Virus protection crucial to prevent intrusions

Laptops are an easy target, both from thieves operating nearby and others on the Internet. Portable cable locks can protect you from computer theft, and software tracking devices can be purchased that broadcast their presence on the Internet the first time a stolen computer goes online.

Any computer you buy today should include virus protection and, for younger users, parental controls. Windows Vista and Mac OS X Leopard include parental controls for limiting the time, specific Internet access and activities on computers. It's also smart to place the family home computer in a public area where parents can oversee a child's digital activity.

Virus protection is a must. Bruce Cowper, Microsoft Canada Chief Security Advisor, warns that today's massive social networking activity -- there are 700,000 Facebook users in Calgary and more than two million in Toronto -- brings certain risks.

"We noticed a shift in Canada where phishing [luring unsuspected users to a fake Internet site] is becoming more common on social networking sites than traditional e-mail," he said. "There is an implied trust when you log in your social networking site that everything will be fine. That's not the case anymore."

Cowper said antivirus, phishing and spam software from McAfee, Symantec or Microsoft's subscription-based Windows Live OneCare, constantly monitor and compare background online activity for possible malicious intrusions.

"Even the most careful and seasoned computer users can't do without proper antivirus software," said Cowper.

From: http://www.canada.com/

Will Vista Have Its Day?

I'm sorry to announce that this is the final edition of Community Scoop. I have enjoyed reading all of your comments, and I hope that you will continue making the PC World Community a great place.
Are you feeling sneaky? We've got a list of 12 sly Web tricks, and not everyone is happy about them. Are these cool tricks, or irresponsible pranks? Join the discussion.
Comcast is capping monthly broadband usage. Is this something for the everyday user to be concerned about?Let us know what you think.
Will Windows Vista have its day? Only time will tell, but our readers do have their opinions. Share yours with us.
Our most recommended stories this week include sly Web tricks, tech habits to improve your life, and Google Earth add-ons. To vote for your own favorites, click one of the thumbs-up icons on an article's page.
We end with product reviews from users like you. Have you gotten any new high-tech goodies recently? Let us and your fellow PC World readers know what you think of them. Go to PCW Shop & Compare to search for your gear and add a review.
Note: To use our interactive features, such as adding comments to discussions and contributing your own product reviews, you must be signed in to the PC World Web site. (Not registered? You can sign up online.) However, you can view the discussion threads and poll results without being signed in.

12 Sly Web Tricks That Put You In Control

Kilme says:: I must admit, the Upside-Down-Ternet is hilarious. I just encrypted my own wireless connection, and wish I had found this sooner. I may give it a try someday.
Publicmenace says:: "Spoof you e-mail address" probably won't work. Most, if not all ISPs use SMPT authentication these days to prevent spammers from spoofing e-mail addresses and using the ISP's servers as open proxies. There are open proxies still available on the Internet, but not through legit ISPs.
Housknecht says:: Maybe I am getting too responsible as a middle-aged adult, but these "tricks" are entirely irresponsible, especially to have been published by a heretofore reputable entity. You are just feeding the fires of trouble that immature people create on the Internet already. You should be ashamed.
Metaphor says:: I absolutely agree! It's also appalling that so much emphasis is put on avoiding legitimate work. All those who aren't self-employed should keep in mind that some hapless employer has actually bought a good chunk of your time and every one of those hours belongs to the organization paying you. Play on your own time! Be glad you have a job--and be very glad you're not a supervisor with a staff of immature people who think these tricks are cool. Hmpf.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

Critics Question Comcast Broadband Caps

kelmerp says:: My only concern is whether or not this will affect my Hulu/Netflix InstantWatch addition.
Danthalls says:: This is not only unfair to Comcast's "unlimited use" customers, but it hurts future advancement of things like high-def streaming video, games, VoIP, and any other technology out there that relies on high-speed internet. It will hurt everyone if they are allowed to get away with it.
Shasta says:: As a major distributor of pay per view programming, isn't it a little disingenuous for Comcast to place download caps so that you will have to pay to view their offerings? I don't know many people who have Comcast Internet who don't have Comcast cable as well. It's a good way to limit competition, if you ask me.
Mjd420nova says:: As a longtime Comcast customer, this doesn't really bother me. I've measured my download usage: Seldom does it go over 150GB in a month; if it does, it's usually by about 5GB. I think these throttle controls are mainly aimed to stop or limit the spammers that have proliferated throughout Comcast's system.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.

Vista May Still Have Its Day

glassmaster says:: Finally a tech article that sees the current Vista-slam as it really is: simply a repeat of XP's entrance into the mainstream that most of us have forgotten long ago. Good article!
AZITguy says:: I think Microsoft should be paying all of us for beta testing their crappy Windows software.
Tenney67 says:: I could never understand all of the bad press for Vista. I replaced one of my home computers with Vista on a HP computer nearly a year ago and never had any problems with it. Meanwhile my XP computer hangs up every once in a while.
MAcUser21 says:: The problem is that Microsoft has announced a new OS coming in 2010 called Windows 7, so people question whether they should buy Vista.
Read the posts in this thread and contribute your own opinion.


