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://noiamyourfather.org/
I don't consider it to be a spoiler if I talk about the fact that in the StarWars trilogy Darth Vader is the father of Luke Skywalker.

http://www.helpineedhelp.com/bored/
I pharmaceutical company has come up with this silly part of their website with some interesting solutions for situations where you may need HELP.

http://www.funology.com/
A lot of school kids around the country will soon be on Holidays so here's a boredom beater for them.

Mobile phone email etiquette tips

I have 10 tips for taming your mobile email habits...especially for anyone who has a blackberry or similar mobile email device.

1. Don’t take your mobile phone out to a social dinner. However, if you absolutely have to, never put it on the table and always set it to silent.

2. If you are out and expecting an important email, let your friends know this upfront and when your phone notifies you off a message, exit the room so you do not come across as disengaged or uninterested in their conversation.

3. Remember that not everyone will be as 'connected' as you like to be...and may not check their email after hours. So you should not expect an immediate response unless previously agreed.

4. If you need to monitor work issues over the weekend, commit to checking email only at certain, agreed times. For example, twice per day only – once after breakfast and once before dinner.

5. Never take your mobile to bed – your partner should be the only thing within reach.

6. If you’re heading on holidays, remember to set an away message and don’t read emails when you should be watching the sunset.

7. Email not always the best way to communicate. Sometimes it is better to respond over the phone or in person.

8. Ensure you use standard email manners when sending and responding. For example, spell words correctly and don’t over-abbreviate.

9. Remember you can use your mobile for play as well as work. Make use of mobile email applications, such as camera and video functions, to stay in touch with friends and family.

10. When speaking with someone, make sure you give them your full attention – don’t let mobile email or text messages interrupt your conversation or divert your attention from the person youare speaking with.

Back next week thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security.

AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy the AVG Internet Security 3 Pack that covers 3 computers for two years for just $123.95 at http://www.avg.com.au/

 

Top 3 websites

http://www.verbotomy.com/

This a great website that sort of improves your word power as you're challenged to make up new words!

http://www.vegconnect.com

Yes the world wide web is littered with dating websites, but this one is very niche as it's for vegetarians.

http://play.typeracer.com/
I love this website as it's both fun and useful. Basically it's an online game where you're up against other visitors in a speed typing race.

Study shows that Casual video games are good for you

East Carolina University’s Department of Recreation and Leisure Studies has revealed the results of a recent six-month longstudy that measured the stress-relieving and other mood-lifting effects of “casual” video games.

The three puzzle and word games used in the study were Bejeweled 2, Peggle and Bookworm Adventures

With respect to stress relief, Bejeweled was found to
reduce physical stress activity by 54% compared to the control group.

Changes in Aspects of Mood
Mood was measured in six different categories: Psychological Tension, Anger,
Depression, Vigor, Fatigue and Confusion. The game Peggle had the greatest
effect, improving this 'total mood distubance' by 573%

Psychological Tension
Peggle had the greatest effect on psychological tension, with study subjects who played
that game averaging a 66% reduction compared to 36% reduction among those who
played Bejeweled 2 and 24% reduction among players of Bookworm Adventures.

Anger
Bejeweled 2 and Peggle had similarly positive effects on subjects’ anger levels, reducing
anger by 65% and 63%, respectively. Bookworm Adventures had a more modest effect,
reducing anger by 33%.

Depression
All three games had similar effects on depression, reducing subjects’ depressions levels
by 45% (Peggle), 43% (Bookworm Adventures) and 37% (Bejeweled 2). Among men,
however, Bookworm Adventures had the greatest depression-reducing effect, with male
subjects accounting for 98% of depression reduction.

From all this you can see that there's obviously some potential for casual video games as therapy which is what the university is continuing to look into.

Now to play any of those games you can go to www.popcap.com and play them online for free...plus they can also be found as downlaodable PC games at www.bigpondgames.com

Back next week thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security.

AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy the AVG Internet Security 3 Pack that covers 3 computers for two years for just $123.95 at http://www.avg.com.au/

 
Top 3 websites

www.bossbitching.com
Admit it...not everyone loves their boss at work...and you can bet those people have some pretty good stories about how rude or useless their employer might be...so you'll read them on this website.

www.emailacar.com
It seems that the incidents of road rage are increasing in Australia...so here I can offer an alternative that's far less likely to land you in trouble.

