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For many years I have used Acronis to get a total disc backup that you can restore without any other media such as the original Windows CD being available. More recent years have seen them give extra protection such as from Ransomware. Just over a year ago I stopped using additional Anti-Virus software instead letting Acronis handle everything. Updates are made as needed and only occasionally do they produce a new version such as what I am reviewing here the Home Office 2023.
While it still does a ‘complete’ backup for those occasions when Windows refuses to boot and on one occasion I have had to use this feature. Far more often you use the feature that allows you to restore a file that has been overwritten by a later version and that can save you hours of work in itself. Like most I have programs (not Apps) that were downloaded and get used regularly but the source has changed and so could not be restored.
Set in the 1950's, 9 Clues - The Secret of Serpent Creek is a Hidden Object Adventure game.
Developed by Tap It Games, The Secret of Serpent Creek features an unique detective mode, With this mode the player will need to uncover the presence of clues within a crime scene which are then processed to reveal a trial of events. In other words it is a situation where you have to look for hidden items without the help of a required list. Profiles can be created with this game so that different people can play the game and have their progress and achievements recorded.
Tim by name but not timid by nature, this title's central character is willing to take on anybody who invades its territory.
With only a mirror for company can you solve the mystery of a sleeping royal family.
Have you ever awoken from a deep sleep to discover yourself in a strange bedroom that you have not seen before or know how you managed to end up there? This is the type of situation facing the central character of this next game of The Sleeping Palace from the Mystery Murders series. Developed by Casual Arts, this game is currently available for downloading from the Big Fish Games website.
At last a company starts to do something about sustainability as the case on this unit is made from recycled plastic, it has a slightly rough feel no doubt not essential but to make you feel you are doing your bit. This latest offering in the Aspire range is called Vero. The strap line comes up on bootup ‘Vero for Planel Earth’. What does this latest offering from Acer have to offer both for sustainability and also for value for money in these testing times?
The Acer Aspire Vero AV15-51 measures 36.5x24.5x1.7cm and weighs 1800grams. Going around the outside has power input, Ethernet, HDMI, two USB3 and a USB ‘C’. Both the front and back are clear the right side has two LED’s, 3.5mm for headphones and a USB3 finally a Kensington Lock connection. You can also charge the unit with a USB ‘C’ connection. The base has four horizontal 2x.7cm yellow rubber feet, behind the front feet are the 2.5x1.5cm speaker outlets.
While searching for Hidden Objects you can discover some interesting facts when playing this next game.
Recently I have been on a trip encompassing twenty wonders of the world and discovering numerous interesting facts, all without having to leave the comfort of my front room. This feat has been achieved, courtesy of Point 8 Games who developed Adventure Trip - Amazing World 2, a Hidden Object game with some educational qualities. Allowing different people to play the game, named profiles can be created to record the progress of those taking up the challenge.
Join the battle between the Sisterhood and an army of wolves in this Dark Parables.
As part of the series, The Red Riding Hood Sisters is a Hidden Object Adventure game developed by Blue Tea Games. I have been looking at the Collector's Edition version of this title. As usual with Collector's Edition offering, this title comes with various bonus elements that sit alongside the main game which covers the conflict between the sisterhood and the forces of the Wolf Queen.
Can you uncover an Egyptian masterpiece while on a journey covering numerous European capitals?
Developed by GamGo Games, The Serpent of Isis is a Hidden Object Adventure game that sets the challenges of recovering a missing masterpiece. Taking up a central position in this game is the legendary Serpent of Isis which was discovered during an expedition led by Sir Henry Higgens to discover the tomb of the last Egyptian Pharaoh.
Here I am looking at two new lights from WIZ. They are both mains powered but the control can be by an App or a remote control. The first a 30cm bar light described as the way to light up small spaces with ease. The second 10.5cm round and 18cm tall with a leather handle, when first powered on both start out and white but by using the App or the optional remote control they can be any colour you like and that is just the start there are more options.
As mentioned above this 30cm long and triangular in shape so can sit anywhere it comes with an adapter that can fit in either end of the bar, the lead is 1.50 metres long ending in a three pin plug. Out of the box the light is white and you can control the brightness by pressing a tiny nipple on the back of the light. Once connected by Wi-Fi or the optional remote control you can then really see what it can do, it can have warm or cool light to suit both your mood and the situation.
Flux Family Secrets™ would like to invite you to the Ripple Effect.
In the same way that throwing a pebble into a pool can cause an expanding ripple effect, so altering the past can produce waves that spread out and disturb the vary fabric of time as historic objects become displaced thus adding further disruption to the original ripple effect. You are invited to find and restore these misplaced objects and, maybe, unearth the Flux Family's darkest secret.
