Andy chats about the latest technology and interesting websites each week with Nerissa Pace on the "Talking back the night" radio show, heard across Australia.

 
Top 3 websites
Smartyhost have been running the SmartyBlog awards to find Australia’s best Blogger. Here are few of the highlights from the pile of more than 500 entries received.

http://www.freshread.com/
Here’s a Blog full of unusual stories and products from around the world that you would otherise miss in a newspaper.Most of the stories are popular culture rather than current affairs, with catagories from lifestyle to music, technology, reviews, science and more.

http://eatstuff.blogspot.com/
“A girl a guy and a cat eating stuff around Sydney Australia, then writing about it”
This blog is as much about a couples love of cats as their passion for good food…a good read.

http://www.lauralovesyou.com/
The “Laura loves you” blog is the postings of an expecting mum….a diary of here travels though pregnancy and all the experiences surrounding it.

Make your own Xmas cards!

If you have your own digital Camera and colour inkjet printer, some good software to use is Microsoft Digital Image Suite 2006 - from your local computer store.

With Fuji’s website at http://www.fujicolor.com.au/ ,for around 1 dollar per card you can upload the photo you want to use into one of their templates, add your own text and you’re done!

You will find a similar service at http://www.frogprints.com.au/ where you order in packs of 8 cards for around 18 dollars a pack.

The fastest, and cheapest way to send xmas cards is to send an e-card – via the web using a service like yahoo greetings at http://au.greetings.yahoo.com/

 
Nelly at night Tech Chat - November 23

Top 3 websites

http://www.randomfunfacts.com
A great time waster!

http://www.petitionspot.com
Start up a petition for any cause you see fit!

http://www.weirdestauctions.com/index.php/weird-auctions/hell-eat-his-own-eyeball
Man will eat his own eyeball for $$$

 
Nelly at night Tech Chat - November 23

Top 3 websites

http://www.randomfunfacts.com
A great time waster!

http://www.petitionspot.com
Start up a petition for any cause you see fit!

http://www.weirdestauctions.com/index.php/weird-auctions/hell-eat-his-own-eyeball
Man will eat his own eyeball for $$$

 
Satellite Navigation
Tonight, we're featuring an interview with David King from Navman Australia. We chat about how in-car and portable satellite navigation systems work and the types of devices available at the moment from Navman.

Get more info at www.navman.com.au

 
Top 3 websites

http://www.videogamefacts.com.au/
A website designed to help parents understand the choices available when selecting video games for their children.

videogamefacts.com.au will help parents understand video gaming and the different types of games available for their children.

The site has been created by Microsoft and only covers XBox games covered.

http://www.lastcallpoker.com/
Celebrity poker is popular at the moment…but you don’t have to be a Celb…or rich to play this game. Here you can play poker online (no real money involved) with a rankings table that will show you if you’re any good.

http://www.dresskevin.com/
Do you know anyone who simply can’t dress themselves…due to lack of fashion sense?
This guy Kevin in the U.S has no idea…so he built a website so people could help him choose what to wear.
He posts a message about somewhere he has to go (like Friday drinks) and then you suggest items from his wardrobe…majority rules and that’s what he will wear.

Gadgets this week - Robo-toys

It's all about some of the great Robot toys available at the moment, from Dogs, to Dinosaurs and the King of Robots.

RoboPet
Official website - www.robopetonline.com

Robopet is an extremely expressive robotic dog with lifelike animations, digital animal sounds and the ability to be trained.

