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ai 1/28/2006 8:57:16 PM
CM
MY
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CMY
WORKSHOP
GeeXboX
35 graphics cards 60
Novice, veteran or frag-God; here’s your next gaming card
Build a home theater.
122 No hard disk needed!
FEATURE
MS Office secrets 96
Hot tips to become an MS Office guru
Graphics tweaking
Expert tips on juicing
graphics speed
Lockdown your PC 115
82 Set up a Firewall and save your PC from Internet threats
Also available in Bangladesh
Nepal, Bhutan, Sri Lanka, U A E ATI Radeon X1900XT: Gaming power redefined
LG.indd 1 12/27/2005 1:14:02 PM
EDITORIAL 7
Tectonic shifts
G
eography bears a striking similarity to the ebb and flow of our lives. Like the
passage of seasons that drives us indoors and pulls us outdoors, or the impending
onslaught of natural phenomena that causes us to brace ourselves, our lives
are tremendously affected by the movements of the world around us—both subtle
and obvious. Perhaps more than any other sector, technology is what has been most
responsible for these changes across the recent past. From cellular communication
enabling us to achieve more during our waking hours to the Google phenomenon putting
a universe of information literally at people’s fingertips, one often wonders how we lived
in the days before all of this.
If these changes are to continue for the better, there are several aspects that need to
be taken into cognizance:
Content: There was a time when hardware and software products were the prime
factor in a given technology equation. That was the era when brands like Intel, Microsoft
and Nokia ruled the roost with their successful technology products. The scene is
markedly different today. Consumers, especially here in India, have matured enormously
and in a surprisingly short amount of time too. No longer can a technology company
pawn off a second-grade hardware or software product to today’s Indian buyer. With
information freely available to the connected consumer, they know what products are
People rarely have out there and have a fair idea about their efficacy. Today, the gloss of a new hardware or
identical tastes. But software fades surprisingly quickly and leaves behind a void that can only be filled by one
they do have identical thing—sustained content and services. Be it broadband Internet access, cellular telephony
or desktop applications, the ones that are top dog today are those that are backed up by
needs
solid streams of relevant and enticing content.
Standardization: People rarely have identical tastes. But they do have identical needs.
It’s time that technology companies begin putting their differences behind them and look
to standardizing their services across each other’s platforms. Doing so will probably result
in lower margins with a dip in mindshare initially, but it will spur on greater acceptance
among their consumers. When systems are able talk to one another, information can be
exchanged no matter what the platform or individual choice of hardware and software.
This directly translates into numbers. After that, economy of scale kicks in and at the end
of the day, everyone’s happy.
Easy availability: When it comes to availing content services, consumers do not want
to be inundated by jargon and formalities. The more it is a point-and-click solution, the
better. This obviously translates into more thought and implementation on the provider’s
part, but the results, if executed well, are sure shot. Take Apple’s iTunes for, example—a
brilliant case study of launching a cool product and following it up with a rock-solid, easy-
to-use content stream. With intelligent research and planning, product-service pairings
based on such a model would work excellently across any number of categories.
Indeed, this is the age where the content, consumer and convenience is king.
Regulars
Town Square 16
Letters 18
Technology Landscape 81
Dr. CHIP 96
Tips and Tricks 124
Sahara Tanlet PC
Game Reviews 134
(Tablet PC) …45
82 Last Word 148
$)*1%7%
Videos: Date Movie, LOTR: Battle for Middle Earth II
Full Game: S.W.I.N.E Linux: OpenSUSE Linux 10
Game Addons: Civilization IV 1.52 Patch
Must-haves: AutoPatcher XP December 2005, AVG 7 Free Edition,
Elecard MPEG Player, iTunes, MedalFolders, ReaConverter 4.0 Pro,
VirusBuster Professional
Quick Quote
12th Floor, ‘C’ Wing, Mittal Tower No.6, is an internationally protected trademark owned by
M.G.Road, Bangalore – 560 001. Vogel Burda Communication GmbH
Phone: (080)559 7282,83,84 Fax: (080)559 7285
Cover Design: Pramod Jadhav
www.chip-india.com
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP | FEBRUARY 2006
16 TOWN SQUARE
Town Square
T
he past month has been quite exciting Next click on ‘Add’ and enter the name of the
with a lot of activity happening on the applet that you want to hide from the Control
web site. And I’m pleased to inform you Panel. For example, if you want to hide User
that the number of registered users on our web Accounts then type the same here and
site has now grown to 19,360. With our user base click OK.
expanding rapidly, we are gearing up towards The next time when you open the Control Panel,
improving the web site as well as adding more and you will find the applet hidden.
more interesting features to it. So keep posting the tips and tricks guys. These are
This month the Tips and Tricks section has indeed very helpful.
included some really good tips as well as tricks Apart from these, there are ample suggestions
posted by our users. A cool tip has been posted given by some of our readers to improve the web
by ‘chandan.singh123’ where he tells you how to site as well as urging us to have moderators. Rest
optimize your hard disk when it’s idle and increase assured, in due course of time these suggestions
your system performance. It can be done very will be reviewed with utmost priority and we will
easily by following these steps. do our best to incorporate most of them. Also, the
Click on Start>>Run complaints regarding the late delivery of the issue
Type regedit and press enter has reduced significantly, which means we have
Navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ tried to address the problem. However, subscribers
SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\ who are still receiving the issues late, don’t worry,
CurrentVersion\OptimalLayout we will see to it that you get them on time.
Create a new DWORD value here or modify the We appreciate that have our attempt at
existing one, ‘EnableAutoLayout’ and set its reducing the game content on our DVD. This
value to 1 to enable it. month, for the first time, we have included a
This is a very useful tip and is definitely worth a try. separate folder dedicated to software called ‘Must-
Then ‘sensational boy’ posted something haves’ on the DVD. In addition to this, you will
that’s very interesting. He tells us that by adding also find a full game S.W.I.N.E as well as OpenSUSE
‘encarta@conversagent.com’ to our contacts Linux 10—one of the most popular Linux distros.
list in MSN messenger, we can ask whatever Do let us know how you liked the content on this
queries we have to this address. It will also help month’s cover CDs and DVD. We are also keeping a
you solve math equations. This information, says close watch on the requests made by our readers
‘sensational boy’, was available on other forums with regards to the software that they would
and he wanted to share this with other users. The like to see on the Cover CDs and DVD. We will
tip from ‘keith’ is also noteworthy. He explains definitely try to include most of them when collate
how we can disable items in the Control Panel. The the contents for the next issue.
procedure for this is as follows: And please don’t forget to send us your
Click Start>>Run response because it is your feedback that tells us
Type gpedit.msc whether we are on the right track or not. It also
Under the ‘User Configuration’ expand gives us an insight into what you would like to see
‘Administrative Templates’ in our magazine, on the web site and on the cover
Click on Control Panel and on the right panel, CDs as well as DVD. So keep writing in to us. See
open ‘Hide specified Control Panel applets’ you guys next month. ■
Set it to enabled and click on the ‘Show’ button. | Anup Pillai
Letters
Dear CHIP, on networking in the magazine? I would also like
I am an avid reader of your magazine. I have been to learn about career opportunities in the field
buying CHIP from the newsstand every month of networking. Last, but not the least, I’d like to
ever since the first issue was launched. I have never mention that the content of your CDs and DVDs for
missed a single issue up to October 2005 and have the last few months have been very disappointing—
them stacked safely. The same is the case with the a major portion of the DVD is occupied with games
cover disks. which I think is not required. Please allot more
After I started subscribing for IC CHIP, I didn’t space to software and utilities. I’m eagerly waiting
receive the issue for the month of November for the electronic version of the magazines as it
although I did receive the issue after that has become very difficult for me to handle the
(December 2005). It’s sad because this is the first increasing pile of magazines in my house!
time that I have missed an issue. Your issues are Pankaj Garg
very informative. I love your hardware and software
reviews, the ‘Hands On’ which included Tips and Dear Mr D’Souza,
Tricks, etc. You guys have me hooked to your I’m a subscriber of CHIP. I have a couple of
magazine every month! I give IC CHIP a huge share comments on the article “Dual Duel” (Page 96,
of credit for what I know today. Good job on the December issue). The article mentioned that special
December issue and wishing your team all the very drivers are not needed to get the card running.
best for the future. However, I read on www.extremetech.com that
special drivers are required to get a card up and
Shailesh running.
The second point that was noted in your article
Dear Shailesh is that the board is supported by almost all Nforce
Thanks for the kind words. It’s good to know that 4 SLI boards from well-known manufacturers.
you’re a collector of our magazines and just to make Again, extremetech.com stated that the listing
sure that you’re not missing any of them, we’re of supported motherboards is, in fact, very short,
replenishing you with your November 2005 copy! with just a few boards from each of the top
Team CHIP manufacturers.
I’m perplexed because of the variation in
Dear CHIP, details about motherboard support and drivers.
Congratulations for completing two successful and The reviewer should have been more specific—I
glorious years of publishing one of the best and expected more comprehensive information in the
most affordable computer magazines available in review. Finally, while your reviewer gave a rating of
the market today. I have been a regular subscriber 6/10, ExtremeTech awarded it 4.5/10, stating that
of CHIP since May 2004. there was no particular advantage of having two
Being a computer professional, I am very GPUs on a single board over having two separate
impressed with the content provided in your cards operating in SLI mode.
magazine. The ‘Hardware’ and ‘Hands On’ sections My intention here is not to prove the reviewer
are particularly interesting and utilitarian. All of in question wrong. All I’m saying is he should
my decisions regarding the purchase of computer have been more specific in his review while
parts and peripherals are highly influenced by the comprehensively covering the points highlighted
articles in the magazine. The infographic on how above.
a laser printer functions (November issue) and the Regards,
workshop on assembling an external hard disk drive Prasanna Kumar
(December issue) were fabulous. The cover story Hi Prasanna,
of the December issue was also very impressive. I Thanks for writing to us and raising the points in our
also particularly liked the articles ‘Internet Mafia’ dual GPU card review. Let’s clarify these one by one.
and ‘The Memory Effect’—impressive amount of The driver version we used for the board was
research done there. “Forceware 81.94” which was released much later
Could you please include some more articles than the 78.01. The earlier Forceware versions,
Letters
which were released immediately after the launch useful to me. Would it be possible for you to please
of the 7800 series had issues which were rectified provide me with contact details for the mentioned
in subsequent releases. The latest Forceware driver institutes/organizations so that I could get in touch
(81.94 and above) does not have any issues with with them?
the card running as a normal 7800GT SLI setup. Thanks and regards,
As you rightly pointed out, ExtremeTech had done Priyavrat Goyenka
this review earlier when the Dual GPU board Dear Mr Goenka,
didn’t have stable supported drivers. Besides, we We’re so glad that you found our article useful.
did have a small issue when the second GPU was Regarding your query, we would like to state that
recognized as “7800GTX”—we’ve mentioned this many of the products we referenced in the article
in the review. The dual 7800GT worked fine after are unfortunately difficult to procure here in India.
a reboot and during the course of the test. Our feature primarily tried to project the effort
Again, as far as the support goes, we clarified that has been taken so far, to facilitate a better
from other motherboard manufacturers that lifestyle for the differently-abled. However, here
with the latest driver versions for the chipsets and are the contact details of the training institutes and
the video cards, the 7800GT Dual is supported learning centers where research is in progress.
by all the SLI-certified boards. This includes
manufacturers such as ASUS, MSI, DFI and Gigabyte. R Kalyana Krishnan (Professor of Computer
About the rating, we don’t agree with Extreme Science and Engineering, IIT Madras)
Tech’s view of using dual 7800GTX chips. The 7800GT Tel: 044-257-8333, Email: rkk@shiva.iitm.ernet.in
is a better choice as it gives best bang for the buck
while keeping temperatures in check. Also, another Dr M V Ananthakrishnan (Media
strong factor in favor of the card is its pricing in Lab Asia, IIT Mumbai)
India—the price of this card at the time of testing Tel: 9820217151, Email: manantha@it.iitb.ac.in
was Rs 54,000 which is almost equal to the cost
of two 7800GTs in our markets. With comparable Ability Net
price and performance of two 7800GTs in SLI, there Web: www.abilitynet.org.uk
isn’t much to complain on the price/performance Tel: 0800 269 545, Email: enquiries@abilitynet.org.uk
ratio. Also, by using an external power supply,
the card saves a good five to seven thousand We hope you find these contacts fruitful.
rupees that you’d spend on a high quality 550W
SMPS which would have been otherwise required Warm regards,
for running two 7800GTs. Factoring all these Team CHIP
segments of performance, price and innovation,
we believe the card deserved the rating we gave it. Dear CHIP,
Therefore, with more polished drivers on the card I simply loved your January issue. Your article
and chipset front, the units we tested were stable portraying of what our lives will be like in the future
and performing at their maximum potential. was very impressive and gave an insight into the
Team CHIP exciting times ahead.
Another thing that I must mention here is that I
Dear Sir, had lost hope on my ageing and stubborn CD-ROM
I am one of your readers and I suffer from Muscular drive. But the workshop on cleaning the optical
Dystrophy (I have limb weakness because of drive proved to be of great help to me and wound
which I need to use a wheelchair to move around). up saving me money. Your step-by-step treatment
In your January 2006 issue, the article titled of how to clean the drive made the job very easy.
‘Building Independence’ talked about the subject You make difficult things seem very simple for
of technology for the physically handicapped people like me. Thank you very much and keep up
(page 87/88). It was an interesting read and I think the good job!
a few of the products described would be very Rahul Thosar
Umesh Dahiwalkar
© 2006 Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved. Microsoft, Visual Studio, the Visual Studio logo, and “Your potential. Our passion.”
are either registered trademarks or trademarks of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.
Breaking even
on Downloads
We have come a long way from the days of illegal downloads
and P2P file sharing. The success of SoundBuzz proves it
I
t’s quirky how the entire business of Thailand, Philippines, Cambodia, Laos, Indonesia,
downloading free music better known as Vietnam, Hong Kong and Australia.
‘piracy’ has helped spawn an entire industry The future of music is digital. Mandar Thakur,
based on legal transfers. Not so long ago Napster General Manager for SoundBuzz in India, relates
ruled the roost and free downloads were the how the organization (or rather the team of
order of the day but today we are witnesses to an music enthusiasts) apart from just digital
amazing transformation as major record labels music downloads is also intricately involved in
have changed from being hostile spectators to the publicity and distribution of international
more than willing partners in releasing their and local digital music content through
content. And consumers have moved on from online, wireless and OEM (Original Equipment
rampant proliferation of peer-to-peer file-sharing Manufacturers) partners.
to paying for music downloads. Compiling and gathering digital music
And cashing on this idea—whose time has content from local and international music
come—is none other than SoundBuzz, a digital labels, SoundBuzz distributes this content
music service provider with a focus on the through various distribution channels—Internet,
Asia-Pacific markets. Headed by Sudhanshu wireless devices, mobile phones and PDAs. Better
Sarronwala, the network spans across known as a ‘one-stop-shop’, SoundBuzz offers
Southeast Asia and boasts a digital library of technology, creative, and most importantly, legal
over 300,000 songs. services such as IP laws, music copyrights, etc to
Backed by EMI and Warner Music, SoundBuzz progress the growth of digital music.
has music stores in English, Chinese, Korean and As the boost in digital listening and storage
Japanese and serves a long list of Asian markets, for music continues, digital music (in all forms) is
Newswire
including Singapore, India, Brunei, Malaysia, increasingly moving into the mainstream of an
individual’s life. From playback ring tones | India Scenario Thakur believes that shutdown of illegal
to true tones and singles being released, India has the fastest growing mobile digital music web sites does not solve
music is being eagerly lapped up by users population in Asia, doubling to 100M the purpose, there will always be new
and players alike. And further boosting this from 48M in 2004. (Projected to reach ones popping up and it would be near to
revolution are companies offering powerful 200M by 2007/08). impossible to stop or put an end to them.
music-enabled PCs, portable music players Mobile music downloads in the Indian On the contrary, he is of the opinion that
and mobile phones. With SoundBuzz market are currently valued at Rs 160- because of Napster, Kazaa and Morpheus,
making headway in India, licensing music 180 crore. (Approximately Rs 50-60 SoundBuzz has been able to make such a
to services for as many consumers, on crore in royalties were paid to the music strong impact. “Piracy started our business,”
possibly every format and device in as many industry in the past 18 months). he says strongly. Also, the success of iTunes
places and countries is fast catching on. Value added services—of which is an indication of the flourishing strength
The cardinal factor for the boom in India music forms the bulk—are estimated of the entire industry. Thakur is hoping 2006
has been the rise of mobile users and the to contribute 15-20 percent to overall to be the landmark year for online music
number of ways music can be sold, through telecommunication company revenues. downloads.
ring tones, true tones, singles, albums, etc. The biggest shift in the Indian Creative Technology, one of SoundBuzz’s
Dig this: In India alone, about 300,000 marketplace is the growing number investors since 2000, recently increased
ring tones are downloaded every day, with of GPRS mobile users, who can now its stake in the company from 20 per cent
annual sales of approximately $500M purchase monotones and also richer to 30 per cent, and an integral partner in
derived each year from ring tone downloads. content. (In 2006, telecommunications integrating the online music store into the
One fifth of the world’s mobile phone companies are expected to drop GPRS Creative Media Source application bundled
owners have downloaded content to their access charges to make it freely with all Creative portable music devices.
handsets, and this is expected to rise to 60 available to consumers to encourage SoundBuzz also signed an agreement
per cent in the coming months. mobile music purchases). with iRiver under which iRiver devices will
While the entire mobile content business About 400,000-500,000 ring tones come packaged with software designed to
in Asia is currently worth $5 bn, mobile are downloaded daily. (Mono and download and transfer SoundBuzz tracks.
music is predicted to contribute almost $12 polyphonic ring tones currently sell at The firm has also ventured into strategic
bn to music industry coffers by 2010. All a 75/25 ratio, while the fastest growing alliances with consumer brands like Levi’s
mobile-related music content is forecast to ring tone genre is ring back tones with (in Singapore) and banks to promote the
be worth almost $36 bn. As for true tones about 3.5 million users). brand. Currently, half the turnover comes
(edited versions of artists’ performances), from the music and ring tone download
these are predicted to account for almost the entire value chain: sourcing music, business, while the other half comes from IT
$7 bn by 2010 while ring tones currently encoding (digitizing), meta-tagging (data services. SoundBuzz offers turnkey solutions
comprise more than $4 bn. on the music and artiste), encrypting for its partners to start an online music or
Apart from being the sole player with (using the Windows DRM system), hosting, ring tone download store, e.g. Indiatimes.
no competition from anyone so far, India integrating with partners (like MSN and com. Its services in India with TATA Indicom,
looks promising but Thakur is also quite HP), and clearing and controlling the Hutch, VSNL, Bharti, Airtel, etc allow mobile
kicked about SoundBuzz expanding into licensing (for promotions and commercial customers to browse and purchase songs
the overseas market such as the US, transactions). via their WAP-enabled phones while the
Australia, and the Philippines. One of the SoundBuzz’s contention does not purchases are billed to their phone bills.
huge features of SoundBuzz is the exposure really come from Apple’s popular iPod and Consumers are reluctant to use credit cards
that is offered to unsigned or commercially iTunes but in helping mature an industry for small ticket items and in Asia credit card
unknown artists. SoundBuzz can be used sabotaged by illegal and unlicensed web usage over the Internet is rarer still. Many
as a platform to promote and distribute sites. Around 2 billion songs are traded consumers may also be too young to even
music of unknown and independent illegally each month worldwide and this own credit cards. Instead, an agreement
artists. Moreover, with the advantage of figure overshadows the legitimate industry, with IP servers sees charges tagged onto
having major label artists partnered with which trades only 60 million songs per the monthly bill by the IP server in the same
SoundBuzz, what better opportunity can month. Nevertheless, the rapid acceptance way mobile download fees are tagged on to
there be than to introduce music lovers of paying for downloads is an encouraging monthly bills. This has been an essential step
to music they would never otherwise find and growing phenomenon. Come to think in SoundBuzz’s success, divided about 50
in a music store. With a licensing system of it, till about a couple of years ago, it was percent each between mobile and online. ■
firmly set in place, SoundBuzz now owns 2 billion versus zero. | Carol D’ Costa
TD Vision’s
MEX1 GP Car Stereo
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Xacti HD Camcorder
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A
fter all the jazz added to the the mobile into an all-in-one device seem While DVB-H (Digital Video Broadcasting
ubiquitous cell phone starting from endless now as global giants like Nokia, - Handheld) is gaining popularity in Europe,
gaming to downloading Internet Texas Instruments and Modeo have teamed in South Korea trials are underway for an
content to using them for taking pictures up. In fact, their concerted efforts have alternative standard called DMB (Digital
and videos, the latest buzz to do the culminated in the formation of Mobile DTV Multimedia Broadcast). Apart from these,
rounds is broadcasting TV programs live on Alliance, working towards making mobile TV another standard is being developed—
handsets. Taking steps to largely make the popular. Qualcomm’s Media Flo—that is going to be
mobile an entertainment device, handset embraced by companies worldwide.
makers, cell phone service providers and Competing Standards Crown Castle (using DVB-H) claims to
broadcasters have come together to form In several countries such as the UK, Italy, have the required bandwidth for mobile
one single team to make the service available Australia, and Finland, mobile operators video content generation. And while Italian
on the device for users. And the ecosystem enable viewing of selected TV programs live operator 3 is working on providing services
comprising a consortium of the above and via 3G (third generation) networks. But the via the DVB-H standard, Verizon Wireless is
the available technology, which till some quality in terms of audio and video is way planning to unveil its services in late 2006
time ago was not built, is now ready to roll too poor because the ‘broadcast’ signals, or early 2007 on Qualcomm’s Media Flo
out the service. Let’s find out more. which are one-way in nature get lost in the network.
The announcements made by several clogged voice network. As a result what One of the first operators to deliver
companies at the Consumer Electronics happens is that the broadcast time taken is mobile TV over a 3G cellular network, Sprint
Show 2006, held at Las Vegas, triggered long with quality dropping to reception of Nextel, recently announced its plans to
off the fever spreading fast to enable choppy audio and video. launch a high-powered network for wireless
streaming TV content on the mobile. At To do away with this problem, some media services like television and music
CES, Crown Castle Mobile Media (wireless broadcasting standards working on a single by the year 2008. And since the cellular
tower operator), which has just changed dedicated channel have been developed. network will eventually choke because of
its identity to Modeo, announced its plans Having taking note of the immense business the rising demand for live media devices,
to launch mobile TV service in the top 30 prospects thrown up by the burgeoning Sprint has plans to launch an alternate
markets in the United States between mobile entertainment services, several tech network by 2008. This network, which is
2006 and 2007. The possibilities in turning companies are promoting these standards. basically a ‘fourth generation network’,
Next-gen mobile TV
Handset manufacturers, service providers
around the world are very excited with
the way the market is developing, and are
very optimistic about the future. Already,
wireless carriers like Sprint and Cingular in
An encoder receives the data from an uploading device (Feed) and sends the data to the partnership with MobiTV (global television
distribution network, where the data is assigned an IP address. An IP manager reads the and digital radio service provider), are
address to find out the destination and sends the data to an IP Address Reader. The Reader, offering the next version of their service,
with the help of the address, sends the data to the right handset through a transmitter.
MobiTV2, on their cell phones. The new
service will include an improved MobiTV
will be launched over BRS (Broadcast Radio middle of 2006, is one such handset. The user interface, with a programming guide
Spectrum). Although Sprint is trialing phone’s DVB-H antenna and software will that displays 2 hours of show information
several technologies, as of now, it has no enable reception of signals and thereby and better audio and video quality as
plans to upgrade mobile TV using the two allow the streaming. compared to the older one. This service is
most talked about networks about to be The handset is built in a way to allow available on over 60 different cell phone
launched by Qualcomm and Modeo. a user to select, purchase and store TV models and MobiTV is aiming to increase
programs. The N92 will have up to four the subscriber base to more than 500,000.
How it works hours of TV watch time attached with The company also announced its plans to
The standards that are being developed stereo speakers and memory card support make its service available to the Palm TX
make it possible for cell phone users to of up to 2 GB. At the Consumer Electronic (it’s already available for the Palm Treo
view TV on their mobiles in a way similar to Show, rival companies, Samsung and 650 smartphone); the PDA’s Wi-Fi wireless
digital broadcasting of programs on your LG also announced their plans to launch connection capability will enable this service.
TV. The single difference between the two handsets supporting the DVB-H and Media Palm TX users will be able to watch TV at 24
is mobile broadcasting would combine Flo standards. Ericsson too is not lagging frames per second and view channels such
satellite broadcasting and IP (Internet behind with plans to launch a handset as ABC News Now, MAXX Sports, Fashion TV,
Protocol) based data transfer. capable of showing TV programs very soon. Fox News, C-SPAN, ESPN 3GTV, etc.
