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Wanadoo my ISP introduced this service about a year ago, I have recently managed to try it.
Best known for its DVD/CD burning software, Nero brings its expertise to bear on aspects of digital image productivity.
The trend towards digital images, whether of the movie or still variety, has seen the development of a number of application that allow this form of content to be put to practical use. One product that offers to help with the handling of your digital images is PhotoShow Deluxe 4 from Nero.
We all hopefully know the importance of backups. Then why with the majority of PC users only able to use Windows can the majority of backup packages not backup open files?
Flash drives certainly seem to be a popular flavour recently. This is the fourth such device that has come under my gaze this month.
This is a DAB and FM radio, as supplied it works on mains but can be run on standard batteries or the proprietary ChargePAK from Pure.
The Pure One DAB radio is 21x14x7cm and the version I saw came in a creamy white colour. I understand it is also available in a TalkSport (black) version from . I also see from the Pure website there is a shocking pink version available. Amazon at £49.99 It has an 75cm 8 piece rod aerial that extends from the top of the unit and retracts into a recess. On the face towards the right side is a 5x1.
Getting your video content on to appropriate media does require a special toolkit. Serif believes its MoviePlus title contains the necessary features.
Digital video editing is becoming increasingly popular. This trend is helped no doubt by the advancements in computing power and various software packages designed to take advantage of the latest developments.
This is a small All In One product that can either be a USB or network device. Not as small as the DCP 315-CN (24/4/06) but it does have some of the same problems.
Just like the it has some rather good translation software however this review is about the ability to scan - copy - print and while the scan feature is used with the translation module that - to me anyway - is an add on to add value. DCP 315-CN Software installation is quite quick given that it installs Paper Port software (for scanning) before the printer driver and the total amount of hard disc used is just a tad over 300MB.
They are small, hold varying amounts of data and are extremely popular as an alternative to paper-based marketing material. They are Flash Drives.
This is certainly one of the smallest DAB radios around, but small certainly does not mean limited functionality as it also has FM and the ability to be an MP3 player.
It is 8.5x6x2cm and weights only 120grams. It has a 2.5x1.5cm three line two colour display in the centre of the face that is extremely clear and easy to read. This is surrounded by eight rubberised buttons that control the unit. All but two are very obvious as to what they do and the 32 page manual describes everything in detail so the job of the two buttons that have a picture of a beating heart and a sun beside them are soon explained.
Although notebooks come with a built-in touchpad, many users (myself included) prefer a traditional mouse.
Meet the PilotMouse Laser Wireless Mini mouse from Kensington. This is the smaller brother of the equally long-windedly named PilotMouse Laser Wireless Pro mouse featured elsewhere on this site. As often happens with family member, there are some similarities but also a number of differenced between these two models.
I think this is the first colour laser printer that has fitted in the review space between my two PCs, all the inkjets and multi functions fit there as do most mono lasers but unit now colour lasers sit in the office doorway.
The unit is 38x32x39cm and while you would not want to walk a mile holding it moving it from one place to another is something any normal adult should be able to do.
Canon LBP 5000 The front has five LED's while the rear has connection points for network or USB cables the power input and on/off switch. So no display and it entirely relies on the LED's or Windows to tell you of any problems.
While blogs and websites are the current favourite methods of publishing your thoughts, there is still a market for paper publications created with DTP software.
The world of DTP (Desktop Publishing) can clearly be divided into two distinct sections - professional and budget. If you are a member of the publishing fraternity then you are probably familiar with the powerful features of products such as Quark Xpress and Adobe InDesign. However not everybody can afford the high price being asked for these titles. Fortunately there is an alternative with products such as PagePlus from Serif.
Philips have often been at the forefront of innovation and this MP3/Picture Viewer/Voice Recorder certainly stands out from the competition.
It may not squeak or eat cheese but your computer mouse can be indispensable. So choose carefully.
Occasionally a wave of nostalgia creeps into my thoughts as I remember the time when mice (the computer version and not those midnight visitors to my secret supply of sweets) had balls and were permanently attached to the system box via their tail.
Do you find Sudoku too easy? I dont, however if you do or if you are bored by always having all the 1 to 9 numbers why not try Karuro.
When the creative urge grabs you, Serif believes it has a product that could provide you with the tools to bring your concepts to fruition.