RRP - $124.95
Best Price found online $89.10 (plus GST and postage)
http://www.robotics.com.au/getpage.asp?keywords=robopet&PAGE=shop


RoboRaptor
Official website - www.roboraptoronline.com
(he's a Raptor, not a T-Rex as I said on the show...slip of the tongue!)
Roboraptor, a realistic robotic beast is bringing dinosaurs back into the 21st century! Winner of the 2005 Australian “Toy of the Year”, Roboraptor, at 81cm long is an advanced fusion of technology and wild individuality. With Roboraptor’s advanced artificial personality, realistic biomorphic motions, direct control and autonomous behaviours, the age of dinosaurs has truly returned!
RRP - $179.95
Best price found online $149 (plus delivery)
http://www.peedeetoys.com.au/Roboraptor_p/530976.htm

Robosapien V2
Official Website - www.robosapienv2online.com

At 55cm tall Robosapien V2 cuts a commanding figure, 20cm taller than the original Robosapien. Robosapien V2 is packed with advanced dynamic motion, interactive sensors, 100 new pre-programmed functions and speech capability. V2 has a multi-sensory, interactive personality, fluid biomechanical agility and sassy attitude – all achieving a new level of advanced technology to create the next generation of consumer robotics.
RRP - $379
Best price found online - none
(just appearing in stores this week at toys r us)

 
Thousands of Australians making a living off ebay

ACNielsen research released today by eBay reveals that more than 8,500 professional eBay sellers in Australia currently derive their primary or secondary source of income from selling on eBay.com.au*.

The research also shows:
-Almost 2,500 Australians use eBay as their primary source of income
-More than 6,000 Australians run a business and use eBay as a secondary sales channel
-Almost 7,000 eBay sellers in Australia have considered quitting their day jobs to sell full-time on eBay
-Three out of four eBay small businesses believe eBay has helped them reach out to more buyers than is possible through an offline business and over a third believe eBay has helped them become more profitable.

eBay provides a marketplace for all Australians, not just businesses, to sell and make extra cash. eBay's research shows that:

-More than 32,400 regional Australians generate a part-time income selling on eBay.com.au
-Nearly 12,500 stay-at-home mums and dads sell on eBay to supplement their family income
-Almost 7,000 single parents sell on eBay to supplement their income
-Almost 5,500 retirees sell on eBay to make extra cash.

 
The Blog Awards - your chance to win $10,000!

www.smartyhost.com.au are looking for the best Australian Blog (online journal). The place to enter is http://smartyhost.com.au/win$10000.html

Smartyhost offer easy Blog setup packages, however you can also set up a Blog with providers like www.blogger.com or spaces.msn.com

Make sure you tell your friends! The winner will be announced December 2, 2005.

 
Top 3 Websites of the week.

http://netmanners.com/
In this day and age I believe it's accepted that email is generally a more casual form of communication, however there are still some big do's and don'ts that are useful to know.

http://www.ownapieceofamerica.com/
As the website title suggests you can sign up to own a piece of land in any of the 50 states in America...for free.
The catchÂ?well each parcel of land is exactly one square inch.

http://www.thebumperbanner.com/
The idea behind this website is that you can print out any of the bumper sticker messages and put them into a re-usable holder.

iPod Nano accessories
The latest tech toys! Apple's iPod digital music player to enjoy popularity...especially the new iPod Nano. I know a few people who want one buy are scared they will break or damage it in their pocket...however all you need is some accessories to help.

I've been trying out a few of the latest iPod Nano cases from Belkin all of which can be found for under 40 dollars.


The first one is the Caribiner Case which is a basic leather case, but it gives you full access to all the controls without having to flip anything open. It comes in 4 colours and has a very sturdy belt clip.




Next up is the Flip Case for the iPod nano. The main difference here is that this is more like a leather pouch for your iPod nano so everything is protected. You could store it in the flip case when not in use or hit play and tuck it away in your pocket without the worry of getting scratches.



Finally. the Folio case for the iPod Nano is a cross between the last two cases. You pop your ipod nano in and still have access to all the controls, but then you can fold across a leather flap to secure the front of the case.?I think the Folio case would be my pick. I'm thinking that the Ipod Nano will be a favourite under the tree at Xmas and a protective case is a must!



Those 3 iPod nano cases will be available in December for under 40 dollars - watch www.belkin.com.au for more infomation.