As the signal flows through an entirely All these are indicative of the fact that
dedicated channel, it retains the audio/ Action in India more and more people are hooking up
video quality as that of your living room In India, so far, mobile operators like to TV on the go. A UK-based technology
television. But when a number of handsets Hutch have been offering the service of consultancy, Strategy Analytics predicts
engage in streaming of data in one area, downloading TV content from news and that mobile firms in the UK alone will have
the multiple streaming might result in entertainment channels from their site about 50 million users of mobile TV by 2009,
data collision in that area and eventually on WAP enabled phones. But now we generating an estimated £3.5 bn (Rs 273
lead to loss of data. Therefore, in such a have what we can call the first mobile TV crores) as revenue. Broadcasters as well as
case, to avoid data loss, the FEC (Forward channel. Coming close on the heels of the TV producers around the world are positive
Error Correction) technology ensures that announcement made by Sprint Nextel, about the increased availability of mobile TV
all sets of data are sent twice to every telecom major, Reliance Infocomm has services in the next one to two years. With
single handset. This is done keeping in introduced an English TV news channel on several mobile marketing strategies being
mind that if a particular data-packet gets mobile phones through its wireless carrier used by mobile operators in the UK, Italy,
lost or damaged, there is a replacement of Reliance IndiaMobile. The channel named Australia and now India (with a huge mobile
information Times Now is a joint venture of Times subscriber base), the scope for tremendous
Group and Reuters. Reliance IndiaMobile’s profits in this domain galore. Now that the
Available handsets R World will enable streaming of content action has already begun, millions of mobile
As of now there are very few broadcast- live from the channel via 3G network. Users subscribers hungry for entertainment
capable handsets available in the global will be able to view TV on handsets like cravings will get a lot on their plate. Watch
market. Nokia’s upcoming model, the N92, the Nokia 6255 or 6235. Users with other this space... ■
likely to be released some time during the R world models can access the news clips | Pradosh Mitra
Pramod Jadhav
OPEN SOURCE FREEWARE | COVERSTORY 35
A
OFFICE ll of us like to save money, right?
OpenOffice.org 2.0.1 Complete Office Suite Especially if it is on software since
that is an area a user invests in
Personal Account constantly after buying a computer. A
jGnash 1.10.3
Manager
majority opts for a cheaper alternative
INTERNET —bootleg CDs bought off the road or
Firefox 1.5 Web Browser cracked versions downloaded from the
Internet. No, this is not going to turn into
Mozilla ThunderBird
E-mail Client a righteous speech on how one should not
1.0.7
promote piracy. Rather, in this space, we
GAIM 1.5 Instant Messenger offer you substitutes for the paid software
available today at no cost. In case you’re
PHP 5.1.1 Web Development Tool
finding it hard to believe, take a look at
SECURITY the list on this page—all the software
ClamWin Antivirus mentioned here are open source and
Anti-virus
0.87 free. (There is a lot of confusion associated
Winpooch Watchdog with the terms “open source” and
Anti-spyware
0.5.9 “freeware”. Open Source software can
Ethereal 0.10.14 Network Monitor be distributed at a price or for free.)
Alternative solutions have been provided
MULTIMEDIA across various categories—office, Internet,
Media Center solution
MediaPortal 0.1.3 security, multimedia, graphics and basic
for PCs
utilities. Each category offers applications
VirtualDub 1.6.11 Video Editing Tool that try to answer your needs, be it
Internet browsing or 3D modeling.
Audacity 1.2.4 Audio Editing Tool The software listed here are covered
GRAPHICS by the GNU General Public License (GPL).
Due to space restrictions, the source code
The GIMP 2 Photo Editing
has not been provided on the CD. Instead,
links have been included along the way for
Blender3D 2.40 3D Modeling Tool
you to download if you want. Apart from
Vector Graphics the software being free, they all provide
Inkscape 0.43.2
Application some sort of support in terms of bug
UTILITIES reporting and updates. You will also find
7-Zip 4.32 File Compression Tool a lot of documentation, tutorials—either
with the software or on the developer’s
TightVNC 1.2.9 Remote PC Control web page. Now go ahead and try these
alternatives. We guarantee that you will
Desktop ‘Sticky’ Notes
A Note 4.2.1 not be disappointed.
Tool
36 COVERSTORY | OPEN SOURCE FREEWARE
ets,
professional documents, workshe
PERSONAL FINANCE MANAGEMENT
Office presentations, calculate form
diagrams and save them in form
ulas ,
ats
draw
that Name: jGnash
ce Operating Systems: Supports any
are either supported by other offi
at. platform using Java 1.4 Run Time
ne of the first applications a first suites or in the OpenDocument form
O time user gets acquainted with on
his or her computer is the office suite
OpenDocument is an XML-based
which means that any appl icati on
format,
that
Environment
Website: http://sourceforge.net/
be able to open the file. projects/jgnash/
that is installed on it by default. But supports OD will
cost be confi gure d to be
buying an office suite software will Documents can also tool
form ats (.doc , jGnash is a simple accounts manager
you somethi ng around a thou sand buck s saved in Microsof t Office have trou ble keep ing
s can open meant for thos e who
e. Ever yone is not willing .xls., .ppt) so that non-OOo user
and even mor iple bank
that track of different incomes and mult
to invest more money on software them too. tool hand les a range
accounts. This one-stop
might not even be used ever yday. In The suite consists of Writer, Calc, of cour se) and
er, Calc of currencies (including INR,
such a scenario, the new and feat
ure-rich Impress, Draw, Base and Math. Writ form at (QIF) ,
osof t’s also supports the Quicken file
OpenOf fice.org office suite is som ething and Impress are equivalent to Micr orts
which is feature intensive and supp
that you could check out. Word, Excel and PowerPoint. rt
s, different formatting styles and repo
Another useful application is acco
unts Base is a tool for creating database can help you create
ss, creating options. jGna sh
management software that can be
used which also supports Microsof t Acce tion,
tool income/expense accounts, reconcilia
to keep a tab on your inco me/expe ndit ure. ADO and MySQL. OOo’s Draw is a char ts, view ing
rams monthly reports, pie
used to create simple visuals or diag les in
printable statements, etc. It saves fi
OFFICE SUITE for your OpenOf fice documents or orts files crea ted
ons XML format and also supp
Name: OpenOf fice presentations. Its formatting opti unting
rt in GNUCash—a powerful acco
Operating Systems: Windows 98\ allow you to create objects, add clipa s.
your software created for Linux/Unix user
ME\2000 (SP 2 or higher)\XP\2003 and manipulate them according to efore
jGnash is written with Java and ther
Website: www.openoffice.org preferences. Java
like it will run on any platform that has
OOo Math is another ‘component’ (vers ions grea ter than
l tool. runtime insta lled on it
The new and improved OpenOf fice. Draw and is basically a mathematica of this cross -plat form
to 1.4). The downsid e
org 2.0.1 (OOo) is a popular office
suite It can be used to compute answers ance
d to a compatibility is a noticeable perform
not just because it is available for free . formulae/equations or can be adde sed mac hine s.
te hit on older Windows-ba
It is popular because you can crea text document.
Import your mail from Eudora, Outlook Gaim is an open source instant
For those who are conversant with
or Outlook Express into Thunderbird. messenger (IM) client that supports
multiple C, Java or Perl will not feel out of plac
protocols used by popular IMs like Yaho e
roof. It also allows you to import XML o, working with PHP—a scripting lang
AIM, ICQ, MSN, IRC, Jabber, etc. Gaim uage.
files that contain RSS feed informa This is simply because much of its
tion. requires the GTK+ Runtime Environm syntax
You can create multiple profiles (like ent to is similar to the languages mention
be installed prior to its own installatio ed
Outlook Express) within Thunderb n. Your earlier. It is an object-oriented lang
ird and GTK+ runtime will need to be upda uage
color code mails to make tracking ted if you and web developers use it to writ
easier. have installed an older version. Gaim e
Thunderbird spell check tries to ensu is very ‘dynamic’ pages. You can also crea
re simple to configure and since it supp te
that the mails you compose are free orts so Windows-based applications (whi
of many messengers, you don’t need to ch
typos. Though this is a very handy install also requires the PHP-GTK extensio
feature, them individually. It can also be confi n).
it has its limitations. gured PHP is also used to create server-b
to work in a HTTP/SOCKS4/SOCKS5 ased
In addition to all of these, users can Proxy applications and interact with data
environment. It has a range of notifi base
also download Extensions for Thun cation systems (like MySQL, Oracle). To use
derbird features—for example, if you’ve crea this
— just like Firefox. There are exte ted version of the PHP, you need a web
nsions an MSN account in Gaim, it will noti server
to configure your download manager fy you (which could be Apache or Window
to whenever an MSN contact closes his/h s’ very
the links in e-mails, add a Contact er own IIS) and a web browser. A very
s pane window. The messenger also supports well
in the Thunderbird window, set mou a known product of this language is
se range of ‘emoticons’ that can be insta the
gestures or switch between Prox y lled. phpBB, available for free for anyone
Servers If you’re a formatting freak then you who
to download your mail. This e-mail can wants to star t a forum of his or her
client switch spell check on while messagin own.
makes for an excellent solution to g. Since the version provided here is
desk top Additional plug-ins available on the not a
users. If you are looking for a chan web site simple installer, users will need to
ge, allow you to encrypt messages and read the
Thunderbird is the way to go. change install notes first.
Gaim themes too.
team.
regularly updated by the ClamAV
.
Express) to scan for virus in real time
pyware, malware, Trojans, worms,
S virus—you name it and the Internet
got it. There is reason enough to be
afra
’s
id
Inspite of its real-time scan ning
it’s a simple tool, which is adde d
limit
to
ation,
the
be used
bring right click context menu and can
of these programs because they can ers and Winpooch alerts you whenever a
you to verif y the integrity of files, fold
your system to its knees. Here is how is its program tries to access the registry
self from thes e unw ante d compressed data. A very useful tool
can shield your from a CD or by monitoring the registry and issue
s an
ability to run the anti -virus
pests. ram tries to writ e anyt hing
USB on a system that does not have it alert if any prog
to know whe n and
installed—making it free and port
able! to it. This allows you
ANTI-VIRUS tion on how to what is being writ ten to the regis
try whilst
(You can get more informa
Name: ClamWin installing software. This cont rol allow s you
do this from its F.A.Q. page.)
Operating Systems: Windows 98/ to forbid the program from acce ssing the
ME/2000/XP/2003 Internet. The alert is quite graphic—
with
Website: www.clamwin.com
ANTI-SPYWARE Poochy
Name: Winpooch Watchdog Poochy, the watchdog popping up.
ges
Operating Systems: Windows 2000
/XP can also inform you of all the chan
ClamWin is a GUI-based anti-virus made to the regis try— if you have a sneaky
Website: http://winpooch.sf.net/
application. It is not a real-time virus suspicion that ther e is a hidd en prog ram
if it
scanner; it will scan for a virus only running on your system and you wan t to
not soun d Winpooch Watchdog is an anti-
is explicitly made to. This may s know whether it has made any entr ies
allow spyware tool that prevents maliciou
like a very good feature but it does g insta lled in the registry. Winpooch also mak
es it
virus programs and Trojans from bein
for free virus definition updates. The this simpler to navigate the Registry Edito
r
and on your computer. It basically does
definition database is maintained
the network can
traversing through all the cables
if you need to access a particular key. be viewed in Ethereal in real time
ng in your LAN, Ethereal is the software
This is similar to other star tup editi and differentiated with the help of
emely to star t with. It can be installed on
programs available today. It is extr for color-coding.
sing Unix systems too and is intended
helpful for those who do not like brow If you are not interested in all the
structur e in network professionals. filter’
through the endl ess folder information being listed, a ‘capture
are The tool is extensive since it
the Windows Registry. This nifty spyw s can be set to assess a particula r prot ocol
and it can be supports different network topologie exam ple).
sniffer works in real time less, only (just UDP packets, for
g it as (Ethernet, Bluetooth, Infrared, Wire
made to work with ClamWin—makin roxim ately 750 of These sort of settings can then be
-virus tool! etc), protocols (app
good as any other real-time anti represented as a graph too.
them), virtual LANs and the regular
real These are just some of the options—
dial-up connection (PPP) too. Ethe
NETWORK MONITOR ware you can also customize the way capt
ured
also supports different hard dled and save d
Name: Ethereal information is han
manufac tured by reputed network ets can
Operating Systems: Windows 98/ to automatically. Captured data pack
technology companies. It can be used tiniz ed so as to
ME/2000/XP rface be monitored and scru
monitor traffic on your network inte
Website: www.ethereal.com ork you avoid virus or denial of serv ice
(or dial-up connection) or the netw
to (kno wn as Prom iscu ous attacks.
are connected
If you are into networking and tran smit ted acro ss
is mode). Packets bein g
interested in knowing what exac tly
encode
deo file or even
Cl ip or append a vi
RAM and the help of
have enough formats with
want to. If you us e it to different to adjust
sk space you ca
n ev en can be added
Multimedia ample hard di
the “time shift
ing” option. Yo
ia Portal to wor
u can
k with
ev
a
en th
th
is tool. Filters
e aspect ratio
, color, satura
can also be
tio
ad
n, etc.
de d from
configure Med w s Ad ditional filters fi nd that
l. It suppor ts th
e Windo is if you ever
ia center remote contro e w eb site—that
ter into a med l a Hauppau ge th t are no t
urn your compu remote as wel ided by defaul
T
op
without invest
er at ing sy st
ing in a whole
em; edit your
ho m
new
e videos
Media Center
on e. Ea ch ke y on the remote
ca
to perform a di
n also
fferent
the ones prov
en ou gh . You can even
e
st
file, if required.
rip th e audio
Batch processin
g
forever with be pr og ra m m ed fr om th
be utilize d
LP records last suppor ts FM tion that can
or make your TV tuner card is another func
ions. ac tion. If your w yo u to th at need to
these applicat rtal will also al
lo ultiple files
radio, Media Po he re . if there are m ttin gs—this
eset channels
from e same se
R control the pr be edited with th handle
MULTIMEDIA CENTE , it runs a sc an ca n
g Media Portal achine that
Af ter installin yo u w ill require a m en ding on
Portal s so that rtably. Dep
Name: Media the media file e tasks comfo
g Sy st ems: Window
s XP to catalog all usic, movie
th es
you can de ne fi the
Operatin
.te am - can browse th
rough your m
e. th e pr ocessor used, lD ub
://w w w ck interfac d set what Virt
ua
Website: http within this sli instructions an
al .c om/ collection from pr ov e on fo r In te l or 3D Now!
mediaport di tio n to th is, you can im sh ou ld us e—SSE/SSE2
In ad plug-ins
puter downloading for AMD CPUs.
turn your com the features by
If you want to site.
but do not w an t to from the web
into a media PC w then
ay AUDIO EDITOR
Center Edition
go the Media Name: Audaci
ty
is wor th a tr y.
It provides an VIDEO EDITOR ems: Window
s 98/
Media Portal nter PC. lDub Operating Syst
r to a Media Ce Name: Virtua s 98/
interface simila es, listen to Sy st ems: Window ME/2000/XP
movies, pictur Operating rceforge.net/
You can watch ://audacity.sou
ings. The ME/2000/XP Website: http
dule TV record irtualdub.org
music and sche you can even w.v
changed and Website: w w can be
theme can be audio editor. It
skin if you Audacity is an d encode it
te yo ur ow n Media Portal n is a very pow
er ful audio, edit it an
cr ea
This applicatio used to record is just a simpl
e
ol. e
Th formats. This
cum capture to into different
video editing t give the . If you ar e
terface does no what it can do
VirtualDub in explanation of ith it a
application aying around
w
a very friendly interested in pl
impression of atures and ea d and add
th lies in its fe m or e th en you can go ah
but its streng well. It can
lit tle dub tracks
of doing a job existing ones,
its capabilit y more tracks to ther. O ther
a capture tempo altoge
us ed to capt ure video from or change the
be frame.
ia o files frame by
ie s, pl ay mus ic through Med ca rd or edit vide
Watch mov ative
Center’s altern
Portal - Media
INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP | FEBRUARY 2006
is is a very
Ogg Vorbis. Th
WAV, AIFF and used to record
, which can be
intensive tool ce ambient
aser, which g bit rates, redu
ho, reverse, ph audio at varyin ain audio
ef fects like ec plications, are ic file or just pl
dio mixing ap noise in a mus
are found in au u can record the spec trogra
m).
ai labl e in Audacity. Yo analysis (with available
al so av
ayers too for r audio ed rs
ito
o from LP and casset te pl There are othe y price.
au di nt solution come at a heft
is is an excelle out there that (with its
digitization. Th lose their rs a lot of grou
nd
don’t want to Audacity cove sc tch on
for those who does not put a
ra
us. features) and
classics to fung ed to ‘splice’
The au di o ed itor can be us your wallet.
formats
er t them into audio tracks
files and conv It also e and edit
rning to CDs. Record, analys
suitable for bu /3 audio,
ats like MPE G2 with Audacity
suppor ts form
. 8 channel
2 PCI-Ex16, 1 PCI-Ex1, 3 PCI . 8 channel
2 PCI-Ex16, 1 PCI-Ex1, 3 PCI
Intel 945G Intel 865GV Ingram Micro India Pvt. Limited Cyberstar Infocom Limited
(022) 5596 0101 (080) 3096 1192
+ ICH7 + ICH5 in.ingrammicro.com www.cyberstarindia.com
Simply Smart
42 COVERSTORY | OPEN SOURCE FREEWARE
Input Device
Sahara Tablet PC
Specifications: Dimensions: 296x245x37 mm, Weight:
2.4 kg, Microsoft Windows XP Tablet PC Edition
2005, 12.1-inch display, Intel Pentium M 735 (1.7
GHz), 512 MB RAM, 80 GB HDD, DVD Writer
Price Rs 66,999
Contact Sahara Computers and Electronics Ltd
Phone 012-5397777
E-mail info@saharacomputers.co.in
website www.saharacomputers.co.in
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Scribble in style!
I nclude the versatility of a scribble pad to
a laptop and what you get is a Tablet PC.
The SlateVision T2300 is Sahara’s Tablet PC
and the integrated graphics on the tablet
are good enough for a person who is
constantly on the move and needs to stay
when you try to launch programs from the
Run dialog box with the stylus. You have
to make sure the pen’s nib does not get
for all those who hate carrying notepads, connected all the time. dirty as in that case it begins squeaking
binders to take down notes along with The display has buttons to change the on the screen. When we tested it, there
a 2.5 kg laptop slung over the shoulder. orientation from normal to widescreen were times when the pointer on the
Like all Tablet PCs, the SlateVision’s screen as and when required. An additional screen would just freeze at the bottom
can be swivelled around and placed flush scroll button, with a slightly tacky feel while the stylus was in a completely
on to the keypad allowing you to hold to it is also provided to aid reading long different position trying to select a file.
the device like a slate. The 12.1-inch LCD documents. While using the device as a This was the only problem faced whilst
display is touch sensitive to the stylus pen tablet you can make use of Microsoft’s using the device in the tablet mode. Stylus
and Microsoft’s Windows XP Tablet PC Journal to scribble on and make notes. sensitivity, accuracy and behavior can be
Edition (operating system) provides the Cursive writing and sketching in Journal fine tuned from the Control Panel. The
GUI functionality. The SlateVision package with the pen is responsive (and fun) as Journal coupled with Microsoft’s Sticky
consists of the Tablet PC Edition Recovery you can change the color, ‘ink’ thickness Notes, display orientation and the stylus
CDs, driver CDs and a USB optical mouse. and the nib style used. The handwriting are an excellent solution for those looking
An additional stylus pen, however, is not recognition is also accurate—it tries to to switch over to a paperless desktop.
included with the tablet. preempt your scribble based on the pen Although tablets are ideally meant
Four USB ports are placed in a line, along strokes. For example, it will be activated for use as scribble pads, they are still not
with the VGA port on the rear panel. The made as light as the latter (this one weighs
TV-Out, LAN, power, modem and a single over 2 kgs).
PCMCIA slot are placed on the side panel. For: Good build quality, it has a strong
Volume control, audio connections are LCD frame. The response of the pen on
placed alongside the DVD writer tray. the touchscreen is very good while writing
When used extensively, the six-cell, or sketching. A small optical mouse is
4400mAh battery keeps the tablet going provided with the Tablet PC.
for almost 4 hours. Against: A memory card reader is not
The SlateVision came prepped with 512 provided. All the USB ports are placed on
MB of RAM—a comfortable amount for The Sahara in its ‘Tablet’ mode along with the rear panel—at least two should have
a basic user and expandable up to 1 GB. the stylus. The pen is removed from the been placed on the side for easier access.
The Dothan processor, wireless capability LCD frame itself Lack of infrared or bluetooth connectivity.
External TV Tuner
PixelView PlayTV Box 3 Desktop
Specifications: External TV tuner, PAL B/G, adjustable
resolution, wide-screen support, picture-in-picture
mode, favourites, S-Video in, composite video I/O
Price Rs 5,000
Contact Rashi Peripherals Pvt Ltd
Phone 022-28221013
E-mail navinderc@rptechindia.com
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Input Device
Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop6000
Specifications: RF Wireless keyboard, zoom slider, RF
wireless 1000 dpi laser mouse, USB/PS2 interface,
range - 6 feet, requires 2 AA sized batteries each.
Price Rs 7,166
Contact Microsoft Entertainment &
Devices Division
Phone 1600111100
E-mail i-ruchga@microsoft.com
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
High-precision combo
A ll of us ask for a clutter free desktop
oozing style and class. With wireless
desktops available now, that’s no longer
inconvenient to reach for users with small
hands. The mouse is specifically designed
for right-handed use.
highest level of precision for hardcore
gamers, graphics designers and enthusiasts.
The laser sensor is far advanced than a
a dream. The Wireless Laser Desktop Features and performance: Multimedia conventional optical sensor in terms of
6000 from Microsoft is a wireless keyboards have been around for a while response time and resolution. The smaller
keyboard-mouse combo, adding style and now. So what’s new with this one? thumb button is pre-configured to enable
functionality to your desktop while keeping For starters it has a zoom slider allowing the magnifier feature. Just point and press
it absolutely neat. you to zoom into pictures, maps and the magnifier button to enlarge any area on
The Microsoft Wireless Laser Desktop documents. But the zoom slider zooms only the screen.
6000 comes in an attractive and stylish at the center of a picture, and not at the Overall, the keyboard is comfortable to
black box. The silver keyboard has corners even if you would want it to. use and comes with some neat features.
translucent white keys, and though The most interesting feature is the ‘My The laser mouse performs well in terms of
seemingly it gives the impression of Favorites’ keyset. You can customize these accuracy but is limited to right-handed users,
being backlit, that’s not the case. The five keys on the fly to launch or open files which is a downer. At Rs 7,166, it’s a pure
keyboard supports a cushioned hand rest, and applications that you use the most. It luxury and is only meant for a select few.
permanently fixed to its lower end. can be used to open any file or folder or web For: Wireless keyboard; laser mouse;
If you intend to keep this keyboard in page. Incidentally, it doesn’t open Firebox customizable keys; good ergonomics.
a conventional keyboard drawer, you may browser. Against: Translucent keys make the
be short of space. But stacking it up just The laser mouse is built on Microsoft’s keyboard look ordinary; expensive; no caps
about anywhere within six feet of the high definition laser technology. It delivers lock; scroll lock and FLock key indicator on
receiver is a breeze. The keys are laid out
on a six-degree horizontal curve allowing
you to type comfortably. The convenience
of keeping the keyboard on your lap, the
cushioned hand rest and the ergonomically
designed key layout is something you will
love getting used to. The mouse is designed
to enable maximum comfort and it looks
cool too! The long and responsive buttons
ensure ease of use for all. On the flip side,
Ergonomically designed Key Layout Wireless Keyboard/Mouse Receiver
the thumb buttons on the left are a little
Digital Camera
Kodak EasyShare V550
Specifications: 5.3 MP CCD resolution, 3x optical
zoom, 4x digital zoom, 32 MB internal memory,
2.5: LCD, SD card slot, 720mAh lithium ion battery,
Photo Frame Dock 2, measures 3.7x2.2x0.9
(WxHxD) inches.
Price Rs 18,999
Contact Kodak India Pvt Ltd
Phone 9820332479
E-mail madhumita.rudra@kodak.com
website www.kodak.com
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Pay Rs 1,200 and get Please find enclosed Cheque/DD No. drawn on (Name of bank)
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At the heart of technology Website: www.chip-india.com, www.eshop.infomediaindia.com
52 HARDWARE | TESTED
Cell Phone
Motorola L6
Specifications: GSM 900/GSM 1800/GSM 1900,
110x49x10 mm, VGA camera, speakerphone,
Bluetooth, GPRS, WAP 2.0, 80gms, Display: 128x160
pixels, 10 MB internal non-expandable shared
memory.
Price Rs 8,905
Contact Everest International
Phone 022-55704646
E-mail chaudhary@roltanet.com
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Motherboard
Biostar TForce 610-939
Specifications: Micro ATX form factor, AMD Socket-
939, Nvidia NForce 410 chipset with GeForce 6100
IGP, dual-channel DDR400 up to 4GB, 2 PCI slots,
2 SATA-II connetors, 6-channel audio, optical and
SPDIF outputs, CMOS reloading program.
Price Rs 3,975
Contact Supertron Electronics Ltd
Phone 033-22131221
E-mail sunil_sharma@supertronindia.com
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Case
Zebronics Antibiotic
Specifications: 3 LED fans, transparent side panel,
front USB and audio ports, LCD display, 400 Watts
PSU.
Price Rs 2,150
Contact Zebronics
Phone 022-26616202
E-mail zebronics@zebronics.com
website www.zebronics.net
RATINGS
Build Quality
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
Motherboard
Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
Specifications: AMD socket-939, NForce4 SLI x16
chipset, 2 full 16x PCIE slots, 3 PCI slots, 8-phase
power design, heatpipe cooling, dual gigabit LAN, 2
IEEE 1394a ports, SPDIF and optical outputs.
Price Rs 18,700
Contact Asustek Computer Inc
Phone 022-40058908
E-mail info_india@asus.com.tw
website www.asus.com.tw
RATINGS
Build Quality
Ergonomics
Performance
Features
Warranty
Overall Rating
Value for money
luxury of a sub woofer, here’s something would use more frequently. This is where
that would interest you. you feel the pinch of not having an
Design: The Altec Lansing 2.1 speaker in-line remote.
system is clearly aimed at those looking for Performance: To test the performance
a budget speaker and not for the serious of the speakers, we paired them up with
audiophile. The satellites each are about a motherboard having onboard Realtek
Specifications: Speakers-5.5 Watts/channel @
the size of a coffee mug and don’t take AL850 audio chipset (most of the recent 8 ohms @ 10 percent THD @ 40 Hz-20000 Hz, 2
much desk space while the sub woofer is motherboards have it). Results reflected channels loaded, subwoofer- 9 Watts @ 4ohms @
just about or a little bigger than a toaster. tight bass and decent highs but the mids 10 percent THD @ 20-140 Hz single channel loaded.
