GeekLicious

Nintendo has announced a new fitness game Wii Fit which is a full on exercise product set to give you more of a workout than Wii Sports, while still retaining all the fun of gaming. Wii Fit will help to keep you physically fit via a dedicated peripheral, a wireless balance board which comes with the game. There are over 40 different activities, including hula hooping, ski jumping and heading soccer balls.

The hula hooping consists of, as you’d expect, gyrating your hips with a virtual hoop onscreen and then as the game progresses, characters will throw more hoops for you to catch and rotate as many times as you can until the time runs out.

The skiing game gives you two chances to make the longest jump you can whilst keeping your balance when landing. Players can increase speed by leaning forward, the more you lean the faster you’ll go, and upon reaching the jump, you stand up straight ensuring your weight is evenly balanced for a good landing.

For the football game, you will need to balance on the board moving from side to side whilst balls are fired at you to hit back on to the field and avoiding other objects that are thrown at you at the same time.

Training falls into 4 categories: Aerobics, muscle conditioning, yoga and balance games. Players can assign their height to a profile to measure body mass index and Wii fitness age as well as monitor progress and record performance statistics.

The calorie busting fun could appeal to couch potato kids as well a non gamers, perhaps using the Nintendo Wii as a slimming tool which would be a move into the lifestyle category rather than gaming, covering the market from another angle.

Nintendo hasn't given a release date yet for Wii Fit, although its thought to hit the highstreet in early 2008.

Author: Karen Bennett. For more news and information on the Nintendo Wii Console and to find the cheapest prices, visit my website http://www.compareconsoleprices.co.uk/nintendo_wii.html

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The universal acceptance of computers into our daily lives, both at work and at home, has decreased the image of computer users as being “geeks.” The word geek itself has evolved a bit - going from meaning a socially inept person who gets along better with computers than people, to someone who is an expert with computers, a guru even. In fact, many computer service companies utilize the name geek in their nomenclature because of this new meaning.


Not everyone who is proficient in using a computer is a geek, but there are people out there who are so interested in computers and so well versed in them, they wear the title geek with pride. Many of these people may not have had formal training. They’ve been playing with computer hardware, or software since they were ten years old. So what should you do if you have this kind of computer knowledge? A few years ago, it was very easy to get a well paying computer job, without any post secondary education. Advances in technology, the dot-com implosion and wider acceptance of technology doesn’t make it so easy any more. The good news is, you don’t need a four year degree to secure a well paying job in the computer field. Even if you’re not a self professed computer geek, if you have an interest in a computer career, here are some good fields to study.

Computer Networking

Computer networking jobs entail designing, repairing and maintaining PC networks, usually in a business setting. There is no industry standard for software, but Microsoft dominates, with Novell taking a distant second place. Cisco dominates the category in hardware routers. Courses of study available include A+ (basic computer hardware), MCSE (Microsoft Certified Systems Engineer), MCSA (Microsoft Certified Systems Administrator), Novell Netware and Cisco Certification.

Career positions in this category include network design, network administration and network security. Depending on the employer, a computer networking professional may do all, or some of these duties.

Computer Security

Computer security is another growing field. Many businesses have created networks, websites and become reliant on computer technology, without employing safeguards to protect their data. There are many malevolent computer geeks out there who attack systems, or software for fun, curiosity or profit. Data extortion is now a common organized crime method for the Russian mafia!

Security violations have created new careers in network security and software development. Courses of study are mainly in Microsoft products and software development languages like Visual Basic, C++, .net, compiler and assembly languages.

Career positions in this category include network security, software programming, web design, web development and website administration (server side).

Databases

The acceptance of computers into business has created a great demand for databases. Almost every industry has a need for databases for marketing, client retention and daily operations. Industries such as banking, insurance, hospitals and utilities absolutely rely on them. Terrorism threats have created new laws, like the Patriot Act, that require a database of all foreign nationals who enter the country.

Creation of these databases relies on software, mainly developed by Oracle for large scale databases, Microsoft SQL for web based applications and Microsoft Access for smaller scale and custom applications.

Jobs in the database category include data architects, database administrators and information systems managers.

The information age has created a wealth of career opportunities for computer geeks, elevating their status as knowledgeable professionals and compensating them well financially. If you’re a computer geek, or would like to become one, a career in any of these professions can be obtained in less than two years of study.

www.top-colleges.com

Author: Max Stein, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
http://www.degreesource.com/articles
Max Stein is a freelance writer who writes about business, education and marketing.
For daily updates, read our blog at http://degreesource.blogspot.com

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All of us folks who are lucky enough to already have an iPhone know how much fun they can be just to play around with. Playing with my iPhone a lot myself, I have discovered some cool tips and tricks that you may find useful.


