to win a Lexmark Pinnacle Pro 901.

Name:

Tel: Cell: What kind of printer user are you?

0-10 Points: Print Cadet

You’re the reason why manufacturers have to write instruction manuals. Reading the one that came with your printer is guaranteed to take your relationship with your print device to a whole new level, and will more than likely give your IT support desk a break.

11-20 Points: Print Captain You can print, scan and copy at the drop of a hat, but the minute there’s a paper-jam or a flashing error light, you need to call for back-up. Spend some time getting to know your print device, and you’ll find it will snap to attention, and deliver your goods, so much better.

21-30 Points: Print Drill-Sergeant

Total Score:

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You’re a hard task-master, and you expect only the best performance from your printer.

You know how to drill it, in every single situation – and if there’s a problem, you know how to fix it. In fact, you probably spend your time fixing other people’s print issues, as well. Give yourself a high-five for being so useful and knowledgeable.

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BlackBerry Torch 9800 NEED TO KNOW

iPhone 3GS

The iPhone is the king of touch phones and with access to a host of applications, a slick interface and lightningfast 3G connectivity, it lives up to the Apple hype.

Samsung Wave

The latest touchscreen sensation from Samsung features the proprietary BADA operating system, an AMOLED display and a whole host of social media-centric applications, all of which make this the perfect entrylevel smartphone.

Nokia E72

If touchscreens are not your cup of tea, and you’re looking for a phone that can handle all messaging, documentation and organisation needs, then the E72 is the ultimate personal electronic assistant.

• 3G network support • Optical trackpad • High-resolution touchscreen • Full QWERTY keyboard TBA

The latest smartphone from BlackBerry sees the amalgamation of touchscreen functionality with the total convenience of a full QWERTY keyboard, resulting in a robust slide phone. The touchscreen experience has been improved since the dismal clunky mess that was the BlackBerry Storm, and this smartphone has been packed with loads more memory, enhanced connectivity options, and the browser interface has received an extreme makeover, all for the better. Regardless of new and improved features, this phone is still, however, the latest in a long line of handsets that BlackBerry has tweaked, and released. The Torch might look a little different from others due to the retro slide build, but upon closer inspection, its genealogy is clearly traceable back to the BlackBerry Bold.

So what’s different about this BlackBerry? The touchscreen slides up on a nearly invisible metal track to reveal the beloved BlackBerry QWERTY down below. Why all this fuss over a keyboard? There are people who really need the keyboard, but want touch functionality as well, and this phone is meant to fulfill that need. You’ll be touching the Torch on its 480 x 360 capacitive display, which is adequate for the device but already a generation behind the competition in terms of resolution and pixel density. It’s unclear as to why RIM didn’t bring the screen up to at least 480 x 800, but there’s speculation that it has something to do with backwards compatibility with apps.

Happily, there’s more to this BlackBerry than just a touchscreen/sliding keyboard combo – there’s the all-new BlackBerry Operating System version 6, too. Research in Motion has managed to cram more features into and pull more performance out of the BlackBerry operating system than we would have thought possible. RIM has (finally) fixed the web browser and managed to make the BlackBerry operating system deliver a proper touchscreen experience. There’s been an overhaul on the graphics and user interface to give it a modern feel, and new bells and whistles have been tossed into the pot, like Universal Search and the Social Feeds app. Overall, BlackBerry 6 is fresh, but familiar.

If there’s one feature BlackBerry users have wanted to see improved more than anything else, it’s the web browser. With BlackBerry 6, that wish can finally be crossed off the list. The new web browser with WebKit rendering (and support for CSS3 and HTML5) finally makes browsing the web on a BlackBerry an enjoyable experience. There’s now tabbed browsing, you can pinch to zoom, and text wraps and shrinks/zooms automatically. Doubletapping on a block of text zooms in and re-flows the text for easy reading, eliminating the need to scroll from side to side.

The BlackBerry is the ultimate communications device: the push e-mail

34 | connect | October 2010

functionality is a beautiful thing, BlackBerry Messenger is addictive, and support for IM apps and social networking apps means there are a million and one ways to stay in touch using your BlackBerry, least of which is the call and texting functionality. There’s an Organiser, Documents To Go and a variety of other useful functionalities that make this BlackBerry the perfect device for the serial multi-tasking communicator.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • 5MP camera with continuous auto-focus, 11 scene modes and geo-tagging • 512MB flash memory plus 4GB card included • 3.2” HVGA+ touchscreen (480 × 360) • Capacitive touchscreen technology • 802.11 b/g/n/3G/GSM/GPRS/EDGE

Pros

Cons

• The new browser experience with pinch and zoom is exactly what was needed to remedy complaints about previous versions of the software • The Torch can be used for tethering your netbook and cellphone and accessing the Internet • The new Social Feeds app brings your social networks and IM clients together in one place, eliminating the need to have multiple apps open at once

• 480 x 360 resolution is so last season – we expected much better • Slide-out action is a bit awkward when you’re doing it with one hand • A faster processor is needed to really make the most of BlackBerry OS 6 – and this phone doesn’t quite get it right

Overall rating

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Nikon Coolpix S8000 Compact Camera

Nikon D3100 DSLR Camera NEED TO KNOW • Nikon’s newest entry-level 14.2MP DSLR • First Nikon DSLR to shoot full HD movies • New EXPEED2 image processor R6 999.95

In late September, Nikon released the D3100 DSLR camera, the follow-up camera to one of its most popular DSLR cameras ever, the D3000. It’s an improvement on its predecessor (the mighty D3000) in every way, starting with an impressive 14.2MP resolution and a brand-new image processor Nikon calls the EXPEED2. This new processor promises to improve things like skin tone, ensure stunning colour reproduction and improve on what the big boys call “tonal gradation” – the noticeable differentiations between shades of any given colour.

There are also two features never-before seen in an entry-level Nikon DSLR camera – Live View and the ability to shoot full 1080p High Definition video. While these make the D3100 stand out from the crowd even further, the camera still has more tricks up its sleeve.

Chief among these is the inclusion of a ‘Guide Mode’, a built-in set of tutorials that not only walk new users through the camera’s features, but also provide examples of how images will look when the various settings are applied. The aim here, it seems, is to teach novice users what each feature does in order to provide a good idea of how to go about composing shots.

This should impart a greater understanding of the camera so that newbies can learn how to tweak settings themselves rather than just relying on the camera’s automatic settings. It’s a great idea, and an incredibly useful tool that will help budding photographers evolve into competent shooters.

Yet another enhancement the D3100 sports is its very high ISO capabilities. ISO refers to the amount of light necessary to capture an image; a low ISO setting is fine for situations bathed in natural light, and the higher the ISO setting, the darker the scene can be while still capturing a decent shot. The D3100 has an ISO rating of 100-3200, fantastic for an entry-level DSLR, but of course Nikon has added to that giving it a maximum ISO of 12 800. No longer will you have an excuse for not perfectly capturing fastmoving subjects, even in low light.

As always, there are multiple scene selections, an automatic selection setting, a face autofocus feature, electronic image stabilisation and a ton of other functions that can be used to capture the perfect picture. Guide Mode

is the best way to learn all about each and after a few weeks spent in its company, it’s fair to expect that you’ll be able to set the camera on your own to capture great pictures regardless of the circumstances.

While the D3100 can shoot HD movies, the absence of an audio input (for an external microphone, for example) means the zoom lens’s autofocus motor may not be entirely silent when tightening up on distant objects.

The D3100 comes with an AF-S Nikkor 18-55mm VR lens that has built-in full-time autofocus for shooting movies, meaning your clips will always be razor-sharp.

The 3” LCD on the back is bright, even in direct sunlight, and whatever the camera sees will be displayed here at the touch of the Live View button. The controls on the back will take time to learn, but they are of good quality.

Nikon has come up with a fantastic DSLR camera in the D3100. Its overall image quality, the excellent zoom lens and the ability to shoot movies at full HD resolutions are all brilliant, and the inclusion of the Guide Mode helps new users come to grips with the camera’s excellent features. Truly a great entry-level DSLR camera.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Sensor: 14.2 megapixels, 23.6×15.8mm CMOS • LCD: 3”, 230,000 pixels • Sensitivity: ISO 200-3200 (100-12,800 expanded) • Live View: Yes • Storage Media: SD, SDHC, SDXC • Movie Mode: 1920×1080 (24fps)/1280×720 (30fps)/640×424 (24fps) • Auto popup Flash: Yes • Lens: Nikkor AFS 18-55mm VR Pros

Cons

• HD movies are a pleasure to shoot with full-time autofocus • Guide Mode is a brilliant way to learn the camera’s functions • Image quality is superb for an entrylevel DSLR

• No audio input options for movies • Autofocus motor is not entirely silent • Can only use Nikkor AF-I and AF-S lenses with autofocus motors

Overall rating

For everyday use by anyone interested in pointing and shooting rather than tweaking every little setting before pressing the shutter, Nikon’s Coolpix S8000 is a good bet.

perfect companions

SanDisk Ultra II 8GB SDHC Card HD movies and 14MP images take up a lot of space, so it’s wise to kit yourself out with a high-speed, high-capacity SD card.

Adobe Photoshop Elements 8 Once you have your images, software like the excellent Photoshop Elements 8 can be put to good use enhancing the good work already done by your camera.

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Acer Timeline 5810T

While Packard Bell’s efforts here are impressive, Acer did it first. What the Timeline series lacked in power, though, it more than made up with its eight-hour battery life.

Sony Vaio VPCEB17FG

If your needs are somewhat more down to earth and you don’t mind its 6-cell battery, Sony’s excellent Vaio VPCEB17FG is a fantastically solid choice as an all-round performer for both work and play.

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Netgear NDG3500 Wireless ADSL2+ Gigabit Router Adding a wireless ADSL router brings cable-free Internet connectivity to your home.

Netgear’s N300 router is fast, stable and very easy to set up, even for newcomers to wireless networking.

Packard Bell Easynote LX86 Notebook NEED TO KNOW • Very thin but powerful notebook • Stylish silver finish gives the notebook a classy look and feel • Powered by an Intel Core i7 mobile processor R12 999.95

Packard Bell is a changing company. This is no more in evidence than in the two new Easynote notebooks the company is releasing in the local market, the LX86 and TX86. Both of these notebooks have hardware that most enthusiasts would sell body parts for, looks to make supermodels jealous and, best of all, they are incredibly thin and boast a respectable battery life courtesy of a nine-cell battery.

This puts them squarely in the same domain as Acer’s very successful Timeline notebook series. This is new territory for Packard Bell, which, until now, has been more of a player in the ‘value’ segment, leaving the performance and style markets to the bigger boys.

The unit on review, the LX86, is Packard Bell’s flagship model, and it is truly a beauty to behold. Clad all in silver with a black, plastic trim, it’s barely the thickness of a trashy romance novel. As far as visual appeal goes, the LX86 has The Look. We’d go so far as to say Acer’s Timeline series may want to reconsider any confidence it might have been feeling as King of the ‘thin and light’ hill. The LX86 is a wee bit heavy, however, weighing in at 3.53kg with the 9-cell battery installed.

Doing display duty is a very large, widescreen LED monitor. The 16:9 screen is large for a reason – the intended uses of this notebook include watching movies, and what better way to enjoy those than on a big screen?

Your movie quality maxes out at 720p, though, as the screen’s maximum resolution is 1600 x 900. This is still fine for DVDs, however.

Powering the user experience is a fantastic combination: Intel’s Core i7-740QM mobile processor and 4GB of DDR3 RAM. The Core i7 in use here is one of the fastest available for notebooks. What this translates to is brilliant application and Windows responsiveness and the ability to perform processor-and-RAM-intensive tasks like video and photo editing quickly (relative to most other mobile processors, that is).

Driving your gaming experience on the LX86 is ATI’s successful and surprisingly powerful Radeon HD5650 graphics processor unit. This excellent graphics card comes with 1GB of dedicated video memory so you can run many games – including brand-new ones – at decent quality settings without losing out on smoothness.

36 | connect | October 2010

The LX86 has a massive amount of storage on which to save all of your data – it has two 500GB hard drives built in for a total capacity of 1TB. This is nearly unheard of in a notebook, so hats off to Packard Bell. This is so much, in fact, that it’s feasible that you’ll never, ever, run out of space and if you do, it’s time to consider the possibility that you might be a serial hoarder.