Dimensions: speakers- 86 mm (W) x 90 mm (D) x
The satellites have a smart mix of matt were average. Gaming and movie watching
120 mm (H), subwoofer- 150 mm (W) x275 mm (D)
silver and black color. The woofer is black experiences were good with the sound x220 mm (H).
in color with a blue LED light. Setting quality it offers. The Creative SBS 370 in the
Price Rs 1,399
up the speaker is very simple and well same category is ahead of this speaker with
Contact Rashi Peripherals Pvt Ltd
illustrated in the manual. better mids and the provision of Phone 022-28221013
One thing noteworthy in this speaker an in-line remote. The Altec, however, rules E-mail navinderc@rptechindia.com
is that the power adapter is housed inside the roost when it comes to the woofer website www.rptechindia.com
the woofer, thereby reducing wire clutter. with tight bass, whereas the SBS 370 lags RATINGS
Build Quality
The volume, base and treble controls are on behind here.
Performance
the woofer. A woofer is generally bulky and For: Good tight bass; power adapter built
Features
large and produces vibrations, therefore in the subwoofer.
Warranty
it should never be placed on the desktop. Against: No in-line remote; volume, bass
Overall Rating
Ideally, the subwoofer should be placed and treble control on the subwoofer;
Value for money
on the ground. Now since the volume, average mids.
H
ow many times have you faced Test process
the frustration of firing up that Before putting the graphics cards to test,
new game, only to find out that we segmented them into three categories
your graphics card doesn’t have the juice to based on their affordability. Accordingly,
deliver a good playing experience? With the we had three broad categories—entry level
recent development in game engines and (below Rs 6,000), mid-range (below Rs
special effects used in games, the demand 12,000) and high-end (more than
for powerful graphics cards has really taken Rs 12,000).
off. Graphics chipset manufacturers have In each of the cards, we looked at the
met the demand with an impressive range features, performance, warranty and
of graphics cards for every segment. The support. It made no sense in evaluating
selection of the right graphics card is the the build quality and ergonomics since
key to an enjoyable gaming experience. graphics cards are internal hardware
Gamers come from different segments residing inside the case. Let’s take a close
and their needs also depend on the type look at what went into each parameter to
of games and detail levels demanded. know how we awarded points to each card.
With heavy usage of ShaderModel 3.0 by
all the game developers, the newer games Features
deliver life-like environments and physics Before moving to performance tests, we
to make the experience as real as possible. logged the features which included the
The effects are heavy on the computer and physical characteristics and technical
specifically heavy on the graphics card and specifications of each card. First, we noted
hence there is a constant need to upgrade the name of the chipset, manufacturing
to a better graphics card that supports process used, type and amount of memory
all the new technologies and has the and core and memory speeds. Scores were
muscle power to provide a smooth gaming in favour of cards which featured higher
experience. Our VGA comparison test will clock speeds and amount of memory.
not only help you decide about the right It’s the Shader Model 3.0 support which
graphics card but also give an overview enables the card to render High Dynamic
of the performance delivered by all the Range (HDR) lighting, bloom effect and
popular graphics cards across the soft shadows which enhances the visual
latest and most demanding games treat in games. Thus cards whose chipsets
at varied detail levels. featured SM 3.0 support were awarded
Out of 80 VGA cards that we more points. The overall 3D performance of
received for the comparison the card depends on the amount of shader
test, we short listed 35 of the units present. We logged the number
most recent ones spread of pixel and shader units present and
over three categories accordingly assigned points to each card.
and covering all the Next, we moved on to the physical
latest graphics characteristics of the card such as the
chipsets. cooling system, back panel ports.
Test rigs used for performance tests demo using console commands. We ran the
PCI Express cards AGP cards tests at different resolutions and different
Processor AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400+ Intel Pentium 4 3.4 GHz anti-aliasing and anisotropic-filtering
Motherboard Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe Asus P4C800-E settings depending on the type of the card.
1 GB Kingston HyperX 3200ULK2 The following table explains the
Memory 1 GB Zion PC3200 in dual-channel mode
in dual-channel mode characteristics of the graphics engine of
Hard disk Western Digital Raptor 740GD Western Digital Raptor 740GD the games used to assess the cards’
The cooling system indirectly influences Warranty and support: It’s important for
the performance of the card. Better GPU Interpreting the tables the card to carry a good warranty period to
and memory cooling not only results We designed different sets of tests for protect your precious investment in case of
in stable performance but also has a cards belonging to each category, the failure. Higher the warranty period, better
direct influence on the life of the card. reason being the difference in strengths the score in this section.
Active cooling system coupled with a of the cards belonging to each category. We concluded the test by computing
copper heatsink results in quicker heat For instance, it would be impossible for an the value for money ratings. The value
dissipation and lower temperatures at peak entry-level card to perform at a 1600x1200 for money index is calculated by stacking
performance as compared to a passive resolution at high quality. Hence, compare up features and performance against the
cooling system. the overall performance scores of the price. Higher the features and performance
We also noted the back-panel ports cards only within the category and not with respect to price, greater the VFM
available. Cards sporting D-sub and S-video across categories. index. We had 2 awards in each category
ports inched a level ahead. Finally, we However, if you wish to compare cards —best performance and best value
logged the package contents. Presence of across categories, only look at the (highest VFM).
power cable, manual, games, applications, highlighted test scores which are common
DVI-to-D-sub adapter and video cable was to all categories—‘1024x768 at high
taken into consideration and points were quality’.
allotted to each card accordingly.
high-end rigs was to eliminate bottlenecks
Performance: Strength of a graphics card and allow the cards to perform their best.
lies solely in its performance. Hence we We ran synthetic tests as well as real
allotted 75 percent of the overall weightage world tests to assess the performance of Some cards featured component,
to this section. Since we had PCIE as the cards. Both 3DMark 2003 and 2005 composite as well as S-Video outputs
well as AGP-based cards, we set up two were used to evaluate high-end cards
separate rigs. and mid-range. But we used only 3DMark
We installed a fresh copy of Windows 2003 in case of entry-level cards since they
XP, the most recent versions of Microsoft don’t have enough power to run a stressful
DirectX, Nvidia Forceware (81.98) and ATI 3DMark 2005 test.
Catalyst drivers (6.1) prior to evaluating the To assess the real-world performance
cards. All tests were run with vertical sync of the cards we used the most demanding
off and drivers’ quality settings set to the games spanning across various genres. For
highest quality. The reason for using such each game, we created our own custom
demo of actual game play and noted the
Warranty & Actively cooled copper heatsink is the best
frame rate (FPS) after playing back the
Support 5% cooling system
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Specifications: Chipset: ATI Radeon X1900XT, Memory Specifications: Chipset: ATI Radeon X1600XT, Memory Specifications: Chipset: ATI Radeon X800GTO,
interface: 256-bit, Core/Memory speed: 500/1,200 interface: 128-bit, Core/Memory speed: 587/1,380 Memory interface: 256-bit, Core/Memory speed:
MHz, Memory size: 512 MB GDDR3, Pixel Shader MHz, Memory size: 256 MB GDDR3, Pixel Shader 400/700 MHz, Memory size: 128 MB DDR, Pixel
units: 48, Interface: PCI Express units: 12, Interface: PCI Express Shader units: 12, Interface: PCI Express
Meet the beast! The ATI Radeon X1900XT The X1600XT from PowerColor sports the The strength of the X800GTO lies in its
sports 16 pipes each having 3 pixel shader latest X1600XT chipset from ATI. Based 256-bit memory interface (the only card
units which make up for a total of 48 on 90nm fabrication process, the chipset in the mid-range category to have it). It’s
shader units—the highest till date. Coupled supports all the latest features including based on the R430 core clocked at 400 MHz
with a powerful R580 core clocked at Shader Model 3.0 support. The PowerColor and features 128 MB memory clocked at
500 MHz and 512 MB of GDDR3 memory card is CrossFire ready and offers VIVO 700 MHz. Even though this card uses DDR
clocked at 1.2 GHz, the X1900XT is easily as well. The 256 MB GDDR3 memory is memory unlike GDDR3 memory used by
the mother of all graphics cards. clocked at 1.38 GHz, which is one of the the 6600GT series of cards, it leads the
The card looks identical to the highest memory clocks by any card in the pack with superior performance, thanks to
X1800XT—it is a mammoth red color entire roundup. With 12 pixel shader units its 12 pixel pipelines and 6 vertex pipelines.
card occupying two slots with an active and 5 vertex shader units, it’s almost at The core of the X800GTO is actively
copper heatsink over the core cooled by a par with its closest competitor, the cooled by a standard heatsink. The
powerful fan. After gaming at maximum Gainward 6800GS, which has similar memory chips don’t require additional
settings and high resolution, the fan whirrs specifications but is priced above the cooling as the fins of the heatsink are
spewing voluminous amount of heat. X1600XT. The PowerColor X1600XT is directed towards them. The rear panel of
Coming to performance, the X1900XT superior to the 6800GS in the power the card sports DVI as well as D-Sub ports
rules the roost with an overall frame rate consumption department. The card does and S-Video output.
of 100 FPS. In a game like F.E.A.R., which not need extra power supply, and it’s The X800GTO has support for
is the most demanding FPS game till date, considerably smaller in form factor as well. ShaderModel 2.0. However, ShaderModel
the beast cruised at a staggering 75 frames The card is a perfect fit for gamers who do 3.0 support would have been ideal for
per second at a resolution of 1600x1200, not want to game at extreme resolutions playing the latest games offering loads of
with maximum settings. If you plan to buy but want to turn on the effects and detail eyecandy with features like high dynamic
this card make sure you have a high-end levels to max. range lighting and soft shadows as seen in
PC armed with a juicy power supply and a For: ShaderModel 3.0 support, 1.38 GHz Half Life 2: Lost Coast.
good bank balance! memory clock speed, does not require extra For: 256-bit memory interface, 12 pixel
For: Four dozen shader units, good cooling power, VIVO capable, excellent pricing. pipes and 6 vertex pipes, best frame rates
system, extreme performance. Against: 128-bit memory bandwidth, no in its category.
Against: New card or a new laptop? cooling for memory chips. Against: No ShaderModel 3 support.
T
Pipeline: In relation to graphics
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S-Video: ‘Separate Video’ or S-Video
as we know it, is a type of analog
video interface that produces a higher
Specifications: Chipset: Nvidia GeForce 6600GT, Specifications: Chipset: ATI Radeon X550, Memory quality video signal as compared to
Memory interface: 128-bit, Core/Memory speed: interface: 128-bit, Core/Memory speed: 446/554 composite video. The signal is split into
500/1000 MHz, Memory size: 128 MB GDDR3, Pixel MHz, Memory size: 256 MB GDDR2, Pixel Shader two separate channels, luminance and
Shader units: 8, Interface: PCI Express units: 4, Interface: PCI Express
chrominance. The S-video connector
Price Rs 8,325 Price Rs 4,500 typically has 4 pins and are commonly
Contact Big Byte Corporation Contact Tirupati Enterprises
found in most DVD players, gaming
Phone 022-23894800 Phone 0250-3950947
E-mail sales@bigbyteindia.com E-mail mumbai@tirupati.net
consoles, laptops and other devices
which have video output.
RATINGS RATINGS
Features Features
Vertex Shader: 3D objects are rendered
Perfomance Perfomance
using polygons which are made up of
Warranty Warranty
intersecting triangles. A vertex is a
Overall Rating Overall Rating
Value for money Value for money
corner of a triangle which connects
to another triangle. Each vertex has a
Mid range card buyers don’t want to spend The value segment is for the gamer on considerable amount of information such
a bomb on a graphics card but at the same a budget. Being on budget does not as coordinates, weight, color, texture
time dont mind stretching their budget call for compromise on the frame rates. and fog. Vertex Shaders analyse these
for a decent level of gaming experience. The GeCube GC-RX550GU2 is based on values and produce realistic lighting
The BIG 6600 GT is the best fit for a ATI’s Radeon X550 11o nm RV370 core. It effects, complex textures such as hair
midrange card with agressive pricing. With straight away distinguishes itself from the and fur, and life-like deformations such
ShaderModel 3 support, 128 MB of GDDR3 rest of X550 cards, thanks to the factory- as waves rippling in a pool, flexing of
memory, 8 pixel and 3 vertex shader units, overclocked memory and core speeds of muscle or stretching and wrinkling of
it’s got all the fire power in its arsenal. 446 MHz and 554 MHz respectively. The clothes while the character is in motion.
The clock speeds for core and memory ATI reference clock speeds are 400/500
are in accordance with the refrence cards. MHz. The X550 uses DDR2 memory, Pixel Shader: They create complex
It’s got a chunky and well designed copper making it superior to the other budget and realistic textures and surfaces on
cooler which ensures good cooling. It’s a cards. The memory interface is also 128 bit. objects, thus making them look life-like.
good over clocker and we could easily push The RX5500GU2 has the most impressive Realistic refraction and reflection of
the core to 550MHz and the memory to cooling in the entry level segment. Using light in water, smoke and fire effects,
1140 MHz. And to top it all, it’s got blue a single large aluminum cooler it provides real-time shadows, glows and a
LED’s on the fan, a pleasing addition for dedicated cooling for memory chips. myriad of unique lighting, and surface
the case modders. Performance-wise, the Though the Leadtek PX2600TC TDH effects are all possible, thanks to Pixel
card is not far behind the X800GTO in most has a slightly better VFM rating over the Shaders.
of the games. The card delivers playable GeCube GC-RX550GU2, the latter has During game play, millions of pixels
frame rates at 1024x768 with high detail. a clear advantage in performance. It is are required to be rendered, lit, colored
It comes loaded with all accessories pointlss recommending a card which and shaded for each frame. This task is
ranging from S-Video and composite cables cannot render playable frame rates. Hence seamlessly handled by Pixel Shaders
to the driver CD and DVI adapter. To sum it the GeCube X550 is the logical choice for to deliver cinematic quality effects.
up, its an absolute steal for its price. the best value and performance segment. Since Shaders are programmable, game
For: Good cooling, excellent overall For: Factory overclocked, beefed up developers can determine the light,
package. cooling, 256MB DDR2 memory. color and shade of individual pixels
Against: None. Against: No support for ShaderModel 3.0 per frame.
Entry level video card Midrange video card HighEnd video card
At least a 2.4GHz or equivalent with minimum At least a 3.2 GHz or equivalent with 512
Processor: At least a 2 GHz or equivalent
of 512 KB L2 cache KB-1 MB L2 cache
Power Supply Unit At least 350W At least 400W branded At least 550W branded
Memory: 256 MB-512 MB DDR333/400 or above At least 512 MB-1GB of dual-channel DDR400 1 GB-2 GB of dual-channel DDR400 or above
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Soham Raninga Category HIGH END
soham.raninga@chip-india.com Name ATI Radeon X1900XT PowerColor X1800XT
Contact Werner Fernandes Mediatech India
Phone 98212 36784 022-26361111
After going through 35 video cards
E-mail wernerf@pinkandwhiteconsulting.com chip@mediatechindia.com
I am feelin a little dizzy in the head,
Price* N/A Rs 34,500
wondering which one impressed
Overall
me the most. Personally, I favor the Features (out of 20) 18.33 18.38
mid-range cards. They offer best Performance (out of 75) 73.17 59.02
bang for the buck and don’t leave a Warranty and support (out of 5) 5.00 5.00
big hole in your wallet as well. If I Overall (out of 100) Total: 96.50 Total: 82.40
have to pick a video card, it would be Value for money (out of 5) N/A
the X800GTO. Though the X800GTO Features
Chipset ATI Radeon X1900XT ATI Radeon X1800XT
does not support ShaderModel 3.0,
Manufacturing process 90 nm 90 nm
it is superior to other mid-range
Core speed (MHz) 500 594
cards in terms of pure performance, Memory
thanks to the 12 PixelShader units Amount (MB) / Speed (MHz) 512 / 1200 512 / 1390
and 256-bit memory bandwidth. Type / Bandwidth GDDR3 / 256-bit GDDR3 / 256-bit
Looking at the performance, the Interface PCI-E PCI-E
card almost scored 50 frames per Shader Version(Pixel / Vertex) 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0
Shader Units (Pixel / Vertex) 48 / 8 16 / 8
second in all the games at 1024x768
Backpanel (D-Sub / DVI / S-Vid / Composite) ✕|✓| ✕|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕
with high settings. At the given Cooling System
price, the X800GTO is an excellent GPU (Type / Copper heatsink) Active | ✓ Active | ✓
mid-range card whichever way you Memory (Cooling present / Copper heatsink) ✓|✕ |
look at it. My second choice would Slots occupied 2 2
be a tie between Leadtek 6600GT Factory overclocked
Extreme and the Gigabyte 6600GT Performance
F.E.A.R 9.9 8.0
with Silent-Pipe II cooling. Both the Low (No AA, No AF) ✕|✕|✕|✕ ✕|✕|✕|✕
cards are unique in their own ways. High (No AA, 4x AF) ✕ | 118 | 87 | 50 ✕ | 94 | 71 | 52
High (No AA, 8x AF) ✕|✕|✕|✕ ✕|✕|✕|✕
Max (4x AA, 16x AF) ✕ | 91 | 65 | 75 ✕ | 75 | 57 | 40
Game Index demystified Quake 4 (High Quality) 9.0 8.4
To make the process simpler we have no AA / no AF ✕ | 121 | 111 | 101 ✕ | 101 | 102 | 95
added a nifty feature to the tables no AA / 8x AF ✕|✕|✕|✕ ✕|✕|✕|✕
called the “game index”. The game 4x AA / 8x AF ✕ | 106 | 109 | 87 ✕ | 100 | 98 | 91
index is a simpler representation 8x AA / 16x AF ✕ | 104 | ✕ | ✕ ✕ | 98 | ✕ | ✕
of the performance of a video card Doom 3 (High Quality) 9.9 7.8
in terms of frames rendered per no AA / no AF ✕ | 125 | 113 | 93 ✕ | 109 | 91 | 70
second with respect to a particular no AA / 8x AF ✕|✕|✕|✕ ✕|✕|✕|✕
game. The scores in bold against 4x AA / 8x AF ✕ | 111 | 87 | 70 ✕ | 97 | 73 | 52
each of the games denote the 8x AA / 16x AF ✕ | 111 | ✕ | ✕ ✕ | 91 | ✕ | ✕
game index. Half Life 2: Lost Coast (High Quality) 10.0 8.1
The following table explains the no AA / no AF ✕ | 106 | 93 | 79 ✕ | 87 | 71 | 56
game index scores in detail. no AA / 8x AF ✕|✕|✕|✕ ✕|✕|✕|✕
4x AA / 8x AF ✕ | 86 | 72 | 60 ✕ | 81 | 56 | 48
Index
range
Gaming experience 8x AA / 16x AF ✕ | 84 | ✕ | ✕ ✕ | 77 | ✕ | ✕
Age of Empires 3 10.0 4.8
0-3 Barely playable at 20-30 FPS
High (Low AA, High Shader/Shadow quality) ✕ | 99 | 96 | 83 ✕ | 59 | 49 | 38
Playable with average of
3-5 Max (High AA, V. High Shader/Shadow quality) ✕ | 71 | ✕ | ✕ ✕ | 33 | ✕ | ✕
30-40 FPS
3DMark 2003 (Default settings) 17,782 16,727
Smooth game play with an
5-8 3DMark 2005 (Default settings) 10,856 8,937
average of 60FPS
8-10 God like! Warranty & Support
Period of warranty (years) 3 3
* Prices are indicative and are subject to change, taxes extra, + Each game index out of 10
Note: All performance scores are in FPS at four resolutions: 800 x 600 / 1024 x 768 / 1280 x 1024 / 1600 x 1200
VGA CARD COMPARISON | HARDWARE 67
3 4 5 6 7
Asus Extreme N7800GTX Top GeCube GC-X1800XTD Gainward 3500PCX Ultra MSI NX7800GTX XFX 7800 GT
Asustek Computer Inc Tirupati Enterprises Mediatech India Micro-Star International Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd.
022-40058894 0250-3950947 022-26361111 011-41758809 022-28221013
info_india@asus.com.tw mumbai@tirupati.net chip@mediatechindia.com info@msi-india.com navinderc@rptechindia.com
Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX ATI Radeon X1800XT Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX Nvidia GeForce 7800GTX Nvidia GeForce 7800GT
110 nm 90 nm 110 nm 110 nm 110 nm
486 594 470 430 450
256 / 1350 512 / 1390 256 / 1300 256 / 1200 256 / 1050
GDDR3 / 256-bit GDDR3 / 256-bit DDR / 256-bit GDDR3 / 256-bit GDDR3 / 256-bit
PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E
3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0
24 / 8 16 / 8 24 / 8 24 / 8 20 / 7
✕|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕
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Category HIGH END
Name ATI Radeon X850XT XFX GeForce 6800 GS PowerColor X1600XT
Contact Werner Fernandes Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd. Mediatech India
Phone 98212 36784 022-28221013 022-26361111
E-mail wernerf@pinkandwhiteconsulting.com navinderc@rptechindia.com chip@mediatechindia.com
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MID RANGE
PowerColor X800GTO Asus Extreme N6600GT Silencer Leadtek PX6600GT TDH Extreme Big GeForce 6600GT XFX 6600GT
Mediatech India Asustek Computer Inc Topnotch Infotronix Bit Byte Corporation Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd.
022-26361111 022-40058894 022-26616202 022-23894800 022-28221013
chip@mediatechindia.com info_india@asus.com.tw zebronics@zebronics.com sales@bigbyteindia.com navinderc@rptechindia.com
ATI Radeon X800GTO Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Nvidia GeForce 6600GT
130 nm 110 nm 110 nm 110 nm 110 nm
400 500 550 500 500
128 / 700 256 / 1000 128 / 1200 128 / 1000 256 / 1000
DDR / 256-bit GDDR3 / 128-bit GDDR3 / 128-bit GDDR3 / 128-bit GDDR3 / 128-bit
PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E
2.0 / 2.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0
12 / 6 8/3 8/3 8/3 8/3
✓|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕ ✕|✓|✓|✕
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Category MID RANGE
Name MSI NX6600GT Gainward 1980PCX Ultra Gigabyte GV-NX66T128D-SP
Contact Micro-Star International Mediatech India Gigabyte Technology (India) Ltd
Phone 011-41758809 022-26361111 022-26526696
E-mail info@msi-india.com chip@mediatechindia.com sales@gigabyte.in
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ENTRY LEVEL
XFX 6600GT Big GeForce 6600GT Zebronics NE-6600L GeCube GC-RX550GU2 PowerColor X550
Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd. Bit Byte Corporation Topnotch Infotronix Tirupati Enterprises Mediatech India
022-28221013 022-23894800 022-26616202 0250-3950947 022-26361111
navinderc@rptechindia.com sales@bigbyteindia.com zebronics@zebronics.com mumbai@tirupati.net chip@mediatechindia.com
Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Nvidia GeForce 6600GT Nvidia GeForce 6600LE ATI Radeon X550 ATI Radeon X550
110 nm 110 nm 110 nm 110 nm 110 nm
500 500 300 446 398 5
128 / 1000 256 / 900 256 / 400 256 / 554 256 / 526
GDDR3 / 128-bit GDDR3 / 128-bit DDR / 128-bit DDR2 / 128-bit DDR2 / 128-bit
AGP AGP PCI-E PCI-E PCI-E
3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 3.0 / 3.0 2.0 / 2.0 2.0 / 2.0
8/3 8/3 8/4 4/2 4/2
✕|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕ ✓|✓|✓|✕
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Category ENTRY LEVEL
Name Leadtek A6600 LE Leadtek PX6200TC TDH XFX GeForce 6200
Contact Topnotch Infotronix Topnotch Infotronix Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd.
Phone 022-26616202 022-26616202 022-28221013
E-mail zebronics@zebronics.com zebronics@zebronics.com navinderc@rptechindia.com
SpecScan
26 27 29
Category HIGH END
Name Gainward 2300PCX Ultra MSI NX6800GS GeCube GC-RX1600XTG3
Contact Mediatech India Micro-Star International Tirupati Enterprises
Phone 022-26361111 011-41758809 0250-3950947
E-mail chip@mediatechindia.com info@msi-india.com mumbai@tirupati.net
SpecScan
30 31 32
Category MID RANGE
Name ASUS EAX1300PRO MSI RX1300 Pro GeCube GC-RX1300PG2
Contact Asustek Computer Inc Micro-Star International Tirupati Enterprises
Phone 022-40058894 011-41758809 0250-3950947
E-mail info_india@asus.com.tw info@msi-india.com mumbai@tirupati.net
SpecScan
33 34 35
Category ENTRY LEVEL
Name Gigabyte GV-RX30S128D PowerColor 9550SE XFX GeForce 6200TC
Contact Gigabyte Technology (India) Ltd Mediatech India Rashi Peripherals Pvt. Ltd.