1. If you tap once at the very top of the screen when you are on the internet, it will take you back to the top of the window rather than having to scroll all the way back up. A nice time saving feature.

2. If you set the font to the smallest size, you can read more in the internet window. An advantage of this is that when you want to click a link, you can pinch (expand) that area and the link will come up very large, making it much easier to click.

3. Rather than posting the full address of internet sites in bookmarks, you can post the equivalent RSS address instead into Apple's RSS reader and save that as your bookmark. This way you can quickly see if there's anything interesting on your favorite site rather than downloading the whole homepage.

4. If you are writing something and the iPhone flags a word as misspelled that you know is not misspelled, cancel the correction 3 times and the word will be put into the dictionary. If you write a lot, this feature is quite useful!

5. The magnifying glass is a nice iPhone tool when you are typing an email or any other text. If you tap once and hold, a magnifying glass will pop up showing you a zoomed in view of your words and cursor. You can now easily place the cursor wherever you want. This makes editing your writing very easy.

6. You can move icons around, but not on the home screen. You have to go to the ipod section. Go to iPod > More > Edit. Now you can drag your icons all around. This can also be done in the phone section.

7. To reset your iphone, hold down the right button and the "home" front button for about 6 seconds. To power it back on, push the top button. This is different than a regular shutdown, which can be done easily by holding the sleep/wake button for 6 seconds.

8. If you get a lot of spam e-mail or other unwanted e-mail, pay attention to this time saving feature. Add a link to Yahoo mail in Safari bookmarks. From there you can check 'delete all' to remove all unwanted e-mails. This is much easier than deleting hundreds of spam e-mails one at a time.

I hope you found these iphone tips helpful. If you have an iPhone and have been wondering how best to fill it up with music and movies, check out Top iPhone Downloads for the latest reviews of iPhone download sites.

Author: CJ Prato

I hope you found this information useful. If you are wondering how to best fill up your iPhone with the latest music and movies, check out http://www.topiphonedownloads.com for the latest iPhone download reviews.

This article may be reprinted or used as part of a news letter as long as it stays intact, including the author's signature.

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In today's climate of modern technology, it's not enough to simply have a cell phone. There are countless cell phone accessories available to enhance your ability to communicate anywhere, anytime, and with anyone. You want to be at the forefront of this technology--these 10 must have cell phone accessories will take your communication experience to the next level and make using your cell phone a breeze.


What are the 10 must have cell phone accessories for 2007?

Universal Bluetooth Keyboard: This full size keyboard comes with its own carrying case to make it more convenient for writing e-mails and typing notes on-the-go. The Universal Bluetooth Keyboard can turn your cell phone into a laptop for full communication anywhere, anytime. Because it's Bluetooth, it works with any Bluetooth-enabled device and rids you of the need for cumbersome wires. Turn anywhere into an office at a moment's notice.



Motorola RAZRWIRE Oakley Bluetooth Sunglasses: Now you can turn hands-free communication into a fashion statement with the Oakley sunglasses with Bluetooth hands-free technology built in. Oakley is world-famous for style, and Bluetooth technology is top-of-the-line wireless connection. When the two come together, you get stylish eyewear that keeps you connected wherever you are.








Bluetooth Speakerphone for Bluetooth Phones and PDA's: You want to be able to stay connected and stay safe at the same time. The Bluetooth Speakerphone plugs effortlessly into your car cigarette lighter, making it easier--and safer--to keep in contact while traveling in the car.






SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo 2GB: With larger storage capacities than a standard Memory Stick, the SanDisk Memory Stick PRO Duo 2GB can transfer data at a rate of 15MB/second. Perfect for DVD-quality video in real time, the SanDisk Memory Stick provides advanced security with MagicGate technology. If the power is suddenly cut-off or the media is accidentally removed, the SanDisk Memory Stick can prevent data loss because of its high-speed transfer rates.


Motorola Bluetooth Stereo Headset HT820: With your busy life, wireless is the way to go. With the Motorola Bluetooth Stereo Headset HT820, you can take your music with you wherever you go. Music is streamed from your phone, stereo or PC to your headset. When a call comes in, the music automatically pauses and begins playing again when the call ends.




Motorola Bluetooth Home Stereo Adapter DC800: This adapter allows you to stream music from your home stereo to your Motorola Bluetooth Stereo Headset HT820 or any other Bluetooth stereo headset device with A2DP support. With this home stereo adapter, the music never has to end, and you can listen to music from your home stereo wirelessly without missing a call--or a beat.




JABRA FreeSpeak BT200: If your phone isn't Bluetooth enabled, you can still have the wireless hands-free experience with the JABRA FreeSpeak. This hands-free wireless headset allows you to talk even if your phone is inside your briefcase, your purse, your pocket, or all the way across the room.




