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

http://www.elvisfind.com/
On this site you can find your way around the Elvis Internet, in various ways. You can use the search engine, by typing any keywords.

http://www.writely.com
Writely has just recenlty been bought up by web seearch giant Google and allows to you create or edit documents that are compatible with microsoft word…all from your web browser with no software to download.

http://www.onesentence.org/
How good are you at telling stories? This website challenges you to tell a story in a single sentence.

Feature - Homework help with Microsoft Student 2007

I’ve always been very impressed with is the encarta reference library…but now to cater for students aged between 11 and 18 Microsoft has just released Microsoft Student with encarta refference library 2007.

To give you an idea of how useful this software is, over 200 thousand computers across Australian schools are equiped with the Microsoft student software since it was released last year.

Some of the tools included in the package include…

Microsoft Maths…which includes a step by step equation solver to help studends understand complex maths problems

Templates…to get students past what they call ‘blank page syndrome’. This puts aside layout or formatting issues so you can get straight into the content of an assignment. There also tutorials with tips on how to get started on different typles of assignments.

Literature Guides…with help students understand more than one thousand classic works, including infomration about authors and theme and character analysys.

Web Companion…Probably the most important feature as it points students towards trusted online content…much better than a random google search.

Microsoft Student 2007 sells for just $149.95

Get more information at http://microsoft.com/australia/student

WIN!
I have 5 copies of Microsoft Student 2007 to be given away to Nelly at Night listeners.
If you have a student who could use this software package, drop a line to student@andywells.com with your full name, address and phone number, and tell me why
the student (or students) in your house need Microsoft Student 2007.

 

Top 3 websites
http://www.shop.bigpondgames.com
The bigpond games store has around 200 PC titles across a number of genres …and you can actually download trial of each game that you can play free of change for an hour…after which you will have to pay..

http://www.OZtion.com.au
Here’s an alternative to ebay that’s Australian owned and been running since 2005.

http://www.dirtycarart.com/
How tempting is it to write “Wash me” on a dusty car…well one guy in the U.S has decided to make finger writing on dirty cars an artform.

Feature – New Gadgets this week
Belkin TuneTalk Stereo for iPod - $99.95
This handy add-on device can turn your iPod into a voice recorder for recording work meetings, personal memos or even school lectures.

The TuneTalk can connect to 3rd and 4th generation Ipods as well as the latest video iPods.
There’s no extra software to install, the TuneTalk just attaches to the bottom of the iPod and you’re away recording with the small stereo microphone…or you can plug in an external microphone or other audio source.

Sony S200 Series MP3 Walkman - Starting at $249
Sony’s new sports MP3 Walkman is a must have for anyone who likes to get out and walk or run, because with it’s built in pedometer it senses how fast or slow you are moving and will play music from the appropriate playlist (running or walking) to motivate you!

The walkman is also splash proof, has a built in FM radio, stopwatch and will count calories burned based on your height and weight.

 
Top 3 websites
www.rspca.org.au
*all states have individual website listed on main website
*all have photos of adoptable animals including dogs, cats, ducks, guinea pigs, horses & rabbits *Lost & found section, pet care tips, choosing the right animal for your family, cruelty complaints procedures
*Donate online

http://www.dogzonline.com.au/
*Forums include pet care tips, lost and found, animal rescue and general pet discussion
*Rescue pages with dogs for adoption listed for all states
*Dog breed listing and breed types

http://www.petnet.com.au/
*Selectapet service. Answer preset questions to determine which pet (dog or cat) is suitable to your lifestyle, home and family situation. The results are given based on your answers.
*Also contains dog breed & descriptions.

Feature – email etiquette
Some of the worst offences when sending email.
*Not including a subject line.
This is number one in my book and so many people do it. Thing about it this way, if you send me a message that you want me to read, wouldn’t it make sense to fill in the subject field of your outgoing email so I know what I’m about to read?

*TYPING EVERYTHING IN UPPERCASE
It’s true, typing in uppercase is like shouting in email or instant messaging…even if you don’t mean it. In business it reaks of unprofessionalism.

*Unessisary forwarding
There are lots of funny websites and amusing pictures on the web which people love to share with friends…but if you are forwarding them to lots of people, make sure they are happy to receive these emails….they can clog up the inboxes of peope with slower connections or cause embarrasment if opened in the workplace.

*Not using BCC
If you do have something to send to a large list of people, is it appropriate that you share their email addresses with each other by listing them all in the TO: field in your message. By using the BCC (or blind carbon copy) field for addresses, you can send a message to many people without giving away to else the message has been sent to.

More email etiquette tips can be found at www.emailreplies.com