Join a television show game and see if you can win when searching for concealed objects.
When you have been asleep for a hundred years, you cannot afford to waste time in discovering what caused your extended slumber.
In the company of Silverback Productions and GOGII, lets take a trip to a mysterious underwater world filled with Hidden Object scenes and puzzling challenges. Here you will find yourself in the world of the Empress of the Deep where you are faced with the Darkest Secret as you attempt to thwart the plans of the Dark Empress.
Most flat panels have speakers built in, however in order to keep the panel thin the speakers are not that great. The same is true for most Laptops and Notebooks in facts the majority put the speakers underneath so sound is projected directly into the desk or whatever it is rested upon. So should you want to watch a movie or three or listen to music you need something better, here is one such solution the Creative Sound Bar.
Most Soundbars are longer and are designed to give you more sound and better quality sound from your TV. This unit designed to do the same from your PC, Laptop, Phone, Tablet and according to the instruction sheet also from PS4, PS5 and Nintendo switch. This unit can use the USB cable to take music from a PC, it can also use 3.5mm socket from audio devices or connect to any Bluetooth device. It is 7cm tall 40.5cm long at the front 37.5cm long at the back and 8cm deep. It weighs 1107grams.
Rather than just placing an "X" on the ballot paper, this election requires you to work hard with different tasks.
"Sweet Tooth","Scruffs - Return of the Duke"There is trouble brewing in the Kingdom of Scruffold or so they tell me. While the Scruffs family has ruled this Kingdom for many years without any problems due to their compassion and upholding the rights of others, an unforeseen event was about to upset the apple cart and bring into focus inheritance issues regarding the vacant Dukedom.
Having recently reviewed the best phone I have ever used and then one that any other company apart from Google would have consigned to the bin 18 months ago this was always going to be, shall we say, difficult. In the past I have reviewed several other Honor offerings, so to be as fair as possible I took a good bit longer before presenting my thoughts.
The Honor Magic 4 Lite measures 16.5x7.5x.8cm and weighs 192grams. The 6.8 inch display is 1080x1980. The right side has the volume rocker and recessed below this the on-off button. The base has the USB ‘C’ connector for charging and data transfer via an OTG device, also a microphone and SIM entry point. Both the left side and top are clear. The rear is dominated by a raised circular Matrix at the top end which contains its three cameras and LED flash.
Can you decipher the clues left by a killer and stop the reign of murder?
Developed by Grey Wizard Innovation, Deadly Puzzles: Toymaker pits you against a serial killer terrorising a quiet town by murdering women. You are cast in the role of a female detective assigned to solve the case and bring to justice a killer who enjoys setting puzzles in the form of clues. Allowing different people to play the game, this title supports the use of profiles to record the progress of those tackling the case.
A missing boy and a girl who will not wake up are just two of the problems facing you in this double pack.
This next product bundles together the first two titles in the popular PuppetShow series developed by ERS Game Studio. The two titles are PuppetShow - Mystery of Joyville and PuppetShow 2 - Souls of the Innocent. Both titles can be installed individually from the same front-end menu. The same package of options is available when setting up each of these titles. You can create profiles so that different players can play the game and have their individual progress recorded.
I do not sleep well so when I get a chance to review items that might improve my sleep I take them. This tool is speech and music and while I have managed to fall asleep in a boring presentation in the past this is something new to me.
The is round at 8cm and 6cm tall without its wooden lid in place, I used it with its built in speaker but if you need more volume then use its 3.5mm socket to connect to external offerings. There are eight subjects and eight different items on each subject, there is a male and a female voice and there should be 8 minute and 20 minute versions of each offering; however despite my best endeavours I was only able to access the 20 minute versions.
With all the current news featuring details of proposed rising prices, it makes a welcome change to report on some available deals that feature lower prices.
When performers go missing, you need to send for the detective with a nose for sniffing out clues.
Some may remember that Paprikan introduced us to Montgomery Fox who had abandoned his scavenger lifestyle and was not putting his skills to more advantage use by working as a detective. Fans of Montgomery may be wondering how he has spent his time since that initial outing. My research reveals that, after spending time sunny himself in my back garden, he has been busy disturbing my sleep with his mating calls.
Bringing together a white wolf, rampant plants and an unpaid debt, this next offering should provide plenty of Hidden Object game play.
