Do you want to report bug? advertise on this site? link exchange? then contact our Sales representative:
Mas Dini Bin Muzammal
Gtalk: Adfunk
MSN: reckno6 at hotmail.com
Email: adfunk at gmail.com
Phone: 60136679137
Sites like CoderSource.net, and GURU are very usefull for unnemployed programmers whith a lot of talent. They offer the possibility to earn some extra cash ( even build an income ) from a very wide source. You can even start working for some good companies or people that give you all of the jobs you are very good at completing.
CoderSource.net, a new online community for programmers, is also holding an Offers to promote membership levels ,user activity and money. All you need to do is to use your Technical Expertise to write Articles, Tips, Tutorials and even Book Reviews for the avid readers.
The online community plans to become the number one authority on all things programming – catering for web developers and programmers at different levels of expertise.
And there you have it. All the advice you need to start as a new programmer on a site like CoderSource.net and actualy know what you are doing and how things are. For the other thing that you need to know about any one of these sites, you can find it in the HELP section of each site
Tag: .Net,C#,Win32,C++,VC++,MFC ,codersource.net,codersource,Visual C++
GameAxis held a gaming tournament, the game played Need For Speed, FIFA, player have to pay $20 they will get the gamer passes and free tshirt, held on Lowyat Plaza
Waiora International supports you in helping rediscover your health.
A statement you could question and ask yourself.. People are living longer lives but are they living healthier lives?
Waiora and most people know the answer to that, and that is why we have an amazing product in our natural cellular defense detox supplement. There are all kinds of technological and science break-trough’s that are helping extend the quantity of life, but we need a product that will help us improve the quality of life at the same time.
The detox supplement is Waiora NCD, or liquid cellular zeolite. The product is designed to remove the harmful substances in your body along with the heavy metals to help fight off the primary causes of aging with Waiora Natural cellular Defense. We are striving to help provide you with the best possible health products to help you remove, replenish, and restore your vitality as you age.
Waiora NCD is designed just to do that, providing you with the highest quality anti aging supplements to support your fight and address your age related health challenges. So look into cellular zeolite as one of the best ways to help fight the anti aging process by the body. Your body was meant to be healthy from the start, but it is very easy to let our bodies become malnutrition and let harmful substances affect our everyday health. Liquid Cellular Zeolite can help remove those toxins as it is the first step in Waiora’s 3 step process.
Go to our Waiora site to learn more and see how you can start on your path towards better health!
The new playstation 3 is here! The PS3 is one of the most complete gaming systems you will ever come across. The playstation 3 should not be considered only a gaming console, as it is its own entertainment system built right in. The official launch of the PS3 has sparked a lot of interest and you can visit my website to find out more on playstation 3 release dates.
Our site will be designed to give you updated information regarding playstation 3 news and playstation 3 games. Sony has said that they will have close to 21 ps3 games released before the end of 2006 to help keep the high demand for the playstation 3 systems.
There has been a huge craze as people stood in lines for hours just to get their hands on the playstation 3, and even a few riots broke out over the country. So be sure to check out our playstation 3 site as it will give you some ps3 news and playstation 3 release dates!
Shareholders of Sharper Image, the gadget retailer, may wish that the company sold management-shakeup detectors in addition to its Ionic Breeze air cleaners and automatic waste baskets.
The struggling retailer announced this month that its interim chief executive, Jerry W. Levin, would take on the president’s duties after the sudden resignation of Tracy Wan, who was president, and Jeff Forgan, who was chief financial officer.
Just six months earlier, the company had signed the executives to contracts that promised severance of 18 months of pay for Ms. Wan and a year of pay for Mr. Forgan. Mr. Levin took charge in late September upon the ouster of the company’s founder, Richard Thalheimer.
Mr. Thalheimer, 58, apparently expected to be around a while longer, because he had arranged to collect $500,000 a year from the company upon “retirement at age 70.” PATRICK McGEEHAN
WORKING MOM Two and a half months into her new job as anchor and managing editor of the “ CBS Evening News,” Katie Couric views both her business and personal life as a balancing act.
To attract more viewers, she is trying to balance a different approach to the newscast with maintaining “a semblance of what people are accustomed to,” she said last week at the Museum of Television and Radio in New York.
“The thing is, we’re trying to make changes and evolve the broadcast simultaneously with actually doing a broadcast every day,” she added. “You have to continue to feed the insatiable beast of doing a great newscast as good as you can do every night. It’s a real juggling act.”
Personally, Ms. Couric, the single mother of daughters age 10 and 15, said she was still adjusting to her new job and its demands on her. “We still try to have dinner together almost every night,” she said. “I have the same struggles that all working mothers have.” JANE L. LEVERE
A-LIST SETTLEMENT The byzantine saga of Conrad M. Black and his former media empire took a $50 million turn last week. The Delaware Court of Chancery approved the settlement of a shareholder’s suit against some of the company’s former directors.
They included Henry A. Kissinger, the former secretary of state; Richard R. Burt, a former ambassador to Germany; James R. Thompson, a former governor of Illinois; Marie-Josée Kravis, wife of the financier Henry R. Kravis; and seven others.
The $50 million, which is covered by an insurance policy, will be paid to the Sun-Times Media Group, which publishes The Chicago Sun-Times and was formerly Hollinger International.
Additional shareholder claims — against Lord Black and his wife, Barbara A. Black, and others including the former director Richard N. Perle and the former chief operating officer, F. David Radler — are in abeyance pending the outcome of Lord Black’s trial next year on criminal charges. Mr. Radler pleaded guilty last year to illegally diverting $32 million of company funds. ELIZABETH OLSON
TAKE MY LIFE SAVINGS, PLEASE At the Global Gaming Expo in Las Vegas last week — “gaming” being the casino industry’s term for gambling — the humorist Dave Barry opened his keynote speech by saying he knew little about the casino industry.
He said, for example, that he was surprised to learn that visitors to American casinos last year lost nearly $80 billion, though he joked that his wife was probably responsible for 37 percent of that total.
“I’m sure you all in your casinos have seen women like my wife,” he told the executives and casino managers, people inclined to say they work in the hospitality industry. “The kind of woman who can’t stop playing the slot machine for any reason — even childbirth.”
Mr. Barry then pantomimed a player pulling incessantly on a slot machine lever (an anachronism, actually: players press a button nowadays to send the reels spinning) while responding to the news that she has just given birth to a baby girl: “Great, just put it over there on the floor.”
For his part, Mr. Barry says he knows when to stop gambling: when he has only one kidney left to sell. That drew titters from an audience that generally laughed harder at his jokes about pornography and living in Miami than at his cracks about gambling. GARY RIVLIN
FRYER-FIRED FUTURE Tyson Foods, the world’s largest chicken producer and meat processing company, blamed high corn prices last week for its third consecutive quarterly loss. It said that recent excitement over corn-based ethanol fuel sent the price of that grain soaring, raising feed costs and compounding the effect of a meat glut that depressed prices.
“This is either corn for feed or corn for fuel,” Richard L. Bond, president and chief executive, lamented in a statement.
Well, if fuels are where the money is, Tyson will be there, too. As Mr. Bond was releasing the disappointing results, Jeff Webster of the corporate strategy department was announcing a brand new venture: Tyson Renewable Energy.
Its first task? Turning some of what the company described as its “vast supply of animal fat” — 2.3 billion pounds a year, Mr. Webster reckons — into a diesel-like biofuel.
Here's one from the anal-retentive department: the Flic Scanner. If you've got an out-of-control disc collection that your friends are always borrowing from, the Flic can help you keep track of it all. It's essentially a barcode scanner like the ones in stores, but it works together with the supplied Collectorz.com software on your PC to keep track of all your media. Scan in all your CDs, DVDs, HD DVD and Blu-ray discs, PlayStation games, and all the rest — hell, it can even inventory your books. Then when a pal wants to borrow your Legally Blonde 2 disc, just log it out and you won't have to make the any more mental notes. At $200, the scanner is a fairly costly investment, so you'd better do a little self-examination before you hand over your MasterCard: are you the type of person who is disciplined enough to really use this thing? And more importantly, what possessed you to actually pay real American dollars for that Reese Witherspoon bomb?
Motorola A1200, A linux based mobile phone powered by Intel PXA270 processor. As you can see Motorola A1200 design is a unique with transparent flip with thin embedded wires leading to the tiny speaker. Beside that, Motorola A1220 features a 2 megapixel camera, a TFT-LCD touchscreen display and Bluetooth.
The unique features on Motorola A1200 is the digital zoom on the mobile phones. The Motorala A1200 able zoom in 6 distinct level from 1.0x to 8.0x. meanwhile, The mobile phone is bundle with tiny microSD card for memory expansion.
Gadgetry This year, Street Tech is honored and delighted to be part of Federated Media's network-wide Holiday Gadget Guide. We'll be doing our usual Street Tech Gift Guide, but it will be in concert with Federated's Guide. Today, I have a review of the Logitech FreePulse Wireless headphones on the FM Guide. Read my breathless review, breathless not only because I've fallen in love with these phones, but because I couldn't stop shakin' my ass after I put them on.
Reviews coming up from me in the next few weeks include the Panasonic PV-GS300 Video Camera, the Kensington Digital FM Transmitter for iPod, the LEGO Mindstorms NXT kit. and the Logitech diNovo Edge Keyboard.