Phone 022-26526696 022-26361111 022-28221013
E-mail sales@gigabyte.in chip@mediatechindia.com navinderc@rptechindia.com
O
n January 10 2006, Intel India consumption. From the mobility point of focus is to offer desktop level performance
launched the much expected view, the NAPA platform seems to be right on mobile platforms without any hit to
new Centrino Duo Mobile on the button, aiming to boost the mobile the mobility aspect. While the Centrino
technology platform. Code named NAPA, platform to a new level. Intel has been Duo is at its first stage, it surely looks
the Centrino Duo is the next-generation aggressively pushing the Centrino platform very impressive and promising. Let’s take
mobile platform from Intel. The technology in mobile computing. Now with the a closer look at NAPA and find out how
behind NAPA has been developed and Centrino Duo, Intel expects a significant it proposes to revolutionize the mobile
conceptualized by the Intel India team at increase—about 70 percent laptops are computing platform.
the Intel’s India Development Centre Labs expected to run on the Centrino platform
in Bangalore. Although the chips have not in the next three years. The laptop market Centrino Duo Mobile platform
been manufactured in India, the ‘Made has been growing at a phenomenal rate The Centrino Duo Mobile platform
in India’ label certainly made the launch and with the Centrino duo, Intel is surely comprises three parts:
special as well as made us proud. gunning for a clear domination. Intel Core Duo Processor
While discussing the NAPA platform At the Centrino Duo launch, Intel also Mobile Intel 945 Express Chipset Family
at IDF held at Bangalore on October hinted at the next revision to the platform Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG Network
15 2005, Intel gave an insight into with processors on two or more cores Connection
more performance and features with a and a possible implementation of hyper
smaller form factor and reduced power threading to mobile processors as well. The
Core Duo
The core element of the new Centrino
platform is the Intel Core Duo processor
also known as Yonah. Yonah is Intel’s first
mobile dual-core processor and is built on
the 65-nanometer process technology. The
dual core mobile processor has an on-die
primary 32 KB instruction cache and 32
KB write-back data cache. A 2 MB level2
cache is shared by the two cores using the
Intel Smart Cache technology that allows
dynamic allocation of cache to the cores
as per the processing load on the cores. The 2MB L2 cache is dynamically shared between the two cores using the Intel Smart
Therefore, even if one core is idle, the other Cache technology.
core can use the whole of 2 MB capacity. L2 cache, the multi-core CPUs also share dynamic cache sizing. The Smart Cache
But many a time one core is not idle, so a single front side bus that operates at can dynamically flush the cache to system
it’s important to dynamically allocate the 667 MHz higher than the earlier Dothan’s memory based on demand or during
cache in an intelligent way. Dynamic cache 533 MHz FSB. The increased memory periods of inactivity. When the cache is
allocation efficiently allocates the cache bandwidth will benefit the dual core completely flushed, the processor enters
memory according to what is needed architecture. Under the Intel Digital Media the Enhanced Deeper Sleep mode. The
by each core. Core Duo processor also Boost banner, the Yonah core incorporates system can dynamically move from this
efficiently shares data needed by both SSE3 (Streaming SIMD Extentions 3). Enhanced Deeper Sleep state to an active
execution cores. Data can be modified by SSE3 supported by all the latest desktop state in no time. Intel Core Duo processor
one execution core and be subsequently processors finally makes it to the mobile also features Dynamic Bus Parking.
platform with the Yonah core and will This enables platform power saving by
benefit specific applications having the allowing the chipset to power down with
provision to take advantage of SSE3. the processor when in low-frequency
On the power consumption front, modes. So in addition to the processor
Yonah offers Enhanced Intel SpeedStep specific optimizations, the processor and
technology and Intel Dynamic chipset also work in harmony to extend
Power coordination. The Enhanced the battery life. Yonah also comes in single
Intel SpeedStep Technology allows core variants and is sold under the ‘Intel
efficient management of voltage and Core solo’ naming scheme. Budget laptops
frequency. This enables the two cores under the new Centrino platform will be
to independently and dynamically enter sold with the Intel Core solo processors.
into Halt, Stop Clock, and Deep Sleep These processors are much better in every
low-power modes. This means that if only sense when compared to the current
one core is being utilized, the second core Celeron M processors for the budget
can still enter an idle state to help save mobile platform.
utilized by the other execution core power. The Intel Core Duo processor is able
without the need to first write the data to transfer power only to those areas of Intel i945 Express Chipset
to DRAM. Furthermore, with Intel Smart the processor that need it. The Dynamic The Core Duo runs on the Intel i945 Express
Cache L2, data is shared by both the Power Coordination enables coordinated chipset offering dual-channel DDR2-
execution cores which means data is transition to Deeper Sleep and an Enhanced 667 support. The chipset comes in two
stored in only one cache location rather Deeper Sleep mode. With the Enhanced variants—the Intel 945GM and the Intel
than in multiple locations as with separate Deeper Sleep mode, the processor can 945PM. The 945PM is a pure performance
L2 caches. This minimizes front side bus enter the ultra low power consumption chipset boasting 28 percent lesser power
traffic, reducing the latencies related to mode. The feature is supported with consumption as compared to the older
data transfer. To maximize cache utilization generation of mobile chipsets. The 945GM
for both cores, the processor is supported | The Core Duo processors and thier clock speeds offers the Intel Graphics Media Accelerator
Processor Cache Clock Speed Front Side Bus
with enhanced Data Pre-fetch Logic, which T2600 2 MB L2 2.16 GHz 667 MHz
950 expected to deliver improved graphics
is basically speculatively fetching data to T2500 2 MB L2 2 GHz 667 MHz performance when compared to the
the L2 cache even before cache requests T2400 2 MB L2 1.83 GHz 667 MHz previous generation chipset. With a 256-bit
T2300 2 MB L2 1.66 GHz 667 MHz
for the data stream. Apart from sharing the graphics core running at 400 MHz, the
Si-Soft Sandra 2005 CPU Dhrystone ALU MIPS Si-Soft Sandra 2005 CPU
PC-Mark 2004 system test Whetstone iSSE2/SSE3 MFLOPS
3192 Asus W5 PentiumM 750@1.86G 7913 Asus W5 PentiumM 750@1.86G
3302 Asus W5 PentiumM 750@1.86G
4419 Samsung SENS X60 Intel Core Duo T2300 15099 Samsung SENS X60 Intel Core Duo T2300
6062 Samsung SENS X60 Intel Core Duo T2300
5759 Asus V6J Intel Core Duo T2500 18181 Asus V6J Intel Core Duo T2500
7299 Asus V6J Intel Core Duo T2500
6597 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400@ 2.2G Desktop 19879 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400@ 2.2G Desktop
9195 AMD Athlon 64 X2 4400@ 2.2G Desktop
0 1000 2000 3000 4000 5000 6000 7000 8000 0 5000 10000 15000 20000
0 2000 4000 6000 8000 10000
NAPA performance preview storage space. The Samsung SENS X60 battery performance is concerned, the
As I said earlier, the real benefits of the holds 1 GB memory and provides 80 GB dual core processors did not take a toll on
Centrino Duo platform will depend on of storage space. the battery life, the ASUS V6J gave a total
how soon the operating systems and time of 167 minutes in mobile mark which
the applications can take advantage Performance Analysis is close to the 180 minutes rated battery
of the Yonah architecture. We got two We compared the Core Duo based life. Both the notebooks we received were
notebooks based on the NAPA platform notebooks with the earlier Pentium-M 750 reference products for the Mobile
and the preliminary round of tests on the based notebook operating at 1.86 GHz Centrino Duo platform and hence the
notebooks look very promising. and an Athlon 64 X2 4400+ based desktop pricing and exact configuration with
computer. The scores in PC Mark and Si- respect to memory and storage is not fixed
Specifications Soft Sandra clearly indicate a near two-fold yet. The indicative pricing is in the
The ASUS V6J Centrino Duo notebook came performance increase in the CPU scores range of 1-1.5 lakh rupees, the final price
with 2GB DDR-II memory operating at 667 as well as the overall system performance will vary as per the configuration of
MHz and gives 100 GB of over the older platform. As far as the various models.
chipset supports up to 10.6 It’s compatible with the latest 802.11e the Wireless 3945ABG is also optimized for
GB/sec memory bandwidth standard and offers a string of tweaks power saving modes and intelligent power
with DDR2 667 system in the form of Quality of Service (QoS) utilization tweaks for a longer battery life.
memory. features such as transmission prioritization
The chipset that lets you tune the connectivity as per What to expect
allows the the application. Another nifty feature Overall, the Intel Centrino Duo is a
user to is the Optimal Access Point selection powerful and intelligent mobile platform
dedicate up that allows you to lock the connectivity with lot of promise. Tangible benefits
to 224 MB to a particular network irrespective of in terms of improved performance
of system the strength and range of the preferred largely depends on the applications
memory network. In line with the NAPA platform, and support for dual core processing.
for video. Windows Vista has native support for
As far as the pixel per clock rendering dual core processors; similarly there are
goes, the 945GM supports 4 pixels per some applications and games that take
clock rendering, at par with the entry level advantage of dual core processing. Once
dedicated video cards today. The rest of majority of the applications are ready for
the feature set is standard with provision the dual core, the performance benefit
for PCI Express x16 graphics port and PCI over the older Centrino platform will
Express x1 I/O ports, next generation Serial actually reach near the 70 percent mark as
ATA, and high-speed USB 2.0 connectivity. touted by Intel. As of now, what you can
visibly expect from Core Duo is improved
Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG performance without any compromise on
The Intel PRO/Wireless 3945ABG is the battery life.
basically a sleeker, smarter and smaller We are currently testing notebooks
wireless solution. It’s packaged in an ultra based on the Centrino Duo platform.
compact form factor known as ‘Minicard’ Watch out for detailed standalone reviews
occupying almost one third of the space of NAPA notebooks in the next issue. ■
occupied by the older Wi-Fi solutions. | Soham Raninga
Pramod Jadhav
T
he Walkman marked the birth of and you can transfer data to and from your on the car stereo. Just connect it to the
portable audio. In fact, the concept PC’s hard drive to the PMP as soon as you auxiliary jack of the car stereo or use a FM
of personal music was born with plug in the USB connector. transmitter. And the best part, you don’t
the Walkman. Then came the wave of Can replace: Portable hard drives, thumb have to worry about leaving behind your
the Discman and again audio portability drives, pen drives. expensive gadgetry in the car.
was re-defined. And then thanks to the Constraints: Its much bigger in size as Worried about battery life? Don’t. Most
promotion of portable digital music, MP3 compared to a pen drive, but then again its PMPs come with removable batteries;
players became a part of life for every big on storage also. you can also carry a spare one around, but
music freak. Now meet the new kid on the these aren’t your regular pencil batteries
block—the PMP or Personal Media Player is Audio/Video Playback but Li-ion batteries, which are expensive.
the swiss knife of portable entertainment. PMPs play almost all kinds of digital audio And you can charge the battery even while
It seamlessly integrates the best in and video formats depending upon the listening to the player.
one single device, while retaining the device capability; you can view video files Can replace: MP3 players, Car LCD screens.
portability. Within the size of a Walkman, on the LCD screen. With a 20 gig hard drive Constraints: Hard drive-based players
the PMP integrates a mini hard drive, a LCD you can carry about 15 divx movies along are not suitable for jogging and sporting
screen covering the front face of the player with 500 songs. You can carry it around to activities. If that’s your\ requirement then
and a removable rechargeable battery. watch movies during a long flight or watch flash memory-based MP3 player is what
A closer look at what this multi-feature your favorite TV shows or just listen to your you should get.
portable player can do. favorite audio tracks while traveling in your
car. They can easily replace LCD screens Picture/Document Viewer
Portable Storage in the car. For public viewing, install a 20 gig storage means being able to carry
Most of the PMPs house at least a 20 gig mounting kit or for personal use just strap almost all your photographs. And the
hard drive. They are straightaway detected it to the back of the seat and it’s ready to screen lets you view not just your favorite
as a portable storage device in Windows XP be viewed. You can even playback the audio pictures but also text files—so you can read
your morning newspaper or your favorite play your CDs or DVDs. So in case you Some unique features offered by
novel on the go. You no longer have to carry want to watch a movie stored on a DVD individual devices
those bulky novels or your daily newspaper. disc, you will have to transfer it from the Phone: The Gizmondo is one such device
Almost all popular books and newspapers disc to the PMP using the PC having a DVD which offers phone functionality along
are available for download online. And optical drive. (It takes about 5 with the ability to play games.
with anytime, anywhere Internet minutes to transfer a single divx movie of
connectivity and more and more devices say 700 MB.) Camera: Built-in camera to record video
and click snaps, which are directly stored
on the hard drive. With a 20 gig hard drive
you can record hours of video. Thought it
certainly cannot replace a camcorder, it’s
pretty decent for casual use.
offering Wi-Fi functionality it wouldn’t be Personal Video Recorder What sets it back
long before your paper boy stops delivering You can record anything off your TV, even Price! With PMPs priced at above Rs 18,000,
the newspaper in the morning. schedule your recordings. The recorded not anyone and everyone can afford it. It’s
Can replace: Books, novels, magazines, material is stored on the hard drive. almost the cost of an entry-level desktop
photographs. Presently, there are only a few PMPs that computer.
Constraints: No hard copies. offer this feature. Also, as far as battery life is concerned,
Can replace: VCRs, DVD Recorders. the best of the best run out within 6 to
Video playback on TV Constraints: Since it doesn’t have an 9 hours. Most of them have removable
Almost all PMPs include the TV Out feature, optical drive, you can’t directly record to batteries but again they are expensive.
which means these players can playback DVD discs though you can always sync the Looks like PMPs are here to stay and
video on TV. PMP to a PC with a DVD writer and then with market prices dropping these should
Can replace: DVD players. record onto a DVD disc. become a part of every gadget enthusiast’s
Constraints: No optical drive to directly digital lifestyle.
Archos AV 500
The Archos AV 500 is certainly the king of all the PMPs available
in the market. This monster has rugged steel looks and comes
in 30 and 100 GB hard drive capacities. The dazzling wide screen
LCD has good viewing angles and is compact enough to fit into
your pocket. Features like TV Out and the ability to record audio
and video from external sources, including TV at scheduled
times, have been integrated into this neat little device. Battery
life is good and as it’s removable you use an alternate battery to
extend your usage time. The accessory list includes a gold plated
audio/video cable, docking cradle and remote control.
Sony PSP
A device to go gaga about—that would be the right way
to describe the Sony PlayStation Portable. A combination
of a brilliant high-resolution screen, cutting-edge wireless
connectivity and Internet browser offers you a rich multimedia
experience to live for. Apart from gaming, there are a zillion
other things you could do. The Memory Stick Duo lets you
store digital photos, custom wallpapers and sharing of these is
enabled with the help of the image transfer feature. The player
epitomizes the concept of ‘entertainment in your palm’—you
can watch full-length movies on a pre-recorded UMD. The
dazzling LCD screen makes viewing your favorite movies much
more enjoyable. ■
| Gaurav Seth
Sound abound
A guide to buying the right type of multi-channel speaker
Vishwanath Vanjire
Models: Creative Inspire 4400, Models: Creative Inspire 5200, AltecLansing 251, Models: Creative Inspire T7700,
AltecLansing 151i, Creative SBS560 AltecLansing V3151R, Logitech Z5300, Logitech Z5500
Budget: Rs 2,500-4,000 Budget: Rs 4,000-8,000 Budget: Rs 8,000 and above
O
ut of all the components inside a computer, the graphics engine is the most sought after for tweaking. There are various driver
tweaks for VGA cards that deliver better performance, quality and features. This guide will take you through a step-by-step
process of tweaking your VGA card for better performance and quality. The guide is spread over two steps. Starting with basic
driver tweaking, we move on to tweaking in-game settings for better performance. The basic driver tweaking using the default control
panel can be done by anyone wanting to finetune graphics performance. The in-game tweaks are for gamers who want to extract some
extra frames for smoother game play.
Tweaking driver settings refresh rate is not constant for everyone. mid-range and high-end cards suffer the
through the control panel If your monitor is set to 75 Hz, it basically least. It’s advisable to leave the anisotropic
Nvidia and ATI both have their own VGA corresponds to the screen redrawing itself filtering settings to “Application
driver control panels offering all the driver 75 times per second at the given resolution. preference” unless you wish to force
settings. Instead of sticking to a specific If Vertical Sync is enabled, your maximum filtering on all games and applications.
chipset manufacturer, we chose to discuss FPS cannot exceed your monitor’s refresh
the settings and features of the VGA rate at your chosen resolution, and hence Anti-aliasing: Anti-aliasing (also known
chipsets in general. Since most of the key the performance of your VGA card might as AA) is a technique used to minimize the
settings are common to both the VGA be restricted by the refresh rate. Disabling jaggies or the “stair step” effect sometimes
chipsets and their driver control panel, VSync will allow you to exceed the FPS above seen along the edges of 3D objects. Your
a generic approach has been taken. Also the refresh rate. Some games like Doom selection can range from turning anti-
keep in mind that the guide primarily deals 3 causes some screen “tearing” with the aliasing completely off to selecting the
with performance tweaking and hence VSync but it’s not always noticeable. Hence, maximum amount possible for a particular
the elements related to performance are it is strongly recommended that Vertical application. Anti-aliasing is heavy on
specifically discussed. Sync be disabled in all games to allow your the graphics chipset and hence is not
VGA card to perform at its optimal levels. By recommended for low-end VGA cards. Even
Image settings/Mipmap detail: The image default, the VSync is always set to “enabled” the weaker mid-range cards can’t deliver
settings tab normally gives you four or “application preference”. Ensure that playable frame rates with anti-aliasing
options—High performance/Performance/ VSync is disabled all the time unless you turned on. Usually, there are 4 modes of
Quality/High quality. By default, the tab is experience severe tearing and issues with anti-aliasing ranging between Off-8x.
locked to “Quality”. While the quality mode particular games or resolutions. Some of the high-end cards do offer 16x
is the safest of all the modes, it might not anti-aliasing but the performance benefit
be the best one. For entry-level cards, the Anisotropic Filtering: Anisotropic filtering as well as implementation is not consistent
high performance mode will help to up the (AF) is primarily applicable to textures. The with 16x AA. For mid-range cards, the
frame count by compromising slightly on higher the level of anisotropic filtering, recommended range of AA is 2x-4x, while
the performance. Similarly, the upper end sharper is the texture. Usually, there are the high-end cards can take 6x, 8x and 16x
of the mid-range segment and the high- 4 modes of filtering ranging between AA as well. All of course depends upon
end cards rarely take a hit when pushed 2x-16x. The overall frame rate does take a the rest of the settings and resolution. A
from “Quality” to “High Quality” mode. hit when using higher levels of anisotropic combination of 8x AF and 4x AA works well
filtering and the extent of hit depends with high-end cards, offering the right mix
VSync: Vertical Synchronization or VSync on the resolution and the potential of of quality and frame rates.
is the synchronization of your monitor and the VGA chipset. Since most of the new
graphics card’s abilities to draw a certain games allow you to change anisotropic In-game performance tweaking
number of frames per second on the screen. filtering settings within the game settings, The newer chipsets support a lot of
In case of monitors, it is referred to as it is recommended to arrive at a setting complex rendering and special effects,
“Refresh Rate”, and is measured in Hertz depending on the VGA card and the which add to the realism and eye-candy
(Hz). Monitors can provide multiple refresh resolution. Low-end cards generally are the factor in games. These effects take a heavy
rates at various resolutions and hence the worst hit by anisotropic filtering while the toll on the performance. Some of the
features
are almost inconspicuous HDR and Bloom:
and can be traded for better High Dynamic Range
performance. Let’s discuss all the common refers (HDR) in gaming is a
features and settings that can be tweaked to realistic technology that attempts
for better performance. lighting play a key role to emulate real life lighting in games.
in providing realistic graphics. The way Dynamic Range is the normal range of
Model and Effects Details: The level of in which light falls on an object and the lighting while High Dynamic Range extends
detailing on the human models, vehicles details of the effect of light on the object the overall range, giving brightness and
and other elements can be adjusted using depends on the level of volumetric lighting contrast values that are higher than the
these settings. Higher detail levels not only applied in a particular scene. If you are not normal dynamic range. In simpler terms,
require a powerful graphics chip but it also too keen on observing the effect of light HDR allows you to make the objects
eats up on the video memory. If your VGA on the environment inside the game, you brighter by allowing them to use the full
card has low memory and doesn’t provide can set the level to low or even turn it off brightness capabilities of the monitor
enough horsepower for these effects, for a significant boost. Water reflections and not just the brightness level at which
you can set them to medium or low for again require keen observation to make the they have been shot or rendered with.
playable frame rates. difference between intensity and accuracy The Bloom effect used more frequently
of reflections and hence can be tweaked is a step-down version of HDR or you can
Texture and Shader details: Shader for better performance. High-end card even call it a step behind HDR. Bloom is
details decide on the complexity of shader owners should crank these settings up basically an effect to simulate the shine
intensive tasks. Rendering of realistic water and do full justice to the capabilities of the and glow that is normally experienced
or smoke effects is handled by shader graphics chipset. around the light sources. HDR is very heavy
units. The higher the detail level, more life- on the system and especially the graphics
like and real they appear. These settings Shadow details: These are one of the key chipset. Even the mid-range cards struggle
also offer varied levels and stepping down culprits when it comes to sudden drop to deliver playable frame rates with HDR
from high to low or medium can improve in performance. Rendering shadows is enabled. We strongly recommend disabling
performance significantly. If a particular complex and most of the games struggle of HDR for entry-level systems and VGA
game makes intense use of shaders, the to deliver precise and realistic shadows. cards. Users with mid-range cards should
performance impact can be huge and Soft shadows implemented in all the experiment with Bloom and HDR to find
hence it’s highly recommended to play latest games turn out to be very taxing out the exact difference in frames and
around with the settings to arrive at a on the graphics chipset and hence are choose the best settings. Bloom is almost
favorable equation. only recommended for high-end cards. 50 percent less demanding than HDR and
Mid-range as well as low-end card owners hence is a nice balance for mid-range cards.
Lights and water reflections: Games like are better placed disabling the shadows High-end cards will let you apply full HDR
F.E.A.R, Doom 3 make heavy use of lighting completely and enjoying the higher frame and still deliver playable frame rates. ■
effects. Volumetric lighting which basically rates instead. | Soham Raninga
O
ut of all the components inside a computer, the graphics engine is the most sought after for tweaking. There are various driver
tweaks for VGA cards that deliver better performance, quality and features. This guide will take you through a step-by-step
process of tweaking your VGA card for better performance and quality. The guide is spread over two steps. Starting with basic
driver tweaking, we move on to tweaking in-game settings for better performance. The basic driver tweaking using the default control
panel can be done by anyone wanting to finetune graphics performance. The in-game tweaks are for gamers who want to extract some
extra frames for smoother game play.
Tweaking driver settings refresh rate is not constant for everyone. mid-range and high-end cards suffer the
through the control panel If your monitor is set to 75 Hz, it basically least. It’s advisable to leave the anisotropic
Nvidia and ATI both have their own VGA corresponds to the screen redrawing itself filtering settings to “Application
driver control panels offering all the driver 75 times per second at the given resolution. preference” unless you wish to force
settings. Instead of sticking to a specific If Vertical Sync is enabled, your maximum filtering on all games and applications.
chipset manufacturer, we chose to discuss FPS cannot exceed your monitor’s refresh
the settings and features of the VGA rate at your chosen resolution, and hence Anti-aliasing: Anti-aliasing (also known
chipsets in general. Since most of the key the performance of your VGA card might as AA) is a technique used to minimize the
settings are common to both the VGA be restricted by the refresh rate. Disabling jaggies or the “stair step” effect sometimes
chipsets and their driver control panel, VSync will allow you to exceed the FPS above seen along the edges of 3D objects. Your
a generic approach has been taken. Also the refresh rate. Some games like Doom selection can range from turning anti-
keep in mind that the guide primarily deals 3 causes some screen “tearing” with the aliasing completely off to selecting the
with performance tweaking and hence VSync but it’s not always noticeable. Hence, maximum amount possible for a particular
the elements related to performance are it is strongly recommended that Vertical application. Anti-aliasing is heavy on
specifically discussed. Sync be disabled in all games to allow your the graphics chipset and hence is not
VGA card to perform at its optimal levels. By recommended for low-end VGA cards. Even
Image settings/Mipmap detail: The image default, the VSync is always set to “enabled” the weaker mid-range cards can’t deliver
settings tab normally gives you four or “application preference”. Ensure that playable frame rates with anti-aliasing
options—High performance/Performance/ VSync is disabled all the time unless you turned on. Usually, there are 4 modes of
Quality/High quality. By default, the tab is experience severe tearing and issues with anti-aliasing ranging between Off-8x.
locked to “Quality”. While the quality mode particular games or resolutions. Some of the high-end cards do offer 16x
is the safest of all the modes, it might not anti-aliasing but the performance benefit
be the best one. For entry-level cards, the Anisotropic Filtering: Anisotropic filtering as well as implementation is not consistent
high performance mode will help to up the (AF) is primarily applicable to textures. The with 16x AA. For mid-range cards, the
frame count by compromising slightly on higher the level of anisotropic filtering, recommended range of AA is 2x-4x, while
the performance. Similarly, the upper end sharper is the texture. Usually, there are the high-end cards can take 6x, 8x and 16x
of the mid-range segment and the high- 4 modes of filtering ranging between AA as well. All of course depends upon
end cards rarely take a hit when pushed 2x-16x. The overall frame rate does take a the rest of the settings and resolution. A
from “Quality” to “High Quality” mode. hit when using higher levels of anisotropic combination of 8x AF and 4x AA works well
filtering and the extent of hit depends with high-end cards, offering the right mix
VSync: Vertical Synchronization or VSync on the resolution and the potential of of quality and frame rates.
is the synchronization of your monitor and the VGA chipset. Since most of the new
graphics card’s abilities to draw a certain games allow you to change anisotropic In-game performance tweaking
number of frames per second on the screen. filtering settings within the game settings, The newer chipsets support a lot of
In case of monitors, it is referred to as it is recommended to arrive at a setting complex rendering and special effects,
“Refresh Rate”, and is measured in Hertz depending on the VGA card and the which add to the realism and eye-candy
(Hz). Monitors can provide multiple refresh resolution. Low-end cards generally are the factor in games. These effects take a heavy
rates at various resolutions and hence the worst hit by anisotropic filtering while the toll on the performance. Some of the
Dinesh Desai
features
are almost inconspicuous HDR and Bloom:
and can be traded for better High Dynamic Range
performance. Let’s discuss all the common refers (HDR) in gaming is a
features and settings that can be tweaked to realistic technology that attempts
for better performance. lighting play a key role to emulate real life lighting in games.
in providing realistic graphics. The way Dynamic Range is the normal range of
Model and Effects Details: The level of in which light falls on an object and the lighting while High Dynamic Range extends
detailing on the human models, vehicles details of the effect of light on the object the overall range, giving brightness and
and other elements can be adjusted using depends on the level of volumetric lighting contrast values that are higher than the
these settings. Higher detail levels not only applied in a particular scene. If you are not normal dynamic range. In simpler terms,
require a powerful graphics chip but it also too keen on observing the effect of light HDR allows you to make the objects
eats up on the video memory. If your VGA on the environment inside the game, you brighter by allowing them to use the full
card has low memory and doesn’t provide can set the level to low or even turn it off brightness capabilities of the monitor
enough horsepower for these effects, for a significant boost. Water reflections and not just the brightness level at which
you can set them to medium or low for again require keen observation to make the they have been shot or rendered with.
playable frame rates. difference between intensity and accuracy The Bloom effect used more frequently
of reflections and hence can be tweaked is a step-down version of HDR or you can
Texture and Shader details: Shader for better performance. High-end card even call it a step behind HDR. Bloom is
details decide on the complexity of shader owners should crank these settings up basically an effect to simulate the shine
intensive tasks. Rendering of realistic water and do full justice to the capabilities of the and glow that is normally experienced
or smoke effects is handled by shader graphics chipset. around the light sources. HDR is very heavy
units. The higher the detail level, more life- on the system and especially the graphics
like and real they appear. These settings Shadow details: These are one of the key chipset. Even the mid-range cards struggle
also offer varied levels and stepping down culprits when it comes to sudden drop to deliver playable frame rates with HDR
from high to low or medium can improve in performance. Rendering shadows is enabled. We strongly recommend disabling
performance significantly. If a particular complex and most of the games struggle of HDR for entry-level systems and VGA
game makes intense use of shaders, the to deliver precise and realistic shadows. cards. Users with mid-range cards should
performance impact can be huge and Soft shadows implemented in all the experiment with Bloom and HDR to find
hence it’s highly recommended to play latest games turn out to be very taxing out the exact difference in frames and
around with the settings to arrive at a on the graphics chipset and hence are choose the best settings. Bloom is almost
favorable equation. only recommended for high-end cards. 50 percent less demanding than HDR and
Mid-range as well as low-end card owners hence is a nice balance for mid-range cards.
