May iiNews
editor's note
I've been working towards a high definition TV upgrade for a while now.
Sadly, while my bank account does demand a small measure of respect, the kind of dosh David Jones is demanding for my TV of choice is still out of my price range.
But I'm not one to give up so easily. An online search for possible alternatives quickly brings up similar stories of other cash-strapped punters green with widescreen HD TV envy. After following the trail a little further, I find a viable alternative: LCD monitors.
It's nothing new, people have been making the switch from a regular TV to a computer monitor for a while now. But as the price of LCD monitors drops and the choices for everyday entertainment expands, the decision to switch is beginning to make more sense.
Programs like Democracy , sites like Youtube and services like Anytime on Volt and iTunes (to name a few) are challenging the traditional "flop in front of the box" mentality. For instance, I'm no good at keeping schedule so inevitably when I miss next weeks episode of The Chaser's War on Everything, I can head to the ABC video cast site and download it straight after the show.
More and more television networks are following suit: the BBC recently announced that a whole swag of their programs will now be making it to Youtube.
As the options for entertainment expand, the medium you use to absorb it all demands re-consideration. Sure my occasional Xbox 360 addiction played a part in my end purchase , but more so, my shifting lifestyle habits mean that shelling out two holidays worth on a new TV for the living room isn't so necessary anymore.
It's about having the gear that helps you receive the information and entertainment relevant to you. Which brings me to widgets. In our feature story this month we'll take a look at a new kind of gadget called a widget that doesn't cost any money, doesn't need an instruction manual, and yet does as much work as your universal TV remote ever will.
Also this month we premiere the latest service to hit the iiNet Freezone: iTunes in "news". In "entertainment", Niaal crash tests the new PS3 and I review the latest Spiderman chapter, download speeds take out "tech tips" and Missy Higgins CDs up for grabs in "competitions".
Hope you enjoy.
Mark Welker
iiNews Editor
inbox
"Now that iiNet has teamed up with ANYTIME on VOLT perhaps you can put some pressure on them to extend their service to people using an operating system other than Windows XP and a browser other than Internet Explorer? Those of us using Firefox on a Mac like watching movies too."
- Jeff, NSW.
A valid point Jeff. Unfortunately, the problem for Mac users extends further than just Anytime. Many studios rely on DRM restrictions embedded into Windows Media Player and there's currently no software available on the Mac to play the files. Installing the Apple Boot Camp software with a registered version of Windows XP is an optional work around.
Regardless, we are continuing to investigate movie services and software solutions which will allow Mac OS X users to purchase movies online. And the Firefox issue we know about, but we aren't able to confirm when a fix will be available.
"I found your article on forums in last month's iiNews interesting. I think more people (particularly parents) should get themselves better acquainted with the kinds of online communities you mentioned, including myspace. How can we be expected to control our kids Internet use if we don't understand why they are online in the first place. It's not all doom and gloom."
- Mandy, WA
Send your newsletter views, news and suggestions to iinewsfeedback@iinet.net.au
news
iTunes unmetered
There's never been a better time to be an iiNet member. Last month we announced our partnership with movies on demand provider Anytime on Volt for unmetered movie downloads; this month, a treat for the ears.
iiNet is proud to be the first Australian ISP to offer unmetered downloads for iTunes® purchases. Anything you purchase from the iTunes Store Australia comes quota-free - meaning no matter how much you enjoy, you'll never take a hit to your monthly download quota.
The iTunes Store is the fastest way to get hold of all your favourite songs, music videos, audiobooks and iPod games - the list is now up to 4 million and growing.
At the iTunes store you can preview 30 second clips of any song and purchase the ones you like for just $1.69 each (GST included). Download to a Mac or PC, sync it with your iPod or burn to a CD.
All you need to start is the iTunes software (available free from Apple), a free iTunes account and a good pair of speakers.
Check out our iTunes mini-site at http://www.iinet.net.au/my/itunes/ for more info.
internet research survey
The folks at Curtin University of Technology are currently undertaking a large study on home Internet use. The project's aim is to discover more about why and how people in Australia use the Internet, both broadband and dialup.
While this isn't our survey, iiNet supports any further understanding of Australian online habits and so we're helping out by opening up the survey to our members.
The survey is anonymous and web-based and should take no more than 20 minutes. Personally identifying information will not be collected and all original data will be confidential to the Curtin researchers.