Check out current reviews on the FM Guide for the TiVo Series 3, the Fossil Bluetooth Watch, an Input Device roundup, and more.
We'll have the first installment of the Street Tech Gift Guide up within the week. In the meantime, here's a link to last year's guide. Since we tend to cover solid tech that sucks less, these gifts are all still worthy contenders.
Phone service allows people to track their friends
Sam Alton was leaving a computer science class at Stanford last year when he wondered where his friends were.
It's an age-old question, but it got Alton thinking of a different way of arriving at the answer. Alton's creation, for which he left school after his sophomore year, is a service called Loopt, which allows mobile phone users to locate friends using Global Positioning Satellite technology on a cell phone.
The service, which is being offered on Boost Mobile, provides a real-time cell-phone map that pinpoints the location of friends who have agreed to be tracked. Their location is accurate to within 30 feet under peak conditions.
As part of the service, Boost and Loopt will allow users to tag a location and leave a message about that site.
More than 35,000 Boost users have been using the service for free since September. Starting next year, the service will cost $2.99 a month.
Rob Enderle, a cell phone analyst, said the services raise questions about privacy for older users.
Nintendo and Toys "R" Us collaborate for a remarkably smooth launch as Wii fans--or were they Zelda fans?--gather for goodies.
NEW YORK--The massive video screens, neon lights and perpetual crowds of Times Square are enough to make anyone dizzy. But throw in a Nintendo Wii launch event, and the energy reaches a whole new level.
The line began at the entrance to the Toys "R" Us store on 44th Street and 7th Avenue, New York's official Wii venue (complete with an indoor Ferris wheel), and snaked around nearly the entire block: up to 45th Street, around to 6th Avenue, and back. By midnight, there were approximately 3,000 Wii fans and gawkers.
It was a diverse bunch, with the groups of people waiting for the midnight launch of the Wii ranging from rowdy packs of teenagers to families with small children. The gender makeup was skewed in favor of males, but it was a far more coed affair than Sony's PlayStation 3 launch on Thursday night.
And when people were asked how long they'd stood in line, the answers ranged from 20 minutes (near the back) to 30 hours--impressive, but since Times Square's heavy pedestrian traffic meant that Wii buyers weren't allowed to line up too far in advance, it paled in comparison to the PS3's multiday campout.
But regardless of age or gender, or how long they'd been standing around, everyone in line was absolutely ecstatic for the Wii. And, as they were quick to point out, they weren't about to rush home to sell them on eBay. Click here to Play
Video: Wii takes over Times Square Long lines, but wait worth it for fans purchasing the first Wii units after midnight in New York City.
"These are all real gamers," said 29-year-old Triforce, who was the first person waiting in line and considers himself to be so immersed in gaming culture that he legally changed his first name to his gaming name. Triforce was wearing a Power Glove, a hand-movement-based controller for the original Nintendo Entertainment System, on his right hand. He said it's a testament to where he and the rest of the gaming community have come from.
Triforce is no stranger to launch events, having waited in line for the Xbox 360, the Nintendo DS and the PlayStation 2. But when I asked him about the PlayStation 3, he shook his head. "I didn't want to get involved in the mayhem," he said, "and it's not worth the risk of danger."
The PS3's debut, plagued by horror stories about impending shortages, had been marred by incidents of rioting and even shootings in some cities. "It's a horrible misrepresentation of gamers," Triforce added.
But there was no talk of Wii shortages, and the Toys "R" Us store was very open about the fact that 4,000 units would be in the store at midnight--10 times as many as the 400 PS3s that had been available at the SonyStyle store for Thursday's launch party. Consequently, the overall atmosphere was cheery and bubbly, which 20-year-old Everett--one of the first half-dozen people in line--attested to.
"Meet everyone!" he said to me enthusiastically. "It's a great crowd here tonight. Everyone's cool, and relaxed."
A large part of that was because everyone was confident that they'd be going home with Wii consoles in hand. So the Wii line was, as Everett had observed, notably calm. There was only one situation in which the line began to resemble a mob scene, and that's whenever Nintendo representatives passed by to hand out swag: Wii T-shirts, beanies and baseball caps. For that, the crowd went wild. Click for photos
Free stuff wasn't the only way Nintendo kept fans entertained before the launch. There were also plenty of opportunities to actually try out the Wii, as a number of the consoles were attached to TVs that were strapped onto the fronts of Segway Human Transporters. Nintendo's crew rode the "Segwiis" (as one blogger nicknamed them) around and stopped intermittently so that gamers in line could give the new system a test drive. And for passersby who weren't in line, there was music cued up by DJs and performances by dance group AntiGravity.
Interestingly enough, most people weren't just waiting for the Wii. They were, more specifically, eager to get their hands on its most-hyped game, Legend of Zelda: Twilight Princess. In the middle of the line, I spoke to 7-year-old Justin, his head almost completely hidden by a Wii beanie, who had been waiting in line with his parents and two older brothers since earlier that evening. When I asked him what game he was most excited to play, he answered definitively with, "Zelda!"
Zelda-mania wasn't restricted to the under-10 age group. At the very front of the line, Triforce professed, "'Nintendo fan' is the wrong term. I'm a Zelda fan." He told me that the new Zelda game was so highly anticipated, it was rumored that Toys "R" Us had as many copies of it as it did Wii units. "Everyone wants Zelda," Triforce said. Behind him in line, Everett commented that maybe Nintendo should've just bundled Zelda with the Wii.
"But then it would've cost more," one of Everett's friends added. "Like, over $300." Everett nodded in agreement. These intense Wii fans at the front of the line took pride in the console's affordable cost--especially compared to what they thought was an extravagant price tag for the PS3. Now on News.com:
* MySpace sued for copyright violations * Judge won't halt AT&T wiretapping lawsuit * Social networking without blind spots * Extra: HP poised to unseat IBM * Video: Crave gets, like, totally psychedelic
Around 11:30, Nintendo of America president and CEO Reginald Fils-Aime, known affectionately to loyalists as "Reggie," took the stage to welcome everyone to the event and to remind them that there were more than enough Wiis to go around.
"Somebody told me there were nearly 3,000 people in line," he said. "Well, let me tell you, we've got 4,000 units in the store." The fans erupted into a Jerry Springer-like chant of "Reggie! Reggie!" and Triforce instructed those waiting at the head of the line as to how they'd count down the final minute.
Soon after that, the clock struck midnight. Press coverage of this event was much more intense than that at the PS3 launch; when the first pack of Wii buyers arrived in the store, the scene erupted into a flurry of flashing camera bulbs.
But the media respectfully stood back as fans eagerly grabbed not only the Wii boxes, but also raided the selection of the various extra controllers, accessories and carrying cases that were offered nearby. The people still waiting were patient. The cashiers were well prepared for the onslaught. And the customers were dazzled by the celebrity treatment of cameras and microphones in their faces, and the cheering from the line outside whenever a group walked out with their Nintendo-logo shopping bags.
BUT BE CAREFUL BEFORE BUYING AN OLDER CONSOLE SYSTEM
Attention shoppers: We have no PlayStation 3s. If you thought last year's shortage of Xbox 360s was bad, this year's shortage of PS3s will reach a new level. All the stars are aligned to drive shoppers mad with frustration.
Sony's got the best brand name and market share in video games, so it will attract the most fans. But the company had fewer than its promised 400,000 units available on Day One of sales. It won't be easy to reach 1.2 million sold by year-end in North America. And that number is less than the 1.5 million Xbox 360s sold by Microsoft last year.
It's worth noting that shoppers were frustrated with Microsoft's shortages last year, and they also noticed reliability problems such as overheating on many of the consoles. It took about 10 months before Microsoft decided to replace failed consoles free of charge.
``There are no reports of problems so far'' with the PlayStation 3 shipments, said Jill Hamburger, vice president of gaming at Best Buy. ``We expect regular shipments throughout the season, but we don't know what the schedule is now.''
Fortunately, there are other choices. Nintendo's Wii game console will be more plentiful, with approximately 2 million units earmarked for sales this year in North America. Nintendo promises weekly shipments. And this year, Microsoft has abundant supplies of the Xbox 360.
Sony hopes to replenish supplies as it can, as consoles are shipped in by airplane. Typically, a single factory can make 100,000 units a week, but Sony hasn't said how much capacity it has. Dave Karraker, a spokesman, said Friday that the PS3s were likely to be sold out and consumers should stay in touch with local retailers. He said Sony doesn't recommend ``after-market retailers,'' because it isn't easy to verify their legitimacy.
On eBay, the PlayStation 3, which is supposed to retail for up to $600, is selling for $2,000 or more.
Edgar Alcala, an 18-year-old San Francisco student, waited more than 40 hours to get a PlayStation 3 at Sony's PlayStation store at the Metreon in San Francisco. But he said he was willing to sell it on eBay for the right price.
All three console makers are heavily advertising their consoles to stir up demand, but that doesn't mean they have enough consoles to feed demand. Each console is unique and will have its own set of exclusive games. So it isn't necessarily a good idea to surprise a gamer who expects one system with something else -- unless you check ahead of time.
If the consoles are hard to get or too expensive, there are cheaper options: the $199 PlayStation Portable, the $129 Nintendo DS or $79 Nintendo GameBoy handhelds. And so far this year, Sony's older $129 PlayStation 2 has been outselling the Xbox 360. But be warned: Your kid may never forgive you if you buy an older system.