Lights and water reflections: Games like are better placed disabling the shadows High-end cards will let you apply full HDR
F.E.A.R, Doom 3 make heavy use of lighting completely and enjoying the higher frame and still deliver playable frame rates. ■
effects. Volumetric lighting which basically rates instead. | Soham Raninga
OLED Displays
Thinner, lighter, flexible and power savers—
OLED displays have a lot going for them
What’s an OLED? thin—foldable, even.
OLED is the acronym for Organic Light Emitting Diode. OLEDs emit
light just like Light Emitting Diodes (LED) with the main difference What is an OLED device made of?
being in their fabrication and application areas. OLED displays An OLED is a solid-state device made up of semi-conductor
are used today in many devices like cell phones, digital cameras, materials, just like an LED. It is made up of a couple of layers of
flexible displays, car displays, large overhead displays and now organic material and yet just 200 to 500 nanometers thick. Human
even televisions. hair is approximately 120,000 nanometers thick—making the
OLED device over 200 times thinner! As mentioned earlier, layers of
OLED over conventional displays organic material are placed between terminals of a power source.
Displays built using OLEDs are well suited for all the products Each layer has a certain function and the way they are arranged
mentioned above because of their capability to produce brighter also makes a difference (as you read on). In an OLED device with
light and consume less power. In that sense, they are better than two layers of organic material, the components are as follows:
conventional displays. Best of all, they can be made to be very
Conducting Layer:
This is the first organic
layer made up of
plastic molecules. As
the name suggests,
this layer attracts the
flow of electrons from
the layer above it (the
emissive layer) to fill Substrate: This layer
‘holes’. supports the OLED and is
made of glass, foil or plastic.
This layer can be made to be
transparent.
Pramod Jadhav
86 86 APPLICATIONS | TESTED
Pramod Jadhav
Software Center
A
wide bunch of applications again Personal Firewall that allows you
brought to you from the software to safely browse the Internet.
center, each with a good set of While keeping a close eye on
features. The first of the lot—the Cyberlink entertainment applications, we decided to
PowerDirector 5 is a video editing tool bring for you the free and very easy-to-use
that aims to speed up the entire process of audio player, the Foobar2000. It’s a good
video editing while making it a lot simpler. alternative to Winamp and Windows
And if you want to make your own good Media Player.
quality home video, you will be pleased If you’re in search of a system utility
with this one. that can diagnose as well as perform
Applications
Trend Micro’s security suite called benchmarking tests and give you a
the PC-cillin Internet Security 2006 has complete picture about the hardware and
features that sets it apart from the rest in software installed on your system, then do
its category available today. check out the review of Fresh Diagnose.
Tired of using the numerous IE front Also, we have reviewed the ‘Create
ends available today, lacking in good Ringtone’ app and just as the name
features? Check out Avant Browser in that suggests, it allows you to create ring tones
case as it’s very feature-rich. We also have from your favorite MP3 files, either from
for you the latest avatar of Norton your hard disk or from an audio CD.
Video Editor
PowerDirector 5
System requirements: Windows XP/2000, Pentium 4
2.4 GHz or AMD Athlon XP 2400+, 512 MB of RAM,
minimum of 1 GB of free hard disk space, CD or DVD
Burner for burning VCD/DVD/SVCD titles.
System Security
PC-cillin Internet Security 2006
System requirements: Windows All, Pentium 300 MHz
or above, 128 MB of RAM, 120 MB of free hard disk
space.
Price Rs 2500
Contact Trend Micro
Phone 011-42699000
E-mail Sales.in@trendmicro.com
RATINGS
Ease of use
Features
Performance
Overall Rating
Value for money
Internet ends with the Norton Personal transactions online? Relax! The Norton
Firewall software. Personal Firewall lets you hide your
The installation utilizes a lot of your private financial data in a file so that it
system resources, so it’s important that remains safe and secure.
you don’t have any programs running in One of the top firewall programs
the background till the installation process available, Norton Personal Firewall
gets over. A simple interface retaining the provides enough features to keep your
System requirements: Windows 2000/XP, 300 MHz or
look of the previous versions is what you PC safe from hackers, viruses, unwanted
higher processor, 256 MB RAM, 125 MB of free hard
notice first. The interface gives you all pop ups. The web assistant feature disk space, CD/DVD drive, Internet Explorer 5.5 or
information about your system’s security; that enables you to change the settings higher.
it also tells you whether the Personal for a particular website is noteworthy.
Price Rs 2080
Firewall is enabled or not. Customization However, no anti-spyware programs are Contact Ingram Micro India (P) Ltd
of each filter category is also allowed. bundled along with it. This sure would Phone 09324604427
The program explains all the choices very have increased the overall utility of the E-mail shreekant.c@ingrammicro.co.in
assistant to your browser allowing you to scope to add new rules to allow or block Performance
change the settings for a web site that you connections to your PC. Overall Rating
Value for money
are currently viewing is also part of the Against: No anti-spyware program
package. You can instantly turn off ads, bundled along.
Internet Browser
Fast and stable browser Avant Browser 10
I f you are searching for a fast and stable
web browser then Avant Browser
should fit the bill perfectly. It is basically
done very easily. Interestingly, unlike in IE,
here when you drag toolbars or columns,
you can see a transparent copy of the
a multi-window browser with lots of same making it very convenient to drop it
useful features like Flash animation filter, wherever you want.
integrated cleaner, etc. In addition to these features, it also
The interface is user friendly and has features common to other IE front
you can quickly start surfing the web ends like advanced cache cleaning, toolbar
soon after the installation is over. It’s customization, anti-phishing tool, pop-up
very elegantly designed while staying blocker, etc. System requirements: Windows All
put on stability. Often you must have Additional features make Avant Bowser
Price Free
experienced web sites taking long to load stand out from the other available IE front website www.avantbrowser.com
because most of the bandwidth is used ends. The only drawback, though, is that
RATINGS
up by the flash-based ads on the web site. few of the pages don’t load properly with
Ease of use
Thankfully, this issue has been taken care this browser. So you will need to use some
Features
of by this browser—it allows you to save of the other browsers available to view
Performance
bandwidth by blocking the download of these sites. Overall Rating
these flash files. There are options to block For: Stable browser; user friendly
downloads of pictures, videos, sounds, interface; allows you to save bandwidth Find it on CHIP CD
and ActiveX components also resulting in by blocking the download of flash-based
fast loading of pages. ads; you can specifically set this browser
Avant also gives you the liberty to to handle a particular file; scope to easily
specifically set what you want it to drag toolbars and drop them wherever
handle. For example, if you want this you want
browser only to handle .html files and the Against: Some of the web sites don’t load
remaining to be handled by IE, it can be properly with this browser.
System Utility
Fresh Diagnose
Fresh indeed!
F resh Diagnose is a comprehensive
tool for both diagnosing as well as
benchmarking your system. It provides
select the ‘Hardware System’ module.
The memory module contains all the
information about the operating system
you with lots of information about the memory and the memory manger. A
hardware and software of your system, comprehensive scan is carried out by
devices installed into it and its resources. this application giving you a complete
The size of the installation file is report about your motherboard, buses,
very small and the installation process peripherals, networks, etc. There’s
wraps up very quickly. All the options are a benchmark to test your system
System requirements: Windows All provided on the interface itself, which is performance so that the result can be
quite informative. It tells you which of compared with other systems. You can
Price Free
Website www.freshdevices.com
your system files are protected, also giving also schedule these tests at your
you information about which programs own convenience.
RATINGS
and services are loaded during system A useful system utility, Fresh Diagnose
Ease of use
startup. It includes several benchmark provides you complete information
Features
tests to test the reliability of your about your system’s hardware as well as
Performance
Overall Rating
hardware. It even allows you to print the software. The only glitch though is you
results directly or save it as a text, html or need to register this software if you want
Word document. to continue using it for more than 11 days.
Find it on CHIP CD
The most significant feature of this Worry not, the registration is free!
application is that all the information For: Simple and informative interface;
about your computer’s hardware providing complete information about
as well as software is divided into sub the hardware and software installed on
modules. For example, if you your system.
want information regarding your Against: Registration is required for using it
computer’s hardware, all you do is for more than 11 days.
Zip. Quick Zip is a neat little archiver that to save your password when extracting so
can open and extract 14 kinds of archive that you don’t have to retype it.
including zip without using any external The Clam anti-virus plug-in
programs. It can also create tiny setup automatically scans your files when an
programs. archive is opened. If you feel that you don’t
The interface is simple and all the want to use this anti-virus, you can use
options are present on the interface itself. your default anti-virus to scan the files
System requirements: Windows All
This application allows you to turn zip files simply by changing the settings. Other
into self-extractable files with program new features in this version include a Price Free
bars, list the archive in html or text format. completely new archive finder, compiler website www.quickzip.org
An important feature is the advanced update, etc. Thankfully, it doesn’t use much RATINGS
context menu that shows you how to zip of your system resources. Ease of use
contents and different icons for each type Overall, Quick Zip is a good compression Features
of archive. utility that has very good features. The best Performance
The archive loads up very fast even if part is that it’s free. The Clam anti-virus Overall Rating
Multimedia
Ring tone maker
Create Ringtone
V ery often you want to use your
favorite song as the ring tone on your
phone but fail to do so because of the lack
what settings you need for an optimum
quality ring tone. You can use these
recommended settings so that the ring
of good software. So what you end up tone that you create is of good quality.
doing is spend money to get these songs Once this is done just save your ring tones
as ring tones for your phones. But you to a folder and then transfer them to your
can forget about spending now because mobile phone via Bluetooth, Infrared or
Create Ringtone gets you your desired ring a data cable. Want to identify a caller
tone easily, without too much effort and with a ring tone? This app lets you create
spending no extra buck. customized ring tones for everyone in your System requirements: Windows 2000/XP, Pentium II or
The main interface is simple, so a address book. higher, 128 MB RAM, 40 MB of free hard disk space,
novice can use it without much difficulty. Ease of use is what makes this sound card.
The action begins with you selecting a file software appealing. You don’t need to Price Rs 199
either from your hard disk or an audio CD. spend for downloading ring tones on Contact Aladdin Multimedia Pvt Ltd
Then decide whether the entire audio file your mobile phone, you can simply create Phone 022-56936795
E-mail aladdin@vsnl.com
is to be converted into a ring tone or just a your own. However, if you set the sample
part of it. Do remember that if you choose rate to the maximum then the memory RATINGS
to convert the entire audio file into a required by the ring tone on your mobile Ease of use
Features
ring tone then the memory required phone will swell significantly.
Performance
will also increase. For: Creation of ring tones with ease, Not
Overall Rating
Next, you need to select the sample resource hungry; creation of customixed
Value for money
rate, bits per sample and the channels. ring tones for every contact in your
Don’t fret if you don’t know what the address book possible.
ideal combination for a good quality ring Against: Setting the sample rate to
tone is because adjacent to these options maximum will result in ring tones eating
you are provided the information as to up a lot of your mobile phone’s memory.
Q
uiz outlanders about their knowledge video and mobile games. In the international
of India and you would in all likelihood scenario, the development of games is
hear ‘snake charmers’ or in these approximated to be a $30 billion industry and
modern times perhaps ‘outsourcing’. And if India is quickly rising as a central terminus
it’s the latter, it’s not exactly wrong because for game development. The production of a
(the snake charming spiel is done to death regular game nowadays would be around $4
with) outsourcing is bang on target and this to $10 million while futuristic games would
time around not just in the business be anywhere between $5 and $20 million. Not
processing domain, but as a rising new content, taking possession of the BPO and
phenomenon—game development. KPO, gaming outsourcing is destined to be the
And why not? Game development next big thing by 2009, where In-Stat/MDR
studios are slowly mushrooming across expects that the Indian mobile gaming market
the metros taking advantage of India’s will generate $336 million annual revenue by
prime skills and efficient labor not just 2009. According to the NASSCOM report on
in outsourcing gaming content for well Animation and Gaming industry in India, the
known names (Sony, Codemasters, market for gaming is expected to witness a
Atari, Microsoft and EA are just some CAGR of 78 percent and reach USD 300 million
of the companies involved) but also by 2009 from USD 30 million in 2005.
creating original content for the India is known to have fine programmers,
country and the world. With the thrifty production costs and a speedily
golden fusion of technological and developing market, and this is exactly why
creative power (think Bangalore and we can hope that the gaming bastion will
Hyderabad programming interbred seemingly be within our grasp in a few years’
with Bollywood potboilers) as well time, as global giants outsource gaming
as the predomination of English as a development work to the country. At present,
second language, a new generation is Indian developers are in a take-off mode.
on the rise, passionate about games A vast number of animation and gaming
and wanting to make their mark. professionals are stepping into global
Nascent as it may seem, the seeds of a assemblies as outsourcing gains ground.
future revolution is subtly underway as the The blink on the radar is poised to grow
West eyes India for gaming outsourcing and exponentially in the days to come as gung-ho
the spotlight gets brighter. Not so much as in game developers and animation firms in India
video gaming but mobile gaming is certainly excitedly discuss the future of the gaming
big in India what with industrious and valued industry in the country.
labor hard at work churning out games and Take for example, Dhruva Interactive,
foreign firms outsourcing animated content to which has churned out international favorites
India for the global market. Apart from having such as Pat Cash and Slyder (award winner in
wooed the West, the mass market within the February 2005) and Maria Sharapova titles for
country has also taken up mobile gaming in the mobile platform. The firm has also bagged
a big way, thanks to the burgeoning mobile the license for Charlie Chaplin and has recently
industry. The growth of this market sector has partnered with Cricinfo for games on cricket.
attracted publishers, developers, animators, Hot off the oven is India’s first 3D multiplayer
musicians and content providers, and is also PC game known as Pool on the Net. Rajesh Rao
stimulating the development of innovative of Dhruva Interactive feels that this is a sign of
business models. times yet to come.
The business of gaming constitutes PC, Way back in 1997 when it was first formed,
INTELLIGENT
INTELLIGENTCOMPUTING CHIP | FEBRUARY 2006
COMPUTINGCHIP 2005
FEATURE | APPLICATIONS 93
Dhruva Interactive concentrated on June 2006, followed by a console game in in the mobile gaming space has been felt.
developing programs for the global market late 2006. Indiagames will focus primarily Mobiles are leading the gaming market in
and was actively involved with Microsoft on porting the demo level of Ashoka onto India. With around 65 million mobile users
Game Studios’ Xbox, and some time in QUALCOMM’s enhanced platform chipsets. and 30 per cent of them having game-
the past with Infogrames Entertainment The various factors in play for the enabled phones, India certainly seems a
in making a portion of the then famous increasing popularity of local games, says lucrative market to all those watching the
game, Mission: Impossible. After more than Rao, are the rising levels of consumerism, sub-continent. In a few years from now, the
nine years in that field, Rao believes Dhruva prosperity, evolution of middle class, wider country will be a complex gaming market
has come of age and has finally managed to acceptance of entertainment and more with mobiles, PCs, multi-players PC and
make a stand in the global market and earn indulgent consumers. The other factors consoles.
the expertise of creating localized content. are growing exposure and availability of Mauj Telecom, a leading wireless
Dhruva was introduced in the European gaming platform, like PC, console and solutions provider has launched mobile
market with the induction of the Maria mobile phones. games in eight Indian languages—Hindi,
Sharapova Tennis, launched by British Another interesting statistic Rao Marathi, Gujarati, Bengali, Tamil,
game company I-Play. The game figured in observes is that in the field of mobile Malayalam, Telugu and Urdu and developed
the top downloads list of mobile service phones, about 20 percent of the devices three games, titled Mastibhari Udaan,
provider Vodafone Group PLC during the that consumers own are gaming enabled. Saahas ka Yudh, and Jaanbaaz for mobile
Wimbledon championship. Also, in comparison to the growth of users in B and C towns.
Mumbai-based Indiagames has also PCs, mobile growth has been simply While creating the
hewed out a place for itself in game fantastic. V C Bhalotia of Dawsen Infotech game, keeping in mind
development with games such as The shares the same buoyant sentiment, the user in the smaller
Day After Tomorrow, Bruce Lee, Buffy “Gaming is becoming a passion in India, towns
the Vampire Slayer and Spiderman. and the industry is growing up at a and
Interestingly, TOM Online Inc, a leading phenomenal pace.” cities,
wireless Internet company in China, While A K Madhavan of Crest Animation Mauj
recently acquired approximately 76.29 Studios says that with the demand for maintains
percent of Indiagames for US$17.7. Indian developers growing phenomenally, that right
Indiagames today is a non wholly-owned it’s not surprising that international from the
subsidiary of TOM Online. Cisco Systems gaming companies are approaching him, introductory
Inc and Macromedia have together Munjal Shroff of Graphiti adds that it is the menu to the
invested $4 million in Indiagames for 18.2 right time to hitch onto the bandwagon as help section
percent ownership. Indiagames recently the going is good and the potential is rising and technical
signed an exclusive licensing agreement higher. However, he does admit there is a detailing, care
with Electronic Arts, the world’s leading need to infuse more local flavor and with has been taken
interactive entertainment company that fresh ideation and content, India can be set to sustain a local
will bring EA’s roster of mobile games to apart as a distinctive notch from the rest. flavor and ease of use.
consumers across multiple mobile carriers So much so, Shroff and his animation team Moreover, Mauj employed
in India. The games initially released at Graphiti have now decided to take the approximately 30 translators
through Indiagames would include Need plunge into developing gaming content for and over 20 technicians in
for Speed Underground 2, Need for Speed the local market after having watched the
Most Wanted, NBA Live 06, Tiger Woods scene evolve over the years. http://www.postmaster.co.in
PGA Tour 06, EA Sports FIFA 06, FIFA Street 2, Simply put, in a gaming chain, game
Madden NFL 06, SimCity and The Sims 2.
In the BREW 2005 Developers
publishers assign a developer the task of
developing a game around their content. Flexible
Conference held at Mumbai in October Once the game is ready, the developer Add-on modules to provide
single point protection from viruses, spam,
2005 , Indiagames announced that it’s is paid his development fees and the malicious and objectionable content and
currently in the developing stage of creating publisher then releases the game to its for a regulated Web-access environment.
3D mobile games for QUALCOMM’S partners, which are carriers and portals, Truly Next Generation
BREW solution. The BREW 3D games who offer the game to the consumer via
Indiagames plans to develop are Bruce downloads or consoles.
Lee - Iron Fist 3D and Ashoka intended to Dhruva is now keenly looking at setting
be a cross-platform, current-generation, up an internal training division with the For a free trial call QuantumLink Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Mumbai - 26820004. Bangalore - 51152792.
third-person, action/adventure game. The rising business potential , and as the New Delhi - 26691152 / 927. Pune - 9373307992
Or write to - sales.ho@postmaster.co.in
mobile version of Ashoka will be released in growing need for talented people especially
O
nline marketing and development the royalty year should end, whether
strategies as a rule stretch it’s necessary to include calculation
brand management ability. provisions for currency conversion, where
The proliferation of dedicated portals the payment needs to be made, what
addressing everything from alliances accounting records will be required from
to training poses a huge challenge for the license, etc.
companies that want to ensure consistent Termination: It’s important to know
brand representation on the web. whether there is a provision for remedy of
Organizing brand standards on the web is breaches; how the notice of termination
| Rodney D Ryder
an accessible tool for internal and external rodney@preconcept.com is to be given and to who it’s to be given,
parties, it helps to accelerate marketing and what the consequences of termination
processes, and your chances of delivering those of another. Once registered, a could be; provisions to survive the
a consistent user experience are improved. trademark grants its owner a statutory termination if any.
The net effect is improved brand value and monopoly to use it. In India, under the Sub licensing and assignment: The
greater revenue. present system, trademark registrations possibility to sub-license or assign.
are valid for seven years and are renewable Indemnities and warranties: Warranties
Digital brand management tools: Sound for another seven-year period thereafter. regarding ownership of relevant registered
brand management involves human and unregistered rights, whether the rights
interaction, training, and common sense. Management of trademark: Protection and are in the name of the licensor.
Some off-the-shelf tools can make the task maintenance of trademarks is best achieved Insurance and product liability: Addressing
a little easier. Digital asset management through periodic audits of the portfolio, any specific product liability or labelling
systems enable companies to repurpose keeping thorough records, prompt renewal issues, whether the licensee needs
digital media, including page templates, of registrations, using the trademarks, governmental or other administrative or
logos, images, photographs, and video for advertising to strengthen brand awareness regulatory approvals, etc.
marketing purposes. and promoting a tough policy towards Competition: Are any provisions of the
infringers. Trademarks are valuable assets license agreement and restrictions on the
Brand protection and trademarks: The and may be exploited through assignment licensee likely to raise questions over their
strongest form of brand protection is a or sale. When a trademark is to be licensed, anti-competitive nature?
registered trademark. The letters ‘TM’ the licensor should ensure that the value of Jurisdiction: Which national courts should
marked on a business’s products or services the trademark is preserved by controlling have jurisdiction? Whether a provision for
denotes a non-registered trademark. The the manner and circumstances in which the arbitration or alternate dispute resolution
symbol ® after a business’s products or mark is used. A periodic trademark audit will exists, and whether any specific arbitrator
services denotes a registered trademark. If a confirm what marks the company owns and or arbitral tribunal is to be identified.
trademark is registered, special rules apply ensure that the appropriate policies are in Registration: Provision for registering
which make it easier to protect. Businesses place to protect their value. Such a review the license and at whose expense must
should hence consider obtaining registered might also include valuation of the marks. be clear.
trademarks to protect their brands. Administration: Who will have the mandate
License provisions: There must be to negotiate the license? Full registered
National protection: To obtain a registered a checklist on the license provisions. address and company registration number
trademark, you must apply to the national The following must be considered in a for each party, who will sign the license on
trademarks registry; in India this is the trademark license: behalf of the licensee and licensor. ■
Office of the Registrar of Trademarks. To Grant: Inclusive, non-exclusive or sole
qualify for trademark protection, a mark license. Rodney D Ryder heads Preconcept (www.
preconcept.com), a service law firm with
must be capable of (i) being represented Territory: The extent of the territory should
cutting edge specialization in Intellectual
graphically, and (ii) distinguishing the be certain and unambiguous. Property, Media and Technology Law
goods and services of one business from Royalties: Rate set for royalties, when rodney@preconcept.com
xxxxxxxx
Vishwanath Vanjire
W
ith each new version, about using your old computer with Office You can work really fast by using
Microsoft Office, just keeps 2000 or later! Its memory capacity would shortcut keys for the most used
getting better. And every be insufficient to handle recent versions of commands/features in Office.
new Office release is easier to use and Office.
comes with a host of features. But it also The other important thing to note is Made a mistake? Just undo
gets bloated with all those additions and that Microsoft offers different ‘flavors’ Did you delete a piece of text by mistake?
enhancements; in fact there are too many or editions of Office. Do you want to pay Perhaps you applied the wrong formatting?
features in MS Office. Studies show that more for an edition whose features you will Slip of the finger? Don’t worry, you can
most people use just six to 10 percent never use? revert to the original form. Just use the
of these features. Did you ever spare a Each edition has various modules (see Undo feature that’s included in all Office
thought for those features hidden away in table). Choose your edition accordingly. programs.
dialog boxes and deep level menus? Pressing [Ctrl] + Z is the fastest way to
Do a bit of digging and you’ll discover Many ways, choose yours undo an operation. But you can also click
some uncut diamonds and nuggets— In many cases, Office provides several ways the Undo button on the toolbar, or click
features you were unaware of, but are to access the same feature. For instance, “Edit | Undo”.
actually useful. We’ll begin the ‘mining take text formatting. One option is to use
expedition’ with some general Office tips the buttons/commands on the Format Customization
and then examine the popular programs in toolbar, or shortcut keys (described later in Office lets you add or remove commands
the MS Office 2003 suite. this article), or the menus and dialog boxes. from its program menus and toolbars. This
To make a selected piece of text bold, click is a very useful feature; it is more relevant
Which version? the bold button on the format toolbar, or if you frequently use certain commands.