To get people into the 'survey answering' mood, 5 lucky survey participants will
win a $100 credit
towards their iiNet bill, courtesy of Curtin University of Technology's Internet Research Group.
Check out the survey (and more info) at http://survey.curtin.edu.au/net
support & services
tech tip
-
download speed vs connection speed explained
We get quite a few emails from customers asking what the difference is between download speed and connection speed. The two are directly related but quite different terms.
connection speed
Your connection speed is the speed your ADSL modem/router is connecting at. This speed is affected by many factors, such as:
- the distance you are from your local telephone exchange;
- whether you're on the iinetwork (ADSL2+ speeds) or not;
- the quality of your internal wiring at your house; and
- whether your ADSL modem/router is ADSL2+ compatible.
You can check your connection speed at any stage by logging into your ADSL modem/router. Depending on what modem you have will depend on how you do this, so check out your user manual or contact the modem manufacturer for more details. iiNet broadband (on the iinetwork) goes up to a maximum connection speed of 24,000kbps.
download speed
Download speed refers to the speed you can download files. This speed is influenced by the similar factors as your connection speed but is also affected by elements such as:
- the website you are downloading from
- the number of websites you are surfing/downloading from at once; and
- the amount of traffic allowance the website has - most large sites will have a high connection speed so that they can in turn offer fast download speeds to people connected to their sites.
You'll notice that when you are downloading a file your progress bar might indicate it's only going at 100KB a second. This does not mean that your connection speed is 100kbps. These two figures use different calculations; download speed is expressed in KB which stands for kilobytes , whereas connection speed is in kbps which stands for kilobits per second.
While it's impossible to accurately convert download speed to connection speed, a rough guide (providing you are not downloading anything else and the site can support your connection) is to multiply your download speed by 10.
Still, the best way to check your connection speed is through your modem/router - the higher your connection speed, the faster you should be able to download.
frequently asked questions - VOIP
Will VOIP effect my quota?
No, VOIP only uses small amounts of data (around 2-3 KB a second) this will not be added to your quota, therefore your quota will be completely unaffected.
What is the effect on VOIP when download quotas are reached?
VOIP has Quality of Service (QoS) so will not be affected when download quotas are reached.
Can I use a fax machine with the service?
Some faxes will support faxing with VOIP, but as VOIP is a relatively new technology, many do not. If your fax machine can not be upgraded to support VOIP or does not operate properly with your router or ATA, then you may not be able to use VOIP to fax effectively. If you really want to take advantage of using VOIP for faxing we recommend you consult with your local fax provider.
Will I be listed in the White Pages?
No, the numbers on the VOIP system will not be listed in the White Pages at this time.
security watch
top 5 viruses reported to Sophos in April
List provided by Sophos. Remember, all iiNet plans come with industry leading Sophos email anti-virus and Ironport spam protection that is automatically kept up-to-date with the latest virus threats. However, to fully protect your system, we recommend that you use our email anti-virus in conjunction with a personal anti-virus product such as those listed on this page.
feature story: the widget revolution
Late last year we looked at the growing issue of time management in the technology age and how going online can help to improve your home/work balance.
To help better strike that balance, in November we covered the tactics to help regain control of your inbox by using practical filtering and sorting techniques. However, for many, simply heading online in the first place presents its own Pandora's box of time issues.
The vastness of the Internet can be daunting, and jumping in the deep end often sees you coming up for air with a dozen or more online accounts, personal websites, photo albums, news feeds, stock options, not to mention an endless bookmark list. Online time can quickly add up, until your down at the beach next summer with your fluorescent tan on show.
What's needed is a funnel, or a number of funnels, to take all the guff and taper it to your interests.
introducing widgets
Dictionary.com defines a "widget" as a small mechanical device or control; a gadget. Typically a gadget is meant to save you time, streamline a process, or just do something cool enough to seem like a necessity.
Widgets are digital gadgets. They are desktop collector's items, most with no tangible value other than their ability to slice and dice your daily information digest.
If you're even remotely savvy with the net then chances are you have web sites that you monitor throughout the day, every day - whether that's to check e-mail, weather, news feeds or sports results. A widget will do the ground work for you, tracking down multiple snippets of information and funnelling it all into one convenient place.
With a degree of coding skill you can pretty much create a widget to automate any small task that you always wished your computer would do; local movie times displayed on screen and updated each day; instant metric to imperial conversions; stock or sport updates live on your desktop; daily weather info; astronomy maps of your local night sky; latest movie trailers; classic Simpsons quotes; virtual pets...