Web site to publish credit, loan, and personal finance advice.
Your Credit Advisor has officially launched its new credit advice Web site. The Web site features credit card reviews and a blog titled Bankaholic that provides credit and highest cd rate related news and advice. One topic the blog will cover is how to improve your personal credit. Credit cards offered through Your compare cd rate are sorted by issuer, such as American Express, Chase, or Citibank to name a few. Cards are also sorted by type, including 0 APR, business, and cash back.
Your Credit Advisor executive Jay Woo is leading the development of the site. "Consumers have a lot of questions about credit cards and loans. Your Credit Advisor and our blog Bankaholic is hoping to fill this niche by offering sound advice. We hope to be a helpful resource for anyone looking to learn more about personal finance," Jay Woo says.
Credit cards have become a major player in American consumerism. The average credit card debt is over $11,000 per American household. American debt is beginning to become a serious problem. Total American consumer debt, which includes home mortgages, exceeds $6.5 trillion, which is roughly $22,000 per capita. The American personal savings rate has declined from 8.5% in the early 1980s to less than 0% today.
"Etnies's Callicut - The pair of Etnis callicut I ordered are every thing I expected. My foot is very wide. The low lace up eyelets allow my foot to fit the room I need. The comfort and looks are first class. I will order your shoes again in the future."
"Most Comfortable Shoe EVER - I was a little skeptical of buying these skate shoes b/c I don't skate. I liked the way it looked online though so I took a chance. Once I got them here I LOVED THEM. They looked exactly the way they did online. When I tried them on, it may have been the most comfortable shoes I have put on my feet. Soft interior padding, and that really thick tongue makes these skateboard shoes rock. I would buy 3 more pair, these skateboard shoes are awesome. Since I am flat-footed my feet hurt sometimes and I have to up and down like 5 flights of steps at school, but none of it is strenuous with these shoes. The Etnies Callicut is possibly the best shoe in the world."
AS PREDICTED by the INQUIRER yesterday in the PS3 launch write-up, the guys behind the original iPod smashing and the subsequent destroying of an Xbox 360 clubbed together to purchase a Playstation 3 simply to record the destruction of the $599 console.
The original Xbox 360 smash-up was reported by us some time ago, and we weren't surprised to learn of a new site dedicated to fund raising for the inevitable ensuing carnage.
You can view the smashing of an iPod on this site, and the 360 via this link. Here at the INQ we'd much prefer you spent your money more wisely when considering charitable donations.
Children in need for instance, can be located here.
Also, the INQ's dedicated forum, the infamous Hermits Cave, have recently banded together to purchase at least two Yaks for the benefit of 'Save the Children'.
Even this hack donated for this noble charitable cause, and you can read about it in the forums here and here.
Seeing as the destruction has already taken place, pop along to Smashmyps3.com and you'll be able to watch the launch-day demolition of Sony's new console in this video.
As if Sony needed any more help in destroying its product.
Sony's PlayStation 3 games console costs the consumer electronics giant at least $840 to make, $241 more than the $599 asking price, market watcher iSuppli has claimed. Its figure is its estimate for the cost of the materials and manufacturing, but Sony's R&D and marketing expenditure will surely push the console's unit cost much higher.
Like a number of reporters, iSuppli disassembled both the 20GB PS3 and the 60GB model. The cost of making the 20GB console comes to just under $806, iSuppli said, almost $307 more than the $499 asking price. Both iSuppli figures do not include the console's controller, cables and packaging, the company said.
Compare the numbers to iSuppli's estimate of how much it costs Microsoft to make a hard drive-fitted Xbox 360: $323, $76 less than the $399 retail price. Don't forget that in both vendors' cases the retail price is more than the company itself will receive, inflating Sony's loss and reducing Microsoft's profit margin. And Microsoft has had a year to drive up volumes and lower production costs.
Back to the PS3, the most expensive component appears to be not the Cell processor but Nvidia's Reality Synthesiser - as Sony calls it - graphics chip, at $129. The Cell chip, on the other hand, costs $89, iSuppli estimated. The Blu-ray Disc drive costs $125, it said.
Fitting the PS3 with an EE+GS chip to ensure backward compatibility with old PS2 and PSOne games - well, it's almost compatible - costs Sony $27 per console, iSuppli reckons.
Is Microsoft secretly hoping that you can do without Al Roker?
A whole-bean coffeemaker developed by MSN Direct and Melitta gives you a morning weather report without having to turn on a TV or computer.
The Melitta Smart Mill & Brew Programmable Coffee Maker, which hit stores Thursday, has an FM receiver that works with MSN Direct's data service. The latest gadget using Microsoft's Smart Personal Objects Technology (SPOT), the coffeemaker displays regional information on the current weather, daily forecast, chance of rain, and sunrise and sunset times.
Microsoft has been touting SPOT for years, promising that it would be used in all types of devices, from refrigerator magnets to consumer electronics to, yes, coffeepots. For the most part, though, the technology has thus far shown up only in watches, which have been far from a mainstream retail success.
MSN Direct launched a series of smart watches in 2004, and now Fossil, Swatch, Tissot and Abacus all offer watches with FM receivers for MSN Direct service. The MSN subscription service offers information such as news, sports scores, traffic updates, weather, Outlook calendar reminders and texts via MSN Messenger.
The coffeemaker, which sells for about $200 on Amazon.com or at the Sharper Image, has a display similar to, but not as detailed as, the WeatherNow from Oregon Scientific, which also uses the MSN Direct service.
Dopod 838 Pro Screen Protector Image LinkMr.Gadget's first branded screen protectors have arrived in Australia!
Freshly packaged and ready to go are screen protectors for the Dopod 838 Pro / iMate JasJam. I've been personally testing these screen protectors for around 3 years. In that time, I have had ample time to ensure that they were the best in the market.
Mr.Gadget Screen Protectors : Superb Quality What makes them so good? Well first of all they are made out of a silicon compound, which makes them slighter thicker than the flimsy ones made by other manufacturers. The result is a screen protector that lasts longer, does not leave any gluey residue, no bubbles, washable and reusable! Yes they are more expensive than other brands which offer you three flakey screen protectors (which will only last you a couple of months), however we offer a 2 year limited warranty on our protectors!
Features of the Mr.Gadget Screen Protector for the Dopod 838 Pro / iMate JasJam:
Anti-Scratch & Durable Under normal daily usage, a could last for a long period of time without affecting its smoothness and transparency because of the stiffness of the SPUC material.
Incomparable Clarity Mr.Gadget screen protectors are highly transparent screen protector which presents the highest resolution and most vivid colours of your LCD display.
Silicon Adhesive Coating lGlue-Free, silicon coated screen protector leaves NO RESIDUE when you remove it from your LCD display. Silicon based screen protector Silicon based screen protector
Tailor Made to your Device The Mr.Gadget screen protector is not a 'one-size-fits-all' solution; we have dimensions of your device so that it will fit perfectly to your LCD screen - NO TRIMMING or CUTTING required!
Washable and Reusable Wash the Mr.Gadget screen protector with water to remove strong dirt. Dry the screen protector thoroughly before re-applying it back to the LCD screen. However, a piece of scotch tape/masking tape is very useful to remove minor lints and fingerprints that are left on the silicon-adhesive coating.
Smoothness The Mr.Gadget screen protector is bubble-free when it is applied completely. Its glossy finish highly simulates the texture of the original LCD screen.
Gadget Adviser: Sony mylo: A lot of bang for lotsa bucks
The Sony mylo is an awesomely sexy blend of technology -- it surfs the Web; lets you chat via instant message; makes phone calls over the Internet; downloads and stores music, video and photographs; fetches and sends your e-mail; and shares music with a nearby mylo owner.
There are some things the mylo (Sony's contraction for "my life online") doesn't do: It doesn't play video games, it doesn't take pictures, it doesn't run spreadsheets or other complicated programs, and it doesn't come cheap.
At $349.95, the mylo (www.sony.com/mylo) is an attractive handheld that fits in your pocket and does a lot of the fun stuff your computer does. It's hard to describe the mylo; you have to experience it. So, we borrowed a couple of mylos and headed out recently to get some responses.
Reaction from the two dozen people we interviewed at a mall can be summed up thusly: "Wow, cool! Wait, it costs how much?"
Doug Rentmeester, a parent from Hanover Park, Ill., likes what the mylo offers, but not at its current price. "I might wait to see if the price ever comes down," he said.
Armando Costanza, 13, of Chicago thought the price was high but worth it: "It does a lot of things." But if it were on his holiday wish list, would someone would buy him a mylo?
"I doubt it," he said with a shrug.
Using the mylo is a treat. At home and at a couple of Chicago-area hotspots, it found the network and got on the Internet with no problem. Typing in a Web address was a little annoying because the top row of keys is a bit too close to the bottom of the mylo, but I quickly adjusted.
I smoothly copied videos from my PC to the mylo, and the playback on the device's sharp, 2.4-inch screen was a pleasure to behold.
An instant-messaging session was hitch-free, and after logging into my Skype account, I saw everyone on my call list. Making and receiving calls was a cinch.
The only hiccups came when I tried to surf the Web while listening to music. Songs played back skip-free, but scrolling on the screen slowed down--then rapidly sped up. A bummer, because I wanted to listen to my tunes while I chatted on the mylo, just as I do on my laptop.