All of this is held together by Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit. Packard Bell also throws in a few software utilities, the most interesting of which is a custom-built social networking application that lets you Facebook, YouTube and Flickr without having to log directly into the respective websites.

In all, this is a mightily impressive effort from Packard Bell. It shows the company is growing up, and is able to compete with the bigger players quite competently. If you’re interested in a very slim notebook, don’t mind that it’s quite wide and love having oodles of power at your fingertips, you’d do well to give the LX86 the once-over.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Quad-Core Intel Core i7-740QM processor • 4GB DDR3 RAM • 2 x 500GB SATA-II hard drives • Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit • VGA, HDMI, eSATA, 4 x USB 2.0 ports • IEEE 802.11b/g/n, Bluetooth 3.0 support • LED screen @ 1600 x 900 • Full-sized keyboard (with keypad) • Dolby Home Theatre v3.0 sound • Photoshop Elements 8.0 full version included, Office 2010 trial and more • 9-cell battery (around 5 hours of operation) Pros

Cons

• Brilliantly thin and lightweight build • Powered by one of the most powerful mobile processors • 9-cell battery yields excellent battery life

• Screen size means the body is unavoidably wide • Maximum screen resolution does not support 1080p movies • Windows Home Premium features might not suit business users

Overall rating

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related

Kinect is Microsoft’s version of the ‘next big thing’, a motion-sensitive control system that lets you use your entire body as the controller.

Normal Xbox 360 owners will have to power the Kinect accessory separately, whereas the Slimline 360 has a dedicated Kinect port that provides the power.

products

Sony PlayStation 3 with Move

Sony comes to the motioncontroller party with its Move product, a set of controllers that will have you waving wildly in front of the TV set.

Microsoft Xbox 360 Slimline 250GB NEED TO KNOW • Redesigned Xbox 360 console • Much slimmer and better-looking than the original • Comes with a 250GB hard drive and built-in wireless networking R2 999.95

It’s taken a few years, but Microsoft has finally brought to market a version of the Xbox 360 that addresses many of the complaints levelled against the original 360. The new one is slimmer, lighter, quieter and comes with the kind of hardware sorely lacking from the original, namely built-in wireless N networking and a generous 250GB hard drive.

These things might not sound like additions worth making a fuss over, but owners of the original were required to pay extra for a hard drive and wireless networking adapter, which added on an extra R2 000 or so to the original’s R1 999.95 price tag. Worse, the entry-level hard drive was a paltry 20GB, and the wireless adapter had shorter range and slower transfer speeds thanks to being based on the rather old 802.11b/g standard.

Now, almost everything you need for a very good console-owning experience is in the box. HD TV owners will need to grab an HDMI cable, though, as this is the only omission from a truly complete package.

Other new features to the Slimline Xbox 360 include better ventilation so the console is less likely to overheat. Just in case the worst happens, there is an automatic shut-off feature that powers the console down if it ever gets too warm, presumably to reduce the chances of long-term damage resulting from overheating and avoidance of the dreaded “red ring of death” that the original console became (in)famous for.

It’s also a lot quieter than the original 360. No more will fan sounds drown out movie dialogue or hum distractingly in the background as content is downloaded off Xbox Live. The new power brick, on the other hand, does make a bit of noise but it’s still nowhere near the level of the original 360.

The new, slim 360 now ships with a wireless black controller, a big step up from the wired controller of yesteryear. It takes two AA batteries that last for around 30 hours of gameplay, and the absence of wires will make anyone who tripped over controller wires before very happy.

We have it on good authority that a South African version of the excellent Xbox Live service will be launched in November 2010. As such, now is a brilliant time to grab an Xbox 360 and join in the fun. Xbox Live offers game downloads, multiplayer matchups, gaming news, the ability to make and talk to friends and lots more. Gold membership will grant you access to the online multiplayer features of Xbox 360 games, as well as other value-added services. It costs an annual fee, but the quality of the services provided is well worth it.

The new console’s DVD drive still makes a bit of a noise when there is a disc in there, but this can be easily solved by copying games to the hard drive – there is tons of space available, after all. Other than that, its glossy surface may not appeal to everyone, but overall, this is a brilliant effort from Microsoft, and arguably how the Xbox 360 should have been designed from the start.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Touch-sensitive buttons • Whisper-quiet • Built-in 802.11n Wi-Fi • 250GB internal hard drive • Custom Kinect port on the back of the console • Five USB ports, three in the back and two in the front • Dedicated optical audio-out port • Power Supply – smaller and more efficient • Wireless controller included Pros

Cons

• Updated design addresses the original’s flaws • The slim build and black casing look really good • Ships with a wireless controller, Wi-Fi and a 250GB hard drive

• Console can get a little warm during operation • No HDMI cable included in the box • Owners of the original might not like having to re-purchase

Overall rating

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Red Dead Redemption Also known as “Grand Theft Horse”, this sandbox game is set in the American West at the height of its danger and fame. Steal horses, duel with bad guys and kick some cowboy derriere.

Gears of War 2 Re-join Marcus Fenix in this acclaimed follow-up to one of the best action games on the Xbox. Beware, though – it’s not for the fainthearted!

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Aver TravelMate Notebook Acer’s range of TravelMate business notebooks is popular with busy, hard-working people for good reason – their quality is top-notch and performance is very good.

Extended Warranties NEED TO KNOW • Extends the manufacturer’s warranty period by a year • Available for notebook and desktop computers • Six-month window to purchase extended warranty R499 – Desktops R699 – Notebooks

Sony Vaio Notebook Sony’s sense of style, its incredibly solid manufacturing capabilities and love of performance hardware mean a Vaio is never a poor purchase.

Packard Bell Desktop Packard Bell is rising up to challenge the value market with a range of stylish, appealing and well-specced personal desktop computers.

Inexplicably, despite it being the 21st century and humanity having a massive body of knowledge, advanced materials and incredible intelligence at its disposal, nobody has invented a product that is absolutely, 100% guaranteed not to break down, ever. For this reason, it’s important to pay attention to manufacturers’ warranties as they tell you what you are and are not covered for, how long this cover will last and what you need to do should the worst happen.

While these warranties are pretty good, they can always be better.

Some cynics in our audience might go so far as to say the average warranty is designed to expire mere months, if not days, before catastrophic failure raises its ugly head. This is why a product like Incredible Connection’s Extended Warranty is such a great idea – it extends the manufacturer’s warranty period by a whole year, for a relatively small investment.

You don’t just get peace of mind for your money, either. You also get one hour of on-site support thrown in, R500 worth of in-store vouchers to spend on qualifying products and, best of all, you qualify for a loan unit should your desktop or notebook ever be in for repairs.

If you’re asking what the catch is, well, you’re asking the right question. Firstly, you have six months from the original date of purchase to buy an extended warranty. Once that period expires, your product no longer qualifies for extended warranty coverage. The second is that you’re not covered for anything more than what the original manufacturer’s warranty covers you for, and lastly, you have to have purchased your desktop or notebook PC from Incredible Connection in order to qualify.

38 | connect | October 2010

These are pretty reasonable conditions, however, although it would be nice to get coverage for additional types of failure too.

To get going, the best advice we can give you is to fill out the warranty card that comes with your product, and send it off to the company whose product it is. This gets you onto their database, so if you do purchase an extended warranty, your details will just need to be updated with the extra year for which you qualify. On that point, the extended warranty does not take effect from its date of purchase; rather, it kicks in on the first day after the original warranty expires, effectively adding on a full year to the original warranty period.

If you’ve ever experienced a breakdown that happened days after your warranty expired, this product should have a lot of appeal. It’s a small investment that may well pay off in the long run; the fact that it also brings short-term benefits like in-store vouchers and the possibility of a loan unit makes it a very wise choice indeed.

Requirements • Purchase your desktop/notebook from Incredible Connection • Buy the extended warranty within the first six months of ownership • Register your product with the manufacturer Pros

Cons

• Extends your warranty period by a full year • Qualifies you for loan units in the event of repairs • In-store vouchers as well as one hour of free on-site support

• Does not cover you for more failures than specified in the original warranty • Offering loan units should be standard on all warranties, not an add-on • Six-month window in which to purchase

Overall rating

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perfect companions

Playstation 3 Console If gaming is your thang, you can’t be without a Playstation 3. This brilliant console delivers spectacular visuals and has a games library packed with triple-A titles.

Microsoft Xbox 360 With its new look, improved hardware and an evergrowing library of amazing games to play, the revamped Xbox 360 should be on everyone’s “must-have” list.

HDMI Cable To cut down on cable clutter and get the most out of your HDTV, a high-quality HDMI cable is a must as it transports HD video and audio over a single cable.

LG E2250V LED-backlit LCD Monitor NEED TO KNOW • Full HD monitor with LED backlighting • Incredibly thin and lightweight build • HDMI, VGA and DVI inputs R2 999.95

It seems like it was just the other day that monitors with LED backlighting were the playthings of the rich and privileged. These days, LED technology has matured to the point where it is no longer as expensive as it once was, and more and more monitors are turning to it for all the benefits it brings. These include lower power consumption, incredibly vibrant colours, fantastic contrast ratios that make blacks, blacker and whites, brighter, as well as screens that are far thinner than anything LED’s predecessor, Cold Carbon Fluorescent Lighting, allowed.

LG has been a little late to the LED party, but with the case of the awesome E50 series, it’s definitely a matter of ‘better late than never’. The monitor we have here, the 22” model, represents just the right balance between screen size, image quality and thin build, with the added bonus of displaying bright, vibrant and stunningly colourful images to boot thanks to LG’s implementation of LED backlighting throughout the series.

It has a response time of 5ms, which, while not the best available, is still pretty darn good.

The first thing anyone with eyes will notice about the screen is its jawdropping thickness - the E2250V measures just 17.5mm. That’s under two centimetres thick! This gives the screen an unmistakable air of polish and sophistication, to the point where any other screen you may have owned will look clunky and fat in comparison. The second notable feature is its glossiness – the E2250V does not shy away from shiny black plastic.

Excellent image quality and a thin build are not the only tricks the E2250V has up its sleeve. It also has an ambient light sensor that automatically dims its brightness according to the room’s lighting levels.

This has the effect of helping avoid eyestrain, something that can happen when staring at a screen that’s too bright, in a room that’s well-lit. It’s adjustable, of course, so not compulsory to have enabled if you’re a fan of bright screens in dark rooms.

The second trick comes courtesy of its stand – take the monitor out of its base, and swivel the stand’s arm into a new position that allows the screen to support itself, with the bottom of the screen as the base, much

40 | connect | October 2010

like a digital photo frame. This is useful if you want to connect the screen to a notebook via VGA in order to extend the notebook’s desktop onto the E2250V, the third trick in this versatile screen’s repertoire.

Its native resolution of 1920 x 1080 means the E2250V is fully HighDefinition compliant, so you’re free to use the HDMI input to connect to Blu-ray players, gaming consoles and media players. Traditional connectors DVI and VGA are also present, along with an audio-out cable for outputting HD audio to a sound system of your choice. The E2250V has no built-in speakers, the only significant omission here. This is probably because monitor speakers are usually pretty basic, so it’s not a massive loss, but some might lament their absence.

The E2250V is undoubtedly a premium product, and will cost you more than a run-of-the-mill 22” LCD screen. You’re getting a lot for your money, however, making the screen well worth the purchase price.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Screen Technology: LCD • Backlighting: LED • Viewable Screen Size: 21.5” • Aspect Ratio: 16:9 • Resolution: 1920x1080 • Brightness: 250cd/m2 • Contrast Ratio: 5,000,000:1 (Dynamic), 1000:1 (Static) • Response Time: 5ms • Viewing Angle: H:176°/V:170° • Number of colours: 16.7M • Inputs/Outputs: HDMI, VGA, DVI, 3.5mm audio • Stand: Detachable 2-way Pros

Cons

• Beautifully thin build • LED backlighting makes for amazing on-screen imagery • Adjustable stand brings screen down to a notebook’s level

• No built-in speakers • Glossy plastic might not be everyone’s cup of tea • Response time is not the absolute best

Overall rating

related

products

Logitech Bluetooth Mouse M555B

This mouse offers all the important things in one tiny device: no wires, extreme portability and it’s perfect for notebooks and netbooks that have built-in Bluetooth wireless.

Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 NEED TO KNOW • Uses Microsoft’s BlueTrack technology • Compact design with quiet touch keys • Control media playback from your keyboard • 4-way scrolling mouse R899.95

There’s the perfect keyboard and mouse out there for every user, each one specialised according to specific needs. This desktop set from Microsoft is a little different, in that it offers something for everybody, with function keys for the power user, and an ergonomic design for those with wrist issues. More importantly, if you’re looking for a wireless keyboard and mouse for a computer that has multiple users, this one is most likely to suit everyone’s needs.

The Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 keyboard has a slight, six-degree ergonomic curve that’s meant to support your wrists, without feeling awkward. This is also what makes it perfect for first-time users – it gives comfort and support, without taking much getting used to. It’s thin and sleek, and the wrist-pad is rubberised and textured for comfort, offering a non-slip grip. Along the top of the keyboard are hotkeys that can be used for quick access to your pictures, e-mail and documents. You’ll also notice that there are five easily-programmable hotkeys and music and volume controls, below which are arranged the standard “F” function keys.

The key feedback is a little softer than we’d initially expected, which will suit anyone bothered by the clickity-click of typing. If you’re planning on doing a lot of typing, the slightly curved layout of the keys will ensure comfort and minimise wrist strain, as Microsoft has designed the keyboard to closely match a typist’s natural hand positions.

The mouse is not the same giant tennisball-sized ergonomic design that Microsoft has been pushing of late. Rather, it is a comfortable palm-sized

model featuring proprietary BlueTrack technology, which means the mouse works on virtually any surface, including glass.

The mouse can be used easily by both left- and right-handed people.

It has two main buttons as well as a smooth scroll wheel, which can also be used as a button; there are two more buttons on either side mapped to Forward and Back, handy for surfing the Internet. The set comes with a single USB dongle that detects both peripherals so you have one USB port free and, as always, not having to manage messy cables is a big plus.

If you’re in the market for a new mouse-and-keyboard combo, the Microsoft Wireless Comfort Desktop 5000 should be at the top of the list.

It’s not overpriced, especially if you consider that a high-end Blue Track mouse is included in the package. With its ergonomic keyboard design and Windows 7 functionality to boot, this set has plenty of perks for any user.

Microsoft Arc Keyboard

This keyboard marries both form and function. It’s lightweight, beautifully designed and perfectly ergonomic, as well as being completely wireless.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Windows 7, Windows Vista or Windows XP (excluding Windows XP 64-bit) • CD-ROM • USB port • 4 x AA batteries (included) Pros

Cons

• One USB dongle for both peripherals means one extra USB port free • Comfortable layout means less strain on hands and wrists • Mouse is comfortable for both leftand right-handed users

• The mouse seems a bit narrow, and could be slightly small for people with larger hands • Removable feet might be easily misplaced

Overall rating

Flexible USB keyboard

This flexible keyboard rolls up and stores away easily and is entirely spill-proof and portable, perfect if you’re accident-prone with the coffee cup in the mornings, while reading e-mails.

www.connect.co.za | 41

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LG Slim USB DVD Drive

The LG Slim is entirely USB-powered, making it an excellent purchase if you plan to use it while on the move. It’s quiet, efficient and capable of writing at speeds of up to 8x.

LG GE20 External DVD Drive NEED TO KNOW

Seagate FreeAgent Go 500GB

This compact USB 2.0 portable hard drive is lightweight and packs portability and capacity in one, giving you loads of space to save everything you need and take it on the road.

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Sony VAIO VPCEA16FG/P A 2.4GHz Intel Core i5 processor with 4GB of DDR3 memory and an ATI HD5650 Mobility Radeon graphics card means this is one hard worker.

• USB 2.0 external writeable DVD drive • SecurDisc to protect your data • LightScribe Direct Labeling • Supports all disc formats R499.95

You might not think you need an external DVD drive. Chances are you probably do. You’ll need to get your hands on something like the LG GE20 external DVD drive if you have a netbook, or thinking of getting one, as these devices sacrifice an optical drive to achieve their compact size. You’ll also need an external DVD drive if your desktop only has a CD-ROM if you want to play DVD movies, burn DVD discs and install games released since 2006.

The most common use of a writeable DVD drive, apart from reading DVD discs to install programs and watch movies, is as a backup device. A writeable DVD drive will enable you to back up audio, video, and files of any type from a PC or Mac. This means it can be used to clear space on your hard disk, make backups of files or watch and burn DVDs wherever you might be.

Regular DVDs have a capacity of 4.7GB, and dual-layer discs can store up to 8.5GB of data and are cheap, making DVD backups quite cost-effective.

In terms of looks, the theme here seems to be classic understatement – the case is black with silver edges and the design is functional. This is basically a 5.25-inch casing with a standard SATA DVD-writer drive slotted in the case and the build quality seems more solid and durable than others in this price range. The front is adorned with a plain eject button and there are two rubbery support bands covering the sides and bottom of the case. This means it can be used either horizontally or vertically.

The rubber bands also work to ensure that vibrations are kept to a minimum, which reduces noise and provides a measure of stability.

The back of the case has two basic connectors, one for a USB cable and the second for the 12V power supply. Yes, this DVD-writer requires its

42 | connect | October 2010

own power source, which might impact on portability, but it’s a small compromise to make, really.

When it cme to using the device, the LG GE20 seems to be a very capable DVD-writer. With maximum supported write speeds of 20x for DVDs and 48x for CDs, it will probably be limited by the USB 2.0 interface it uses rather than anything else – so you should expect a fairly quick response time from this device, but it won’t blow you away. What sets this external DVD drive apart from the competition is the LightScribe Direct Labeling facility. This enables you to burn a silk-screen-like, high-contrast label on the topside of your CD or DVD media. After completing a data burn, all you do is flip the disk over, so the drive can burn a label on it. No more stacks of blank disks that leave you scratching your head as to their contents.

So if you’re looking for a portable drive that can handle all your discburning and reading requirements, and you’re looking for an affordable price tag, as well as convenience and one or two additional features, this one comes Connect-recommended.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • External USB 2.0 Host Interface • SecurDisc and LightScribe Direct Labeling • Supported discs: DVD-ROM/DVD-RW /DVD-R/ DVD-R (DL)/DVD+RW/DVD+R Pros

Cons

• Lightweight, durable and affordable • Compact enough for travel • LightScribe Labeling functionality is very useful

• Needs a separate power supply, limiting portability • USB 2.0 interface seems a bit dated in this age of FireWire and USB 3.0

Overall rating

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Seagate FreeAgent Desk 1TB

For the purposes of spreading your data around multiple drives to prevent catastrophic data loss, multiple 1TB external drives are recommended.

Verbatim Executive 500GB

It is smaller in both design and capacity, but this 500GB drive is far easier to carry around and requires no external power.

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Avanquest Backup & Protection Suite Windows has built-in backup software, but if you want a professional solution with tons of options, Avanquests’ software is a good choice.

Seagate USB 2.0 GoFlex Desk 3TB External Drive NEED TO KNOW • The first 3TB external drive, ever • Modular design separates drive from docks • Also available with a USB 3.0 dock R2 999.95

Seagate is breaking new ground with its brand-new external hard drive, the GoFlex Desk. First, it’s a three-TERABYTE drive – to you and me, that’s three thousand GIGABYTES, a truly gargantuan amount of space.

Second, its design is completely modular – the GoFlex Desk 3TB comes with a separate docking station that provides connectivity to your PC or Mac, and there are several versions of this docking station, each supporting a different kind of connection.

The first and most common connection method uses the established USB 2.0 standard, with its regular (read: unimpressive) transfer speeds. The second is USB 3.0, a brand-new upgrade to the old USB standard that brings hugely improved transfer rates to the table. How fast, you ask? Expect USB 3.0 to transfer files around four times faster than USB 2.0 can. On a high-end PC, that means a leap from 30MB per second (via USB 2.0) to over 120MB per second – very quick by anyone’s standards. On a drive this big, that improvement is critical if you’re expecting to transfer massive files – and with 3TB at your disposal, who wouldn’t? The only catch is you’ll need a motherboard with USB 3.0 support; these are fairly scarce, meaning the USB 2.0 version is the average buyer’s best choice. A USB 3.0 upgrade kit is also available.

Regardless of which you choose, the GoFlex Desk 3TB’s docks have pretty LED lights to indicate drive activity as well as a clever display that lights up in proportion to how much space has been used. It’s a neat addition, and gives the product some much-appreciated polish.

In order for your computer to access the full 3TB capacity, some technical jiggery-pokery is needed. This all takes place inside the dock, so there’s nothing you need to do. It does mean, however, that if you were to open up the drive enclosure, remove the drive and install it in your computer with your other hard drives (it is, after all, still just a regular SATA-II drive), you would not be able to access all 3TB. You’d top out at 2 199GB because of the way all but the newest computers address hard drive space.

44 | connect | October 2010

When in operation, the GoFlex Desk tends to get pretty hot. Not hot enough to exceed Seagate’s safety guidelines, but warm enough that performance will degrade if you leave the drive transferring data for hours on end, say, overnight. This is largely due to the minimal ventilation present in the otherwise awesome-looking enclosure, which is the only real complaint we can level against the drive’s design.

The other consideration is that filling a drive like this leaves you vulnerable to data loss. Since few people need more than 3TB of space, it is tempting to put absolutely every piece of data you own on a drive like this, but this also means that should the drive fail, all of your data goes with it. It’s a calculated risk, really, and is the trade-off for having so much space at your disposal.

You’d do well to spread your data among multiple drives, and back up critical files to an online location if you’re even remotely worried about data loss.

In short, the GoFlex Desk 3TB offers an astounding amount of storage space for the price, and its multiple connection methods allow you to buy the configuration that suits your need for speed (or lack thereof). Sure, it gets a bit warm and data loss is an ever-present threat, but this is made up for by the massive amount of storage you’ll have at your disposal.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Dock Interface: USB 2.0, USB 3.0 or FireWire 800 via separate docks • Capacity: 3TB (3000GB) • Drive Speed: 7200RPM • Drive interface: SATA-II • Indicators: LED lights for power, activity and capacity Pros

Cons

• A truly enormous amount of storage • Sturdy build quality • Modular design is convenient

• Drive gets hot due to lack of ventilation • 3TB is a lot of data to lose, should the worst happen • Not wise to pull the drive out and mount in a PC via SATA

Overall rating

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Canon LiDE 200 Scanner

This attractive-looking scanner has four buttons on the front of the device that let you scan, copy, scan to .PDF and scan to e-mail, all at the touch of a single button.

HP Colour LaserJet CM1312 MFP Printer NEED TO KNOW • 12ppm mono; 8ppm colour • USB 2.0 and wired network connectivity • High-quality laser print results • Support for a variety of print media R5 999.95

Hewlett-Packard is traditionally a trusted name in Inkjet printers and so it makes sense that their dedication to quality devices that are economically viable should also show in their laser devices. Not only does this colour laser printer deliver the quality you’ve come to expect from HP, but it matches that quality in its scan, copy and fax functionalities as well. While the price tag might be somewhat alarming, bear in mind that you’re getting a whole lot here: a colour laser printer that scans, faxes and copies.

Realistically speaking, the HP CM1312’s print results are pretty close to print-shop quality and it’s able to take on most tasks and finish them with a speed and accuracy that fully justifies the almost R6k price tag. This fourin-one is well suited to personal or home office use, but it is really most at home in a busy small-to-medium enterprise office.

Setup and software installation are straightforward and hassle-free, as the CM1312 is compatible with both 32- and 64-bit versions of all consumer versions of Windows from XP up.

Obviously this print-shop quality comes with a slight trade-off in terms of print speeds, so if you’re looking for a high-volume, high-speed device, this isn’t it. At 12 pages per minute in black and white and 8 pages per minute in colour, it’s no speed demon but if your aim is brilliant, high-quality printing, then this particular HP definitely is it. Print resolution in both black-and-white and colour is more than good enough for clear prints. Everything that you print will emerge looking sharp, clean and clear and because it’s a laser printer, smearing and smudging won’t ever be a problem. To top it all off, print results are water-resistant too.

Don’t let your print creations be limited to plain paper as this HP is capable of printing on a variety of media. Print to your heart’s content on

transparencies, envelopes, cards, labels, recycled paper and photo paper.