Oh I could go on and on. It's a beautiful thing to see a bunch of widgets get to work on your desktop. In fact, widgets can be so loveable that when you first start out collecting them you'll soon find your desktop a busy place. Choose wisely, or you'll end up where you first began with information overload.
where to start
If you're on a Mac running OSX then you don't need any additional software to run widgets, you can head straight to the Apple widget site and check out the current top 50 list.
PC users typically will need to install additional software to get widgets going. This software is free and available from Google , Yahoo and Microsoft , as well as a number of smaller vendors.
Mac users shouldn't feel that they have to stick to Apple's list either, as Yahoo and Google widgets are cross platform.
choosing your widgets
Rather than just list a bunch of widgets that we've come across (although you can find a list of our favourites below) it's a good idea to do a bit of thinking before you dive in and start filling up your desktop with widgets. So, we've compiled a short list of things you should consider when you are selecting your widgets:
- Take a look at your current website bookmarks in your browser. Check and see if any of your regular web haunts have a widget you can download.
- Search for widgets that deal with your interests or hobbies. Live sports results and special interest news updates can be collated from across the world and quickly presented on your desktop.
- Do you have relatives/connections overseas or interstate that you are in regular contact with? "Times around the world" widgets are very popular and there are heaps geared towards international jet setters such as currency exchange converters and language translators.
- Common tasks or calculations. There are thousands of distance calculators, conversion tools and dictionary widgets that can save you the searching time.
some popular widgets
And for those who are impatient and would rather spare the thinking time, we've compiled a list to help get you started. Remember; use in moderation.
Apple
Starry Night
iStat
BBC Radio
Weather Bug
Youtube Me
Wikipedia
Yahoo
Weather
Eco News
To Do List
Flickr
iTunes Lyrics
Did we miss your favourite widget? Most likely. Send in your suggestions to iinewsfeedback@iinet.net.au
Next month: Photo printers
iipeople
staff profile
Name:
Rachel Ladwig
Title:
Marketing Assistant
What does your current role involve?
I manage small to medium projects based around products (supplying new products, improving current ones), order stock for supply to customers (ADSL modems, filters, software and more), manage Marketing's invoices and generally help out wherever I'm needed in an administrative capacity for the Marketing team. I am also Mark's number one resource for organising the iiNews tech tips (which is her most important duty
-Ed
).
What did you do before you came to iiNet?
I previously worked for Australia Post part time whilst I completed my university degree in Marketing and Computer Science - hand sorting mail and running machines at the mail centre.
What is the best thing about working at iiNet?
Honestly, it's the free massages, free fruit and free broadband! Especially when you're on iiNet equipment in the exchange so are getting ADSL2+ speeds for free :)
Your favourite website?
Tough one, but I'd have to say gameswarehouse.com.au. I buy most of my games from them because they sell under the RRP. Although you pay for shipping, if you purchase a couple of games at once (which I do), it works out cheaper than the retail stores. (btw this is not a paid advertisement, Rachel really does buy more than one game at a time
-Ed
)
customer of the month
Name:
John Pease
Location:
Hocking, WA
Account type:
broadband1 with phone
Customer Since:
2007
Describe your typical day of living online?
As the General Counsel & Company Secretary of a major state utility I have a long working day, a large part of which is spent dealing with requests for assistance that come via email. I do use external legal resources via the Internet quite a bit, e.g. all of WA's legislation is accessible via the WA State Government Printer's Office. When I get home, I will spend 1-2 hours doing fun stuff online, mainly general web surfing.
The best thing about broadband for you?
Probably the fact that it enables me to work efficiently when away from the office. I am seriously trying to work from home 1-2 days per week and (with the assistance of work's web portal and the speed that broadband provides) I can do so effectively without any of my "clients" being any the wiser!
Your favourite site?
I am an avid golfer, so any website that promises some gadget or tip that will improve my game! Currently, www.golfsmith.com is a great resource for finding golfing stuff. Without wanting to "blow smoke up" iiNet's proverbial, I must also confess that I like the clean, simple layout of iiNet's website - it is well laid out, clean and easy to find information about how to set up my modem and connection that (as a new user) was vital. The information was also written from a very user friendly perspective ... 10 out of 10 iiNet!