Battery life is acceptable. If you dim the screen and use the included headset instead of the speakers, you can extend battery life for up to 45 hours of music playback, according to Sony, and up to 3 1/2 hours of Skype calling. You'll want to brighten the screen for Web browsing and video playback, of course, and I got 4 1/2 to 5 hours of screen time before mylo started to fade.
Can you get something similar for about $350 or less? You might be thinking about a phone, but keep in mind the mylo has no monthly bills. That said, phones do make calls, surf the Web, handle text messages, and some play videos and music copied from your CDs. Especially notable is the T-Mobile Sidekick III ($349.99 with rebate; www.t-mobile.com), which also comes with a full keypad for easier typing. Amp'd now has the Motorola RAZR ($99; get.ampd.com). And Helio handsets ($200; www.helio.com) make calls, play games, do messaging, surf the Web and store music.
Similarly, a Cingular Music phone (www.cingular.com), a Sprint Nextel Power Vision phone (www.sprint.com) or a Verizon Wireless V-Cast phone (www.verizonwireless.com) could get the job done. They download music and surf the Web as long as you're getting a good data signal. The mylo can't connect to the Internet if you're not logged on to a wireless network.
It bears repeating: Mobile phone companies charge for text messages, phone calls, video channels and music downloads. Check the Web sites above for the latest details.
Sony's PlayStation Portable ($199.99 and $249.99; www.sonystyle.com) surfs the Web and plays music and video, but it doesn't have a keyboard, so typing requires some fiddling. And forget making calls; it was designed, after all, with portable gaming and movies in mind.
That brings us back to the mylo, which I really like. It has a huge wow factor, but I can't get over the price.
It looks like a four-armed starfish, but so far it's unaware of its own shape. After flailing its arms for a while, however, the robot gets a sense of its design and begins to walk. The real feat comes when engineers remove a part of its leg: The robot senses a change in its structure and begins walking in a different way to compensate. The demonstration is the first proof that a robot can generate a conception of itself and then adapt to damage, a handy skill to have in unpredictable environments.
Most robotic systems today have two main components: a controller that moves the robot's various parts and an internal computer program, called a model. The model gives the robot information about its own structure and how to use it; the model for a four-legged robot, for example, might tell the machine to reverse the motion of its legs to walk backwards. But if the robot loses a limb, it could start walking in circles. Additionally, creating such "fixed" programs takes a lot of work.
To make robots more adaptable, researchers have designed versions that can program their own models. The robots do this by making a variety of movements and "learning" which ones achieve the desired goal. A robot built like a spider, for example, will learn that it can only walk forward efficiently by moving all of its legs in unison. But such strategies "take a lot of energy and could be risky for the robot," says Hod Lipson, a mechanical engineer at Cornell University.
So Lipson and his colleagues designed a robot that could self-generate a model with a few brief movements. First, the robot performs a random motion and collects data from sensors on its joints. This helps it figure out exactly how many appendages it has and how many segments each contains. Then the robot might start testing the range of motion of these appendages--information it will need to develop strategies for walking and climbing, for example. This is quicker than previous robotic models because much less trial and error is involved, says Lipson. Another advantage, he says, is that the team's robot is continually updating its model. So if the robot loses a leg, for example, it begins trying out several alternative gaits. The team describes its resilient robot in tomorrow's issue of Science.
The work "represents a major advance in autonomous robotics," says Dario Floreano, director of the Institute of Systems Engineering at the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology in Lausanne, Switzerland. In remote locations, such as underwater or on other planets, "malfunctioning of some components is a very likely event," he says. "If an engineer cannot be dispatched to fix the problem, [this new] robot will attempt to change its own control strategy in order to continue the mission."
It's hard to imagine, but Sony was once considered the upstart in the recurring console wars.
The company known for its Walkman entered the gaming fray with the original PlayStation in 1994 (the system was originally co-designed with Nintendo to be an optical disc format for the Super Nintendo Entertainment System (or NES). It was such a quiet debut, no one noticed for about a year, but the PSX went on to sell 80 million units — as did its successor, PlayStation2 — after it caught on.
PlayStation2, launched in 2000, was not the best game console available at the time but it had more cachet in the public's eye and the momentum of two successful brand names behind it — Sony and PlayStation.
PlayStation2 manhandled Sega's Dreamcast into an early grave (Sega got out of the hardware business altogether but remains a software publisher), relegated Nintendo to dead last in the console race and brushed off the new upstart in town, the Xbox from Microsoft, like an alternate-reality Goliath laying a smack down on David.
However, the dismissive posturing was to Sony's detriment, as Microsoft endured the learning curve and went on to develop various Xbox functions — on-board hard drive and broadband Internet connectivity — that others, including Sony, are still trying to emulate.
With the advent of the PlayStation 3, Sony has upped the ante.
SPEAKOUT: Give us your comments PS3 has faster RAM and a bigger hard drive — 20 or 60 GB to the 360's 0 or 20 GB (both systems have an entry level and premium version).
Sony also added Wi-Fi and Bluetooth connectivity out of the box, a multi-memory card reader and innate support for HDMI to allow resolution output of 1080p to HDTVs.
But most impressive is the PS3's on-board proprietary technologies, known as the Cell Broadband Engine microprocessor, and Blu-ray optical disc drive, both touted as a full generation ahead of 360's CPU and standard DVD.
Impressive, but at what cost?
As far as hardware is concerned, the PS3 is simply more system across the board. Its games have the potential to look noticeably better than anything else out there. (A lengthy pre-release playing session with Resistence: Fall of Man was an undeniably superior gaming experience in every respect.)
Each game also contains more content, since Blu-ray discs can store 10 times more than a conventional DVD, allowing the PS3 to accommodate larger and longer-playing games — all rendered in high definition.
The problem with this Goliathan superiority is that it all comes at a cost. At an unprecedented $550 and $660 for the basic and premium consoles, buyers may end up paying for features and functions they don't want, need or be equipped to use.
Of most concern is the Blu-ray capability, which could fizzle in similar fashion to Betamax, the videocassette that folded under the shadow of VHS, when faced with competition from the new format of HD-DVD.
Sony's inability to deliver more than a few hundred thousand PS3s in time for today's launch was caused by production problems related to the Blu-ray's requisite diode.
The PS3 can output games and movies at 1080p, the highest resolution available, but not all HDTV sets can accommodate the HDMI format that enables it (even if they can, you need to buy a $70 cable to do it).
Seeing as not all gamers own HDTV sets, not all games are made to that resolution. Many game-makers develop software to a common-ground resolution of 720p, generally considered "the sweet spot," because it's exponentially less taxing to program while yielding nearly identical results.
And this is assuming there will be PS3 games at all. Note the absence of games available for the system on launch day: at last count, there are only 14 games ready, down from more than 20 originally promised, with many game publishers projecting last-minute delays until 2007.
Only the aforementioned Resistance shows any signs of definitive superiority over the competition; the rest look just as great on Xbox 360 (if available).
All told, it's not looking good for Sony and the days of PlayStation domination may be over.
That's not to say it's going to be a total wash, but the PS3 is at least a year away from even being considered a viable alternative, much less a market leader. In the long run, it will still sell huge numbers — mainly to the millions of Sony loyalists — but those numbers will be no greater than that of the competition.
Price $550 and $660 for basic and premium consoles, respectively.
Should you buy it? No, but if you have money to burn and can't wait a year or two for Sony to iron out the bugs and make good games, go nuts.
The good # Most powerful game console on the planet. # Priced fairly # Backward compatible with most previous generation PlayStation games. # Free subscription to online network.
The bad # Production problems and software delays are not good signs. # At least a year away from being readily available and amassing a library of top-tier games. # Developers not exactly gonzo about the Cell development environment. # Blu-ray smells like Betamax.
We're having a console party and our guests of honour are the Sony PS3, Nintendo Wii and Microsoft Xbox 360. Check back at thestar.ca on Monday, Nov. 27, to find out which one was a party pooper and which one was the life of the bash.
The Inspiron 1501 is designed for customers looking for a notebook for everyday productivity and entertainment. With its large 15.4" widescreen display featuring optional TrueLifeTM technology you can view documents side-by-side and enjoy your favorite movies and multimedia content. The integrated 3-in-1 memory card reader makes transferring digital photos and music a snap. Optional Microsoft® Windows XP Media Center Edition puts you in control of your multimedia content.
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Don’t sacrifice features. The Inspiron 1501 offers an optional AMD dual core processor for running multiple applications without system slow down. ATI graphics provide a great entertainment and casual gaming experience. As long as your system has 1GB of memory, this graphics card also prepares you to run the premium version of Microsoft’s next generation Microsoft operating system - Windows VistaTM .
Wireless Freedom
The Dell Inspiron 1501 incorporates HyperConnectTM technology - a portfolio of wireless options providing the freedom to be connected virtually anywhere around the home3. Connect to your favorite hotspot inside or outside the house with integrated WiFi wireless. And with dual HyperBand diversity antennae, you’re set to go for mobile presentations.
The Core
At the core of the Inspiron 1501 is a reliable ATI chipset to handle photos and video with ease. You can upgrade to an optional AMD TurionTM 64 X2 dual-core processor for increased power and run multiple multimedia applications simultaneously. Configure your 1501 with up to 2GB of shared4 DDR2 533MHz memory, from a baseline minimum configuration of 512MB.