It’s a good idea to be aware of which click [Ctrl] + B, or click “Format | Font” and You can add or remove buttons for
version of Office is installed on your then click “bold” under Font Style. specific commands or features. On the
computer. And if you plan to get an You will learn about these alternatives “Tools” menu click “Customize”. The
upgrade, then do evaluate all the different as you use the program. Choose the customize dialog box is shown. Under
editions that Microsoft offers (See table). method that you are most comfortable the “Toolbars” tab you can specify which
Start any Microsoft program (Word, with, then use it often to remember it. toolbars are to be displayed, by clicking
Excel, or PowerPoint) by clicking “Start | Use the Help menu and type the in the check boxes. We suggest that you
Programs | Microsoft Office”. Then click function in the search box. Help also uncheck toolbars whose commands you do
on the program name. You should see shows you the different ways of applying a not frequently use. This will free up some
a ‘splash screen’ —a box that appears particular command. space at the top of the screen, and display
briefly, shows the name and version of the more of the document area on the screen.
program. If that happens too fast for you Learn the shortcut keys When you click the “Commands” tab
to notice, then click “Help | About…”. The The term ‘shortcut keys’ means a in the customize dialog box, you’ll see the
version (year of release) is displayed. combination of two or more keys pressed various command categories on the left.
You will probably have one of these in sequence. The keys are held down Click on a particular category and on the
versions: Office 2000, Office XP/2002, together while the last key is pressed. For right you’ll see all the commands under
Office 2003. If you have Office 95 or instance, holding down the [Ctrl] key and that category. Right click on a particular
Office 97 then your computer is really old; pressing the letter key B (denoted as [Ctrl] command, then drag it out of the dialog
consider replacing it. Don’t even think + B in this article). box, to the top of the screen, and drop it on
a toolbar (to add a button).
Student Small Small Business
Standard Professional
& Teacher Business Management
Edition Edition
edition Edition Edition
Word ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Excel ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Access ✓ ✓
PowerPoint ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓ ✓
Outlook ✓ ✓ ✓ (*) ✓ (*) ✓ (*)
Publisher ✓ ✓ ✓
Small Business
✓ The Customize dialog box must be
Accounting displayed while you modify a toolbar or
(*) – means Outlook with Business Contact Manager update. menu
To remove a button from the toolbar A tip a day indicates the chosen language. But what’s
just right click on it and drag it into the Another nice way to learn more about the really useful is the indicators for Tracking
document area (not into the dialog box). features in MS Office, is to read the tip & Reviewing (TRK), the Insert mode (OVR),
But to do this you’ll have to follow the that appears when you start a program. and macro recording (REC). Keep your
above steps and display the customize For instance, when you start MS Word, eye on these indicators when using the
dialog box. the Office Assistant animated character respective functions.
In this manner, you can also add or (a paper clip, dog, cat, robot, or wizard) In MS Excel the status bar indicates the
remove commands from specific menus or appears with a tip. status of the Caps Lock and num Lock keys
make your own menu. To activate the “tip on startup” feature, of the keyboard. When recording a macro,
do the following: the word ‘Recording’ is shown on the
Using Help On the “Tools” menu, click “Customize”. status bar.
The Help system in any program is rarely Click the “Options” tab.
used. In fact, one uses it as the last resort Under “Other”, select or clear the “Show Task pane
to seek a solution to a problem. But the ScreenTips on toolbars” and “Show The Task pane feature was introduced
help system in Microsoft Office is actually shortcut keys in ScreenTips” check from Office XP/2002 onwards, and it has
a great source of knowledge. Explore it boxes. been well received by users. The task pane
and you will learn a lot about a particular The next time you start Word, Excel, or groups together all the commands and
feature. The help system provides help on another Office program, you’ll see a tip. options required for a particular task. The
related topics too. The Office Assistant shows all kinds of advantage is that you get it all in one place.
Press the [F1] key or click the “Help” tips, some of which may not be so relevant. Before Office 2002, you had to reach into
menu and an option. Alternatively click the Here’s a way to set it up so that it shows various menus and dialog boxes to get a
Help icon (a blue question mark) on the only the important tips or the type of tips task done. Because dialog boxes are big
toolbar. In Office 2003, the Help system that interest you. and occupy screen space, they tend to hide
appears in a task pane on the right side. If the Office Assistant is not displayed, the text area in the document---which
The Help system is linked to a support web then click “Help | Show the Office is what you need to see while applying a
site, so you will need to be online (connect Assistant”. command.
to the Internet). Right click on the Office Assistant and The task pane is conveniently located
There are different forms of help. The choose “Options”. to the right of the screen. To display the
easiest way is to type the topic name in Under “Show tips about” click in the task pane, press the [F1] key. Click the drop
the search text box; then click the green checkbox for “Only show high priority arrow at the top of the task pane to see
arrow (“Go”) button. This will reference the tips”. other types of task panes named Getting
Microsoft support web site. Alternatively, Select or unselect any other options, Started, Search Results, Research, Clipboard
download and go through the Table of and then click “OK”. etc. The more useful task panes are: Help,
Contents and look for your topic. You Styles and formatting, Clipboard, and
will first have to download the Table of Status bars and indicators Getting Started.
Contents from the Microsoft web site, by It’s easy to miss the Status bar and its
clicking the relevant in the help task pane. indicators, because this bar is at the
The help task pane has links to other bottom of the screen, and the text on this
support web sites like Assistance, Training, bar is quite small. The Status bar is like the
Communities, and Downloads. Those who dash board behind the steering wheel in a
yearn for more knowledge can explore car. Both give important information in real
these sites and participate in discussions time. And if you understand the various
on forums. indicators on the Status bar, it becomes
easier to use the program.
Open a new document in MS Word or
MS Excel and look at the bottom of the
screen. The Status bar will be displayed by Click the drop arrow at the top of the task
The easiest way pane to see other types of task panes
to get help is to default.
type the topic In MS Word the Status bar indicates
name in the the current page number (the page on Document protection
search box
which you are entering text), the position Is your document confidential and meant
of the cursor from the top of the page, for a few privileged people? Then why
and the position of the cursor on the page not “password protect” it. In MS Word
(line number and column number). It also click “Tools | Options” and then click the
“Security” tab. You have the option of using The templates are organized under AutoCorrect, AutoFormat
a password to open a document, or for various categories like Letters & Faxes, This is one of the most useful features
making a document “read only”. Memos, Reports, Legal Pleadings, etc. in MS Word. Although you don’t see it,
Click on a tab (template category) of Autocorrect quietly monitors what you
your choice. Various templates will be type and then quickly corrects common
Word tips seen under that category. typing errors (misspelled words). For
There are plenty of tips for using Microsoft Click on a template and see how it instance, if you type “yuo” and press
Word 2003. Here are some useful tips and appears in the preview box. the [Space] bar, Ms Word automatically
features that you may have forgotten, or Then click “OK” to select it. changes it to “you”.
may be unaware about. AutoCorrect also corrects punctuation
You can also create your own templates and usage of symbols/characters. Type (c)
Templates for future use. First prepare a document and it is changed to © (copyright symbol).
Every document that you create is based on and format it using the Format menu. Then AutoCorrect maintains a table of
a ‘template’. A template is like a checklist click “File | Save as”. Type a name for the common mistakes and the corresponding
that states all the current settings for the file. Click the drop arrow near Save as type corrections.
document. This includes the page size, and select Document Template. Then click If you want to view this table or add
margin measurements, the text font and the “Save” button. The next time you open some entries to it then click the “Tools”
font size, text indents, paragraph and line a new document (“File | New”) you should menu and click “AutoCorrect Options”.
spacing, etc. In short, templates determine see your template. Within the AutoCorrect dialog box
the overall look of the document. Also in MS Excel. explore the tabs “AutoFormat” and
A fax document has a unique “AutoFormat as you Type”.
appearance. Examine a fax message and Format Painter and Styles Also in MS Excel.
you’ll see lots of “white space”. Lines are Want to apply the same formatting to
double-spaced. The text font is clearly other pieces of text? There’s no need to Change case
readable, even if it’s a small size. And repeat the steps. Just use the Format Sometimes you may type a couple of
the recipient’s name and fax number at Painter tool or use Styles. words, and then realize that the [Caps
the top, are in large, bold font. MS Word Lock] key was mistakenly switched on. So
offers a ready template for fax documents. To use the format painter tool: everything is in capital letters or in upper
Just open this template, replace the text Select the text whose formatting you case. No problem! Just select the text and
with your own text and print it out. You want to copy. press [Shift] + [F3] once to convert it to
may not need to format the text at all, Click the Format Painter button on the lower case (small letters). This can also be
since formatting is already present in the toolbar (it is a paint brush). Alternatively, done by selecting “Format | Change Case”.
template. As you can see, templates are click [Ctrl] + [Shift] + C.
very useful and can save much time. Now select some other text on which Save in RTF format
you want to apply this formatting. There are different versions of MS Word. If
If you need to use a particular set of you prepare a document in a newer version
formatting settings often, why not create of MS Word and send it to someone who
a “Style” and save it permanently. A Style is uses an older version, chances are he my
a collection of formatting settings that are not be able to open the document. This
collected together and are given a name. problem may occur if you save in the DOC
format.
To create a style in Word XP/2003 do the To be on the safe side, save your
following: document in the RTF format. Here’s how to
Select a readymade template for a fax Open a document. do this:
document and just type the text. It is On the “Format” menu click “Styles & With the document open, choose “File |
already formatted
formatting”. Save as”.
The Styles task pane appears on the Type the name for the file.
To access a template right. Click “New Style” within it. Click the drop arrow in the “Save as
Start MS Word. Type a name for the new style. type” box and select Rich Text Format.
Click “File | New”. Click the “Format” button at the bottom The second part of the file name will
In MS Word 2003, you’ll see a Templates of the dialog box. Select an option be .rtf
section in the task pane. Click the link accordingly and define your style.
“On my computer…” Also in MS Excel. Spell check and grammar
The templates dialog box will appear. The Word and Excel programs have built-in
spell check and grammar check options. Then start the Macro Recorder (click “Tools
You will see misspelled words underlined
| Shortcut keys in MS Word | Macro | Record New Macro”. Type a name
in red ink. Phrases with incorrect grammar [Ctrl] + F6 If more than one document for the macro. The macro toolbar will
are underlined in green. You can right is open, then you can appear with “Stop” and “Pause” buttons.
click on misspelled words and choose the quickly change between Perform the menu operations (that you
correct word from the context menu. If you documents with this key may have rehearsed earlier) in the normal
think a word is spelled correctly, but Word combination. manner. Click the “Stop” button when you
thinks it is wrong (and underlines it) then [Ctrl] + [Home] Puts the insertion point at have finished.
simply right click on the word and choose the top of the document, so To run a macro click “Tools | Macro |
“Ignore”. that you can view the top of Macros” and select the name of the macro.
If you want to change the way Word the document or edit it. Then click the “Run” button.
checks your spellings and grammar, then [Ctrl] + [End] Puts the insertion point at Also in MS Excel.
select “Tools | Options” then click the the end of the document,
“Spellings & Grammar” tab. Choose any of so that you can view the Excel tips
the options. end of the document or edit
Also in MS Excel. it. Help with functions
Track revisions [Shift] + [F3] With some text selected, Most Excel users are familiar with the
If you share documents with colleagues, you can press this key SUM, AVERAGE, MIN, MAX, and COUNT
and allow them to make changes, then combination once, twice, functions. But there are other sets of
you’ll want to keep track of what changes or thrice to change the functions. Here’s how to learn and discover
they make. This can be done if you enable casing to all capitals, small a new function.
the “Tracking and Reviewing” feature in MS letters, or title case (first Place the cell pointer in
Word before sharing the Word document. alphabet in capitals). the cell where the result
Click “Tools | Track Changes” and save [Ctrl] + B Applies the bold style to should appear.
the file. selected text. Now locate the
There are certain indicators that show [Ctrl] + I Applies the Italics style to AutoSum button on the
that the tracking feature is enabled. The selected text standard toolbar. Click the drop arrow
Status bar at the bottom of the screen [Esc] Cancel current operation. on this tool.
shows “TRK” to confirm that tracking is [Ctrl] + [Z] undo the most recent Select “More Functions…”
On. Also notice that the Tracking toolbar operation. In the search box, you can type what
appears near the formatting toolbar at You can print a list of shortcut keys in the type of calculation you want to perform.
the top of the screen. Hence forth, any following way: Excel will then suggest the appropriate
modifications made to the text will appear On the “Tools” menu, point to “Macro”, function.
in a different color “ink” (there’s a separate and then click “Macros”. Click “Go”.
color for each user). To see which color In the Macros in box, click Word Excel will list the possible functions.
corresponds to which user, click “Show” on commands. Double click on the appropriate one.
the tracking toolbar and select “Reviewers”. In the Macro name box, click Type the parameters for that function
With tracking enabled, inserted text will “ListCommands”. (range, etc). Read the help notes at the
be underlined and deleted text is struck Click “Run”. bottom of the dialog box.
out (has a line running through it). In the List Commands dialog box, click
After everyone has made their Current menu and keyboard settings.
modifications, you can choose which ones Click “OK”.
to keep and the changes to be rejected. On the “File” menu, click “Print”.
Click the “Accept Change” and “Reject
Change” buttons on the tracking toolbar. creating macros in Word and Excel—one is
Finally switch off the tracking feature by to use the menu system (the corresponding
selecting “Tools | Track Changes”. instructions are automatically generated).
Also in MS Excel. The other (more challenging) option is
to learn a scripting language called VBA
Use Macros (Visual Basic for Applications) and write the
Macros are small programs (a series of instructions line by line, yourself. In the search box, you can type what
steps or instructions) for automating Before you start recording a macro, we type of calculation you want to perform.
routine tasks (for example, printing with suggest that you rehearse the steps for Excel will then suggest the appropriate
function
specific settings). There are two ways of a particular task. Make notes if needed.
Click “OK” to perform the calculation. Adjust column width or from another object in your worksheet.
In step 4, you have another option. Lengthy text entries in a column may be But what use might that be? Well, if you
If you have a good idea of what kind of partially displayed, especially if the column want to send someone details (by e-mail)
calculation needs to be performed then on the immediate right is filled with data. about how a certain part of a worksheet or
click the drop arrow and select the category Excel can choose the best width for the a graph looks, then capture a picture of it
of the function. Then locate the desired column according to the widest entry. Point
You can take a
function in the list. to the column border on the right of the snapshot of a
column letter. The cell pointer changes selected range in the
Name your ranges shape to a double headed arrow. Click Worksheet. This can
later be pasted in any
A Range is a set of contiguous cells. For twice on the column border. The column
other document
instance, if there is data between the cells width will be adjusted and all entries in the
A1 to A9, that set of data qualifies as a column are displayed. in Excel and paste it in the e-mail or even a
range and in Excel’s terms it is written as Word document. Here’s how to do it.
A1:A9. As you can see, we use the first and AutoSum function Select the cells or some other object
last cell in the range to denote it. There is a really fast way to add numbers (like a graph) that you want a picture
Obviously, it is difficult to remember in an Excel spreadsheet. If the numbers are of. (If you select cells, they must be
something like A1:A9. So Excel allows you in consecutive cells and these need to be contiguous.)
to name ranges with a word. To name a added, use Excel’s AutoSum function. Hold down the [Shift] key as you click
range, do the following: Place the cell pointer in the cell after the the Edit menu.
First select the range of cells (by clicking last number in the series. Click the “Copy Picture” option. Excel
on the first cell and dragging across to Click once on the AutoSum button in the displays the Copy Picture dialog box.
the last cell). Standard toolbar above. In the top part of the dialog box, specify
Click “Insert | Name | Define…”. Excel will highlight the range of if you want the picture shown as it
Type a word for the name. numbers in the series to be added. would look on the screen or on the
Click “OK”. Press the [Enter] key to confirm. printout.
Once you name the range, you can use The total will appear in the cell. In the bottom part of the dialog box,
it in formulas and functions. For instance, specify how you want the graphic saved
if you want to add up all numbers in the AutoFill a series (bitmap or picture format). A bitmap can
range A1:A9 and you have named this If you need to enter a series of consecutive be edited, pixel by pixel in the MS Paint
range as “Numbers” then the SUM function numbers then Excel offers a time-saving program.
becomes =SUM (Numbers). feature. Type the first two numbers in Click “OK”.
Range names are not case sensitive, consecutive cells (odd, even or consecutive The result is that you now have a
meaning you can write the word numbers). Select the two cells with graphic in the Clipboard (memory) and
“Numbers” (in this case) as “NUMBERS” or numbers, just as you normally select a you can paste it (“Edit | Paste”) anywhere.
“numbers” too in the function or formula. range of cells. You will see the fill handle, a Paste it in another spreadsheet if you like,
small square, at the bottom right corner of paste it in an e-mail, or paste it in a Word
Select multiple ranges the selection. Place the cell pointer on the document. You can paste it just about
A range is a group of consecutive cells. To fill handle so that it changes its shape to a anywhere because it is no longer an Excel
select a range, you click on the first cell in thin “+” sign. Now drag the fill handle down object, but an actual graphic.
the range, and then drag the mouse either or across to as many cells as required to
downwards or to the right, adding cells to extend the series. This can also be done for Transpose rows and columns
the range as you do this. But can you select week days (Sunday, Monday…), months, or When creating a table, you may find that
more than one range at a time, even for quarters (QTR-1, QTR-2…). the headings in the columns would be
non-adjacent cells? Yes, it is possible. more suitable if they were arranged row
Select the first two
Select the first range of cells (as cells in the series, then wise. That is, you may feel the need to
described above). point at the Fill handle interchange the positioning of row and
Hold down the [Ctrl] key and select the and drag it down to column data. The table and all its data is
next range of cells in the same manner. the remaining cells to already prepared, so typing the whole thing
form the series
You can next apply formatting or copy again would be time consuming.
the ranges (“Edit | Copy”) or perform Don’t worry. Excel offers a way to
any other operation. Take a Picture interchange the positioning of row and
Press the [Esc] key to unselect the We bet you didn’t know that Excel has a column data. This is called Transposing.
ranges when done. nifty little tool that allows you to create a Here’s how it’s done.
picture from a range of cells, from a chart, Select the entire table including the row
Adjust page breaks Enter data simultaneously help your recipients save mailbox storage
When printing large worksheets you may Let’s say that there is a lot of data to be space, but also help to transmit it through
observe that Excel prints data of the first entered into a worksheet and you don’t the Internet faster. Here is a simple way to
few columns on the first page, and later have much time. So round up a few helpers disable the feature.
prints the remaining columns on the last and get them to enter data into the same Go to the menu and choose “Tools |
page. In between, Excel prints data from worksheet simultaneously. Yes, Excel Options”.
rows and columns on pages in an order allows you to do that, but all the computers Click on the “Send” tab.
that seems to create much confusion. You used to work on this worksheet must be Un-check the box next to “Include
can solve this mystery doing two things. connected over a network. message in reply”.
Excel splits a large worksheet into Copy the worksheet file into a folder Click on “Apply” or “OK” and you are
multiple pages by inserting page breaks. that is accessible to everyone on the done.
So first understand where the page breaks network. You can make the folder
have been inserted. containing the worksheet sharable on Don’t CC everyone, blind-copy them
Click “File | Page setup” and then click a temporary basis. Right click on the If you need to forward or send information
“OK”. folder and click “Sharing and Security”. to more than one person, send blind carbon
Reduce the zoom factor to 50 percent Select the option “Share this folder…”. copies (BCC). It is definitely a better way of
from the toolbar above. You will now Also select “Allow network users to forwarding an e-mail message when you
see the page breaks. change my files”. don’t want to disclose the identity of all the
If you want to manually adjust the page Next share the worksheet itself. recipients.
breaks to accommodate columns on Open it and select “Tools | Share Here’s how you can use the BCC feature:
a page, then click “View | Page Break Workbook”. Click on “To”, next to the e-mail address
Preview”. Click to put a check mark near “Allow box in the e-mail. This opens your
The page breaks are shown as blue lines. changes by more than one user…” address book window.
You can drag these lines and make the Then click “OK”. To the right you will see three boxes into
necessary adjustments. which you can insert addresses. “To”
Click “View | Normal” to get out of page and “CC” (carbon copy) will include each
break view. Outlook Express tips person’s e-mail address in the outgoing
e-mail.
Rounding Powers Don’t send e-mail immediately “BCC” will not include the recipients’
We normally use the ROUND function to It’s a good idea not to send messages e-mail addresses in the outgoing e-mail,
round numbers to the right of the decimal as soon as the “Send” button is pressed. protecting their privacy.
point. If you use a negative rounding value Queue up all your messages in the Simply type the principal recipient’s
with the ROUND function, you can also “Outbox” folder and then send them address in the “To” column and the rest
use it to round to different powers of ten. together as a batch. To switch off the in the “BCC” column.
If you want to round a number to the immediate send option do the following.
nearest 10, 100, or 1000, you can use the Select “Tools | Options”. Automate e-mail checking
ROUND function with negative values Click the “Send” tab. Most of us check for e-mail two or three
for the second parameter. This approach Remove the check mark near the box times in a day, especially if it’s work e-mail
works fine. “Send messages immediately”. ID that is expected to be active throughout
For instance, if you have a value in Click on “Apply” or “OK”.
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nearest 100, you could use the following you might reply to all recipients by mistake
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contains 12351, then the formula returns By default, e-mail programs include the
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by using -3. the reply, so avoid doing this. You not only
the default value. If there is none then right could have caused this error in the first make sure that it’s enabled in the system
click antd select “New | String Value”. place. However, you could try using a BIOS—very often it isn’t by default. If
Also navigate to the following key and program such as ‘Restoration’. This is a you are using the USB ports on the front
delete it, tiny free utility that attempts to restore panel of your system, make sure that
[HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\ deleted or lost files and directories. You the wires from the USB headers on the
Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\ can download it from http://www. motherboard are correctly connected. Refer
Explorer\FileExts\.MAPIMail] snapfiles.com/get/restoration.html. It to your motherboard manual for more
Close the Registry Editor. Restart the would have been best to use this program information. Finally, for added stability in
computer. If doing all this also does not immediately after you found the error in your system, search for new BIOS updates
help, click on Start | Run and type, order to reduce the chances of your files for your motherboard to ensure it’s
regsvr32 sendmail being overwritten. But try it out anyway. working at its full potential.
Click Ok. And remember to install an anti-virus
program and immediately scan your hard Writing Multi-session CDs
File Recovery disk. Remember to always create backups Q> I would like to know if I could burn two
Q> I have Windows XP installed on my of your critical files. different sessions on the same blank CD
computer. Recently, I lost an entire folder using different writing speeds. Will this
full of downloaded programs and files Non-functioning USB cause any problems?
totaling about 400 MB. This happened Q> I’m facing two problems with my -Suansh
when the system converted the entire system. The first is with my AGP driver. Sure, Suansh, you can create two CD
folder into a single file of just 8 kilobytes Several of my games give me a notification sessions at different speeds. The CD will be
during its subsequent bootup. I haven’t of an AGP card/video problem and as readable on virtually every newer optical
made any backups of this file and I’ve a result they either hang or return an drive. However, older drives could give
even tried using Windows System Restore error before crashing. According to the reading problems since they are known to
to recover that file, but to no avail. crash notifications, it mentions to check be unreliable with multi-session CDs. In
Unfortunately, I also uninstalled Norton my DirectX version. I do have the latest this case, the problem could be either the
Anti-virus a week ago (I’m assuming that version of DirectX installed but yet this multi-session itself (that it can’t read—it
might have helped me recover my lost problem occurs. The second is the USB might just read only one session) while the
folder). The converted file is still there and problem—no matter which USB device higher speed used to burn the data could
I’ve also retained my temporary Internet I plug into my computer, it reports it to be the second reason for the failure to read
files. Please tell me if there’s any hope of be non-functioning or disconnected. As a correctly. If you are going to use the CD on
me recovering my lost files using a third result, I’ve had to add a separate PCI-based older optical drives, stick to the same speed
party utility. USB hub for plugging my peripherals into to rule out such issues.