The idea is simple...instead of yelling, sticking your finger up or trying to wreak revenge on another road user...write them a message on this website...ok so they may never read it, but at least you can share your experience with everyone.

www.raisingchildren.net.au/
As a dad I'm always keen to look over the odd parenting website for new tips and tricks and this Australian non-profit website is a good find and worth bookmarking for parents with kids of any age.

The Big technology news this week is Apple's iPhone - the release date for Australia announced!

Possibly the biggest news in the technology world this week is the announcement from Apple that the much anticipated iPhone will be released in Australia on July 11 this year.

I know that a lot of people were disappointed that we missed out on getting the iPhone last year when it was launched in the U.S...but
it actually works out better that we didn't get it...because the model that we'll get here is a new version that is compatible with the fast 3G mobile phone networks.Now in case you don't know what an iPhone is...it's basically what you'd call a 'smart phone'...that is it has many of the basic functions
as you'd find on a computer...like email and web surfing....but of course the iPhone is also an iPod so you can store lots of music, photos and video clips on it.

The other great feature about the iPhone is the fact that it's totally touch screen driven making it very easy to use...and it looks good.

Now here in Australia two mobile carriers have been announced as iPhone suppliers....they are Optus and Vodafone. At this stage neither has announced pricing but hopefully it will be very similar to what's on offer in the U.S where the price for an iPhone starts at 199 U.S Dollars when customers sign up for a 2 year contract.

Websites for more info include...

http://www.optusiphone.com.au

http://www.vodafone.com.au

http://www.apple.com.au/iphone

Back next week thanks to AVG Anti-Virus and Internet Security.
AVG is tough on threats - easy on you! Buy the AVG Internet Security 3 Pack that covers 3 computers for two years for just $123.95 at http://www.avg.com.au/

 

Top 3 websites

www.sarahjessicaparkerlookslikeahorse.comWith the "Sex in the City" movie hitting cinemas I thought this would be a timely website to mention. I've often heard people say that Sarah Jessica Parker has a horse shaped head...but now there's a website to support that theory.

www.aghostinabottle.com
The purchase of the week goes to a bottle of spirits...not alcohol though...it's literally a Ghost in a bottle that you're buying.
20 U.S dollars gets you the bottled ghost, a certificate and the warning booklet.

www.bigpond.com/cybersafety
Telstra bigopnd has been running internet safety seminars in Sydney this week for parent who want to know more about computers and kids...and mixing the two safely...and they've setup this website of tips for parents.

Also this week - Tech travel tips

If you're planning a trip overseas and plan to bring any type of electrical gadget with you - here's a few tips to make sure you don't end up stuck with devices that won't work or you simply can't plug in....also some tips if you plan on taking a laptop computer with you on a plane trip.

The types of devices that you bring with you might include a digital camera, mobile phone or electric shaver...and most people assume that it's simply a case of buying an adaptor that's the right shape to fit into the wall...but it's not quite as simple as that.

Along with different shaped power sockets...some countries use different voltages - The classic case is the United stages which has 110 or 120 volt system...where here in Australia we generally use 240 volt power.

The main thing is to check the voltage usage rating on your device - if it says it will accept between 110 and 240 volts then you're fine to simply use an adaptor...however if it's labelled as only accepting 220 - 240 volts then a simple adaptor won't be any good to you - leave the device at home, or buy a coverter - which will be more expenive to buy.

If you can use converter plugs, buy them before you go away as you'll find they can be cheaper at home than at the airport or at your destination.

For anyone wanting to take a notebook computer on their travels....and you're flying to your destination.

If your notebook computer is large (say a 17inch model) forget about trying to use it on the plane...in economy class their simply isn't room.

If you have a smaller notebook you may get away with using it on the plane however don't expect it to be comfortable as you really do ahve restricted arm movement.

Also make sure you switch off the wireless networking feature on your laptop before you board the plane...as that's classed as a radio transmitter which may interfere with the aircraft navigation system.

On a long flight where you want to use a notebook computer, consider buying a second battery to take in your hand luggage...believe me it will come in handy if you want to make the most of that time sitting down.

Back again next week thanks to AVG AntiVirus and Internet Security - You can protect 3 computers for 2 years for just $123.95 - check out www.avg.com.au