Dependable DELL Service
Inspiron 1501 comes standard with a 1 year Limited Warranty5 with optional term extensions to help protect your investment. Dell’s exclusive DellConnectTM6 remote assistance tool allows Dell technicians to diagnose and help resolve issues quickly and easily 24x7. No waiting for a technician to come on-site7 and no need to hassle with dropping off at a service center. And with Dell's optional DellOnCallTM8 service you get answers and support on many of your common technology issues not covered by warranty.
Interactive Health HT-136 Human Touch Robotic Massage Chair, Cashew Leather
Full-body stretching - the calf massage wells will hold your legs as the chair reclines to arch your back and enage a gentle body stretching program with an active massage of your lower back.
Features 4 massage modes, penetrating neck massage and 3 invigorating 15-minute pre-programmed massage sessions - upper, lower and full
Deep well calf and foot massager
Ergonomically designed remote control, with thumb joystick for backrest and footrest control and digital countdown timer
Available in leather with wood arms
The Interactive Health HT-136 Human Touch Robotic Massage Chair is one of the finest and most comprehensive robotic massage chairs you will find anywhere. A member of the elite Interactive Health "HT" series of robotic massage chairs, the HT-136 can give you, from head to toe, practically a full-body message on demand. From a penetrating neck massage and "deep well" calf and foot treatment, to full-body stretching and three back massage programs, this chair has you covered.
Features a 170-degree recline for the ultimate in comfort. View larger.
Powerful, rotating multi-speed foot massager.
The calf and foot massager is manually deployed to give you exact muscle treatment.
The HT-136 delivers customized back, leg, and foot massage at the touch of a button. View larger. How does the HT-136 do it? It's called "Human Touch Technology," or HTT -- a sophisticated set of human-like mechanisms, designed and engineered by a team of scientists, researchers, and engineers, who know how important massage is to good health. Based on the treatments used by massage therapists, chiropractors, and physicians, HTT is one of the most advanced robotic massage systems ever devised.
Inside every HT-136 are the "hands" of a trained massage therapist. HTT closely replicates the therapeutic techniques used by back and spinal care professionals and is the preferred technology of the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists. The massage modes that the HT-136 employs are designed to follow the natural contour of your spine to give your back a complete treatment.
With the HT-136, you customize each movement to your own preference and need. With a simple touch of the chair's wired remote, you can choose the mode of massage that you want -- rolling, kneading, percussion, or compression -- and the speed you desire for each mode. By manually positioning the rollers to the zone of the back you want to focus on, you can get a full or partial, pre-programmed 15-minute message at the level of intensity that you want.
The Four Modes of Massage From the controls of the chair's conveniently placed wired remote, you can choose the "mode" of your massage. The "rolling" mode is designed to give you the feel of a gentle massage by pressing firmly on one side of your spine and then the other. This mode is a tension reducer and works to prepare your back for deeper tissue work. The chair's "kneading" option, offered in two speeds, feels like thumbs pressing firmly in circular motion on both sides of the spine and is a great way to improve your back's circulation. With the two speeds of "compression" mode -- an HTT exclusive -- the chair gives you the feel of the heel of your therapists hands, firmly pushing on muscles alongside your spine -- movement that's designed to aid in improving your mobility and posture. And with the "percussion" mode, also offered in two speeds, you'll feel fists, or the edge of a pair of strong hands, rapidly tapping on your back muscles. This is a popular therapy in sports medicine, and is used to flex spinal joints and invigorate your entire back. So, regardless of your massage needs, the HT-136 is designed to help.
In addition to all of this, the HT-136 offers a combined kneading and percussion function -- the most intense and aggressive massage available. Employing three motors and offering two speed settings, this function will give you the most vigorous, deep tissue message therapy that you can get anywhere.
Full-body Stretching Massages As if having the power at the tip of your fingertips to massage any part of your back wasn't enough, the HT-136 also gives your calves and feet full treatment, as well as your neck. A powerful, rotating multi-speed foot and calf massager feels like strong hands giving you a thorough, three-dimensional massage. The calf and foot massager is manually deployed, which means that you can massage the exact muscle areas that need it the most. And with the help of a cloth "soft window," the HT-136 can also give your neck a deep, penetrating massage.
But most remarkable is the chair's full-body stretching feature. As the calf muscle wells gently hold your legs, the chair reclines to arch your back. While engaging a gentle body stretching program, the chair will give you an active massage of your lower back. This feature truly sets the HT-136 apart and means that you can be assured that after a hard day at work, you can always look forward to treating your body right in the comfort of your own home.
The chair is loaded with other features, including a multi-function thumb joystick backrest and footrest control, an ergonomically designed remote control, a two-layer folded design head pillow, visco elastic foam seat cushion, and much more.
Wrapped up in a stylish, combination "cashew" leather and leather match vinyl with wood arm rests that will add a touch of sophistication to any decor, the HT-136 (with a slightly larger overall design than the HT-135) is virtually maintenance free. With a power recline of up to 175 degrees and a rotation swivel of up to sixty degrees, this chair does it all. So, whether you want to just kick back and take advantage of the chair's elegance and comfort, or whether you want to end your busy day with a deep head to neck toe massage, the HT-136 will give you what you want, exactly when you want it.
Product Description BRAND NEW HT-136 STRETCHING Human Touch Home Massage Chair / Recliner - Beneath this luxurious leather are the hands of a trained massage professional ready to provide you with a customized back, leg, and foot massage at the touch of a button. You have to feel it to believe it. Our multi-patent Human Touch Technology® massage system so closely replicates the therapeutic techniques used by back and spinal care professional that it is the preferred technology of the American College of Chiropractic Orthopedists. It is designed to follow the natural contour of your spine and move three-dimensionally in four different modes. HT-136 does what you tell it, from the ergonomic headrest to the rotating calf and foot massager. You customize each movement to your own preference. The remote controller gives you direct access to three individual preprogrammed massage sessions lasting 15 minutes each. Discover the ultimate in Robotic Massage® wrapped up in a stylish, superior quality exterior that is virtually maintenance free
Built solid with sturdy components and a sharp-looking yellow design, the Mongoose Pro Mischief is ideal for flatland and ramp tricks or everyday riding. Constructed with a durable cromo hi-tensile freestyle frame and fork. It's set-up with front and rear U-brakes for strong stopping power with alloy levers and includes grinding pegs. A helmet and knee and elbow protective gear is strongly recommended. Assembly is required.
Intel caps off a turnaround year on Tuesday with the introduction of its first quad-core processors, beating rival Advanced Micro Devices to the punch by several months.
Originally scheduled to launch next year, the new Xeon 5300 and Core 2 Extreme QX6700 should make an immediate dent in servers and in high-end workstation/enthusiast PCs. In those markets, users can take advantage of software that's already been written to exploit four separate processing threads.
The usual suspects plan to use Intel's chips in their latest products. Dell jumped the gun last week with the announcement of new quad-core systems, including new servers and workstations. Word broke of IBM's proposed quad-core offerings last Thursday. And Hewlett-Packard is expected to follow suit on Tuesday with its own servers and workstations featuring the new Xeon chips.
PCs from Dell, Gateway, Velocity Micro and others with the new Core 2 Extreme QX6700 processor should also start to appear in time for the holiday shopping season. That chip is beyond the needs of most PC users, and it generally falls outside their budgets as well, at a price of $999. But certain PC enthusiasts are always excited about the prospect of having the fastest PC processor on earth for a short time, which Intel's QX6700 will be until AMD releases a competing chip.
Mainstream PC users won't see the benefits of the quad-core processors for some time — well into next year, at the earliest — but Intel can a least claim a "first," after several years of trailing AMD at seemingly every turn.
AMD is not expected to release a quad-core processor until the middle of next year, when it is set to unveil chips designed for servers. It is taking a different approach to quad-core manufacturing than Intel, choosing an integrated, or "monolithic," design in which all four processing cores sit on a single piece of silicon.
Intel's quad-core chips, by contrast, were built by putting two of its Xeon 5100 series processors placed into a single package. The company admittedly did this to get out in front of AMD, which apparently taught Intel a lesson last year when it launched dual-core server chips months ahead of Intel's own offerings and stole a significant chunk of market share.
AMD argues that its monolithic design will handle certain workloads faster and more power-efficiently than Intel's quad-core chips. But until AMD's chips are out on the market, analysts are reluctant to make any predictions about performance.
Intel knows that maintaining the performance leadership crown in the server market is key to holding onto customers, said Kirk Skaugen, general manager of Intel's server platforms group. "When we don't have leadership performance, we should expect to lose share," he said.
AMD enjoyed a performance advantage with its Opteron chip for several years, before Intel introduced the Xeon 5100 processor in June as part of a move to a new chip-making blueprint.
Intel is expected to release several benchmark results on Tuesday, showing the impressive performance gains delivered by the new Xeon 5300, compared with the Xeon 5100 processor. Four Xeon 5300 processors are available, three of which are rated at 80 watts of power consumption. A special "performance-optimiz ed" version called the Xeon X5355 runs at 2.66GHz and is rated at 120 watts of power consumption at maximum output.
The X5355 processor is the most powerful and pricey of the latest chips, with a list price of $1,172. The 2.33GHz E5345 costs $851, the 1.86GHz E5320 costs $690, and the 1.60GHz E5310 costs $455. The X5355 and the E5345 also come with a faster front-side bus connecting the processor to the rest of the system, up to 1,333MHz from the 1,066MHz bus used on the E5320 and E5310.