In terms of other consumables, this device takes four separate colour toner cartridges, which works out to be more cost-effective as you replace them individually as they’re depleted.

As a copier, it can enlarge documents up to 400% or shrink them down to 25% of their original size, and with a copy resolution of 600 x 600dpi, along with copy speeds that match print speeds, you really will be getting a device that’s useful for all your documentation requirements. There’s also a 24-bit colour scanner that scans at resolutions of up to 19,200 dpi, which ensures that original quality is maintained. There’s also the fax capability, and with 33.6kps faxing speeds, memory for 250 pages and the ability to broadcast to 120 locations, you’ll find this device able to complement and support just about any office setup.

Noteworthy specs • Print/copy speed: 12ppm mono; 8ppm colour and copy/print resolution: 600 x 600dpi • 33kps fax • Recommended monthly page volume: 250 to 1 500 pages • Connectivity: 1 Hi-Speed USB 2.0 port, 10/100 Wired Ethernet port • Maximum Monthly Duty Cycle: 30 000 pages

Pros

Cons

• The ability to print on many paper types is really cool • Print quality is excellent, and having to wait a little longer for prints really isn’t an issue • More functionality than you really need – do people still send and receive faxes?

• It’s a really heavy, bulky machine – so make sure you have a sturdy, spacious desk • Not compatible with Mac or Linux operating systems • No wireless connectivity options

Overall rating

Canon Pixma iP100 with battery

This lightweight, compact mobile printer has an impressive battery life, 9600 x 4800dpi print resolutions and quick printing speeds, and is great for printing on the go.

HP LaserJet M1522-NF

Networking options, time-saving features and professional print results prove the M1522’s value to be way beyond its price tag.

www.connect.co.za | 45

product reviews

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One of the smallest touchscreen phones on the market, the X10 Mini makes up for its small size with an incredible feature-set and a beautifully responsive capacitive touchsceen.

Nokia N97 Mini

All of the power and functionality of the N97 has been packed into a neater, smaller, more handbag/ pocket-friendly handset.

BlackBerry Bold 9700

Expect all of the mobile messaging magic from BlackBerry, a full QWERTY keypad, optical trackpad navigation and 3G capability.

NEED TO KNOW • Powered by a 1GHz processor and Android 2.1 • 4” SuperAMOLED capacitive screen with multi-touch • New Touchwiz 3.0 Interface R5 299.95

For some time now, electronics companies have sought to create a smartphone worthy of the title “iPhone-killer”. The iPhone is seen as the be-all and end-all of style, sophistication, functionality and user-friendliness, and as such it has proven to be a hard act to follow, nevermind beat at its own game.

Samsung’s new i9000 Galaxy-S smartphone looks like it might well have what it takes to challenge the iPhone’s total domination of the yuppie market, starting with looks. While similar to the iPhone design, and still a wee bit thicker than the iPhone 4, the Galaxy-S is an astounding 9.9mm thick and boasts a large 4” SuperAMOLED screen. This screen is multi-touch enabled, which, in conjunction with the capacitive touch support, means smooth, responsive interactions with the phone. Twofinger pinching for zooming is possible as well.

This is all powered by Google’s Android operating system (version 2.1) and a powerful 1GHz processor. Samsung’s new Touchwiz 3.0 interface is essentially a large rework of Android’s interface that gives you up to seven “home” screens, all of which can be packed with application icons and shortcuts strikingly similar to the way Apple has for a while now.

Accessing applications and menus and submenus is a simple matter of pressing on them; it’s so easy and intuitive that even the most tech-agnostic person should have no trouble mastering it after only a short time.

Having a smooth, responsive interface is one thing, but the Galaxy-S proves to be more than just a one-trick pony. It’s packed with cool technology like a high-quality 5MP camera, 16GB of built-in storage with room for SD cards if that isn’t enough, a GPS application and an accelerometer that keeps the phone aware of how it’s being held. Phone calls are crystal clear, reception is excellent and using the on-screen keyboard to send SMSes or type e-mails (which the phone supports as well) is a real pleasure. Even if you have big hands, if you tilt the phone the keyboard spreads out allowing for easier presses by large fingers.

As with many Samsung phones, though, the build quality is not as amazing as we’d have liked from a phone with this kind of pedigree. The

Galaxy-S feels quite plasticky and lightweight as it clocks in at only 119g, but it’s only a problem if such things bother you.

Best of all, it’s not as expensive as the iPhone. For a sizeable chunk of change less than Apple’s best, you can still get a stylish phone with a fantastic interface, silky-smooth responsiveness and lots of functionality.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • 2G Networks: GSM 850 / 900 / 1800 / 1900 • 3G Networks: HSDPA 900 / 1900 / 2100 • Size: 122.4 x 64.2 x 9.9 mm • Weight: 119 g • Display Type: Super AMOLED capacitive touchscreen, 16M colours • Size: 480 x 800 pixels, 4” with TouchWiz 3.0 UI • Multi-touch input method • Accelerometer sensor for UI auto-rotate • Proximity sensor for auto turn-off • Swype text input • Speakerphone: Yes • 3.5 mm audio jack • Internal: 8 GB/16GB storage, 512 MB RAM, 2GB ROM • Card slot: microSD, up to 32GB, buy memory • 3G: HSDPA, 7.2 Mbps; HSUPA, 5.76 Mbps • WLAN: Wi-Fi 802.11 b/g/n; DLNA • Bluetooth: Yes, v3.0 with A2DP • Camera: Primary 5 MP, 2592 x 1944 pixels, autofocus • Video: Yes, 720p@30fps • CPU: ARM Cortex A8 1GHz processor • Stand-by: Up to 750 h (2G) / Up to 576 h (3G) • Talk time: Up to 13 h 30 min (2G) / Up to 6 h 30 min (3G) Pros

Cons

• Incredibly responsive and large 4” SuperAMOLED touchscreen • Interface is very easy to navigate and use • Tons of tech packed into its shell

• Build quality could really use some improvement • Lightweight build may not impress some

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Sony Ericsson Xperia X10 Mini

Samsung Galaxy-S Smartphone

Overall rating

46 | connect | October 2010

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This headset gives you all the audio functionality you need when out and about and it folds up into a plastic travel case for easy transport.

Logitech Z-523 Speakers NEED TO KNOW

Logitech ClearChat Headset

Adjustable, padded headband and plush ear pads as well as a rotating, noise-cancelling microphone make this a good accessory for PC-based chats, listening to music while working and even gaming.

Labtec Spin 85 2.1 speakers

These small, budget-minded speakers deliver basic audio and won’t take up much space on a desk, and they can be plugged into a PC, CD or mp3 player.

• 2.1-channel PC multimedia speaker system • 40-watt output and 360-degree sound • Integrated jacks for easy connections • Good value for money R1 399.95

Logitech’s Z-523 2.1 speaker system is one of four models in Logitech’s 2009-2010 PC-speaker range that features a separate subwoofer.

Let’s dispense with the dimensions and specs immediately by saying that this system is made up of satellite speakers that are 5.2” by 3.4” by 7.7”, with 2” dome drivers located on the front and the rear. The subwoofer features a 4” subwoofer as well as a side-mounted 6.5” passive pressure driver. With a solid 40 watts of output, the satellite speakers offer omnidirectional (360-degree) sound, which means you hear them even if you’re standing behind them, all thanks to those rear-mounted drivers.

This PC multimedia speaker system is not your run-of-the-mill design either, which we rather like. We’re done with boxy, purely functional speaker systems – this one looks as good as it sounds; the speakers are slick and have a somewhat retro look about them. As already mentioned, they’re intended for multimedia use – music, movies and games – which the high-performance Z523 system brings to life in immersive 360-degree sound, projected evenly in all directions, so there are no dead spots. You get the full listening experience, from just about anywhere in the room. This is because two satellite speakers deliver rich mid-range sounds and clear highs while the down-firing subwoofer reproduces deep bass that you’ll actually feel.

There are RCA and 3.5mm jacks to let you easily connect your Logitech Squeezebox network music player, gaming console, iPod or DVD player to the system. You’re therefore not restricted to only listening to digital content on your PC. This is great as it means that the system won’t just become

48 | connect | October 2010

another separate piece of equipment in your entertainment system – it will become an integral focal point. We like it when a gadget is designed to play well with others.

This system is also slightly different to most in that all the controls are right there on the speakers themselves, giving you bass and volume control at your fingertips. which means a reduced need to fiddlewith menus and settings on your PC. So who should buy these speakers? We’d say that due to the high output levels in terms of volume and bass, you’d probably not be very popular if you brought these to the office and used them to inflict your particular music tastes on colleagues. Rather buy these for home use and really complement your movies, music and games with decent sound. Your ears will love you for it.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • Inputs: Stereo RCA, 3.5mm primary input, 3.5mm auxiliary input • Outputs: 3.5mm headphone jack • 40 watts (RMS) • Frequency response: 35Hz – 20kHz

Pros

Cons

• Convenient location of volume and bass controls on speakers • Rich, warm, omni-directional sound • The ability to plug in other sound sources

• Cables are hard-wired, can’t be replaced without repair • No remote control, which would have been a nice extra • Not cheap for a only two speakers and a subwoofer

Overall rating

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Logitech Pure-Fi Express Plus iPod Docking Station

Get up to ten hours of playback time with surprisingly spectacular sound quality delivered by a speaker system that combines 5.1cm active and 7.6cm pressure drivers for surprisingly deep bass and rich, full sound.

Verbatim 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System NEED TO KNOW • Portable multimedia speaker system • Perfect companion for a notebook or netbook • Battery-powered option • Comes with a carry bag R399.95

Although Verbatim is best known for its data storage products, there are many other noteworthy value-for-money gadgets in its portfolio.

These include portable speakers suitable for anything from MP3 players, right up to notebook computers. Prominently displayed in the recentlylaunched line is Verbatim’s 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System.

If you’re one of those people who like to travel with their entertainment, the Verbatim 2.1 Multi Media Portable Speaker System is perfect for you..

This speaker system is portable and convenient as it offers the option of being either mains-powered or battery-operated. These speakers are ideal if you need more powerful sound (both at home and on the move) than your PC or MP3 player is able to provide.

With this purchase you’ll be getting a nice-looking speaker set that consists of a single small subwoofer measuring 9cm x 7cm, together with a pair of speakers that measure roughly 10cm x 5cm.. The sub houses the battery slot (which holds four AAA cells) and the volume up/down and power buttons. There’s also an LED indicator to show the power status. In addition to the regular 3.5mm audio plug, you’ll find a 2.5mm adaptor as well, so no matter what your audio source, you’ll be able to hook it up here.

We really appreciated the choice in audio inputs, especially when it came to travelling with entertainment-centric gadgets. Headphones are great, but sometimes not feasible – this system is the perfect blend of portability and sound quality. In terms of sound output, those two satellite

speakers are pushing out two watts of listening pleasure through two 1¼” pre-amplified, magnetically-shielded metal drivers, while the 2” subwoofer pumps out a lowly, yet useful 1W. The speakers won’t blow you away with massive volume or the best quality audio you’ve ever heard, but they are certainly louder than the average notebook’s speakers. We believe they’ll prove to be useful in situations where notebook speakers just won’t cut it, like if there are more than two people watching a movie on a laptop.

These aren’t for everyone, but there are definitely situations where their compact size and louder-than-notebook-speakers output will come in handy, making their affordable asking price more than justified.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • 2 Watts (RMS) total output power • 2 x 1¼” pre-amplified, magnetically-shielded metal drivers • Frequency response: 120Hz - 20kHz • Subwoofer: 1 Watt (RMS) output power • 2” woofer

Apple iPod Shuffle 4GB (silver)

No docking station needed with this product; it’s so small you can take it anywhere.

While claiming the title to the world’s smallest music player, it also happens to be the world’s first talking one. The VoiceOver feature announces song title and artist name, and can even tell you the name of the playlist you’re listening to.

Apple iPod Nano 16GB Pros

Cons

• Comes with a 2.5mm adaptor for added convenience • Light, portable and good-looking • Very affordable price tag

• No remote to control volume from the other side of the room • Bluetooth connectivity would have been nice for mobile devices • Could stand to be a little louder

Overall rating

The new iPod Nano now features a video camera, a polished anodised aluminium finish, and a larger screen. You can listen to music, capture and watch video and catch (and even pause) broadcasts from your favourite radio station on this device.

www.connect.co.za | 49

product reviews

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The new all-in-one Sony Wearable MP3 Player gives you music that you can wear and experience in total freedom.