Interested in being our next customer of the month? Send your details to iinewsfeedback@iinet.net.au.
competitions
missy CD giveaway
Missy Higgins spent the second half of last year in Los Angeles recording her brand new album
On a Clear Night
, and even before its April release, the album has already become the most pre-ordered Australian release ever on Australian iTunes - eclipsing the record set recently by Silverchair.
To celebrate the release of On a Clear Night , EMI music have kindly passed on 20 copies to give away to iiNews readers.
To be in the running for this prize, please email competitions with "Missy Competition" in the subject line, and provide your username, full name and address by 5pm WST, May 30, 2007, along with the answer to this question: iiNet members can now get what extra benefit when using the iTunes Store Australia. ( hint: you'll find the answer in the "news" section)
Check out Missy's myspace page at www.myspace.com/missyhiggins for an exclusive acoustic performance.
lucky you tickets
From director Curtis Hanson (
L.A. Confidential
,
Wonder Boys
) comes the new film
Lucky You
- story of human relationships set in the high-stakes world of Las Vegas.
Billie (Drew Barrymore) and Huck (Eric Bana) share a knack for reading people - but while Huck's instincts enable him to take advantage of his opponents at the poker table and expertly avoid both emotional connections and long-term commitments, Billie uses her intuition to see the emotional truth of those around her and sympathize with their pain.
When these two meet, the real game begins. If Huck is going to win Billie's heart, he must learn to play cards the way he has been living life and live his life the way he has been playing cards.
To celebrate the release of Lucky You this month, Roadshow films have generously provided 50 double passes to give away to iiNews readers.
To be in the running for this prize, please email competitions with "Lucky Competition" in the subject line, and provide your username, full name and address by 5pm WST, May 17, 2007, along with the answer to this question: VOIP uses up how much of your monthly quota. ( hint: you'll find the answer in the "tech tips" section under "FAQs")
Lucky You
is rated M.
entertainment
2 minute games review - F.E.A.R (PS3)
with Niaal Holder
Sometimes... they come back.
I know what you're thinking. "Niaal, what's all this then? Didn't you do this review a few months back? Aren't all the toilet jokes about being scared used up? And how did you get into my house?" Rest easy friend, put down your baton. I can explain.
It's an interesting state of affairs, being asked to review a title one has already reviewed. It's like eating yesterday's bacon sandwich, or hooking up with an ex. I'm keen, of course, because I liked FEAR the first time around (and you just can't go wrong with bacon) - but on what basis do I form this review?
To give you a backstory, it's no secret I'm not in love with the PS3. I question their marketing tactics and their general disdain for today's discerning gamer. PS1, I was a huge fan - Wipeout 2097 , Vandal Hearts , Loaded , Final Fantasy Tactics ...these were good days. But since then, things have become very personal for the brand, todays console warfare is like schoolyard rivalry between spoilt little rich kids.
Nonetheless, I'm very much here for the games first, my personal preference can stand aside and sulk. So as impartially as possible, let's look at what we've got.
To my mind, FEAR PS3 is what would happen if you took the PC version, jammed all the settings up to high and trapped that moment in time before your computer went into video meltdown. The PC equivalent can understandably achieve more if you throw the hardware at it, and even the 360 version has a little more clout in this regard, but the PS3 version is strong enough to contend and a fitting visual ride.
We're talking high detail on the rendered effects, such as bullet trails, cement dust, blood puddle reflections... there's not an awful lot to complain about on the visual front, it's a decent showcase of what the console is capable of and a bridging piece for anyone pushing the rift between the quality of console vs. PC gaming.
The PS3 can do more, as titles like Motorstorm purport, and for all it's bland, dank visuals, FEAR is still a picturesque and immersive game.
The audio for this version is also fantastic. The detail has been preserved and the soundtrack is grippingly real. It's been a while since I've hit the PC version but I can't fault the PS3's effort to carry the torch in this regard.
If I were to take issue with anything, well there's two that stand out - firstly, the control method. For some reason, the PS3 stick didn't feel as responsive as the 360 version. The thumbstick felt bound to a strong north-south vs. east-west rigidity, which hampered the natural motion of general looking about. Secondly, loading times. This baby takes an inexplicably looooong time to load, pushing 45 seconds per chapter.