While applications such as CorelDRAW and Adobe Illustrator grab all the headlines, they are rather expensive and are aimed at the professional end of the market. Not everybody can afford the price or needs the multitude of features available from such products.
Do you like me think these are a pain the neck when walking behind one? However they do have a use and carrying a large notebook all the extras and some clothing etc for an overnight are just some.
I am not talking about shopping trolleys but bags designed to hold notebooks securely and to protect them if dropped. Some smaller models are designed only to be carried here I am looking at two that can either be carried or wheeled. The first from a company that makes bags and the second marketed by a computer company. Port Phoenix Trolley II Port offer free insurance against screen damage to your notebook when using one of their bags.
Being responsible for your data storage, a hard disk deserves the type of special consideration that Acronis can offer.
This Bluetooth keyboard and mouse set is stylish and offers that bit more for those who want the best on their desks.
The keyboard is 38x20x1cm the latter measurement applies to all but the back 4cm of depth where is expands to 2cm. I suggest you measure your keyboard to see the difference. It is described as an ultra flat keyboard, however if like me you were brought up on typewriters (manual) then you like a bit of tilt and with the lifts extended this is still possible.
Insuring your computer against data loss is just a matter of making sure you have backup software and USE it on a regular basis.
Last years series of articles after the Dream Toys event in the autumn was well received. So in January I went to the slightly different Toy Fair, here are two items.
The Toy Fair is rather different to Dream Toys in that the items on show are aimed at next Winters sales and Dream Toys are immediate so while I requested a number of items to review these are the only two to have arrived so far. Kidz Labs - Super Magnets Stated as suitable for 5 years and upwards this is one of a range of fun educational products.
Before identity cards are made compulsory, you might like to be first on the block with your own USB ID card.
While these devices are no longer the huge sellers they once were they still do a job vital to many and the ability to work with Word and Excel files is an important feature.
The is 11x7x1cm, the thickness is probably nearer to 1.3cm in the centre but only 1cm at the edge. The weight is less than 150grams. It is predominately black with silvered edges and to me - a style dummy - looks smart. The screen is 7.5x5.5cm and works either in portrait or landscape at 640x480. Acer N310 pocketPC The operating system is Windows Mobile 5.01 software for Pocket PC Premium Edition.
Bored with the lighting in your house? Lighting doesn't generally get more dynamic than on and off. The Lava Lamp of course introduced the concept of 'moving light', well the 'laserpod' takes that idea and pushes it into the 21st century.
The is a lamp, with a bit of a difference. Accoding to the booklet that comes with the product the Laserpod 'brings science and nature together to create ever-changing organic lifeforms of profound beauty'. That's quite some claim so let's investigate what it actually is and does. Laserpod The Laserpod comes in a nice clean 'modern' package.
How secure is your portable data? Perhaps you should consider a padlock.
This is a basic three ink printer in the supplied form, however it does not mean it is not capable of good image quality.
It's strange what manufacturers do to shave the costs of a printer. This basic printer is 42x22x12cm and is by no means heavy. It comes with a tri ink cartridge but you can buy a black cartridge as an extra should you print a lot of text pages. This cartridge does not replace the tri colour it sits alongside. A lot of manufacturers provide ½ toner cartridges with lasers and nowadays some provide ½ size inkjet cartridges for printers.
While browsing TheGadgetStore I came across a pocket-sized device that combined two methods of connectivity.
This is a 15x10cm photo printer and also comes with a digital camera. The camera has rechargeable batteries and takes power from the docked position on the printer.
Acer continues to enhance its range of notebooks. We take a look at its latest innovation.
Acer has recently added the C200 series to its range of TravelMate family. Unlike
the other models in this range, which adopts the traditional style of notebook, the
C200 series is a Tablet PC. While the general shape and size (315 x 238 x 35.3mm (W
x D x H)) is notebook-like in appearance, this particular series is easily disguisable
by its top mounted touch screen.
I have seen such devices advertised but never tried one. Often people that have were not that pleased with the results
The system consists of a sender module and a receiver module. Both plug into SCART sockets. Each unit needs a power supply (supplied) and if you add a small 20 page manual that's about it. The sender module is marked 'sender' and in a simple scenario plug it into a SCART socket on the back of your TV. Whatever you are watching should be transmitted to the 'receiver' unit.
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