Skullcandy HESH headphones NEED TO KNOW

Philips DC570 Digital Player Speaker Tower

This docking station’s vertical design is intended to take up as little space as possible, while still producing excellent sound output. Also features an FM tuner, alarm clock and a variety of inputs, including USB.

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Apple iPod Nano This small device offers the best compromise between price, size and performance in the whole iPod range.

• 50mm drivers with sound-boosting parabolic ear-cups • Over-the-head wearing style • In-line volume controls • 1.2-metre cable length R599.95

An edgy blend of style and functionality, these Skullcandy HESH headphones deliver a personal audio experience that’s sure to please the average iPod-loving teenager. With their 50mm high-octane power drivers that pump sound into your skull, the HESH headphones are nice and loud.

There are five main considerations when buying headphones: size, comfort, useability, sound quality and design. All of these are important, but obviously it’s up to you which take priority. If you were to consider these Skullcandy HESH headphones, you’d discover that they tick most of these, possibly even all if your standards aren’t sky-high.

The size is good if you’re not planning on moving around much with them, although a little bulky for listening to an iPod while you’re in transit (it’s still possible, though). The HESH has sound-boosting parabolic earcups that are pretty comfortable, and you’ll hardly notice you’re wearing them for the first few hours, after which you might need a break to give your ears a rest. Thanks to an adjustable headband, the headphones fit heads of all sizes, and don’t feel like they are about to fall off – they’ll even stay on while you jump around a bit.

Skullcandy’s HESH headphones are designed to be in-your-face, so they’re intentionally big and bold. There’s a spattering of the signature skulls throughout the design and it’s slick – the entire package is eye-catching and guaranteed to get everyone’s attention. The overall construction, however, is lightweight and entirely made of plastic, so they’re not the sturdiest headphones out there. Close care and attention is recommended if you want them to last for years.

These ‘phones come with a travel bag and because of the 3.5mm audio jack, you can plug them into just about anything – a PSP, iPod, iPhone, MP3 player or laptop, and with a 1.2-metre cable, you’ve got room to groove.

50 | connect | October 2010

The in-line volume controls add a layer of convenience, letting you set the music player’s volume quite high and manage the headphone volume a little easier.

Sound quality is good, with the notable ability to play music at high volumes with no distortion whatsoever. They are not particularly wonderful at blocking out external sound, though, so anyone in close proximity can also hear your music if the volume is set high enough. The upside to this is you’re not completely sealed off from the real world, and can respond to environmental sounds if needed. If you’re looking to cut the real world off completely while chilling to your favourite tunes, look elsewhere.

The bass balance is excellent. We were impressed when we started noticing new details in songs that we hadn’t heard before with standard iPod headphones. Still, the audio isn’t studio-quality, making these headphones better suited to casual use by people more interested in making a fashion statement than hardcore audiophiles looking for the next best thing.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • 50mm speaker • Frequency range: 100-18,000Hz • Impedance: 32 ohms • Max input power: 100mW • Plug type: 3.5mm gold-plated Pros

Cons

• Works with any audio device with a 3.5mm audio jack • Audio does not distort even at high volumes • Eye-catching, edgy design is sure to bring plenty of attention

• Those around you can hear your music if volume is very high • Very plastic and lightweight build; careful handling is a must • Studio-quality sound is not to be found here

Overall rating

product reviews

perfect companions

Samsung ES27 digital camera Samsung never fails to impress with their compact digital camera offerings, and the ES27 is no exception.

Perfect for capturing gorgeous, blur-free shots no matter where you are.

Samsung SPF-87H digital photo frame NEED TO KNOW • Ultra-thin frame and screen depth • Uses LED screen technology • Shuffle modes • 1GB memory R899.95

Nikon CoolPix L22 digital camera If you’re all about making memories and taking happy snaps, you’ll be more than pleased with this offering from Nikon. They’ve designed this camera with you in mind and to ensure picture-perfect photography.

related

products

Samsung SPF-107H digital photo frame

The SPF-107H has the same build and features as the 87H, but with an extra two inches of screen space.

Having a digital camera is great. It allows you to photograph every single crazy family birthday, proud sporting moment or romantic wedding.

Taking loads of photos is fantastic, but if you’re anything like us, you probably have a hard drive (or two) filled with photographs that have never seen the light of day because it’s expensive printing photos, and sizing them correctly for optimal print is about as much fun as dental surgery. So it doesn’t get done.

Until now. Samsung has cleverly thought of a solution to the convoluted hassle that is printing your photos and framing them for the mantelpiece: it’s called the SPF-87H and it’s an 8”-wide “Touch of Colour” digital photo frame.

Almost as beautiful as the photos it showcases, it utilises UbiSync technology to make the 87H more than just a digital photo frame. It also allows you to set it up as a secondary mini-monitor, perfect for adding things like a digital calendar or clock, or spreading work documents across two screens.

This is done by using the included USB cable and hooking it up to your PC. This way you’ll also cut out the need for a dedicated power supply and reduce the amount of cables cluttering up your computer space. The only caveat is not to expect the same kind of performance from the smaller screen as from your main monitor.

The SPF-87H has a widescreen resolution of 800 x 480 and a contrast ratio of 500:1; 1GB of built-in memory gives you plenty of space to get started but, of course, more is always better. Happily, additional storage can be had by installing SD cards into the screen’s card reader or by plugging in a USB flash drive or external hard drive.

There are lots of display options and a shuffle capability that makes for a unique experience every time you turn it on, so you can be sure you won’t be seeing the same pictures in the same order all the time. It’s a nice touch

52 | connect | October 2010

from Samsung, and helps keep your displayed pictures fresh and interesting without any extra effort on your part.

While the SPF-87H uses LED screen technology, it’s not as bright as we were expecting, which is a disappointment. It also has no remote control and is a bit delicate, build-wise. Finally, at the time of writing, there were no 64-bit drivers, so these versions of Windows won’t be able to use the frame as a secondary screen.

It’s not without its share of niggles, but even so, the stylish and waif-thin SPF-87H digital photo frame from Samsung is a great way to show off your digital pictures.

NOTEWORTHY SPECS • 1GB of built-in memory • UbiSync technology • LED screen • Low power usage and energy-saving technology • 800 x 480 resolution • 500:1 contrast ratio • SD card reader • USB 2.0 port

Pros

Cons

• Memory cards/USB sticks can augment the frame’s storage capacity • Being able to use it as a secondary PC monitor is pretty nifty • Shuffle mode means the content never gets stale

• A remote control would have been nice at this price • Seems rather delicate, and we’d be wary of putting it where kids can reach it • No support for 64-bit versions of Windows, so if you have one of these, you can’t use it as a secondary monitor

Overall rating

product reviews

related

products

Symantec Norton 360 v4.0

Arguably one of the best security packages for home computers, 360 is very fast, has a high detection rate and is jam-packed with features.

Dig deep into settings or install and forget – you’re protected either way.

Verbatim Secure Business USB 8GB

This handy 8GB flash drive won’t let you use it until it’s been unlocked with a password. Handy for transporting sensitive information.

perfect companions

Targus DEFCON CL Laptop Lock Physical security is sometimes also required to protect your data. Secure your laptop to the nearest bulky object with this heavy-duty metal cable from Targus.

Kaspersky PURE NEED TO KNOW • Offers antivirus, firewall and anti-malware software • Includes password management, backups and tune-up facilities • Safely run suspicious programs in a ‘virtual sandbox’ environment R599.95 (single-user licence) R699.95 (3-user licence)

PURE is a consumer-level security suite from Kaspersky, and it’s a pretty solid package. It’s not just an antivirus and firewall, though – it brings with it many additional features that give it versatility as a home and office PC protection suite, surpassing even those present in Kaspersky Internet Security 2010. These features elevate it above the intensely-populated security crowd as they include things like password management, award-winning parental controls, file encryption, browser tune-up and the ability to shred files so completely that they can never be recovered, and more.

Kaspersky has a proven track record in the antivirus, anti-malware and firewall fields, and the modules present in PURE continue the good work.

Well-known AV testing group AV-Comparatives.org gives the AV module a 97% detection rating. While this is not the highest out there, it’s certainly very respectable.

This new package’s interface is probably the nicest we’ve seen from Kaspersky. It’s simple enough that newbies will be comfortable with it very quickly, yet complex enough to satisfy any dedicated techies that care to go digging.

Highlights of the package include a nicely-designed password manager module that securely stores your passwords and lets you auto-populate forms with personal information. Instead of trusting your passwords to an unsecured browser cache, you can set PURE to manage everything.

You authorise yourself with a master password, specify from where to pull passwords and PURE does the rest. Alternatively, you can choose to use your cellphone to authenticate yourself as the master user; when you bring your phone into Bluetooth range of your computer, the password module automatically unlocks.

Another cool function is the “sandbox” mode. This is a virtual environment in which you can run programs you’re not sure of without posing any danger to your system. PURE watches what the file does when it is executed, and lets you know whether or not it’s safe. This feature is also available for the

54 | connect | October 2010

more expensive versions of Windows 7 courtesy of an additional download, so it’s nice to have through PURE if you’re running a Home or Starter version of Windows 7, Vista or XP. The same applies to backups – only Professional, Ultimate and Enterprise versions of Windows 7 allow backups to network locations, so if you’re not running one of those, PURE offers a workaround. Apart from this advantage, PURE’s backup module is only slightly prettier than Windows 7’s rather than being more useful. Not offering an online backup option is a further nail in the backup module’s coffin.

On the performance side, PURE is not a resource hog so it won’t make your computer unbearably slow after installation, plus it uses a fairly small amount of RAM and scans are snappy. Kudos to Kaspersky for that.

Buying the 3-user licence offers the best value for money, working out to around R233 per PC. Overall, we must say PURE is a good choice for fans of Kaspersky’s software. While it’s edged out in the feature and performance categories by Symantec’s excellent 360 v4.0 package, as an evolution of Kaspersky’s approach to security software, it’s pretty solid.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • 375MB free hard drive space • CD-ROM/DVD-ROM drive • Microsoft Internet Explorer 6.0 or higher • Microsoft Windows Installer 2.0 or higher • Internet access (for activation and updating databases) • Windows 7/Vista/XP 32- or 64-bit • Display that supports resolution of 800 x 600 and higher Pros

Cons

• Installs, operates and scans quickly • Slick interface that should please both newbies and veterans • Lots of extra features beyond just antivirus and firewall services

• Single-user licence is rather pricey • Performance is successfully challenged by Norton 360 • Backup functionality only marginally better than Windows 7’s

Overall rating

perfect companions

eZee Business Management Software NEED TO KNOW • Complicated business management, made easy • Includes debtors, creditors, stock control modules and more • Modular design means extra features can be unlocked as needed • Additional copies are half the price of the initial purchase • Remote Backup: R90 per month • Support: R110 monthly per installation, R30 monthly for each secondary PC (optional) Silver version: R899.95 Gold Version (includes Payroll): R1 299.95

Managing a business these days requires software that keeps track of everything. If that same software can also do invoicing, track stock levels and generate reports that give you a snapshot overview of where the business is at, so much the better. eZee Business Management Software (hereafter referred to as “eZee”) aims to do just that, and more. Better, it succeeds – there are plenty of features buried within its inner workings that allow business owners to do as much or as little as they like with the software.

This versatility makes it an excellent purchase for businesses of all sizes.

Need to generate and track a list of clients and suppliers? No problem. Want to create quotes, but at a later stage generate invoices from those quotes?

Done. What about tracking staff details, business expenses, VAT and stock levels? All of these are available in eZee, and a lot more.

Where other programs put in artificial restrictions that make using them unnecessarily complicated, eZee allows you to keep track of your business your way. This means fewer support calls are needed, cutting down on expenses. Additionally, eZee lets you run as many companies as you like; you’re not limited to only one.

The modular nature of the software means that if additional functionality is needed, like Payroll or Point of Sale (not included in the Silver eZee package), it can be unlocked over the phone.

One of the keys strengths of eZee is its in-depth reporting capabilities.