Bluetooth Data Suite with Software for Bluetooth Cell Phones: This software suite includes handset manager software and a USB Bluetooth dongle. Compatible with bluetooth phones, headsets, and PDAs, you can connect wirelessly while traveling lightly with the convenience of MA-700. Use your phone for wireless internet surfing and securely send and receive communication.

X3 Micro Bluetooth Headset: This award-winning headset brings performance together with style in a lightweight and tiny hands-free package. For anyone who is on the go, the X3 Micro is the ultimate in Bluetooth technology for wireless communication. It comes in a variety of colors so that you can express your personal style while staying in touch.


Bluetooth USB Adapter: Keep everything connected and share files with this USB adapter. It works with Bluetooth-enabled computers and can connect with the internet using Bluetooth cell phone wireless transmission. All transmission is secure and can link PDAs and cell phones to synch-up address books and calendars.

These 10 must haves will take using your cell phone from a hum-drum, everyday experience to an exciting and fun adventure. Personalizing and streamlining your cell phone experience with these accessories will leave you wondering how you ever got along without them.

Sponsored by: http://www.balootisme.com

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If the computer after several hours’ use suddenly rebooted and does not show any sign of system failure, there could only be one thing. The computer is overheating.

Unknown to many, (especially those who are not into technological stuff) the computer could generate a large amount of heat when it is in use. Adding video or sound cards could also add more heat generation from your computer.


The temperature inside the computer or laptop that has high-powered processors that runs with multiple applications reaches one hundred forty (140) degrees.

The more drives, memory and even colored lights stuffed in today’s CPUs and laptops, the less space there is for internal air circulation. Combine that with poor exhaust or surrounding ventilation, and systems slow, applications run poorly, or the computer could reboot to cool itself down, or crash altogether.

The popularity of cheap computers is fast increasing. People are drawn to buying the cheap computers but they are not aware of the reductions made just so to meet the demand.

One of these reductions is the size as well as the effectiveness of cooling fans on the computer. As the computer gets warmer, the computer speed also gets slower.

With the proper cooling device in the computer, rest assured that the performance of the computer would be better. It could also extend the life of the computer, motherboard and the processor.

Cooling products help drop the temperature of the CPU and its components by circulating, dissipating, cooling and pulling air from a desktop or laptop computer.

Some fans mount in the front drive bays of computers, while others slip into PCI slots to suck air out the back. Copper or aluminum “heat sinks” mount atop the processor to cool that device itself.

When buying a new computer, visit a retailer and touch the computer case to see how hot it gets. Consider adding additional fans to the PCI slots or atop the processor.

Other cooling tips include cleaning dust away from the CPU’s fan, or opening the unit and using a can of compressed air to blow dust off the components.

Keep the CPU off the floor, and install filters atop the fans, to reduce dust, pet fur or other debris from getting into the unit. A small electrical fan aimed to blow across the CPU also can help disperse heat and cool the unit.

Keep the computer in a location where air can circulate freely. Keeping the tower in a desk cabinet, leaving the doors open or removed to aid circulation also helps air to circulate inside the computer.

For general office cooling, a flat-panel monitor, or LCD, can reduce the amount of heat generated, as compared to a traditional CRT monitor.

Laptop heat is especially common. Many road warriors, teleworkers and home office workers place the laptop literally upon their laps to work.

This not only can block exhaust fans, but can trap and build heat. Laptop pads dissipate heat by either elevating the unit from the surface, or by using fans to help draw heat away from the device.

Many slot coolers are being marketed today. There are two things that you have to consider before buying one. The intake of fresh cool air is very important. Case temperature drops with the intake fan in the case. T

he position of the fan is the other. It has to be positioned one slot away from the AGP card. The extra space would help the airflow inside the computer. This way the computer heat would be lessened.


Author: James Monahan is the owner and Senior Editor of CoolingBase.com and writes expert articles about cooling.

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One of the most common things I get asked is how to safely clean a laptop screen. By far the best way is to use a microfibre cloth. These can be found cheaply on Ebay or in the shops and do an excellent job. Here's how they work....


Microfibre cloths do an excellent job of picking up dust and removing smudges. They will even remove oily fingerprints from a surface without spreading it around and without any additional cleaners. They are environmentally & economically friendly by reducing money spent on cleaners, paper towels and trash that has been generated.

Please note: Treat any of the following screen types as you would an expensive camera lens, using high quality cleaning materials and tested techniques.

* LCD screens are not glass! The LCD surface is made of a soft film that is vulnerable to scratches, damage by sharp articles and/or improper cleaners.

* Most cathode ray tube (CRT) type monitors have anti-glare coatings to help reduce reflections; scratches and/or harsh cleaners can damage this surface.

