Teching Back the Night

September 1st, 2010

Top 3 websites thanks to Carbonite online backup

With Father's day coming up this weekend I thought this might be a bit of fun. This site features 20 video clips of Dads dancing badly. Let's just home that you don't see yourself here. It just goes to show how embarrassing some parents can be in public.

http://savethewords.org/

Here's you'll find a massive wall of seldom used words from the English dictionary…you can click on a word you like and adopt it…showing the world that it has meaning to someone.

Adopting a word simply involves you promising to use that word frequently in conversation and correspondence to the best of your ability.

https://www.changedetection.com/

If you've bookmarked a few websites that don't change very much…you can use this free service to notifly you when changes are made to the website…just so you're not wasting time visiting a website that was the same last time you went there.

Obviously there's no point in using it for a website that changes daily…but for smaller, less frequently updated sites it may just be a handy tool to use.

Other news from the 'tech' world this week…hands free video games with Xbox

Today I've been in Sydney previewing a new accessory for Microsoft's XBox360 games and entertainment system. It's called "Kinect" and when it goes on sale in November this year it really will change the way we interact with games and other entertainment on our TV.

The Kinect device simply plugs into the XBox360 console and uses a built in 3D motion sensor, microphone and camera to replace functions that would normally require a traditional controller – this takes us way past the technology of the Atari 'stick and button' days.

Using the Kinect technology, users will physically interact with games by using their whole body. For example i tried out a driving game where I simply held up my hands as if I was holding a steering wheel…and then there was a physically demanding athletics title where you ran on the spot for a 100meter dash.

Another use for the Kinect accessory will be to interact with other forms of entertainment on your XBox360. For example, when watching movies or listening to music you can scroll through your library using hand gestures and voice commands can also be used.

To see demonstrations of Kinect in action you can visit www.xbox.com.au. It goes on sale on November 18 this year and XBox are predicting that anyone wanting to buy Kinect for Christmas will have to pre-order one.

Back next week thanks to Carbonite online backup. Carbonite is secure, automatic and you can backup the entire contents of your computer with unlimited file storage for less than 6 dollars a month. for a free trial visit Carbonite.com.au.

August 25th, 2010

Top 3 websites thanks to AVG Internet Security

http://www.abbeyroad.com/visit/

The Beatles made Abbey Road famous…so famous that tourists cross the pedestrian crossing featured on the Abbey Road album cover every day – here you can watch it on Webcam.

http://ninite.com/

If you're setting up a new computer, this website is a great way to grab many of the popular applications you would otherwise have to find and install seperately, and download and install them in one go. Simply tick the boxes of the programs you want…like the web browser, photo editing, instant messaging and document editing software…and you're away.

http://www.emailalibi.com/

If you want to send an email to pretend you're somewhere when you're not…or perhaps send a message that won't be delivered for a year, this website can do it for you.

Other news from the 'tech' world this week…Some Father's Day Suggestions

With Father's day coming up this Sunday, naturally I'd suggest loading your dad up with something high-tech….so here's a couple of suggestions.

If your dad likes his entertainment…I'd be pretty quick to recommend the Playstation 3 entertainment system.

Of course we all know that the PS3 is great for games, however if you add in the PlayTV accessory, you can also use it to watch and record your favourite TV shows in high-definition.

The Playstation 3 also plays both DVD and High-Definition Blu-Ray movies…and when combines with a 3D-TV is 3D-Games compatible and soon to be 3D movie enabled.

If I didn't already have one, it'd be on my Father's day wish list. Check out www.playstation.com.au.

Sorry to be the bearer of information on gifts that cost a few dollars, but perhaps dad also would like a new TV? Fortunately a nice big TV doesn't nearly cost as much as it did 10 or even 5 years ago.

From Panasonic, the 42 inch Viera LED LCD TV weighs in at around $2100…which about what I paid my my 40inch Sony TV. The Panasonic has built in Wi-Fi so when hooked up with your home network you can take advantage of applications like Skype and Viera Cast which allows you to view content from YouTube and some other services, with access to Internet TV via Yahoo 7 coming later in the year.

If you're a bit confused about the difference between and LCD TV and LED LCD TV…basically the LED Televisions are LCD screens that use LED to light the screen. These screens are more energy efficient (in this case 6 stars) and the picture quality is fantastic.

You can find more information on the Panasonic website HERE.

If I could suggest gadgets that were a little easier on the pocket…perhaps GPS Navigator for the car or maybe an electric toothbrush!

Back next week thanks to AVG Internet Security. AVG is tough on threats, easy on you. AVG Internet security home edition covers 3 computers for 1 year for just $88.50. For a free trail visit www.avg.com.au