These can be used to show things like outstanding debtors, reports can be run that highlight sales vs. stock levels to let you know when to order new stock, among many other things.

The interface is very simple, and all that is required to get to grips with it is a little time, some dedication and the ability to read – it really is that easy. While the program doesn’t look particularly polished, the creators are adamant that business users want functionality, and not pretty pictures. In

this, the software succeeds. It runs on all versions of Windows from XP up, and all it requires is a PC that can display a resolution of 1024 x 768, along with a keyboard and mouse.

Since the database you will create with eZee is essential to the survival of your business, it is highly recommended (but not compulsory) that you take eZee up on their offer of a remote backup service for an additional monthly fee. This ensures all business data is backed up to a secure Internet server, which is essentially fail-proof. Backups can be performed as often as you like, too.

Unlike other software providers that charge a lot of money for support each month, you can get all the support needed from eZee for only R110 per month, per installation. If you want more than one computer to access the data you create, each computer needs its own copy of eZee, and these can be purchased at half the price of the initial installation. A R30 charge per additional PC is levied for support.

This software is impressive for the money you’re being asked to pay. It’s intuitive to use if you have a business mind-set, it’s designed to serve any kind of business from small retail setups to busy restaurants, and it’s backed up by a dedicated team of professionals who can answer any question you might have about it. For a small or medium-sized business looking for a comprehensive management package, eZee comes highly recommended.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Windows XP/Vista/7 • 256MB RAM • 250MB hard drive space • Screen with 1024 x 768 resolution • Keyboard and mouse

Pros

Cons

• Intricately designed to accommodate almost any business need • Reporting function is deep and detailed • Modular design means additional features can be easily unlocked • Very competitive pricing model

• Interface layout is not very polished • Pricing structure is somewhat complicated on the surface

Overall rating

Acer Veriton X270 PC You don’t need a fancy or powerful PC to run eZee, so this entry-level desktop from Acer is a good choice for any budget-conscious buyer with R4 000 to spend.

Labtec Media Wireless 800 This affordable wireless keyboard and mouse set will add some class to your desktop PC setup without breaking the bank, or littering your desk with unsightly cables.

Samsung SyncMaster 933GW 19” LCD This 19” screen from Samsung is just the right size to serve as a screen for an unobtrusive till point or as the display for an admin PC.

www.connect.co.za | 55

product reviews

perfect companions

Bose QuietComfort Noise-cancelling Headphones Great music demands awesome headphones; these are fantastic for quality listening as well as for use at live gigs.

Magix Digital DJ NEED TO KNOW

SoundBlaster Audigy Value Sound Card If you want to hear your music with amazing subtlety and depth, there is no better way to affordably experience it than with a decent Audigy sound card.

related

products

FL Studio 8 Fruity Edition

Make your own music with this complex yet easy-to-use music-authoring software package. Online tutorials are highly recommended before starting out.

• Software for aspiring and professional DJs • Mix and cross-fade tracks like a pro • Play the crowd by looping track sections R599.95

Anyone interested in becoming a DJ, either professionally or just for fun, has no doubt discovered that DJing requires expensive “decks” with which to mix tunes. These help the DJ keep the party’s vibe going by seamlessly mixing awesome songs and fading one cool tune into the next, while also letting him/her add their own flavour by looping portions of the song, playing samples over the top of the music and even adding scratches.

This being the digital age, these abilities can be mimicked with the use of specially-written software and a computer with a built-in sound card.

This is where Magix’s Digital DJ software comes in. It provides you with a virtual mixing desk with access to many of the cool features a real-life DJ would use at a gig.

The software’s main screen consists of two separate decks, which is where you can load two tracks at a time. Complicated algorithms are then used to analyse the tempo of each song, measured in beats per minute (bpm), and with the click of a single button, the two tracks can be beat-matched. This means the DJ can fade from one song into the next so smoothly that listeners can’t identify where one song ends and the next begins.

Digital DJ has handy tools like automatic crossfading that lets the software do the work for you, as well as the ability to speed up a song’s tempo while preserving the music’s pitch. This helps avoid situations where singers sound like Woody Woodpecker as the tempo increases.

You can add your entire music collection, or import the music from your iTunes library. Digital DJ supports all major audio formats, and you can create playlists or import them directly. One of the nicest features is called ‘mufin’. It’s technology that analyses your music and selects songs

56 | connect | October 2010

which best match the playback characteristics of the playing tune. This helps you choose music that will help keep the vibe going.

All of this is done through a fairly intricate interface, so expect to spend a lot of time with the software before trying it at a live gig. Fortunately there are plenty of online video tutorials that will help you come to grips with the software, so don’t fret if you find the interface a little intimidating at first.

To preview tracks in order to beat-match them at a live gig, you will need an additional sound card. Good USB sound devices can be found if you look around a bit, which will do the trick. Setting up all your audio devices can be done through the software’s interface, and may require some trialand-error to get it `just right’.

Overall, this is a good software package for anyone interested in trying their hand at DJing. It’s complex enough to satisfy professionals, without being so hard to use that newcomers will feel overwhelmed.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Windows XP/Vista/7 • Intel Pentium III or AMD 1GHz or faster • 512MB RAM (1GB recommended) • 200MB free hard drive space • 1024 x 768 screen resolution • CD-ROM drive Pros

Cons

• Works with both Mac and PC operating systems • Makes being a DJ straightforward, with some practice • Automated functions let you still DJ while on a break

• Can only work with DRM-free music files • Secondary sound device is needed for live previewing • Manual does not cover basic How-Tos

Overall rating

related

products

Fuzz & Ditto on Safari

If you like Fuzz and Ditto, they also star in other educational titles, like this one that sees them go on an African safari to learn all about local wildlife.

Fuzz & Ditto At the Sea NEED TO KNOW • South African-produced educational software • Similar look and feel to a kids’ television show • Includes fun, sea-focused activities and sing-alongs R219.95

Fuzz & Ditto At the Sea is a locally-produced educational software package aimed at providing five–year-olds with fun activities designed to help them develop the kinds of skills that will help them at school. Its production values are impressively high, and the program resembles the kids’ shows seen in the afternoons on local TV stations, complete with friendly characters, cheesy sets and real-life kids.

The game’s central premise is that four children have made friends with a friendly alien and his sidekick, these being the titular Fuzz & Ditto, and are showing them around Planet Earth to educate them about its wonders. The subject of this game is the sea, and everything it contains.

The program gives kids the opportunity to listen to fun songs and play a collection of minigames, all designed to teach them more about our oceans. There are games within games, too, that unlock special features, like a picture book that fills with sea creatures as you find hidden items.

More than one child can use the software, as it is possible to create multiple profiles that save each child’s progress separately.

The minigames are all educational and teach useful skills that will serve any school-going five-year-old well. There are maths exercises, spelling lessons, shape recognition puzzles and more, all of which use the sea in some way to get the lessons across. It’s easy to see how kids can gain skills and have fun while learning more about the sea and its inhabitants in this way.

The interface is incredibly polished and as a result, very easy to use.

The voiceover performances are delivered mostly by kids who sound like they are reading their lines, but this actually adds charm to the program.

Also, since the kids are clearly South African, there is no American accent

to contend with or explain away. The voices of Fuzz and Ditto are digitally manipulated to sound amusingly alien, so no need to worry that they might scare your child.

Throughout the exercises, wrong answers are not dealt with harshly.

Correct answers are rewarded with subtle reinforcement from the game’s characters, making Fuzz, Ditto and friends very good stewards of the kind of educational content that will have kids coming back for more.

In all, there are over 40 skills to be learned from a total of 15 fun games, so there is a great deal of content for kids to discover here. The included activities are simple enough to keep them entertained while also being deep enough to effectively get the intended lessons across, which makes the Fuzz & Ditto series a smart investment for discerning parents.

SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS • Pentium 4 or AMD-equivalent processor • 512MB RAM • 300MB Hard Drive Space • Windows 98/XP/2000/Vista/7 • Sound Card with speakers or headphones • 32MB Graphics Card • Keyboard & Mouse

Pros

Cons

• Excellent production values and interface • Friendly characters teach valuable skills • Games are fun and educational

• Some of the voice acting is a bit amateurish • Critics of afternoon kids’ TV shows may not like it

Overall rating

JumpStart Preschool Advanced

If you’re after the pinnacle of educational software and don’t mind an American approach, it’s hard to beat the Jump Start series for fun, educational content and value.

Big Boet Series

For a more local flavour, Big Boet is always around to help your kids get to grips with school, South African-style.

www.connect.co.za | 57

book reviews

Ethics and Technology (3rd Edition)

NEED TO KNOW • By Herman T. Tavani • 432 Pages

Herman Tavani has put together a fascinating read for anyone interested in the ideas surrounding modern technology and the ethics of its many uses. He starts off by defining the ideas behind the general theory of ethics and moves into how those can be applied to the world of technology. He raises many pertinent issues surrounding such modern phenomena as digital privacy invasion, copyright infringement, file-sharing and much more through a relatable use of real-world examples.

Tavani avoids using his book as a soapbox for his own views. Instead, he writes in a succinct, intelligent manner that seeks to present a very considered discussion of the subject matter, and in this he succeeds. While his book does not explore every aspect of the ethics of the uses of modern technology, it provides a very solid foundation on which to base a deeper understanding that should be supplemented by other, deeper works on the subject.

Teach Yourself VISUALLY iPad

NEED TO KNOW • By Lonzell Watson • 288 Pages

Apple’s iPad is such an amazing product that it deserves its own visual companion book that shows new users what it’s all about. Author Lonzell Watson has written a wonderfully rich book that uses photographs, screenshots and illustrations to bring the iPad’s many features to life, making it incredibly easy to relate to, particularly if you’re new to the world of technology.

Technology veterans will probably know most of what Watson talks about in this book, but new users will appreciate the approachable style, the myriad pictures and the highly visual approach the book takes to explaining what is worth knowing about the iPad. 58 | connect | October 2010

With the South African release of the iPad imminent, this book should find a receptive local audience.

Slide:Ology – The art and science of presentation design

NEED TO KNOW • By Nancy Duarte • 237 Pages

If you’re interested in the concept of design and would love to read more about ideas that have the potential to help you spruce up your own PowerPoint presentations, then this is the book for you. While it won’t teach you how to make more effective use of PowerPoint’s interface, it will leave you with a lot of fantastic pointers – design concepts, really – that will go a long way to changing your ideas of how to put interesting, punchy slides together.

Duarte is best-known for her design work on Al Gore’s award-winning An Inconvenient Truth documentary, so the author’s pedigree is impressive. This is far more a coffee-table book intended to provoke discussion and challenge creativity than a practical PowerPoint “how-to”, however, so if practical pointers are what you’re after, you should probably look elsewhere.

Learn the ins and outs of Photoshop the fast and easy way!

Switching to a Mac – No problem!

NEED TO KNOW • By Dwight Silverman • 344 Pages

To many of South Africans, the idea of trading the familiarity and comfort of a PC for the unknown territory of Apple’s Macintosh personal computer system is a rather foreign concept. For anyone considering the switch, however, there is help to be found in the way of a book that will help smooth the transition.

Author Dwight Silverman builds on the knowledge any modern computeruser should already have to explain the concepts behind Apple’s approach to computing. If you already know a lot, the book has a lot of highlighted text that summarises the really important stuff, making it easy to speed-read only the important bits. This is a very handy guide for anyone unfamiliar with Macs, and will undoubtedly help ease any transitional issues that may arise when making the switch.

These books make learning Photoshop a breeze by explaining things in a conversational, friendly style with no technical jargon. After a thorough introduction to the program, you'll delve deep into Photoshop's secrets with expert tips and practical advice you can use every day.

Available at selected Incredible Connection stores For more info visit www.intersoft.co.za

INTERSOFT www.intersoft.co.za

game reviews //By Tiana cline

PlayStation Move Starter Pack – R699.95 Motion controller – R449.95 Navigator – R 349.95 Move Eye – R349.95 If you thought Sony’s sleek next-generation console was strictly for hardcore gamers, think again. The PlayStation Move is now available, bringing with it a totally new way to play PS3. With the help of a camera and an all-new controller, the Move is about motion-controlled games across every genre. For sports, you’ll use the PS Move as a golf club or tennis racket; in fighting games, it will be your weapon of choice; and in family-friendly titles (like EyePet), you’ll have a new way to cuddle, brush and wash your virtual best friend.