I have been looking at the Collector's Edition of this game developed by Alawar's Go! Studio. Unlike other titles bearing the Collector's Edition branding, this offering takes a different approach to its bonus offerings. Rather than a bonus chapter, you are given two bonus Hidden Object games of Mountain Crime and Natural Threat. These games have their own setting options regarding the volume adjustment and full screen viewing.
With so much more video being produced out of studio one thing needed is lights even a well-lit room does not look top notch so this solution from Zhiyun could well help solve it. During lockdown a great deal of meetings moved to online from home where ordinary room lighting did not hack it. The doughnut ring light was popular but is there something better like this Fiveray offering to give you professional standard lighting from a single internal battery powered unit.
It is 50cm tall and 4cm wide and 3.5cm thick except at the handle where its 4cm. It weighs 900 grams. There is a tripod mount on the base. Just above the grip on the left side is a USB ‘C’ connector to charge its internal battery. The back of the grip is rubberised for ease of holding. The only other item to mention is the 7x3cm area on the face of the grip, this has a joystick ‘control centre’ and a small 2x1.
Pack your bags, have all the necessary injections as you prepare to visit various countries for missing members of your club.
There is a theory, supported by some, that the human evolutionary chain was somehow influenced by the presence of outside elements that were alien in concept. Whether that influence included Ancient Astronauts is a mute point but this next game might swing the argument one way or the other. As a member of the Unsolved Mystery Club, you can join the search for five fellow members who have gone missing when searching for evidence of whether Ancient Astronauts existed or not.
You shall have music where ever you go with a smartphone and a set of Cambridge Audio ear-buds.
Cambridge Audio has over 50 years experience in the designing and production of audio products including the three piece speaker system that has been providing the audio output from my computer system for well over a decade now without any problems. Recently the company has launched its new ear-bud product consisting of a pair of earbuds and a carry case.
In true Star Wars fashion, this next game explains how location for previous titles came to be.
With its title of "Academy of Magic - A New Beginning" might indicate that this is the first offering in a new series from that hotbed of Match 3 game play. In fact this is the latest episode in one of e-Funsoft's longest running series. This game should be regarded as a prequel as it explains the origins of the Academy of Magic. In a previous episode, those energetic students at the Academy of Magic had defeated the Great Dark Wizard.
These are the latest set of earbuds from Creative to land on my desk. They are just a little bigger than most buds of a similar type and when I weighed them this was confirmed. However they still sit comfortably in your ear. So what is new to make you shell out to purchase another set of earbuds apart from them being from Creative to tempt you.
Each bud weighs 7 grams and in their charge box the total weight is 87 grams. 15 hours use before you have to recharge and a total of 60 hours before you need to search for a USB port for more charge. Both these figures are 25% more than most other sets of buds that only offer 12 hours. They have a total of six microphones so you should be heard more clearly by others.
When earthquakes occur, who do you send for? It has to be Glass and Ink.
Entitled "Clockwork Tales of Glass and Ink" this is a game which takes you on a voyage into a Steam Punk world ruled by machines and gadgets. Developed by Artifex Mundi, the game is a Hidden Object offering with my review copy being of the Collector's Edition variety.
Not everyone wants the latest or biggest phone that can take fantastic photos in near darkness. What they do want is something that can make and receive calls and take the odd photo or three and browse the Internet while out and about for things like when will that bus or train arrive and possibly will it ever rain again in my lifetime. So perhaps a solid reliable phone like this Google Pixel 4A, while this is well over two years old it still gets updated to the latest version of Android.
The Google Pixel 4a measures 14x6.7x.7cm and weighs only 144 grams; its viewable screen is close to 6 inches, the screen is 1080x2340. Going around the outside has the on/off button and volume rocker on the right side. The base has speakers, and USB ‘C’ for charging, or data transfer and microphone. The left side is free and the top has 3.5mm socket for earbuds or headphones. The back has its camera and LED flash top left in a 1.7cm square raised area.
When two people are separated by a shipwreck, how do their stories develop?
This next product bundles together Twisted Lands - Shadow Town and Twisted Lands - Insomniac in Collector's Edition versions. Both titles, being in the Hidden Object Adventure genre, have been developed by Alawar's Stargaze team. When it comes to installing these two titles, you have no choice but to copy them both to your computer's hard disk thus relinquishing 1.4GB of space. The games can then be launched and played individually from the same opening menu.
Even ghosts can have worries and your job will be to ease these issues within an Amityville dwelling.
Let us take a trip back in time to the year 1947. This is not the 1947 recorded in our history books and in the memories of those of us old enough to remember that year. Our journey will take us to the 1947 year of an alternative universe. This is a world where paranormal activity is commonplace with ghosts from the past appearing everywhere.
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