-Sreedhar my computer. Can you tell me what’s
It looks like you lost your folder to happening to my computer? Hidden Network Card
a ‘cross linking’ error. This could be due -Abhinav Q> I had installed some monitoring
to several reasons—a virus attack, a hard First of all, make sure that the software but it has been uninstalled a
disk error resulting from a power failure temperatures in your system are within long time ago. Then once I tried to change
or incorrect restart, a rogue program, etc. check. Overheating due to faulty or some TCP/IP properties from the Local Area
When this happens, the reference to the failed system fans is the root cause of
folder on your hard disk gets corrupted instability in systems. Next, check to see
(its entry in the File Allocation Table) due that your motherboard’s drivers are up
to which the address information of the to date—since both of your problems
folder is lost. When this happens, Windows point to integrated components on your
tries to recover this addressing information motherboard, a motherboard chipset driver
the next time it starts, during the scandisk update could solve your problem. (Visit
process. However, this doesn’t always work your motherboard/VGA manufacturer’s
well and if you choose to convert these lost web site for the same.) You can find out
files, the problem could get worse than your chipset noted at the base of your
when you started off. screen during the system bootup while the
You cannot use your anti-virus program splash screen appears with your processor
to recover from this error but your anti- and RAM listing. Hit the ‘Pause’ button on
virus program would have safeguarded your keyboard to freeze this screen in case
your system against malicious programs, it goes by too quickly.
viruses and Internet threats—all of which In the case of your USB problem,
W
ay back when cell phones were Today, with phones having support for your favorite audio CDs and MP3s. Just
launched, they used to produce polyphonic, Wav and MP3 ring tones, it’s imagine… the possibilities are limitless!
a pattern of beeps to alert the possible to make them sing any tune or You don’t need to spend time and money
user of an incoming call or a message. There even a song. Even though phones have a downloading your favorite tones. And the
was nothing such as ‘ring tones’. The best good bank of ring tones, it tends to get a best thing is that you can never go wrong!
you could get was what the fanciest phones bit boring after a few days. It’s much more This workshop is a step-by-step guide
offered—a wide selection of monophonic fun turning clips of your favorite songs on grabbing ring tones from audio CDs
ring tones ranging from a couple of standard into ring tones. You can download these and MP3s and also optimizing them so
tones to a few classical tunes. There was no ring tones from many web sites for free. that they sound loud and clear on your
way a user could create a ring tone. But hunting for these ring tones is another phone. Of course, you need to have a smart,
The ring tone buzz started with phones tedious job. Another way of getting these semi-smart or a multimedia phone running
packing in built-in ring tone composer ring tones is by downloading them from Symbian, Linux, Windows Mobile or Palm OS.
using which it became possible to create your service provider or WAP sites by Now gear up with your favorite songs,
personalized tones and share them shelling out a few bucks. But here, the grab your mouse and get set to make your
through SMS. But using the composer problem lies in ending up with something phone sing!
wasn’t easy for the users as they needed to you weren’t looking out for. Besides, it eats | Anand Tuliani
STEP 1. To get started, you just need two STEP 2. Start Audiograbber and insert an STEP 3. Since most phones have support
applications—an audio CD ripper to grab audio CD from which you would like to grab for ring tones in the Wav format, it’s
clips from audio CDs and a sound editing ring tones. After the tracks are listed, select recommended to change the output format
tool to edit and optimize the clips. Go to the desired tracks using checkboxes and of Audiograbber from MP3 to Wav. To do this,
www.audiograbber.net and download type their song titles. Alternatively, you can click the MP3 button on the toolbar which
‘Audiograbber’, an audio CD ripping utility. Also perform a CDDB search to get the song titles brings up the MP3 settings. Under the ‘Grab
download ‘Audacity’, a sound editing tool from from the Internet to minimize the effort of to’ section, select the option ‘Wav file’ and
audacity.sourceforge.net. Both are freeware! typing. click ‘OK’ to apply the settings.
STEP 5. Bring up the ‘Properties’ dialog box by STEP 6. Since most phones have a single
STEP 4. Using the checkboxes, select the double clicking on the track name. Click ‘Play’ speaker, it’s pointless having stereo ring tones.
songs from which you would like to extract and use the ‘Set start’ and ‘Set end’ buttons to To convert a file to mono, load the file in
the ring tones. After having selected the mark the desired section of the song. Drag the Audacity, and select ‘split stereo track’ from
songs, you need to select and extract your progress bar to forward or rewind the song. the drop down list in the track control panel to
favorite clip from each song to be used as ring Apply the settings, and click ‘play’ again to the left of the waveform. Delete the right-
tones or message tones. Proceed to the next preview your selection. Click the ‘Grab!’ button channel by closing the right waveform. From
step to learn how. to rip the ring tones off the CD! the left-channel’s dropdown list, select ‘mono’.
Case Logic
It’s important to ventilate your case adequately to bring down
the component temperatures and to keep your system cool,
and thereby make it last longer
W
hen you work on your PC, tackle this problem, special hard drive coolers
components like the processor, are available in the market. But despite the
graphics card and hard drive availability of these, we still need to ensure
generate heat. And when you engage in that the case is properly ventilated. This is
intensive tasks like gaming, the heat generated because the ambient case temperature has a
is much more. The PC components have a direct influence on the temperatures of the
certain temperature operating range exceeding components. If hot air generated from the
which they either shut down or get damaged. components is not exhausted, it circulates inside
In the case of graphic cards and processors, for the case thereby increasing the component
instance, the core slows down and eventually temperatures. For example, an overheated hard
shuts down. The excessive heat generated drive may run just fine in a adequately ventilated
also decreases the life span of the component. case, but poor ventilation may reduce the life
To prevent this, processors and graphic cards span of the hard drive.
have heat sinks and fans to keep them cool. Lower case temperature allows overclockers
In case of hard drives, when the temperature to push the clock speeds, thereby letting them
shoots beyond 55 to 60 degrees, they eventually extract more performance from the hardware.
crash leading to the loss of important data. To This workshop tells you how to keep your PC cool
by following the right case cooling technique.
Negative Pressure Positive Pressure (negative pressure). Both the setups have
their advantages and drawbacks.
20 CFM 20 CFM
Negative Pressure Setup
In a negative pressure setup, the volume
25 CFM 25 CFM
of air forced out of the system is higher
30 CFM 60 CFM than the volume of air taken in. Thus the
CFM-out (CFM sum of all the fans blowing
air out of the system) should be more than
In: 30CFM, Out: 20 + 25= 45 CFM In: 60CFM, Out: 20 + 25= 45 CFM the total CFM-in ( CFM sum of all the fans
blowing air into the system). This creates
ones which have specifications mentioned. a vacuum and produces a steady stream
STEP 2. Setup The prices range between Rs 100-200 for of cool air coming into the case from
All same sized fans don’t move the same 80 mm fans and about Rs 200-300 for all the air vents and gaps. However, the
amount of air. The amount of air a fan can 120 mm fans. drawback of a negative pressure setup is
move is measured in terms of CFM (Cubic Some of the popular brands Antec, that along with the air, there are chances
Feet per Minute). Higher the CFM, more Coolermaster and Vantec but they come at of dust getting sucked into the case
volume of air the fan is capable of moving. a premium. through the vents and gaps leading to dust
You have to look at the CFM ratings of After you select a case, the next accumulation and higher temperatures
the fan to find out how capable it is. The step is to decide about the air pessure inside the case.
generic 80 mm fans mostly don’t have CFM technique—whether you want to allow
mentioned. Therefore, it’s recommend you more airflow into the system (positive Positive Pressure Setup
invest a little more and go for the branded pressure) or more airflow out of the system In a positive pressure setup, the idea is
to have more air forced into the system,
which means the total sum of CFM-in
should be more than the total CFM-out.
This setup is good if you want to cut down
1 on the amount of dust coming inside
the case as the air coming into the case
would only be through the fans blowing
air into the case.
2 3
Also, note that case fans tend to blow
dust and dirt into the case. Therefore, it’s
4 recommended that filters are used for
fans that blow air into the case. In case
your local computer store doesn’t have
them, you can use the air filters used for
air conditioners and cut them according to
your fan size.
http://www.postmaster.co.in
Reliable
Tried and trusted components and
architecture based on the ongoing dialogue
with over 4000-installations
H
ow well is your PC protected from without your knowledge. Other than rogue available (other than Norton and McAfee). If
the Internet and other machines machines or zombies (infected computers you’re always on the move then a software
on your local network? Most sending broadcasts to infect more) accessing firewall should be installed since you will
of you might have an anti-virus solution your machine’s ‘open ports’, there might be need to connect to different networks.
installed that you religiously update but at programs that connect to the Net to send Norton provides a simple “Location” feature
times even this precaution fails to live up to information. Did you know even MS Word that allows you to switch access restrictions
expectations. This is because an anti-virus tries to connect to the Internet? A firewall based on your location (just like a profile).
detects an anomaly (an infected file or will alert you of any such activity. Specific With the help of these screenshots of the
executable) on the PC only after it has made programs that periodically access the Net various options in a software firewall you
its way into the system folder or wedged its can be restricted in more than one way (it will gain a better idea on how you can avoid
way into the Temporary Internet Files folder will become clearer as we proceed through unwanted intrusions and restrict programs
(that’s good enough to set off all the alarms). the workshop). Options available within the from gaining access to the Internet.
Advanced users usually know what to software firewall allow it to work alongside There are some precautions you must
look out for and how to prevent unwanted the anti-virus installed on the system too. At take before installing a firewall. Even
attacks on their computer—either with the times even e-mail protection is integrated though they keep our PCs safe, some
right software or with smart surfing habits. into the software. A firewall also has the users might face problems when the
If you plan to host a web site, play games ability to ‘mask’ the IP address of the application itself crashes or certain files
online, connect to a local network then you machine it is installed on, making it invisible get corrupted. Problems might arise from
need to protect yourself against intrusions to external (infected) computers or hackers. too many settings blocking the Internet
even before they try to enter your computer. This workshop throws some light on traffic altogether. So the best thing to do is
This is the role of a firewall—to monitor the options available across three different to create a System Restore point before an
and alert you of information entering as software firewalls—ZoneLabs’ ZoneAlarm install and after you have configured the
well as leaving the PC (known as incoming 6.1, Norton Personal Firewall 2006 and software firewall correctly (i.e. you have
and outgoing). Even if you don’t intend McAfee’s Personal Firewall Plus (Build 7). confirmed access to your network and the
to do anything other than surfing the ZoneAlarm 6.1 is free and is ideal for a Internet). If there ever is a problem you will
Internet, checking mail and chatting, you standalone PC or for a small home network. be able to revert back to earlier settings
need to have some sort of defense against For larger networks or greater configurability, without giving yourself a headache. ■
computers trying to access your machine there are other versions of ZoneAlarm | Ashutosh Desai
Configuring ZoneAlarm
STEP 1. This is the main ZoneAlarm window STEP 2. In the same section click on the STEP 3. If you want to view the list of
with the ‘Overview’ section (left hand side of ‘Preferences’ tab. This tab has settings that applications that have tried to establish a
the panel) selected. As the name suggests, it affect the entire application. Configure the connection (in search of authentication or
gives a summary of the number of blocked updates section to manual if you want to updates), click on ‘Program’ tab in Program
intrusions. A count of programs that have conserve bandwidth. Make sure ZoneAlarm Control. Here, one can explicitly allow or block
been given access to the Internet is also loads at startup for an ‘always on’ connection. a program from accessing the Internet. If you
mentioned here. The top panel of this section Check “Hide my IP address...”. Click on are not sure what the program does, right
allows you to stop network usage. ‘Options’ to enter a Proxy address if needed. click on it and set it to ‘Ask’.
STEP 4. If you encounter some problems STEP 5. This is the ‘Main’ tab in the Program STEP 6. If you tend you leave your computer
with a program that requires an Internet Control section. It is very basic and consists idle and connected to the network/Internet
connection, click on ‘Add’ and give it of the overall control you want to give to then you should leave the Automatic Lock
persmission to access the Internet. Here, the applications on your system. Set this ‘On’. All incoming and outgoing traffic can be
MSN Messenger has been added to the list of to ‘Medium’—each time a program tries blocked during this period of inactivity. Only
programs that access the Internet. Remember to access the Net and is not present in the programs that have been allowed access stay
that an application that’s given access does application list then ZoneAlarm will alert you connected. For example, MSN will stay signed
not necessarily have to be a ‘Trusted’ one. asking you to make a decision. in while all other activities will stop.
STEP 7. If your computer is part of a STEP 8. The ‘Alerts & Logs’ lists all the STEP 9. Click on ‘Firewall’ in the left hand
network or you want to specify a friend’s programs and connections made—both side panel. The Internet Zone Security has to
IP address as a trusted one then click on incoming as well as outgoing. This will be be set at a level equal to or higher than the
‘Firewall’ and then on the ‘Zones’ tab. In of use when you notice a drop in bandwidth. Trusted Zone Security. Set TZS to Medium if
addition to your network and loopback This could be because of a device accessing a you want to share folders on a network. Else
adapter, add a range (for a network) or free port or shared folder. IP details and port leave it at High. Click on ‘Advanced’ to lock
a single IP (for a specific PC) and give it number are the most important details in the host file—this will prevent spyware from
explicit access. these logs. making changes to it.
STEP 1. In the main Personal Firewall STEP 2. Click on Norton Personal Firewall STEP 3. Click on the ‘Programs’ tab. This
window, click on Options. Select ‘Firewall (NPF) | Status & Settings | Personal Firewall. is similar to Program Control in Zone Alarm.
Options’. These configuration options are Make sure it is on and click on ‘Configure’ and Once again, the Locations will help you block
very basic and are related to updates, the then on the ‘Networking’ tab. The ‘Location’ certain programs from accessing the Internet
way alerts are displayed and the integration option includes different profiles for different or computers on the network from accessing
provided with e-mail. The Firewall tab is the connections. Add a Trusted Zone—a network your shares. This is extremely configurable. If
most important. Make sure “Stealth blocked range, a network address for a subnet or a you select ‘Custom’ Internet Access, you can
ports” is checked. specific IP—for each Location, if necessary. disable specific aspects of the application.
STEP 4. Click on the Advanced tab to create STEP 5. The Windows File Sharing setting STEP 6. Select ‘Privacy Control’ and then
“rules” for specific kind of network activity. can be changed by clicking on ‘Modify’ ‘Configure’, check “Turn on...” and move
Ping requests should be disabled from the and changing the “Action” to Permit, the slider to High. This will prevent private
firewall. Therefore Incoming ICMP (Ping) Block or Monitor. Numerous settings on information from being sent at all. There is
Requests should be denied access. Click the connection, location, tracking can be no need to fill in any ‘Private Information’
on ‘General’ to create rules. Windows File changed from here. You can even decide on either. This will also block cookies from being
Sharing is blocked by default—external the direction of connection—inbound or created. Browser information also will not
computers will not be able to access shares. outbound. be sent.
STEP 8. Editing the ad/pop up blocker setting STEP 9. Finally the Log Viewer. You can
STEP 7. Click on ‘Ad Blocking’ from the main further here can either be ‘Global’ or ‘User’ access this from ‘Statistics | Logs’ in the
window and select ‘Configure’. Enable all the specific. If you want your changes to reflect main window. This is an extremely detailed
pop up and ad blocking, click on ‘Advanced’ across all users then you must do so under the listing of the result of your settings. All
to add any web site that is not listed. Once Global Settings tab. For the web site you add the connections attempted, allowed or
again, you can further customize the amount you can add the ad server address or under denied, suspected intrusions, history, etc
of information you want your browser to the Ad Blocking tab you can add addresses of are mentioned. The history of all settings
divulge, block flash pop ups, etc. the pop ups you want to block. changes is of great help.
STEP 1. The McAfee Security Center console STEP 2. Clicking on Summary will give a STEP 3. View the Internet Traffic to get
is very simple. All the settings listed within brief on all the services that were blocked a brief on all incoming and outgoing
this console leads you to a particular section and the ones that are currently still active on information. This is spread across two
in another Personal Firewall window. In the system—each of them being clickable for tabs—Statistics and Applications. You can
the main window you can view a summary further information. Viewing the network view your bandwidth usage over the month
of everything that is going on within your traffic is also possible from here. It will also too. The Application tab will just list all the
firewall, block your computer from the state the number of rules that have been programs and services that are active at
Internet, track a web site or test your firewall. changed. Regularly check these details. that given point of time.
STEP 4. The Internet Applications section is STEP 5. The Options section consists of STEP 6. Change the way McAfee informs
where all the applications that need access three parts. Click on Security Settings to set you of incoming/outgoing connections
to the Net are listed. This where you can right the level of security. Keep it at ‘Tight’—you in Alert Settings. Enable “Red and Green
click and give full access or completely block will be alerted each time a program tries Alerts” so that you get to know when
it from communicating over the Internet. The to access the network/Internet. Uncheck communications are being made across the
“more information” option will also connect “Accept ICMP Ping requests” and “Allow network. Only Red Alerts require a decision—
to the Internet but will tell you more about restricted users to change Personal Firewall Allow/Deny. The “Enable Gaming Mode” is to
the service. settings”. prevent on-screen alerts while gaming.
STEP 7. In the Event Log Settings tab STEP 8. Trusted IP Addresses within Options STEP 9. Click on System Services to view
make sure you log every event and have it add a range of IP addresses if you are part a list of all the functions like FTP, Mail, SQL
archived. When you suspect an intrusion or of a home network or office LAN. If there is Server, etc that will need to communicate
unnecessary resource usage, you can refer to just one more computer, add that IP only. You over a network. These are disabled by default.
these logs. Enable “Show Port numbers” so can even set a rule to block an IP for a certain Enable your Mail Server (POP and SMTP, IMAP)
that you know which ones are being accessed period of time. This the same place where you services. Make sure Remote Assistance is kept
excessively. Click on ‘Configure’, check all can add IP addresses or a range in the Banned disabled (port numbers are also mentioned
options except “Do not log events”. IP section. for your information).
I
t’s only after installing Windows With this, your job of monitoring the exclude individual components, set the
that you can start using your PC. But installation process will be over. display resolution, specify user data and
installing Windows is a huge task in This workshop will walk you through the regional settings and so on. And if you’re
itself and makes you feel you’ve spent ages entire process of creating an unattended an advanced user who likes tweaking,
before the PC whereas you’ve spent only Windows XP setup which won’t require you can even automate the process of
an hour. Right from the time you insert the any user interaction after specifying the installing device drivers and hotfixes. All
CD till the time when Windows is up and partition details. that you need to create an unattended
running, you are forced to keep your eyes The secret behind the unattended setup is a licensed copy of the Windows XP
glued to the screen to monitor the process nature is the answer file which tells installation CD.
and fill in the various dialog boxes. And if Windows what to do while it’s installing. So, the next time you install Windows,
your PC is slow, you’ve had it! You’ll need The answer file can be created using you can leave the setup running and in
to spend more time gazing at the progress ‘Windows Setup Manager’ that can be the mean time you can take your dog for a
bars waiting for the dialog boxes to appear. found under Support tools on the Windows walk or have a cup of tea or simply take a
How about a CD then that can install XP installation disc. Using the tool you short nap. And by the time you come back,
Windows automatically, putting in all the can make the answer file so powerful that Windows will be up and running.
details and answering all the dialog boxes? you can even tell Windows to include or | Anand Tuliani
STEP 2. Navigate to the folder ‘Support | STEP 3. The most crucial part of the
Tools’ on the CD and double click the file workshop begins now—creating the answer
‘Deploy.cab’. Copy all the files to a folder on file. To execute the ‘Windows Setup Manager’
STEP 1. To begin with, insert your copy of the your hard drive. The reason for doing this is double click the file ‘setupmgr.exe’ from
Windows XP installation CD into the optical to extract ‘Windows Setup Manager’ and the the contents of ‘Deploy.cab’ which you just
drive and copy the entire contents of the CD to related help files needed to create the answer copied on the hard drive. The next step
a folder on your hard drive. Make sure the drive file which will be automating the entire explains the options you need to select from
has at least 700 MB of free space. installation. the first few dialog boxes which appear.
STEP 4. The first few steps of the wizard are STEP 5. Under ‘General Settings’, you can STEP 6. Under ‘Network Settings’ configure
self-explanatory. Select the following options customize the installation of Windows by the computer name, administrator password,
from the successive dialog boxes: ‘Create a providing default name and organization, networking components and workgroup. If
new answer file’ > ‘Windows unattended display settings, time zone and the product you are specifying the admin password, make
installation’ > Select the appropriate key. Fill in the fields using drop down lists or sure you check the option to encrypt the
Windows version > ‘Fully automated’ > ‘No, by keying in the details. If you don’t select any password in the answer file. If you have a static
this answer file will be used to install from a option from the drop down lists, the default IP address, you can specify the settings under
CD’ and finally accept the license agreement. values will be taken. the networking components section.
STEP 10. Nothing better than Nero Burning STEP 11. Under the ‘Burn’ tab, set the write
ROM for burning CDs! Launch Nero and select speed to 24x and the write method to disc- STEP 12. Insert a blank CD into the optical
CD-ROM (Boot) from the ‘New Compilation’ at-once to ensure reliability. Click the ‘New’ drive and hit the burn button. Wait for 5
dialog box. Under the ‘Boot’ tab specify the button to begin adding files and folders to minutes and there you go! Your unattended
boot sector file which you extracted. Set the the compilation. Drag all the contents of the Windows installation disc is ready!
emulation as ‘No emulation’ and keep the boot Windows XP installation disc that you copied Before you begin using it, keep one thing in
message blank. Most importantly, remember on your hard drive (with the answer file in the mind. As the installation is customized, refrain
to set the ‘Number of loaded sectors’ as 4. ‘i386’ folder), into the left pane. from lending the disc to anyone.
Forget about codecs and play your movie straight off a bootable CD
T
ake a moment to think about the your GeeXboX boot CD. Now is the time to
different kinds of media file types insert your movie CD and enjoy. The OSD
you know about. VCD, DVD, DivX, menu can be navigated with a keyboard,
XviD, MP3, MPEG4, WMA, RealMedia, joystick or a supported remote control like
Ogg/Vorbis, AC3—the list goes on. And the ATI Remote Wonder or Pinnacle PCTV
every other day you hear of some new Remote. Once the CD has been inserted, use
format springing up that is amazing and the right arrow button to go to a sub-menu
so much better, but you need to install and the left arrow to go back. The menu
the codec. And before you know, there’s a items are pretty self-explanatory and lets
veritable codec conflict happening under The ISO image of the your bootable CD you play around with various kinds of media
the hood. The answer to this comes in the should look like this like VCD, DVD, audio CD and single files like
form of GeeXboX, a standalone media 2. GeeXboX x.xx.x ISO Generator (i386 (PC) DivX, WMA, MP3 or MPEG. It also gives you
player and a bootable operating system in Target) from the GeexboX ISO Generator playback control and allows you to change
one. Built around Linux and Mplayer (open section things like aspect ratio and subtitles.
source media player), GeeXboX can boot The first one is the simplest way of But this is all so plain jane. The actual
right from a CD and play any media file using GeeXboX. It’s a bootable ISO image fun begins when you tweak the source
that is available out there. You don’t need file with all the necessary stuff (check the files and create your own GeeXboX release.
to use Windows. Moreover, GeeXboX is a box for dope on an ISO image file). All you For that, you need the second file we
free, open-source software; this means you need to do is burn a copy of the .iso file downloaded. This one is a tarball (Linux
can modify it and build your own release of using any standard CD burning software speak for zip file) with a tar.gz extension.
the GeeXboX. like Nero Burning ROM. Check out the Winzip does not handle such files. Use 7-Zip
Sounds interesting? Let’s get started. second part of this workshop to know how. (www.7-zip.org) to unzip this in Windows.
First visit www.geexbox.org/en/ Pop the CD in your drive, set the first The files you get look like that as displayed
downloads.html and download a copy of boot option to CD-ROM and reboot. in the screenshot above.
the following: GeeXboX will boot off the CD and present Remember that it’s critical to maintain
1. GeeXboX x.xx.x English Edition for i386 you with the On-Screen Display (OSD) this structure for the GeeXboX to operate.
(PC) from the GeeXboX ISO section menu. At the same time, it will also eject Double click on “Generator.exe” to invoke
the GeeXboX ISO Generator. This lets you
make changes to the source files by using a
GUI for us non-geeky kinds.
5 Your GeeXboX can also access files from 7 After creating your custom GeeXboX
other networked Windows computers configuration, you compile it
WINDOWS 125
1 Windows XP Run older applications in Win XP
2 Windows XP Protect your identity
3 Windows XP Increasing the capacity of Start menu
4 Windows XP Enable Administrative tools in the Programs menu
5 Windows XP Disable Windows Messenger
6 Windows XP Stop highlighting new programs
7 Windows XP Shortcuts for all user accounts
Peace Of Mind
Unbeatable on-the-ground presence.
To ensure that you're free
to focus - on the next level of productivity
for your organization.
In the Properties dialog box, set the line of the tab. formats is VLC. VLC (initially Video LAN
password first and click on Apply. If you If you are a music freak, you’ll be Client) is a highly portable multimedia
only plan to monitor “X” and not control it, amazed to see how much you have player for various audio and video formats
then you should check the “Disable remote listened! (MPEG-1, MPEG-2, MPEG-4, DivX, mp3,
keyboard and pointer (view-only mode)”. ogg…) as well as dvds, vcds, and various
This is perfect for simple monitoring of PCs 11 | WINAMP streaming protocols. You can download the
on a network. Cool looks free software from their official web site,
Note that this setting has been made Is it possible to make the Winamp window http://www.videolan.org/vlc/. Once on
from computer “X”, so if you need to translucent? this page, select the player suitable for your
switch back to the interactive mode then operating system. It supports a wide array
you will need to visit the machine and Translucency gives the Winamp of operating systems including Windows,
change it back to the defaults. An easier window a cool look. But for that you will Mac OS X, Debian GNU/Linux, Mandrake
method would be to right click on the need the latest version of Winamp. Linux, Fedora core, Red Hat Linux and even
VNC Listener (the icon with the smaller It is possible to make the player window Windows CE/Pocket PC. You can even get
“V” in the system tray) and select “New translucent only in the ‘Modern skin’ mode. the source code. Once downloaded, install
Connection”. Enter the machine’s IP If you are not using the ‘Modern skin’, the software. The interface is like any other
address or hostname and click on Options. enable it from the skin browser which can media player. Once in a while keep looking
In the Options dialog box, enable the be accessed via the shortcut ‘Alt + s’. for newer versions of the software, which
option “View Only (inputs ignored)”, click Now right click on Winamp’s title bar and would include support for newer formats.
on OK and then OK once again to connect navigate to ‘Window settings | Opacity’.
to “X”. You will be prompted to enter a Select the opacity percentage depending 13| Word
password—one you set on “X” earlier. on the level of translucency you like. Lesser Applying text formatting
Enter the password and click on OK. When the opacity, the higher is the translucency. I have formatted text in MS Word. I would
X’s desktop appears in a new window you Opacity between 70 percent and 80 like to apply the same format to some
will only be able to monitor activities on percent looks very cool. other paragraph. Rather than applying
the desktop. If network bandwidth is a a couple of changes all over again, is it
precious commodity, click on “TightVNC possible to do it in a few clicks?