In a multiconsole world, how do you know whether the Nintendo Wii, the Sony PlayStation 3, or the Microsoft Xbox 360 is the one for you? Here's our advice.
In a perfect world, determining which new game console to purchase would be out of your hands. Instead the matter would be handled Thunderdome style: Two beefy consoles enter the arena, they battle, and one console is left standing. But since such combat would inevitably lead to the enslavement of mankind by a superrace of cyborg overlords, it's probably best to figure it out for yourself. Here is some information on the major contenders to help you decide. Sony PlayStation 3
With a North American installed base exceeding 40 million units (and over 111 million worldwide) for the PlayStation 2, this console enjoys a level of brand awareness somewhat lower than Coke's, but much better than Dr. Pepper's. That means everyone on the planet wants one. Couple that level of demand with a ridiculously low number of units available at launch--only 400,000, rising to 1 million by year's end--and buying a PS3 becomes a task generously characterized as Sisyphean. There aren't even enough PS3s in the pipeline, apparently, to cover the puny preorder allotment initially promised to the Gamestop online store/community.
If you have enough accrued vacation time, you could spend it camping outside of Best Buy, but be warned: Others started lining up as early as November 9--more than a week before the PS3 goes on sale on November 17. The PS3 isn't cheap, as the base model with the 20GB hard drive is $499 while the high-end 60GB model is a daunting $599. And that's before you buy any games.
Of course, if money is no object you could buy someone else's PS3 preorder from eBay for a price that redefines obscene. (How about from about $1000 to $1900? But hey, most of them will ship it to you for free.) Or you can secure a PS3 preorder by buying a new high-def TV at CompUSA, at least in California this week. PS3 Bottom Line
The PS3 is definitely your priciest option. But is it really for you? If you need to have the absolute cutting edge in graphics, the answer is yes: The PS3 looks great, supporting resolutions as high as 1080p, plus it doubles as a Blu-ray Disc player. If you (or your kids) are hard-core gamers and fans of PlayStation brands like the Metal Gear Solid series, you'll want it even more. If you're dying to play online, you might want to hold off--the PS3 will have online features, but how those actually perform is a big question mark until the services are up and running. Nintendo Wii
Have kids? Get a Wii.
On a budget? Get a Wii.
Not a super-hard-core gamer? Get a Wii.
Super-hard-core gamer? Get a Wii.
Loathe the prospect of telling your friends you're playing with your Wii? Get a Wii and some better friends.
The unfortunately named Wii has a lot of things going for it, starting with a very forgiving $250 price tag. The odds of actually snagging a Wii on launch day are also encouraging: Nintendo should have a cool 1 million units in retail on November 19. There will surely be lines to purchase one, but chances are good that the folks waiting in those lines will see their patience rewarded. Compared with the trail of tears that will be the PS3 queues, that's pretty appealing. Wii Graphics
You're not going to want the Wii if you're judging games by the current default metric, graphics quality. Wii graphics look like (very) modestly upgraded Nintendo GameCube visuals, and they aren't likely to dazzle.
The big reason to consider a Wii is accessibility (it almost feels more like a toy than a video game console) and game innovation, much of it driven by the innovative controller. The very unthreatening controller informally known as the Wiimote looks like a TV remote control but has significantly more functionality, chiefly in its motion-sensor abilities.
Playing a Wii game will be a much more active, visceral affair, with players swinging the controller to play tennis in Wii Sports, slashing it to sword-fight in the new Legend of Zelda game, or gently guiding it to excise tumors in Trauma Center. The Wii simply offers experiences that no other console can promise. Microsoft Xbox 360
Your third and least trumpeted option is the increasingly appealing Xbox 360 from Microsoft. Almost a year old, the Xbox 360 has one huge advantage over both the PS3 and the Wii: You can buy it right now, without waiting in line for three days.
It's also competitively priced, with the core model selling for $299 (an extra $100 will get you the Pro version with its 20GB hard drive and wireless controller). With the $600 you'd spend on a high-end PS3, you could buy a high-end 360 and have enough money left over for at least three games and a year's worth of Xbox Live Gold membership ($50).
The 360 keeps looking better compared with the Sony PS3, thanks to a recent update to the Microsoft console's software that now lets it support resolutions up to 1080p--just like the PS3. Further, Microsoft has also recently released an HD DVD add-on for $199, pitting the console squarely against Sony not only in the console wars but in the high-definition DVD wars as well.
With a full year's worth of releases backing it, the Xbox 360 has a much larger and stronger library of games, and playing games is the point, right? The 360's latest releases run the gamut from the very mom-friendly Viva Piñata (an Animal Crossing-style life simulator with piñatas) to the very mom-frightening Gears of War.
While the retail games appeal to the hard-core, Xbox Live Arcade appeals to the, um, soft-core. This online marketplace features classic arcade titles like Dig Dug, Gauntlet, and Pac-Man, and casual gems such as Zuma Deluxe that should attract the nongamers in your home and make rationalizing your purchase even easier.
While Nintendo and Sony are just getting started online, Microsoft's yearlong head start has made its online component a real selling point. And there's even more on the horizon: video downloads. 'Wii60': Another Option?
Of course, there is also a fourth option. A shiny new 60GB PlayStation 3 costs $599, but if the money doesn't bother you, perhaps owning both an Xbox 360 and a Nintendo Wii--a pairing that's come to be known in Internet chatter as "Wii60" or "Wii360"--may be an attractive alternative. It's certainly a bit cheaper.
Here's the math: If you were to buy a $250 Wii in addition to the $299 core 360 (which lacks the $399 Pro pack's 20GB hard disk and wireless controller), you'd spend only $549. That's fifty bucks cheaper than the high-end PS3, and you get two consoles.
However, to view high-def movie (HD DVD) playback on the Xbox 360, you'd still need its $200 add-on and, even then, you'd be using component video versus the PlayStation 3's HDMI connection.
Chennai - Intel Corporation Tuesday launched two high-end microprocessors that, it said, would 'usher in a new era in computing'.
The microprocessors - Quad-Core Intel Xenon and Intel Core 2 Extreme - would provide more room for virtualisation than any other two-processor server platform, the company said.
The Xenon processor would cost about $1172 and could be used by clients for data management, gaming and audio-visual editing technologies while Intel Core 2 Extreme, quad core processor, a technology first, to cost around $999, would be focused on desktop use.
Ramamurthy Sivakumar, country manager of Intel India, said 2006 has been the leap year for the company with at least six new processor products coming out in the past 10 months.
He said the company has been looking at India as a manufacturing hub for a long time but 'we are waiting for the right ecology'.
'The types of innovation involved in the new technology take decades to perfect.'
PlayStation 3 Has Compatibility Problems with PS2 Games
Shortly after the Japanese launch of its next-generation console, Sony already faces the first problems. Fortunately enough, these are not hardware deficiencies. They are compatibility problems with the games created for PlayStation 2. The Japanese company admitted today that there are indeed games that do not function properly on PlayStation 3.
Sony officials have not specified the number of games that do not work nor have they specified which games are incompatible, but according to information published by Sankei, Final Fantasy and Gran Turismo are among them. Sankei also estimates the number of affected games at about 200.
The compatibility issue affects graphics in some of the games and causes audio difficulties in others.
Sony has stated that it will try to remedy these problems by posting upgrades online, but company officials have refused to specify the number or titles of the problem-games, BBC News informs.
Problems surfacing immediately after a launch are not something new in the world of consoles. Last year, after Microsoft launched Xbox 360, there were numerous complaints from customers relating to the overheating of the source, which led to dysfunctions.
Sony has always said that PlayStation 3 will be perfectly compatible with PS 2 titles, PS 2 being the market leader right now. As a matter of fact, compatibility was one of the aces Sony hoped to win the console war with, which has reached a new level with this latest launch in Japan.
PlayStation 3, which at this moment has already claimed the title of most technically advanced console, should have been launched in March 2006. Sony was forced to postpone the event to November 2006, promising a simultaneous launch in Japan, the US and Europe as a compensation. Technical problems regarding the Blu-Ray units unfortunately caused another change of plan and Sony had to limit itself to Japan and the US, rescheduling the European launch for March 2007.
Sony also had to reduce the number of units it intended to deliver along with the introduction of PS 3, cutting down the number to 100,000 units for Japan and 400,000 for the US.
And all these incidents would be acceptable had Sony not entangled itself in a life and death battle with Microsoft and Nintendo. Microsoft launched Xbox 360 last year and has had reasonable results so far. Nevertheless, it hasn’t had significant sales in Japan, a market considered to be loyal to PlayStation, customers choosing to wait for PlayStation 3.
One reason the Japanese are interested in PS 3 is precisely its compatibility with PS 2 games.
In fact, Sony should speed up the process of solving the compatibility problems as US citizens will be introduced to PlayStation 3 very soon, on the 17th of November.
Nintendo will launch its Nintendo Wii console in the United States on November 19th, and the company hopes to deliver as many as 4 million units by the end of the year.
Unlike Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii is the least advanced as far as technology is concerned, but also the cheapest. The price announced for a Nintendo Wii is $250. Besides its price, the other argument Nintendo hopes to seduce customers with is the new controller, designed to resemble a remote-control.
The pre-order campaign that GameStop started last month for Nintendo and PlayStation 3 ended the very day it had begun. Therefore Sony has no reasons to worry yet, because the 400,000 consoles that it will deliver to the US have certainly been bought already. What will happen until the end of the year remains to be seen.