From : http://www.pcworld.com/
Continues : http://www.pcworld.com/

Sales increase for Sony playstation portable.

Sales in Japan are improving for Sony Corp.'s playstation portable.The Sony
Corp. playstation portable handheld video machine with its better version with a
clear display is pitching for higher sales and for sure the sales are moving up.
This game machine is facing competition from Ninetendo DS teh handheld
machine.
Now, let us wait and watch who comes out to be the winner.

From : http://www.itvoir.com/

Asus U3 Series Notebook

Asus U3 series notebooks are very compact and stylish
notebooks with 13.3″ display and a full sized keyboard. Even though it lacks an
optical drive, it remains a firm choice and provides a variety of features
rarely seen on notebooks of its class.

Design

On the looks front, the Asus U3 is a very classy and elegant. The top of the
lid is covered with a glossy black finish which gives it a stylish look. Whereas
its inside is covered with a silver keyboard and it has eye-catching chrome
highlights. Its fingerprint reader and a leather-like material surrounding the
touchpad make the complete package of the laptop very attractive.

Core Information

The very first thing to notice in Asus U3 is the dual graphic setup. With
just tapping a small switch on the side frame of the notebook, the U3 gives you
the opportunity to select amongst the incorporated Intel graphics, or a more
powerful 128MB NVIDIA GeForce 8400M G. This saves a lot of battery and you don’t
need the battery-hungry NVIDIA chip. But you are looking up-on this laptop as a
game-board then you are mistaken this device is not made for playing games.

Cutting Edge Technology

Just above the display, there’s a 1.3 megapixel webcam, with headphone and
microphone ports to be found on the left side of the frame. The display is crisp
and lucid and the LED backlight looks great for multimedia, particularly video
substance. Contrast and color is excellent and the glossy finish combined makes
Asus U3 a must have laptop.

For wireless connectivity, Wi-Fi 802.11a/b/g and n are provided, in addition
to Bluetooth 2.0. The U3 has all the usual ports; three USB 2.0 ports, an
ExpressCard slot, S-Video out, a memory card reader and FireWire. Amazingly,
ASUS has further added a single HDMI port and an eSATA port which are very
useful.

A set of other programs in general which are kept aside for higher end
notebooks are built-in HSDPA and an incorporated GPS receiver is present in the
Asus U3. However you get an external DVD multi recorder in the sales package.
Keep in mind though that you’ll only be left with two USB ports when this is
attached it does consume battery life drastically. The 6-cell battery returned a
more favorable but still not outstanding 2hr 57min. Do note that adjusting power
plans in Windows Vista’s control panel should result in somewhat better
statistics.

Conclusion

The Asus U3 Series Notebook is a good buy but gamers and multimedia
enthusiasts are better advised to take a look at the other available models
before settling with this Asus U3.

By: Pooja
Lapasia1

From : http://www.pressemeldungen.at/

Asus Launches Xonar HDAV1.3 in India

Asus has announced the launch of
audio/video enhancement combo card - the Xonar HDAV1.3 in India. As per the
company claim, this is the world's first HDMI 1.3a compliant combo card. The
card is capable of outputting uncompressed multi-channel high definition audio
from Blu-ray movies. It also enhances video with an onboard Splendid HD
processor.

About the launch of this new product, Vinay Shetty, business
manager (Components), Asus India, said, "The Xonar HDAV1.3 provides enhanced
audio visual performance in one single card. With the launch of this card, we
are diversifying our product portfolio to provide effective multimedia solutions
to all end users."

The card features Protected Audio Playback Systems
(PAPS) and full Advanced Access Content System (AACS) certification. Without
both certifications, typical PCs must down-sample Blu-ray audio to DVD quality
(48K/16bit). The PCI Express based Xonar HDAV1.3 is designed for next generation
home theater PCs (HTPC); and is equipped with AV200 audio processor and HDMI1.3a
certified HD video processor.

The Xonar HDAV1.3 comes with a 3 years
warranty and will be available for an approximate end-user price of Rs. 15,300.
It will be distributed nationwide through Rashi Peripherals.

From: http://www.channeltimes.com/

Spore Available at Retailers Worldwide This Week From EA and Maxis

EMERYVILLE, Calif., Sep 04, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) -- How will you
create the universe? Gamers around the world can find out this week as the
highly anticipated video game Spore(TM) ships to retailers for the PC, MAC(R)
and Nintendo DS(TM), mobile phones and the iPhone(TM). Spore is rated E10+ by
the ESRB, and retails for $49.99. The collectable Spore Galactic Edition is also
available for $79.99, which includes "The Making of Spore" DVD, a hardback art
book, fold-out poster, 100-page Galactic Handbook and the National Geographic
Channel documentary "How to Build a Better Being" DVD.