* Many large screen and projection type TV's have a screen that is made of a plastic or acrylic type material. These type screens require special attention to clean properly and safely.

* Plasma screens are made of glass substrate but are usually coated for glare reduction.

* Glare reduction add-on screens are coated for reduced reflection.

* Most HDTV's have surface coatings for glare reduction.

As you can see, most screens have an anti-glare coating that can be permanently scratched, so make sure your cleaning cloths do not contain any sand or grit that could damage the screen surface.

The following instructions are good, general and safe methods for keeping your screen clean without causing surface damage. Use your Microfibre screen cloths and do not apply excessive pressure.

The most common type of screen cleaning is dust on the surface of the screen. Use the microfibre screen cloth without any type of additional cleaner for everyday type screen dusting.

For more stubborn dirt, smudges and/or fingerprint removal, use the orange microfibre screen cloth sprayed with water or moistened under the tap.

Turn off your monitor or screen. This is a safety issue; also, it is easier to see the screen surface against the dark background.

1. Remove any larger dirt particles: Using the microfibre cloth, gently brush away any larger dirt particles. Also, wipe the edges, lifting the dust into the cloth as you go.

2. Use the microfibre screen cloth to clean the surface. Applying light pressure, wipe the screen being careful not to overwork any area. If you have areas of the screen that do not come clean, go on to the next step.

3. For dirt, stains or streaking that is dried onto the screen surface; moisten the cloth under the tap. It may be necessary on larger screens to work one-half or third of the screen at a time. Make sure the cloth is damp NOT wet as excess moisture could seep into the edges of the screen causing problems. Wipe the screen with the dampened cloth.

4. Applying light pressure, work quickly to moisten the screen. You want to be able to come back to the same area before it dries. Reposition the cloth in your hand finding a drier section of cloth and continue wiping the screen to the point of most friction caused by the nearly dry screen. At this point reposition the cloth one more time, and lightly wipe to finish polish. Finally, clean the edges and corners, lifting any dust or debris into the cloth.

5. Check the surface for any streaking or missed areas, if so; repeat the last two steps as necessary

1. Check cloth(s) to see if cleaning is needed: if so, see next section; if not, allow to dry then store clean for next usage.

Avoid using Kleenex, paper towels, or other coarse shop towels. These materials may contain abrasives that can scratch plastic, acrylic, polycarbonate surfaces or surface coatings. Also these fabrics also can be very dusty or linty. Do not clean your screen with strong cleaners, polishes or chemically treated cloths.

Avoid these cleaning chemicals: ketone type material (Acetone), alkalis, acids, phosphates, chlorides or caustics, as they can cause damage to coatings or LCD polarizers.

We also do not recommend any cleaner that claims to leave behind any type of surface protective coating or protective layer. Most computer monitors have an anti-glare coating on the screen surface. Anything that leaves a coating to this surface is going to affect the effectiveness of that anti-glare coating. We also have noted some hard to remove smudging from these types of cleaning products.

Microfibre Cloth Cleaning Tips: One of the advantages of microfibre cloths is that they can be washed and reused repeatedly. Note: As with other new materials, some of the dyes used to color these materials can bleed when washed.

* For non-critical cleaning, you can wash with normal wash machine load, but avoid washing with anything that might be linty. Do not use bleach or fabric softeners in the washer or dryer. Air-drying is good, but they also can be safely dried at low heat in the clothes dryer.

* For more critical cleaning, wash the cloths separately, either by hand or in a wash machine, in warm water, adding a small amount of detergent. Do not use any bleach or fabric softener and rinse at least one extra time. Air dry or use a clothes dryer on low heat, again no fabric softener

To sanitize; microfibre cloths may be boiled for 5-10 minutes to eliminate any bacteria that may form in the fibers.

How do I clean ink from a screen surface? One method, which has worked well for some persons, is to saturate a clean cloth with isopropyl rubbing alcohol. With gentle wiping, this normally will remove most inks from a screen. *

Other items worth noting:

* Do not rub the surface of the screen with ball-point-pen or screwdriver etc.

* Do not place rubber, vinyl products or cellophane tape on your screen.

* Avoid touching the screen with fingers. (oily fingerprints will result)

* Exposing the screen to direct sunlight for a long period of time or to other heat sources may cause damage to any screen.

* Kids have various games and learning devices in which they use a pen-like device to write on a screen. Explain to them the difference in their screen and your plasma TV screen, or new LCD monitor.

* Before using any liquid cleaners on your screen, consult your manual or manufacturers recommended cleaning procedures.

DBITsUK are a supplier of PC and Laptop accessories. This article is taken from one of our essential guides on the website http://www.dbits.co.uk

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