Instant Action mode is a bit of a laugh - it throws you into a no-story gunfight, as simple as it gets, with the added lustre of online leaderboard tracking top players if you don't get railed too often. For some reason, gaming is all the more fun when you've got a score you can wave in everyone's face. FEAR PS3 also seamlessly continues its fine tradition of dark FPS deathmatch multiplayer, a welcome addition to the console's online gaming arsenal.
This is one of the finer titles to grace the platform, regardless of the age of the franchise - absolutely check it out if you've never played before (who do you think you are) and by all means, revisit it if you're on the PS3 wagon and looking for something with a little polished class.
movie review
-
Spider-Man 3 - Rated M
The highly anticipated 3rd chapter of the popular Spider-Man franchise sees the odd couple Peter and Mary Jane finally together, presumably happy with their conventional work/life/masked superhero balance. Life seems grand, Spider-Man popularity is up 100%, Mary Jane finds her stride up on stage, and the Spidey smear campaigns become less frequent in favour of "I love Spider-Man" parades.
But all is not dealt with. As Peter gets set to pop the question to Mary Jane, elements of his past bubble to the surface, ready to expose the untidy seams of his blissful existence.
Peter's old friend Harry Obsourne comes back for his second helping of revenge as The New Goblin. The real killer of Peter's beloved Uncle Ben is found, then lost, then found again as Flint Marko, who in a remarkable twist of fate, has been transformed into Spidey's toughest foe yet: the Sandman.
If that isn't bad enough, Mary Jane turns out to be the number one resident of tear town, forgotten by Peter as he revels in Spiderman's popularity. And when a meteorite hits earth with some sticky stuff in it that amplifies aggression, Peter gets infected and turns emo - minus the sensitive side.
If you haven't guessed, Spider-Man 3 has more plot lines than the past two chapters combined.
Spider-Man 3 retains the geeky innocence of the first two films, sticking true (I'm told) to the much loved comic series. Rather than a cheap emotional sub-plot to draw in the romantics, Peter's struggle with the responsibilities of Spider-Man is the central catalyst for all the events in the film. Each villain is a manifestation of his suppressed fears and failings, each dangerous situation introduced to challenge Peter's emotional status quo.
This is what makes the Spider-Man films so infectious. Sure the action scenes are grand at times, if not overdone, but while most good special effects houses will churn out a visual feast given a $500 million budget, a movie still needs a heart for you to care about the outcome.
The visual assault of the various fight scenes/chase scenes in Spider-Man 3 come in at break neck speed. In fact, most scenes are so fast that most will only be able to agree with the general argument that they are amazing - if only to avoid the embarrassment of admitting that you couldn't actually follow what was going on.
Visually it is stunning, but so is a kaleidoscope being jabbed in your eye.
Both first and second installments had some really standout action set peices that provided a healthy break from the metropolis "swing along" the series is so well known for. Sadly, much of Spider-Man 3 looks like it was outsourced to the effects department with only minimal supervision.
In fact, everything is overdone in Spider-Man 3, especially the sub plots. Sure an asteroid containing black sticky stuff that amplifies aggression may someday fall from the sky, but here that event occurs precisely as Spidey is out for a gloomy forest lie-in with his favourite gal.
Raimi is having fun yes, but the black suit is a major plot point, and any movie plot point that falls from the sky makes me uneasy.
Raimi must be pretty happy with that though, because most other major plotlines in Spider-Man 3 are based on coincidence: the Sandman, the butler's confession, the bell (what the?). Many of these I'm told are straight from the comics, so Raimi wins points for that, but that still doesn't convince me.
And less said about the Sandman the better. Sand creatures got boring around the same time the The Mummy Returns came out.
Ultimately, all things must come to an end, and maybe this is the source of my disappointment. I like the Spiderman struggle, and while I know that loose ends eventually need tying up, it's just disappointing how 123 this wrap-up turns out to be. Nothing here surprises.
Spider-Man fans will still get a lot out of number 3, but many will wish they waited for the DVD.
site scan - parenting
www.minti.com
A homegrown parenting success story. Minti.com was setup by two locals from WA and is now one of the largest online parenting network sites in the world. Join for free, get your own family page, keep a blog and advance through the Minti ranks by contributing parenting advice.
www.familyrelationships.gov.au
Provides families with information and advice about family relationship issues as well as a run down of services that are funded by the Government that can assist them to build better relationships.
www.ninemonths.com.au
Provides advice for expecting mothers on health and fitness, pregnancy trends, expert articles, as well as a forum for sharing advice and experiences.