Viewer (Best Compression)” or “Fast
Compression”—this will display the remote Word has a very useful tool called
computer but low detail. ‘Format Painter’ which is an option in the
‘Standard toolbar’. It is located between
10 | WINAMP the ‘Paste’ and the ‘Undo’ button. It’s
Total music played specifically meant to copy and apply text
How do I check the total time played by formatting within or between documents.
Winamp till date? Using it is very simple.
First select the text that has the
After starting Winamp, press ‘Ctrl formatting that you want to copy.
+ p’ to bring up the ‘Preferences’ dialog box. Click the ‘Format Painter’ button on the
Under ‘Plug-ins’ in the left pane, select ‘Standard toolbar’. This makes the mouse
‘Output’. 11 Make your Winamp window pointer change to a paint-brush icon.
Double click on the ‘DirectSound translucent to jazz it up Now select the text that you wish to
output’ in the right pane. Select the format and you’re done.
‘Status’ tab and there you are! If the player 12 | Media Player To apply formatting to more than one
is stopped, it will just show the total time Playing all popular video files block of text, double click on ‘Format
played. Else it will appear in the second-last I have recently got movies encoded in Painter’.
the divx, xvid and various other formats. It saves a lot of time especially when it
In spite of installing quite a number of is across documents.
codecs, some of my movies don’t play.
Can you recommend a single media player 14 | Word
capable of playing almost all the popular Disabling startup task pane
formats? Each time I start Word, Excel or
PowerPoint, I get the startup task pane.
10 Check out how much music you’ve One media player well known for How do I disable it?
listened to using Winamp
its capability to play a wide variety of
16 | Word
Setting default language
By default, all word documents have the
14 If you get bothered by the task pane
language set to English (US style). As
you can disable it
a result, certain words which are spelt
correctly according to the British dictionary
If you don’t use the startup task get underlined red denoting a spelling
pane, it’s a bit irritating when it pops error. How do I set the language to British
up each time you start Word, Excel or English permanently?
PowerPoint. To disable it, go to ‘Tools |
Options’ and select the ‘View’ tab. If you wish to change the language
Under the section ‘Show’, uncheck the to British English only for the current
option ‘Startup Task Pane’ and click ‘OK’. session, you can do so by going to ‘Tools | 17 StuffPlug allows opening links in
This is applicable to all applications in Language | Set Language’. Select ‘English the default browser through MSN
MS Office 2003, which show the startup (U.K.)’and click OK to set the language for Messenger
task pane. the current session.
If you are accustomed to ‘English (U.K.)’
15 | Word and want the change to be permanent When you open your Hotmail inbox
Changing measurement units for all the documents, click the ‘Default’ using MSN Messenger, it will inevitably
How do I change the measurement units in button after you select ‘English (U.K.)’ from open up in Internet Explorer. And it’s
Word to centimeters or millimeters instead the language options. Click ‘Yes’ when not possible to open it in some other
of inches? you are prompted to make the change browser set as default unless you use
permanent. some third party tools. Download the
By default, MS Word uses inches as latest version of Messenger Plus
measurement units. However, if you want from www.msgplus.net, which
to change it to centimeters or millimeters is an add-on to MSN Messenger.
It adds a big chunk of tweaks
to MSN Messenger making it
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State-of-the-art
E-mail hosting and
management system.
16
If you’re used to the British dictionary, With a 99.5%
set it as the default language in Word
performance guarantee.
After you change the language to
‘English (U.K.)’, any word spelt in the
US style will get changed to UK style
15 automatically. For example, if you type For a free trial call QuantumLink Communications Pvt. Ltd.
Change the measurement units in Mumbai - 26820004. Bangalore - 51152792.
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get changed to ‘favourite’.
more versatile. This includes options to this is what you will get: http://tinyurl. The best thing about the alarm feature
fine tune your contact list, chat windows, com/9nzna. This URL opens the same page is that the phone need not be on for the
messages and so on. It also has an option and can very easily be read out to someone alarm to work. Even while the phone is off,
to use plug-ins, which further enhances its over the phone. it beeps at the set time and gives you the
functionality. One such plug-in is StuffPlug, option to snooze or stop the alarm. It also
which adds more features to Messenger 20 | Web Browser gives an option to switch on the phone
Plus. It gives an option to open the links Backing up Firefox settings after the alarm.
in default browser instead of Internet and preferences This way you’ll save battery life and
Explorer. Apart from this, it has 20 other I’m in the process of moving companies most importantly enjoy a peaceful sleep!
tweaks that you can try out. and I want all the settings in my Firefox
browser on the new PC exactly as it was on
18 | Instant Messenger the old PC. Is there a way to back up all of
Uninstalling pre-installed version of my Firefox settings, themes, bookmarks,
MSN Messenger extensions and customizations?
I use the newer version of MSN
messenger—version 7.5, but the older A superb program called MozBackup
(version 4.7) which came pre-installed with packages all your essential Firefox and
Windows XP, also exists. How do I uninstall Thunderbird settings: bookmarks, mail,
the older version? contacts, history, extensions, cache etc.
Download the program from http://
To install the older version of MSN mozbackup.jasnapaka.com/. Install the
21
Messenger, Click on start and then click on program and run it. Pick your Mozilla There’s no need to keep your Symbian-
based phone on for the alarm to work
Run. Then type the following into the open program and your user and choose “Backup
run box: a profile.” You will be able to password-
RunDll32 advpack.dll,LaunchINFSection protect your backup file. Please note that 22 | PC
%windir%\INF\msmsgs.inf,BLC.Remove you can’t run Firefox when you’re backing Protection against power surges
You will get a prompt asking you to exit up. When you’re done, the resulting .pcv How do I protect my computer against
the old MSN messenger from the system file will contain all your settings. Email the lightning? I also have frequent voltage
tray in case you’re running it. Close all file to your account and download it on fluctuations at my house. In such a
other programs that display the contact your new computer. Install MozBackup on scenario, how do I safeguard my PC?
list, for example, Outlook, Outlook Express, your new computer and run it. Now choose
MSN explorer and make sure you close all the option “restore a profile”. This should A power surge is a sudden brief
programs for all users who have signed in set your Firefox in the same way you had it increase in the line voltage, usually caused
to the computer. In the end, you will get a on your old computer. by lightning or power outages, short
prompt saying that it has been uninstalled. circuits, tripped circuit breakers, etc. It can
Hardware damage your electrical equipment or at
19 | Web Page 21 | Mobile Phone least reduce its life span. When lightning
Trimming a URL Using alarm in mobile when strikes a power line, it creates an extremely
I need to tell someone over the phone switched off large power surge that overpowers almost
about a web page with a very long URL and I own a Symbian Series 60-based cell phone. any surge protector, so don’t rely only on
it’s not possible for me to mail the link to And I prefer keeping it off at night for a a surge protector. The best way to protect
him. What do I do? peaceful sleep. However, I also use it as an your computer is to unplug it. Also unplug
alarm clock to wake up. Is it possible to use any phone or coaxial cables.
You can go to www.tinyurl.com, the alarm clock while the phone is off? To tackle voltage fluctuations, it’s
enter a long URL into the box and hit on advisable to use a good quality surge
the button that says “make a tinyURL!” And The Symbian Series 60-based cell protector. The quality is generally
you have a tiny URL that never expires. For phones have a clock utility featuring an proportional to the price; a cheap spike
example, you want to tell someone about alarm with support for snooze, which guard (spikes and surges are pretty
this URL: http://www.chip-india.com/ repeats the alarm a few minutes after you similar, difference being a surge lasts for 3
townsquare/viewtopic.php?t=5391, which switch it off. nanoseconds whereas a spike lasts for 1 or
opens the page for the prize winners of the To set an alarm, run the clock utility 2 nanoseconds) would do little more than
‘Monster PC’ contest. You just have to copy usually present under ‘Extras’. Choose just providing power outlets. It should also
and paste the URL in the box and hit the ‘Options’ and select ‘Set alarm’. Set the have an indicator light indicating whether
button that says “make a tiny URL!” And time using the dial pad. it’s functioning properly or not. It should
have a fuse that burns out if more than a objects; the more open space it gets the Another substantial advantage of
particular amount of voltage passes through better it sounds. The placement is also upgrading the firmware of your DVD drives
it. Power surges can also travel through your very important; it should be placed on the comes in the form of support for latest
phone lines and coaxial cables—the phone floor and not on any objects or shelves. formats of DVD discs. Many of the older
line connects to the modem and the coaxial Also make sure that it’s away from the DVD drives only support DVD-R format and
cable is used to provide broadband Internet. computer or any other electronic device. are unable to read the later DVD+R format.
Look for a surge protector with a telephone Woofers are generally not magnetically In many cases, flashing the firmware also
and coaxial cable line-in jack. Some UPS shielded and hence may cause interference adds support for DVD+R format discs.
units also provide surge protection. with other devices. Satellites should ideally
be placed at ear level in terms of the height 26 | Scanners
23 | PC from the floor. This creates an ideal sound Scan those images right
Cooling your system field, which plays a key role in delivering How do I ensure that the documents I scan
Please tell me how I can keep my system cool. positional audio—a dominant feature for come out perfect?
DVD movies.
Computers are becoming faster Scanning images and documents
by the day, promising more power and 25 | DVD Drives is a simple job but it does call for some
capacity than you can ever need. But with Upgrade your DVD drive for free guidelines to ensure that the scanned
all the power comes some heat. The heat Please tell me how I can upgrade my DVD images and documents come out the
generated by the chips running at high drive. way you want them to. For instance,
speeds is cooled by the coolers and fans placing the document/photograph in the
inside the case. To ensure proper cooling, Most of us have DVD drives, flatbed scanner can also influence the
you should avoid cutting off the airflow to allowing us to read DVD discs and play final output. Most modern scanners are
your computer. DVD media. But many of us might not be intelligent enough to correct any accidental
Depending on the design, your aware of the DVD Region Protection Code placement errors. Many of us don’t align
computer draws air through vents in the (RPC), a standard that was implemented the pages properly, so some scanners
front, sides or bottom. Keep everything to avoid piracy of DVDs when they were have incorporated a feature to correct
at least an inch away from obvious vents. initially launched. Now that DVD media is misalignments automatically.
(Tip: If your computer starts running hot, universal and has become part of popular However, the auto correction feature
don’t take off the case in an attempt to entertainment, newer DVD drives are in most scanners works only to a certain
give it more airflow. That usually diffuses generally not region-protected. In case you extent. The pages/photos that are just
the air too much. Instead, find out why it’s have a relatively older DVD Drive, chances slightly skewed on the scanner bed are
running hot and get it fixed.) are that it is region protected and hence corrected. If your original is tilted by more
will only allow you to change the DVD than 10 degrees, the scanner assumes
24 | Speakers region codes five times. The fifth change that you intentionally put it that way. So
Place your speakers correctly will be permanent and the DVD will stay don’t can’t assume that all the scans will
I want to know if there is any particular locked to a particular region, allowing be corrected irrespective of the placement,
way I should place my speakers. you to only play DVD movie discs that and try scanning the document or
correspond to that region. photo again. ■
If you have just upgraded your PC The solution lies in flashing the firmware,
speakers to more powerful and advanced or installing a particular utility that unlocks
ones, you should learn how to use them the DVD drive. Doing this will convert your http://www.postmaster.co.in
M
odifications or MODS as they are popularly called change your gaming experience
altogether—when you’ve finished playing a game and want to play it again with
some changes made to it, MODS are just what you need. MODS could either change
the storyline or add new characters or even convert the genre of the game. They are not
1 developed by the actual developers of the game but by gaming enthusiasts around the globe.
You can download these MODS directly from www.moddb.com. A look here at the 10 popular
MODs available for popular games.
4 The Lord of the Rings: The Battle for Middle Earth Elven MOD
All of you who played The Battle for Middle Earth must have craved for a glimpse of Liv Tyler in
the game. Well, your wish is granted with this MOD. The Elven MOD apart from adding an Elven
faction to your game will make certain changes to your other factions. The new heroes that you
get are Galadriel, Elrond, Haldir, Gamling, and Gothmog. Spearmen of the Havens, Mirkwood
Scouts, and Riders of Rivendell are among the new units. The Elves faction will also offer new
strategies for cavalry,
Vishwanath Vanjire 4
stealth, and sieges. This
will definitely help you
3 in your fight to defeat
the dark forces of
Mordor and protect the
Ring bearer, Frodo.
10
FEATURE | UNWIND 133
7
Get ready for multiple role-playing in this amazing
puzzle-oriented game
I
ndigo Prophecy, aka Fahrenheit, gets play, you will seldom find yourself with only
underway with an absolute bang. You one option. Your choice will send the story
begin by playing the role of Lucas Kane, spinning in a particular direction.
a young man who stops over at a diner for As the story progresses, Lucas is in
a snack. But suddenly some strange force the curious position of knowing that he
overpowers him. He slashes his arms committed a murder, even though he does
wildly and brutallys stab a man to death. not know why he did so. He is also disturbed
Strange visions fly through his mind and by the strange visions haunting him. On the
then suddenly, Kane snaps out of it. He verge of doubting his own sanity, he also
sees the dead body, looks at the knife has to dodge the police who are hot on his
in his hand, and is horrified. heels. He confides in his brother Markus,
As Lucas Kane, you now have thus putting him in a bit of a spot as well.
to decide what to do. Since there Meanwhile, a number of murders come
is a policeman in the diner, your to light and the city faces unprecedented
first task is to get out of the snowfall. Is Lucas guilty? What is the secret
restaurant in one piece. Do so force driving him? Is the city under threat
without leaving too many from not just a serial killer but also the
clues—after all, the cops will sinisterly increasing snow? These are just
Top: Indigo Prophecy begins be along in a while. In fact, it some of the questions whose answers you
with a rather grisly murder.
might not be a bad idea to have to seek in the game.
Bottom: A rattled Lucas sees a leave the odd clue behind. And you do so in a glorious cinematic
policeman at his door. Will he
Because it’s you who will be setting. The graphics and environments
lose his nerve or hold it? It’s up
to you. investigating the murder! may not be as dazzling as that in Half-Life
And that is the real beauty 2 or Myst 5, but are more than sufficient.
of Indigo Prophecy. You don’t The voice acting, sound effects and music
play it from just one perspective but coupled with a gripping storyline are superb.
four. You play a murderer, two of the police However, Indigo Prophecy is not free of
detectives (Carla Valenti and Tyler Miles) glitches. It does not allow you to save at
investigating the crime Kane has committed any place you wish, preferring to autosave
and Markus Kane, Kane’s brother. And at certain locations. The game play does
when these characters interact with one take some getting used to. And while the
another, you can opt to play as one of them ability to play different characters is fun, it
and then switch roles and play the role of can leave you dreadfully confused at times,
the other. Quite simply, Indigo Prophecy is especially if you happen to take a break from
like a story that unfolds depending on the the game for a while.
decisions that you take in accordance to But all these pale into insignificance
which character’s shoes you have stepped when compared with what Indigo Prophecy
into. And no matter what character you offers—hours of compelling game play
with arguably one of the most riveting
RATINGS 9 / 10 stories ever told in gaming history. Also,
For: Terrific story; amazing sound and
music; great replay value. this one has phenomenal replay value—
you will find yourself trying different
Against: Autosaving system; new
approaches even before you reach the end.
interface might take some time getting
used to. ■| Nimish Dubey
Price: Rs 1,499 Publisher: Atari Distributors: Milestone Interactive Software Ltd Tel: 022-28203319 System: Windows All, Pentium III 800 MHz or faster
CPU, 256 MB RAM, 8x or faster CD/DVD drive, 2 GB of free hard disk space, video card with 32 MB or more memory
Vishwanath Vanjire
135 UNWIND | FEATURE FEATURE | UNWIND 135
Price: Rs 1,299 Publisher: EA Sports Distributors: Gayathri Impex Pvt Ltd Tel: 022-23881443 System: Windows XP/2000, 1.3 GHz or faster CPU, 256 MB
RAM, 8x or faster CD/DVD drive, 2.7 GB of free hard disk space, video card with 32 MB or more memory
Pramod Jadhav
FEBRUARY 2006 | INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP | FEBRUARY 2006
Build your own movie studio
and rake in moolah in this
addictive strategy game
Y
our long cherished dream of making your ratings is another tough job as one bad film
own movies and owing a studio will now could bring these ratings down. If you feel your
come true with The Movies. However, if scriptwriters are not doing a good job then you
your think running a studio in a game is pretty can try a hand at scriptwriting and then assign
easier, you will be surprised to find that it’s not. actors and directors to take the script forward
After installation, when you begin with at the casting office. At the ‘post production
the tutorial you are told how to build your office’ you can add subtitles, give some finishing
own studio from scratch, construct sets, hire touches to your movie before you release it.
actors and directors, crew members and most Another noticeable feature in this game is
importantly, you are instructed how to make that with newer technologies researched by your
movies that will earn you studio money as scientists, you will able to make movies in color
well as recognition. The game begins in the as well as add sound effects. Your job doesn’t
year 1920. You need to hire builders as well end here though, you will need to keep the
as cleaners to ensure your sets as well as your stars you hire happy by catering to their needs,
studio premises are in perfect condition. For assigning trailers to them, giving them an image
the first two movies, the script is automatically makeover as well as an occasional pay rise. Last
provided to you but after that you will have to but not the least, there’s an awards ceremony
build your scriptwriting office by hiring some that takes place every five years. Based on the
good scriptwriters. On the top of the screen is an awards that your studio earns you will be able to
information bar that will keep you posted about unlock new sets as well as climb up the ratings
the latest news; it’s here that you come to know charts.
which genre of movies people want to see at Game play is simple and based on the drag
that time. So if you want to rake in good money, and drop concept. The graphics are superb and
make sure your scriptwriters write a script on the overall look of your actors as well as your
the genre in demand or else your movie could be movies keeps changing as the game progresses.
Top: A bird’s eye view of a big dud at the box office. The available genres You can upload your movies on the web as well
your studio
include horror, comedy, romance, sci-fi and as watch the movies created by other players on
Middle: Assign the action with sets built specifically to shoot the the home site.
costume of your choice
On the downside, the game lags when played
to your stars
Bottom: Zoom in to see
RATINGS 8 / 10 on the highest settings and does not give a good
For: Simple and addictive game play; sharing response. ■
the movie being shot
your movies possible; good graphics. | Anup Pillai
Against: Game lags when played at the
highest settings.
Price: Rs 999 Publisher : Activision Developer: Lionhead Studios Distributors: World Wide CD ROMS Tel: 022-56973894 System: Windows
98SE/2000/ME/XP, Pentium III 800 MHz or faster CPU, 256 MB RAM, 8x or faster CD/DVD drive, 2.4 GB of free hard disk space, video card with 32 MB or more memory
Pramod Jadhav
I
n the movie King Kong, Peter Jackson so that you buy yourself enough time to
proved his mettle again. Audiences escape. When you are hurt, the screen
worldwide were pleased with the turns red which means that you will have
stunning visual effects in the film staging to take cover and another hit could be fatal
the return of the king. Having watched the for you.
film, the question that came to mind was As the story proceeds, you get to play
whether Ubisoft would be able to create as King Kong. However, this part is short
the same kind of magic in the game. But as compared to the portions of the game
after playing King Kong: The Official Game where you play as Jack. Playing as Kong
of the Movie it can be said that Ubisoft (the highlight of the game) is total fun and
doesn’t disappoint. The game is you just have to keep swinging through the
as appealing and visually stunning jungle and lay off your enemies with raw
as the movie. power. Replicate the scene in the movie
You are introduced to the game with where Kong snaps T-Rex’s jaw simply by
Carl Denham cruising with his movie crew using a few keys. Sometimes when playing
(Jack, the screenwriter and actress Ann as Kong, you will need to enlist the support
Darrow are part of it) to ‘Skull Island’ for of the Ann in order to progress further in
shooting a film. The actual game play the game.
begins once the crew lands at ‘Skull Island’, Majority of the game takes place at
which has been brillianty re-created. ‘Skull Island’ with a small part being in
Top: Kong snapping
Initially, you play as Jack and your main New York where Kong is brought after he
T-Rex’s jaw and finishing
aim is to protect yourself and Ann from the has been captured. But if you’re expecting him off
ferocious creatures you encounter and get Kong to go on a large-scale rampage in
Bottom: Kong’s first
yourselves out of the island. Therefore, you New York then you will be disappointed encounter with Ann
will have to use the ammo available to you to find the rampage scaled down to a
very wisely else you will have to use bones great extent.
or spears as your primary weapons. Action Game play is simple while letting
includes the captain of the ship dropping you be a part of an exhilarating gaming
crates full of guns from his plane for you experience. The effects are also superb.
to pick up while he looks for a clear space On the flipside, the game is very short.
RATINGS 9 / 10
For: Excellent graphics; game play keeps
to land. Some of the ferocious creatures You could finish playing the entire game
you on the edge of your seat, great sound
like the packs of Tyrannosaurus rexes that very quickly. But these drawbacks apart, effects.
pop up periodically can’t be shot down, this game truly offers quality adventure,
Against: Kong portion is short; game is
no matter how hard you try. You will have something that you will enjoy thoroughly. of a very short duration and gets over in
to distract them with gunfire and spears | Anup Pillai about six hours .
Price: Rs 1,299 Publisher : Ubisoft Distributor: e-xpress Interactive Software Pvt Ltd Tel: 022-28870016 System: Windows 98SE/2000/ME/XP, 1 GHz or
higher CPU, 256 MB RAM, 8x or faster CD/DVD drive, 1.5 GB of free hard disk space, video card with 64 MB or more memory
Vishwanath Vanjire
FEBRUARY 2006 | INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP INTELLIGENT COMPUTING CHIP | FEBRUARY 2006
138 UNWIND | BOOK REVIEW
More on Yahoo
Your chance to optimize your web experience with the
mélange of features and services that Yahoo offers
P
aul Bausch’s Yahoo! Hacks, Tips and of the coding. So those who have not tried their
Tools for Living on the Web Frontier is a hand at programming can start with the first
comprehensive compilation of interesting set of hacks and then move on to the other
tips and tricks allowing you to enrich your advanced ones.
Internet experience—it lets you optimize what What’s worth mentioning is the way the
Yahoo offers in the best possible way. book has been organized—there are reference
The preface begins with a brief introduction numbers for hacks in the chapters, so in case
of Yahoo and highlights how Yahoo’s ‘Fuse’ (Find, you want to refer to a particular hack, you can
Use, Share and Expand) philosophy has been straightaway jump to that. Besides, the scripts
ingrained in all of Yahoo’s newest services. The are exhaustive and customized. Interestingly,
basic idea is to let you walk into those uncharted apart from the hacks, there is an abundance of
Yahoo territories and familiarize you with all warnings and suggestions, which come handy.
the new Yahoo services; examples abound on The book has noticeably excluded numeric
the various ways people are expanding and index for screenshots (as we have in product
customizing Yahoo to reap the maximum benefit manuals). The size of the pages being
out of it. Most importantly, the book demystifies considerably small, it would have been a better
the term “hacks”, which thanks to the press, idea to index the various elements in a page
has been oft misquoted. The Hacks series is an numerically for better understanding of the
attempt to reclaim the word and show how the readers as and when they need to refer to the
quickest way to learn a new technology screenshots. Also, tips for beginners should
is by observing how others approach have had more screenshots for better
systems and problems. understanding of the hack.
The book covers chapters like As the subtitle suggests, the book is indeed
Yahoo ‘Search’ (touching upon a wide and interesting collection of tips and
how to fine-tune web tools for a richer experience on the web. It’s well
search queries, saving search organized and modulated. However, it must be
with web short cuts et al); Yahoo ‘Services’ noted that the book is meant for users who
telling you how to track your investments, how already have basic knowledge and experience
to build your own stock update e-mail; Yahoo of the Internet. ■
‘Communicating’ including a combo of tools | Pradosh Mitra
to enable you to communicate and collaborate
seamlessly on the web; Yahoo ‘Web Services’
| What you can do
such as programming Yahoo with Java, etc and Fine-tune search queries with keyboard
Yahoo ‘Applications’, and ‘Webmastering’. shortcuts and advanced syntax.
The panorama of hacks covered in each chapter Store, sort, blog, feed, track, and share
is wide and each hack is well described for photos with Flickr and RSS.
the reader to comprehend and practically Visualize search results and topics, mash up
implement it. images from around the web and remix other
The author has taken care to do away with web content.
jargons as much as possible; at places where Manage and customize Yahoo Mail, use it as
jargons can’t be avoided, the your universal e-mail client to access all your
| Yahoo! Hacks author has made sure he other accounts.
Authors : Paul Bausch deconstructs the meaning. List (or hide) your site with Yahoo and
Price : Rs 400
Publisher : Shroff Publishers and Distributors Pvt Ltd
The hacks are categorized into integrate Yahoo Groups, Messenger,
Phone : 022-27634290 Beginner, Moderate and Expert, contextual search or other Yahoo features.
E-mail : spdorders@shroffpublishers.com depending upon the complexity
PRIME ABGB
Shop No.16,Laxmi Building Compound, Banlgore 09845028869 Hyderbad 09848052085
390,Lamington Road, Mumbai-400004 Calcutta 09830045322 Mumbai 09821035100
Phone: 23896600,23855500 Fax: 022-23885500
Email-primeservices@vsnl.com Chennai 09840077334 Kolhapur 09890690655
146 Classifieds
Free Software | 35 graphics cards | MS Office secrets RNI Registration No. MAHENG/2003/12687