Holds as much as approximately 1,350 floppy disks or 3 CDs
High-speed USB 2.0 interface for fast file transfers
Durable soft-grip silicone rubber case with attached cap
Works with Mac or PC
Includes carabineer clip, perfect for backpacks or keys
Are you still burning discs to transfer or back up your files? The Tribeca 2 GB Rugged USB Flash Drive offers the same drag-and-drop convenience as a floppy, but with 350 times the storage space, and is much quicker and more convenient than burning a disc. The drive's 2 GB capacity is ideal for storing and transporting school work, office documents, photos, music, and a host of other large file types. Even better, it plugs into any USB port in your PC or Mac -- with no software necessary -- so you're not restricted by your choice of operating systems. The Tribeca owes it sturdiness to a durable, soft-grip silicone rubber case that holds up to accidental drops, and also includes a keychain attachment and a no-lose cap that snaps onto the holder when the drive is in use. And thanks to the high-speed USB 2.0 interface, you are assured of quick file transfers.
What's in the Box Tribeca 2 GB flash drive, keychain attachment, and user's manual.
Product Description Still using floppies? Store More with the Tribeca Rugged USB Flash Drive! It's the easy way to store and transport school work, office documents, photos, music, and more. Plug it into any USB port on your computer, drag and drop your files (just like a floppy), and you're ready to go!
An occasional look at products the travel industry insists we need.
What: The Playaway, a self-contained digital audiobook.
Aimed at: Technologically challenged recorded-book fans who want to look cool.
How much: $29.99 to $54.99 for each title.
But does it work? Smaller than an iPod, the Playaway is so darn cute you want to chuck it under its little plastic chin. But the tiny audiobook system has plenty of other advantages over MP3 players, books on tape or CDs. It's far easier to use -- nothing to download, no CDs or cassettes to lug around, no need for a separate player. It comes preloaded with one book and runs on one AAA battery (provided); all you have to do is press "play," pop in the ear buds (also provided) and listen. There are titles for all interests, from the 9/11 Commission report to The Da Vinci Code to Getting to Yes.
There's even a button that allows you to slow down or speed up the narrator's voice (hours of fun!) and another to change the reader's pitch and tone. Technophobes of the world, take heart: Who needs a clunky old iPod?
The Marshmallow Blaster, also known around the office as the ‘Nuke Of Doom/Fun Break Activity’ is a brilliant little toy designed to make marshmallow eating fun. Gone are the days of sitting by a campfire, waiting for the gooey things to turn black and squishy, with the blaster, everything can be made a hell of a lot speedier. ThinkGeek are selling this thing with some Gourmet Marshmallow Ammo which really makes this fat-free projectile firer a real tasty treat. Note, this a great, tasty alternative to the foam nuke launcher we looked at a few months back. Victory doesn’t get much sweeter than this.
‘Most offices have many levels, both in social structure and in geometric space. This can present difficulties when planning office raids and attack strategies. For many missions a rapid fire, sugar-spewing shooter is what is needed (see the Marshmallow Shooter below). But sometimes that’s just not enough. For the times when you need heavy fire, you need the Marshmallow Blaster. Firing one regular sized marshmallow at a time, the Marshmallow Blaster has the power to hit targets up to 40 feet away. Easy to load and reload. Just pump the handle to build up air pressure, then lock and load a marshmallow. The handle of the pump conveniently doubles as a stock for added stabilization. You can even load up a shotgun blast of mini marshmallows, for a good scatter shot. This is the Sultan of Sugary Shoot-outs, the Colossus of Confectionary Combat, the Bazooka of Bite-Sized Bonbons - you get the idea. Add a Marshmallow Blaster to your arsenal and office domination is almost guaranteed. And, dare we say, victory will indeed be sweet.’
A new item has been added to the Valve merchandise store for fans of our beloved robot D0G. For about 10 dollars you can get a 28.5" x 16" poster of him squaring off against a Strider in Episode Two. Click to check it out.
Tom Brady New England Patriots White NFL Replica Jersey
Looks like Tom Brady's real jersey - and at a great price! Reebok - the official onfield brand of the NFL - has made this jersey to look and feel like the real thing, but at a price that'll make you stand up and cheer. Makes a great gift for your favorite fan! Our standard return policy applies for this item.
EKG grip pulse monitors your heart rate & 5-window LED with matrix tracks your workout progress
2.25 HP continuous duty motor is powered for runners and walkers alike
Shock assist fold-up design with a 20'' x 56'' running surface can accommodate short to long strides and can be folded up for storage
Manufacturer warranty: frame - lifetime; motor - 10 years; parts - 2 years; labor - 1 year
Includes programs to suit your workout style: 4 pre-sets, 8 customizable, 2 user-specific
The top-selling Ironman 220t Treadmill is a durable workhorse that features one-touch speed and incline bars, a two-speed cooling fan, 4 preset, 8 custom and 2 user-specific programs. Complete with EKG grip pulse and a high-powered engine (2.25 HP), this treadmill will go the distance at up to 10 mph. Incline up to 10% gives you a varied workout and helps you train for hills or the flats.
The 220t is capable of supporting athletes up to 325 pounds (that's about 75 pounds more than the average treadmill can support). The treadmill belt walking and running surface is a spacious 56 inches long by 20 inches wide to allow room for a longer stride. The console displays time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate. Includes a magazine rack and a water bottle holder for additional convenience.
The 220T folds up for easy storage Feature Detail:
* 2.25 continuous-duty horsepower * 10 miles per hour maximum speed * 10% maximum incline grade * One-touch speed and incline bars make it easy to alter your workout * Program options include 4 preset, 8 custom, 2 user-specific and 1 heart rate * EKG grip pulse helps you track your heart rate and maximize your workout * Shock assist fold-up design with wheels makes it easier for you to store your treadmill when not in use * Five-window LED display keeps you updated on your workout progress with time, distance, calories burned, and heart rate * Two-speed cooling fan keeps you cool while exercising * Walking and running surface measures 56 inches long by 20 inches wide * 325-pound maximum user weight capacity * Reading rack and water bottle holder
About Treadmills Walking is still considered one of the most beneficial cardiovascular exercises for people of all ages, body types, and fitness levels. As a fundamental form of aerobic training, walking has numerous physical benefits for the heart, lungs, and circulatory system, while also increasing muscle tone and burning fat calories. Treadmills provide a convenient way to regularly exercise in all weather conditions in the comfort and safety of your own home. From beginners just starting an exercise regimen to advanced athletes looking to maintain their fitness level, anyone interested in getting and staying in shape can benefit greatly from regular use of a treadmill. Treadmills allow you to determine the pace, distance, and complexity of the workout based on your needs, all while watching television, talking on the telephone, or reading a magazine. Much easier on sensitive joints like the knees and hips, treadmill walking and running surfaces are typically long, padded platforms that allow ample room for a long stride and comfortable, low-impact walk or jog without the harsh contact of a concrete surface. While many different types, styles, and price ranges of treadmills exist, many of them offer unique features like a fold-up design for easy storage, an electronic display monitor showing speed, distance, workout time, incline level, and burned calories, and EKG grip pulses to monitor the heart rate while exercising. Regardless of the simple to complex features you may choose, treadmills offer an array of aerobic exercise opportunities that will provide long-lasting beneficial cardiovascular results without a commute to the gym or a jog in the rain.
What's in the Box? Ironman treadmill, user manual, warranty
Manufacturer Warranty Frame - lifetime; motor - 10 years; parts - 2 years; labor - 1 year
Product Description The durable Ironman 220t Treadmill is capable of doing things any other treadmill can't do. For example, this treadmill can support users up to 325 lbs.; that's 75 lbs. more that the average treadmill can support. Also, with a running surface of 56" x 20", the 200t can accommodate short to long strides and its shock assist fold up design with wheels make it easy for you to store away when not in use. With an incline of up to 10% grade, you can vary your workout and help train for the hills or flats. The 200t includes 4 pre-set, 8 customizable 1 heart rate, and 2 user specific programs. Its console features a 5 window LED display with matrix with readouts like: time, distance, heart rate, calories burned and a 1/4 performance track matrix. This treadmill is equipped with a 2.5 horsepower high powered engine with speeds of up to 10mph for continuous use. Also, an EKG grip pulse has been added to track your heart rate as you go along. Its one touch speed and incline bars make it easy for you to alter your workout. Added for your convenience, the 220t Treadmill has a water bottle holder, a magazine rack and a 2 speed cooling fan for a refreshing workout. White Glove service includes inside delivery up or down up to 2 flights of stairs to room of choice and removal of packing materials. Carrier will call to set up a delivery appointment. Please include a valid daytime phone number in the shipping information at the time of check out.
Mongoose Sector Men's Dual Suspension Mountain Bike
Mountain bike designed for off-road riding with a full-suspension, handcraft aluminum frame
MOZO Vibe suspension fork
24-speed drive train and Shimano EZ Fire STI shifting
Shimano Altus derailleur
Front disc brakes and rear alloy linear-pull brakes
The Mongoose Sector 26-inch Full Suspension Mountain Bike is designed for off-road riding with a full-suspension, handcraft aluminum frame and alloy rims and bar ends. It's equipped with a 24-speed drive train and Shimano EZ Fire STI shifting. The front and rear suspension work together to give you a smooth overall ride by absorbing harsh bumps, both on and off-road. Plus, with the MOZO Vibe suspension fork you'll be guaranteed a ride easy with increased handling. With EZ Fire shifting, you choose gears by pulling a forefinger trigger or pushing a thumb button, which puts the bike in the next higher or lower gear. And the Shimano Altus rear derailleur gives smooth, precise shifting every time. You'll stop on a dime with these powerful, reliable front disc brakes and rear alloy linear-pull brakes and the aluminum-alloy rims are strong and light for great breaking surfaces that will not rust.