What makes the PS Move different to Wii, you ask? High-resolution graphics, that’s what! Because the PS Move works with the PlayStation 3, you’ll experience motion-based gaming in high definition. The PS Move is Sony’s answer to motion-enabled video gaming, something that has taken the world by storm thanks to the Nintendo Wii. The PlayStation Move includes a motion controller, sub-controller, and PlayStation Eye camera. The motion controller is what you’ll use to perform your actions, and the Eye translates these moves for visual interaction and full body tracking. And it works – it is one of the most accurate, one-to-one, motion-controlled systems available. Of course, this depends on the game (all PS3 games have to be Move-enabled to use this control system) and what the developers put into it.

Like the SixAxis controller, the Move has a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery, as well as Bluetooth technology (no cables) and lasts about 7 hours on a single charge. In your hand, the controller feels solid and comfortable.

There is a lot of third-party support for the Move, which means that all your favourite game publishers will be bringing out a PS3 title that uses the Move. So there’s a lot to look forward to, likethe Move-friendly editions of Heavy Rain, EyePet and Tiger Woods PGA Tour 11. What’s important to know is that some titles will require a patch to the preexisting software and other games will be re-released as special Move editions.

Of course, there are some great new games exclusively designed for the PS Move, such as Sports Champions, a game that will have you playing a combination of modern and medieval sports such as Disc Golf and Bocce. Heroes on the Move takes 6 of your favourite PS3 characters (like Ratchet and Clank) as well as weapons to smash, hurl and shoot enemies – the game also supports a cool two-player co-op mode.

With plenty more to come in terms of accessories (like a charging base station) and games, the PS Move promises big things. If you don’t have a Wii and want to experience motion-controlled gaming, the Move is what you need. If you have a Wii but want better graphics and more accurate gameplay, this could be it. Watch this space.

60 | connect | October 2010

NEED TO KNOW • Also works with PlayStation Eye camera • Accurately tracks player position and movement • Coloured sphere provides visual feedback during gameplay • Bluetooth technology for wireless gaming and a built-in rechargeable battery • Simultaneously use up to 4 motion controllers with a PS3 system

>>How it works<< Thereâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s more to the PS Move than you would think. The combination of the PS3 system and PlayStation Eye camera detects the precise movement, angle, and position in 3D space of PlayStation Move motion controller allowing users to intuitively play the game as if they themselves are within the game. PlayStation Move motion controller delivers unmatched accuracy through its advanced motion sensors, including a three-axis gyroscope, a three-axis accelerometer, and a terrestrial magnetic field sensor, as well as a colour-changing sphere that is tracked by the PlayStation Eye camera.

>>not in the box<< In addition to the normal controller, you can buy the PlayStation Move navigation controller, which is a supplementary controller that can be used in most PS Move games that require navigating an in-game character as it replicates the control features of the left side of a SixAxis controller. The PS Move navigation controller adds an analogue stick, directional buttons and two face buttons into the PS Moveâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s control scheme. In addition, the navigation controller contains the L1, L2 and L3 button. www.connect.co.za | 61

advertorial

Universal Remotes

H

aving a handful of remote controls lying around the house is a problem many households face, especially since TVs, Hi-Fis, DVD players and DSTV decoders are fairly commonplace. Finding the right one exactly when it is needed is a minor annoyance that is a side-effect of having so many remotes, which is how the idea for a ‘Universal Remote’ came about.

What do Logitech Harmony Universal Remotes offer?

Logitech’s Harmony range of universal remotes caters to a multitude of needs.

There are basic models that only control up to four devices. These look more like traditional remotes and have no backlighting for their keys; they are also the most affordable. Then there are mid-range models like as the Harmony 600-series that have LCD screens and support for either five or six devices, and premium models like the Harmony One and Harmony 900 that support up to 15 devices. These have full-colour, touch-sensitive screens, and backlit keys.

Some require regular batteries; others can be recharged via a USB cable or USB-connected docking station.

R O p ech tio ar n? g e a b

D Co evic nt e s ro ll Co ed Co nt mp ro at l ib ili ty LC Sc D re en ?

Mod

el

le

What is a Universal Remote?

This is an advanced remote control unit that can be programmed to replace the remotes of everything in your home that uses one. They work by downloading the control profiles of your devices, and then reproducing the signals that instruct those devices to play, pause, rewind, change channel etc.

Logitech maintains a database of over 5000 device control profiles that is constantly updated. If an unsupported device is encountered, Harmony remotes can learn how to mimic that device’s remote. That profile is then uploaded to the Web for others to use, too. Finally, you can throw out every remote control currently in your home, and replace them all with just one.

Harmony 300i

4

IR

None

None*

Harmony 600

5

IR

B&W

None*

Harmony 650

5

IR

Colour

None*

Harmony 700

6

IR

Colour

Yes (USB)

Harmony One

15

IR

Colour touch screen

Yes (cradle)

Harmony 900

15

IR + RF

Colour touch screen

Yes (cradle)

IR + RF

Tablet-style colour touch screen

Yes (cradle)

Harmony 1 100

15

Which Harmony Remote is right for me?

This depends entirely on your needs. If you have less than four devices, entry-level Harmony remotes are a good choice. To ensure you can also replace the remotes of gadgets you’ll acquire in the future, you’ll be best-off with one of the premium models. In addition, if you like the idea of pressing buttons without having to aim the remote directly at the device or being able to control equipment that are behind cabinet doors, Harmony remotes that use radio frequencies (RF) to send out commands rather than line-of-sight Infra-Red (IR) are the best choice. RF support is only present in Logitech’s two top-tier models, the Harmony 900 and Harmony 1100.

Conclusion Having many remotes in a single household is a modern annoyance.

Consolidating these down to just one is highly recommended, and Logitech’s Harmony range of universal remotes is an excellent way to achieve this.

game reviews

F1 2010

NEED TO KNOW • Full online multiplayer • A challenging career mode • All 19 official 2010 tracks • The most advanced weather system yet • All 24 drivers and 12 teams that started the 2010 season Calling all F1 enthusiasts – the game you’ve been waiting, anticipating and dreaming of is finally out this month. Many have said that previous games haven’t done justice to the sport, but F1 2010 is a racer worth looking out for, as it perfectly captures the racing culture. F1 2010 comes complete with all the official drivers, teams and circuits from the 2010 Formula One World Championship, but also has a number of other exciting features such as the most complicated weather system ever seen in a racing game.

(Which tyres will you choose? Will they be better on the track or a gamble?)

There is also the option of online multiplayer, which comes with a large range of race modes.

Powered by cutting-edge graphics, an advanced physics system and integrated network play, you’ll immediately be immersed in the world’s most exciting motorsport.

Not only are all 19 of the 2010 tracks in the game, modelled with exceptional accuracy, but all the teams, cars and drivers can be found here as well. Formula One world

champions Jenson Button, Lewis Hamilton, Fernando Alonso and Michael Schumacher are all an integral part of the gameplay.

Why not work your way up from the very bottom? You can switch teams as you grow, or stay put to create the ultimate racing dynasty. This is, without a doubt, one of the most extensive and challenging career modes in a game.

You’ll really get a feel for the F1 lifestyle while chatting to the press, seeing the other drivers pre- and post-game and enjoying the overall glamour of the sport. But be careful – what you say will affect your game, along with the career length as well as the difficulty settings you choose. Every detail has been looked at so you’ll have to decide on your strategy from the very start.

From what we’ve seen and played, we believe F1 fans will be suitably impressed with Codemasters’ racing realism.

R599.95

>>Buy this<<

>>COMING SOON<<

ModNation Racers

Gran Turismo 5

For artistic gamers who want a bit of driving fun, ModNation Racers is a fresh take on classic kart racing. Create your own Mod character or style your own racing kart in just minutes and then share your design over the PlayStation Network service.

Developed exclusively for PS3, Gran Turismo 5 in one of the most highly anticipated games of all time. For the first time in a GT game, the cars will show real-time damage that reflects the driver’s treatment of the car. Cars will collect dirt (and can be washed) and will feature adaptive and accurate body deformation and performance.

www.connect.co.za | 63

game reviews

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks

NEED TO KNOW • Over 25 hours of game play • All new tools and puzzles • The best dungeons and boss fights

Super Scribblenauts A sequel to the award-winning DS game, you can write any object that comes to mind and then modify it in any way you desire. Now you must use adjectives to reach the goal in each level as they affect reallife behaviours and characteristics when applied to objects.

Spider-Man: Shattered Dimensions

favourite characters and lots of boss battles, there are plenty new things to do, such as riding the train and using the DS microphone in minigames. Spirit Tracks is bigger, better and the perfect pocket epic. R449.95

Professor Layton and the Unwound Future A letter is sent from the future and now you must work your way through 165 puzzles, decipher clues and unlock a timetwisting mystery that threatens to plunge London into chaos.

• 4 worlds, 4 unique Spider-Mans • A story by comic book writer Dan Slott • For hardcore and casual gamers

• 1000s of zombies on screen • New storyline and characters • 2-player online co-op mode • Make combo, super weapons

Spidey is back in more ways than one. In Shattered Dimensions, you’ll get to play four different versions of the Marvel hero. While the web-slinging, aerial Amazing Spider-Man delivers blows and powerful kicks, the ever-so-stealthy SpiderMan Noir prefers to lurk in the shadows of a 1930s-influenced cinematic environment.

Set in four dramatically different universes, each with their own terrain and gameplay, the story (from acclaimed comic book writer Dan Slott) will take you on a mission to capture the magical energy of the Tablet of Order and Chaos. Along the way, you’ll also have to battle villains you know in a quest to restore the fabric of reality. Shattered Dimensions really delivers as the best Spider-Man title yet! R499.95

You’re Chuck Green, a former Motocross champion in Fortune City, a gambling paradise and the location of a reality show where players must survive zombie-filled settings. Chuck’s motivation for playing may be his kid, but there is a greater conspiracy at large. To win, Chuck must find Zombrex, kill zombies and stay alive, all within 72 hours. Like the first Dead Rising game, zombie-bashing entails using whatever is around you as a weapon; you can even combine objects and earn some prestige points as you go. Another new detail is the online 2-player co-op mode and 4-player gladiatorstyle multiplayer. Are you prepared to face the undead? R699.95

>>coming soon<<

>>coming soon<<

Mortal Kombat

NEED TO KNOW

Dead Rising 2

NEED TO KNOW Get >>this<<

Coming >>soon<<

The Legend of Zelda: Spirit Tracks is an exclusive DS title that will see Link on a mission to save the world from the demon king. But he is not alone on this daring adventure! Link now has a companion named Phantom who can walk through fire, carry Link above danger, and more. And while the game is similar to Phantom Hourglass, providing puzzles, weaponry,

Mortal Kombat makes a triumphant return to its violent roots in the fastest and most brutal instalment to date.

Fighting-game players will receive the game they’ve been asking for for years.

Faced with extinction, Raiden has one last chance to save Earthrealm. To undo the Emperor’s victory, he must strike Shao Kahn where he is vulnerable… the Past.

Resident Evil 5: Gold Edition The expanded Gold Edition includes the two downloadable episodes of all-new RE5 action (one chapter pairs RE5 hero Chris Redfield with Jill Valentine), as well as a host of new costumes for the game’s characters. Get the Move edition (PS3 only) for some real-life action zombie destruction.

64 | connect | October 2010

F1 2010 S

F1 2010 SA Rugby Mag Advert.indd 1

2010/08/11 11:48 AM

game reviews

The Sims 3

NEED TO KNOW

NEED TO KNOW

• Customise your house, character, friends…

• Karma powers • Unique console features

• 6 exciting minigames • Use the PlayStation Move • Compete in the Challenge Mode

will get their chance to play with life.

Each version has unique elements like integrated exchange ability on PS3 and Xbox 360. Filled with items, places and stories, there’s a virtual neighbourhood waiting out there for you.

R499.95

The Sims 3: Create a Sim Creative gamers can now finetune every detail of their special Sims, be it hair and eye colour, face or body shape. Then, top off your Sim with exciting personality types and bring them to life.