Spore will be on store shelves around the world on the following
dates:

-- September 4th: Germany, France, Belgium, the Netherlands,
Luxembourg, Switzerland, Austria, Finland and Australia

-- September 5th: Rest of Europe and South America

-- September 7th: North America

Spore gives players their own personal universe in a box. Create
and evolve life, establish tribes, build civilizations, sculpt entire worlds and
explore a universe filled with creations made by other gamers. Spore gives
players a wealth of creative tools to customize nearly every aspect of their
universe: creatures, vehicles, buildings, and even spaceships.

"Spanning hundreds of millions of years, Spore's scope is
unprecedented in gaming. It has been a long time in the making and the team at
Maxis is excited to finally share the game with the world," said Will Wright,
chief designer at Maxis. "We can't wait to see the amazing worlds that our fans
build, as they tell their own stories with the game."

"Spore is an outstanding achievement," said Frank Gibeau, President
of the EA Games Label. "The blending of gameplay, editors and online community
through pollinated content came together to deliver on Will Wright's big idea --
to create and control your own personal universe. The team at Maxis has built an
extraordinary game that has the potential to become a platform for creativity,
and innovation for years to come."

To download a free trial of the Spore(TM) Creature Creator, please
visit www.spore.com. For screen shots or more information about
Spore, please visit our press web site at http://info.ea.com

About Electronic Arts

Electronic Arts Inc. (EA), headquartered in Redwood City,
California, is the world's leading interactive entertainment software company.
Founded in 1982, the Company develops, publishes, and distributes interactive
software worldwide for video game systems, personal computers, cellular handsets
and the Internet. Electronic Arts markets its products under four brand names:
EA SPORTSTM, EATM, EA SPORTS FreestyleTM and POGOTM. In fiscal 2008, EA posted
GAAP net revenue of $3.67 billion and had 27 titles that sold more than one
million copies. EA's homepage and online game site is www.ea.com. More information about
EA's products and full text of press releases can be found on the Internet at http://info.ea.com.

EA, EA SPORTS, EA SPORTS Freestyle, POGO and SPORE are trademarks
or registered trademarks of Electronic Arts Inc. in the U.S. and/or other
countries. Nintendo DS is a trademark of Nintendo. Mac and iPhone are trademarks
of Apple Computer, Inc., registered in the U.S. and other countries. All other
trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

SOURCE: Electronic Arts Inc., http://www.marketwatch.com/

Microsoft to slash price of Xbox 360

Microsoft is upping the pressure on its video-game rivals with a substantial
price cut Friday designed to attract the masses to the Xbox 360.

Aaron Greenberg, director of product management for Xbox, said Microsoft
reached hard-core gamers during the first two holiday seasons it was on the
market.

"Now it's really about this third holiday broadening to reach the masses," he
said.

The company's entry-level Xbox 360 Arcade will sell for $199.99, down from
$279.99, undercutting the industry-leading Nintendo Wii by $50, assuming
Nintendo doesn't counter Microsoft's move.

Microsoft's one-year head start on its rivals has allowed it to reach the
all-important $200 price point sooner — historically, most game consoles in
previous generations were sold after prices fell below $200 — and just in time
for the fourth quarter, when the majority of games-industry sales happen.

Greenberg said the price cut was not in reaction to consumer unease about the
economy. It's part of the company's long-term plan for the console.

Microsoft's games business, profitable in the 2008 fiscal year at long last,
is looking to continue that success despite cutting prices.

"We have had a full year of profitability for the games business, and we
actually continue to perform ahead of plan relative to that," Greenberg said,
citing lower component costs.

Billy Pidgeon, analyst at market researcher IDC, said Microsoft has learned a
lot about console manufacturing since it launched the original Xbox in 2001.

The company managed the bill of goods in each console and did not offer
backward compatibility, which adds licensing and other costs, he said.

"They are smart about trying to get the cost of goods down so that they can
move the hardware out," Pidgeon said.

That's important because "the barrier they face so far is really getting
hardware into the hands of the mainstream consumer," he said.

With the price of its entry-level system cut to appeal to a mass audience,
Microsoft plans to roll out an update to the game console's software designed to
be easier to use and more social.

The update was announced in July and will arrive on machines before
Christmas, Greenberg said.

Sony had no official statement on the price cuts. The company has previously
made clear its intention to stick with its current pricing for the PlayStation 3
in the near term.

Pidgeon noted that Sony is limited in how far it can cut PS3 prices before it
would run afoul of other manufacturers of Blu-ray Disc players.

An 80-gigabyte PS3 sells for $399.99. Sony owns the Blu-ray technology, which
is built into the PS3. The format prevailed early this year over the HD DVD
technology Microsoft was backing.

"The Blu-ray licensees would be threatened by pricing the PS3 below
stand-alone Blu-ray players," Pidgeon said. "The PS3 is a bit challenged on that
side."

On the other hand, the PlayStation 2 continues to sell well and, at as little
as $129.99, it provides an entry-level competitor at the sub-$200 price point,
he said.

Nintendo, which has sold more Wiis in the last five months than PS3 and Xbox
360 combined, also had no comment.

From : http://seattletimes.nwsource.com/