Specifications
Bike Type: Full suspension mountain bike
Type of Shifter: Shimano EZ STI Fire shifting
Brakes: Front disc, rear alloy linear-pull
Fork Type: MOZO Vibe R suspension fork
Rear Derailleur: Shimano Altus
Handle Bars: Flat
Saddle: Mongoose racing saddle with extra padding
Rims: Alloy
Bar Ends: Yes
Assembly of the Bike: This bike comes mostly assembled. Minor assembly is required before the bike can be used.
Bicycle Buying Guide Finding the Right Bike To really enjoy cycling, it's important to find a bicycle that works for you. Here are some things to keep in mind when you're in the market for a new bike:
The Right Ride In general, bikes are broken down into three major categories:
Road and Racing Bikes--As a general rule, road and racing are built for speed and longer distances on paved surfaces. Thinner tires, lightweight 29-inch (700c) wheels and drop bars that allow for a more aerodynamic position are the norm. Most road bikes, regardless of price, offer many gears for tackling both hilly and flat terrain.
Mountain Bikes--With their larger tires, hill-friendly gearing and upright position, mountain bikes are very popular for all types of riding, both on pavement and off. Mountain bikes that are designed specifically for rugged trail use typically feature a suspension fork. Some may have rear suspension, as well. A quick change of the tires on any mountain bike--even one that you use regularly on trails--adds to its versatility and makes it a worthy street machine.
Comfort/Cruiser Bikes--For tooling around on bike paths, light trails, or for cruising a quiet beach-side lane, comfort/cruiser bikes are the ticket. With a super-relaxed riding position, padded seats, and limited or no gearing, these bikes are made for enjoying the scenery and having fun with the family.
The Right Price A bike's price boils down to three essentials: frame materials, bike weight, and component quality and durability.
Entry-level--You'll find a wide range of comfort and cruiser bikes in this category, as well as some lower-end mountain bikes and road bikes. Most will have steel frames and components that are designed to last for several years with frequent use.
Mid-range--Bikes in this range may feature a lighter aluminum frame with mid-range components that keep performing after miles of use. If you're looking for a quality bike that is relatively lightweight and will stand up to abuse, this is the "sweet spot." Most serious commuter and touring bikes fall into this category, as do mid-range mountain bikes with a decent front suspension.
High-end--Racers and serious enthusiasts who expect lightweight, high-performance components will want to stick to this category. For road bikes, exotic frame materials (carbon fiber, titanium) and ultra-lightweight components can add thousands to the price tag. Mountain bikes in this class often feature advanced front and rear suspension technology, as well as components designed to handle lots of rugged trail action.
The Right Size Fit is crucial for comfort, control, and proper power and endurance on a bike. Here are some basic bike fit tips:
Stand-over Height--To find out if a bike's overall height fits your body, measure your inseam. Next, determine how much clearance you'll need between your crotch and the top tube of the bike. For a mountain bike, you'll want three to five inches of clearance. A road bike should offer between one and two inches of clearance, while a commuter bike should have two to four inches. Compare the stand-over height for a given bike to your measurements (inseam + clearance) to determine the right bike height.
Top Tube Length--You can measure your torso to get a good estimate of proper top tube length. First, make a fist and extend your arm. Measure from the center of your fist to the end of your collarbone (the part that intersects your shoulder). Next, measure your torso by placing a book against your crotch with the spine facing up. Measure from the spine to the bottom of your throat (the spot between your collarbones). Finally, add the two measurements (arm length + torso length), divide the number in half and subtract six inches. This is your approximate top tube length. Compare this number to a bike's posted top tube length. You can allow for about two inches longer or shorter, as most bikes can be adjusted via stem length/height and saddle fore/aft position to make fine adjustments to the fit.
Bikes for Women--Proportionally, women tend to have a shorter torso and longer legs than men. Bike makers design women's bikes that offer a shorter top tube and many comfort/cruiser bikes built for women may also provide more stand-over clearance.
The Right Accessories When you make a bike purchase, don't forget these crucial add-ons:
Helmet (this is a must!)
Seat pack
Lock
Hydration pack, or water bottles and bottle cages
Spare tubes
Portable bike pump
Gloves
Product Description The 26 Mongoose Sector full suspension all-terrain bike is ideal for off-road or everyday riding, featuring rugged equipment that includes a 24 Speed Shimano Altus Rear derailleur package with Shimamo EZ Fire Shift Levers. The Sector is built strong with a handcrafted Aluminim Dual Suspension Frame and tough rear coil shock to tackle the terrain. Take on the street or hit the trail with the Mozo Vibe R Suspension Fork, Alloy V-Brake front and rear, anodized Silver Rims Rims and Alloy QR Hubs.
How to prevent eight year-olds becoming console junkies
Lynched Latest generation can’t even tie shoe laces
"DAD?" "Yes son? "Do you know my friend Harvey?" "I do." "Well, he has this Playstation racing game that is wicked. We played it today but there was something not nice on it." "Oh?" "Will I get into trouble if I say it?" "No." "Yeah, ok, Harvey pushed some buttons and it made the girl in the game take her t-shirt off." "Really?! "It was silly. He said it was a hidden thing. I just wanted to race the cars." "Riiiight, ok. Son, we need to talk."
My son is eight and so is his friend. I wasn’t exactly alarmed by this admission but was glad that I was told. And yes, he is still allowed to visit his friend, although he has been told to tell Harvey that I now know about the topless chicks. Apparently, they’ve kept their clothes on since.
More worrying, after I thought about it and did some checking, was that nearly everyone in my son’s class has a console and that for most it is their main form of entertainment. A good-sized chunk of them also do no exercise. Zip. Nada. Apart from chasing in the yard, my son informs me that they don’t like any sports. Asked ‘what do they like?’ the answer is “playing on their Playstation or PSP or Xbox”. What else? The answer is ‘just that’. Remember, I’m talking about 8-years olds. These are mini-people that can save the universe from the Evil Empire but not tie their own shoelaces.
Earlier this week, a UK company launched a new product designed to make console kids exercise while the thumb-twiddle. The Step2Play device is designed to allow kids to exercise by stepping as they play. It’s hooked up to the console and unless the required number of reps are met, it shuts off access to the console. I laughed when I read it first. I then thought, bloody hell, it has gotten to that stage. We all know about the addictive nature of consoles and there are millions of fat people out there today that can thank consoles and TV for their generous girth. But console exercise peripherals to get fat kids off their ass? Is it that bad?
My generation of thirty-somethings are the original console generation – Amiga, Sinclair, Commodore. All that ‘ye olde’ technology, where breaking blocks or tackling fiddly, text-based adventures based on Lord of The Rings were the all the rage. By the time the PSOne arrived in 1995, I was too old and too hooked on PC games to be bothered with that childish toy with the awful graphics. I eventually got a PS2 for my son last year and I have to say I am guilty of using it more than him. This Christmas will see another console addition. I don’t worry too much about my kids and the console because they have to get permission to use it and they are given a certain amount of time. They are generally OK with that and only moan a little. After all, if they complain they get beaten soundly and tossed in the coal hole.
I’d like to think that all parents should find it a simple enough affair to control their kids’ use of consoles but, it’s not that simple. I have the advantage of living is a rural area where their nearest friends are a few miles away. As such, I don’t have to worry about what they’ll get up to at their friend’s house (yet) since they only get to spend time there once a week, or so. Having grown up in housing estates, I got away with so much that my parents never knew about, including six-hour sessions playing games. But at that time, I had only one friend that owned a console. The other 15 had footballs, bikes and hurling sticks for bashing cars with. As a result, I spent more time being active than inactive. Now though, almost every child has a console. By default, any visit my son makes to another’s kids house involves time playing the console. Sometimes he admits to being bored because all some of them want to do for the four-hour visit is sit and play Star Wars or Need For Speed Underground 2.
It is quite a damning fact to realise that most young kids today prefer – or are allowed – to sit around playing consoles all day. I’m no prude and am a self-confessed games addict. Thanks to work and kids I no longer have the time to become as hooked on something as I once did. But whereas my addictions started in my twenties, today’s generation of console junkies have just started school. Considering the proliferation of consoles among most of my children’s’ peers, rural living is the only thing preventing them from turning into fat, uncommunicative zombies. It’s already happening to some of their friends and will only get worse. How sad is that? Outside everyone moving to remote, rain-lashed islands in the North Sea I have no solution beyond my lucky circumstances. I really don’t see any hope at all for the rest. Feel free to let me know what you think.
Question from MManLA "I have always wondered if this will ever become reallity. I was reading the latest issue of PC Mag, where they was changing parts out of a laptop. It seems to me that the task is not that hard to do. I buil
A new item has been added to the Valve merchandise store for fans of our beloved robot D0G. For about 10 dollars you can get a 28.5" x 16" poster of him squaring off against a Strider in Episode Two. Click 