Tom Clancy’s H.A.W.X 2 If you’ve ever wanted to be an elite aerial soldier in control of the world’s most technologically advanced aircraft, H.A.W.X. 2 is for you. You’re the pilot and air combat is your mission. This is a wellstructured sequel with a good multiplayer option and a single-player campaign that will take you to the skies. With great graphics and some decent dogfighting, H.A.W.X. 2 isn’t for everyone, but it’s worth the learning curve. R499.95

66 | connect | October 2010

A collection of six minigames makes up Sports Champions for the PS3: table tennis, volleyball, disc golf, archery, bocce ball and gladiator duel. The presentation of the game is simple: you pick a sport and then decide if you’re playing alone, against a friend or competing in the challenge mode – it’s that easy. Each sport has its own environment, but keep in mind that the games are fun but not necessarily long-lived. While Sports Champions will help you get into the Move, it isn’t the definitive, must-play title. It is, however, great for short bursts of high-definition, motion-sensor fun. R399.95

Consider >>this<<

The Sims 3 is more than a game where you create and customise the world around you; it’s a full-on life simulation that can be as expressive as you desire. Want a happy family, picket fence and a few kids?

It’s yours. How about being a secretive thief or highly experimental scientist?

Done deal. The Sims 3 is what you make of it and now that it’s on consoles, everyone

Get >>this<<

Sports Champions

Kung Fu Rider Another Move title, you’ll have to race through 27 courses in 6 areas of Hong Kong while trying to escape from the mob. So grab your office chair, hold on tight and slide through the streets in order to make a daring escape.

FIFA 11 The World Cup may be behind us, but you can still enjoy some solid soccer fun on every single platform. What FIFA 11 brings to the match is the ability to control all 22 players, even the goalkeeper!

Now you can experience the thrill of the one-on-one battle, make the great save from a free kick, punch balls safely out of danger, the pressure of the corner, and much more…

R499.95

Wii Party Similar to Mario Party but with your Wii as the centre of attention, Wii Party has 13 different party game modes and more than 70 minigames that the whole family will enjoy. The gameplay is similar to a traditional board game: you roll the die and go forward a number of steps (Mii characters are used as players’ game pieces).

It’s fun, colourful and will keep everyone entertained for hours.

R399.95

tech tannie

Like sunshine on a rainy day, Tech Tannie blasts away the monkey weddings and technology blues.

issue of the month: Q: A:

If you have questions, gripes or just seek some solace, e-mail Tamsin, our friendly tech tannie at techtannie@connect.co.za 68 | connect | Ocotber 2010

Are hard drives compatible on all PCs? Mnguni from Midrand

Oh, what a lovely question. Do you know how rarely I get these fabulously easy questions? Never! Usually a question means I must spend hours with my head between the blades of a spinning PC fan while juggling cables in a daring technology experiment designed to help you, dear reader, get your machines working again. Not today. Today, I sit here without bandages on my fingers and my legs free of USB cables, and I answer this question with joy. You see, the hard drive is the unsung hero of the PC. It’s the bin man of the PC world. Quiet and unassuming, it takes on all your kak and tidies it away until you need it again. No matter how trivial or bizarre. And here comes a reader wondering if he can use his hard drive on another PC. It warms the swinging chassis that is my heart. And the answer?

Yes, mostly hard drives are compatible on all PCs. You may find that new PCs don’t have a legacy IDE port, which is needed for an older hard drive to work, but that’s becoming increasingly rare. If you’re upgrading a PC older than five or six years, you might find that it doesn’t have SATA ports for the newer hard drives but, again, that is unlikely. If you’re thinking of pillaging your laptop and attaching its hard drive to the PC, that’s quite easily done.

Surprised? Yeah, it’s pretty cool that you can do that.

They are smaller but usually work just fine. However, you won’t be able to go the other way around. So don’t think of stripping the PC and sticking pieces of it onto your laptop. That would be weird anyway.

Q:

What’s the difference between Office 2007 and Office 2010? Do I need to upgrade? Curious in Cape Town

A:

This is a good question! Microsoft releases a new Office suite every couple of years, and each time, it adds some bits and pieces, finetunes other stuff and, sometimes, makes it a bit more kak. The jury is still out on whether or not 2010 is absolutely essential an upgrade, so if you have Office 2007, you’re absolutely fine. However, I’ve quickly downloaded and played around with 2010 so I can give you some insights and let you know what I think. I have to say that, overall, the application is pretty compelling. You get the ribbon interface across all the programmes now and, depending on the version you buy, lots of tasty extras. Outlook has a search function that is just divine, doll, divine. It makes a huge difference to the experience. I find it amusing that Microsoft has called the file menu system Backstage. This area (no matter what you want to call it) has grown up enormously. It’s a far cry from what it used to be and now offers almost every single file option (like Save, Save As, Print, etc) in one visual screen. At first, it may seem a little intimidating.

You just want to save a document, but suddenly you have more choices than a Kugel in Sandton City, but soon you’ll wonder how you ever lived without it. (I could continue the Kugel metaphor and throw in a free credit card, but I won’t.) If you have the money and feel like spoiling yourself on a new office suite, then this could well be a good investment. However, if you don’t have the money and hate Office 2007, why not download OpenOffice (http://www.openoffice.org/) instead.

It’s free and supports the OpenSource credo.

It may not have the fancy bells and whistles of Microsoft’s suite, but it is far more intuitive and easy to learn.

Q:

How can I send large files by e-mail? I have to send photos to my family overseas and this is a big problem for me. It takes hours to send them one at a time. E-mailed Ed in Johannesburg

A:

The problem with this question is that there are actually two answers I can give you.

The first is to suggest you reduce the size of the images, use zip file functionality, and send them in bite-sized chunks. The other is to look at using a web service that will make everybody’s lives a lot easier. Of course, the problem is the lovely limitations of the South African internet and your upload and download restrictions. Sending large files, whether uploading them to the net or e-mailing them in bits and pieces, will chomp into a large portion of your allowance. I shall, therefore, assume that you have a fairly decent package because you’ve been painstakingly sending huge files across the web already.

Let’s look at the first option. If you are using Microsoft Office, then open the folder with the images, right-click on an image, and select Open With. Open it with your photo editing software or with Microsoft Picture Manager. In the latter, go to Picture>>resize and then go for Web Small. It means the images will be drastically reduced in size and quality, but unless your family is printing them onto enormous canvases, this is just fine for sharing and caring purposes. If

you don’t have Microsoft Picture Manager, consider downloading either Irfanview (http://www. irfanview.com/) or Picasa (http:// picasa.google.com). The latter is a bit heavier, and may eat your bandwidth, but it has loads of photo-editing tools that will come in handy if you take lots of pictures. Once you’ve resized all your images, share them across three or four different folders – say four or five to a folder – right-click on each folder and select Send to>>Compressed (zipped) folder.

This will squish up the images even more tightly so they don’t take as much effort to send, and will save on bandwidth. If you really, really don’t want to reduce the size of the images (or perhaps Auntie Esmerelda has requested 30 highresolution photographs to satisfy her canvas-making obsession), then try out a service like Dropbox (https://www.dropbox.com/), which lets you upload your files to a central online location. You then give other people the log-in, they log in (obviously) and download your images. Voila! Some of these online file storage sites will charge you if you go over a certain amount so check all the fine print before you start.

www.connect.co.za | 69

NEED-TO-KNOW SPECS • Fujinon 15x Optical zoom Lens, 24mm – 360 mm equivalent • 1/2” 12 Megapixel “Super CCD EXR sensor” • Full EXR modes, with EXR auto • New Hybrid Auto-Focus System (Contrast AF and Phase Detection AF) • Intelligent CCD Shift Stabilization System using new Gyro Sensor • Motion Panorama 360 • New accurate zoom control with less noise • P/A/S/M modes • Face Detection, Face Recognition, Pro Focus Mode • Full HD Photos and 720p HD movies, view with HDMI port • 3”, high contrast 460k dot LCD with Wide View Filter • Super Intelligent Flash • Compact size, only 103.5 (w), 59.2 (h) and 32.6 (D) • Ergonomic grip, with slanted mode dial and command dial • Image Search • Dog / Cat Detection • Favourites Rating • Photobook Assist

Subscribe to

Subscribe now and you could win a Fujifilm FinePix F300EXR Following in the footsteps of the awardwinning top-end ‘F’ series, Fujifilm’s FinePix F300EXR is a new, top-end, 15x zoom camera that has an Auto Focus speed of 0.158 sec, as fast as the blink of an eye. It works with phase detection sensors that receive the incoming light of images and calculating the phase difference to find if the object is in front focus or back focus position. What does this really mean? Using the FinePix F300EXR, you have the ability to instantaneously capture the subject in the frame without ever facing the possibility of a missed shot. What’s more is that this

is especially effective when shooting at telephoto – conventional digital cameras take their time focusing in on the subject, but why wait for the perfect shot when you don’t have to? The quality 15x lens offers an incredible 24mm – 360mm focal length and has a 3-inch high contrast wide-view 460k resolution LCD. If you’re a discerning photographer that is looking for the perfect compact camera that is compact but still has a high zoom range without compromising on picture quality, the FinePix F300EXR delivers all of this and more.

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Our way of protecting the environment

Bring in any old technology and we will either re-furbish and donate it to those in need or we will ensure that the items are disposed of in an environmentally responsible manner with Enviro Connection and Desco.

Enjoy discounts off your purchase of a new printer cartridge or toner when you bring in your empty ones.

(Terms & conditions apply)

3135 Connect Enviro AD.indd 1

2/12/10 12:21 PM

disconnect //By adam oxford

W

e always turn into our parents. No matter how hard we fight it, history teaches us that some things are universal and inevitable.

Like at some stage in a columnist’s career, you’ll write a tired old cliché along the lines of ‘we always turn into our parents’.

This isn’t about conservative cul de sacs for anodyne aphorisms, though. It’s about the startled reaction everyone gets when they wake up one morning and realise they are no longer cuttingedge, and that there are parts of the world that they will never understand.

For my parents, it was video recorders and electronic music, phenomena they simply didn’t have the intellectual or cultural reference points to understand. When I was younger, I spent many Saturday afternoons with my father and his friends at the local cricket club. I remember the painful embarrassment I felt on their behalf whenever jokes were made about remote controls or “the rubbish that kids listen to today”.

I thought, like all who preceded me, that my generation would be different. We may not have grown up with computers, but by the time we entered the workforce, most offices had at least one PC or Mac. Many even had a modem. We’re the ones who coded the early websites, turned e-mail into an artform and invented the search engine, for crying out loud! The fast-paced world of modern business, communications and entertainment was ours forever.

One organisation in the US even goes so far as to say that the average age of a video gamer is now 35, and rises every year in perfect synchronisation with my peers and I. Every time we get a phone call from parents who still haven’t figured out how to uninstall a piece of software, we feel quietly smug, and convince ourselves we’re cutting-edge.

72 | connect | October 2010

We aren’t Generation X or Generation Y, we’re Generation C++, the geeks who inherited the Earth.

Except we’re not, are we? We’re just the same as everyone else who’s ever felt their technological achievements outshone all others and were insurmountable.

Our great-grandparents, feeling all clever about air travel, were probably a bit put out by Frank Whittle when the jet engine rendered everything they’d done obsolete. I can only imagine what the familie Montgolfier would have done to the Wrights if they’d come across them in a dark alleyway.

Every generation must learn from, steal and improve upon the ideas of the previous, or civilisation stagnates. As Isaac Newton put it: “If I have seen further, it is by standing on the shoulders of giants.”

I should have spotted it last year, when minutes after bringing home a brand-new iPhone 3GS, my three-year-old daughter was using it to download clips of Charlie and Lola. Now that she’s four, though, I realise just how different her world is going to be from mine.

Navigating the iPhone’s slick touchscreen interface is one thing – the whole reason the thing is so popular is because it’s easy. Now she can boot a PC, launch a web browser and begin playing games on CBeebies all by herself. And I only showed her how to do it once.

Technology is already second nature to her. If only I could teach her how to tie her shoelaces or stop sucking her fingers as easily!

By 12, she’ll be able to do my job. At some point sooner, I’m going to turn around and ask her how something works, or to set up some new gadget for me.

It’s terrifying. And naturally, the way of things. At some point, even Twitter and Facebook will be old-fashioned, so why shouldn’t I? In the meantime, of course, I have the proverbial keys to the on button and there are plenty of chores to do around the house. If she wants to supplant me, she’s going to have to work hard.