Gadgets Galore

EasyJack

A system that plugs into any powerpoint for an instant phone line for use with computers, faxes, cordless phones, analog telephones.

It can be used on any standard phone line on a single phase of power and transmits data signals over 240V electrical wiring throughout your home.

i) you plug the base unit into any powerpoint near an existing phone line, and connect that phone line with the base unit.

ii) plug the extension unit into any other powerpoint, and you have an instant phone line.

Available from Dick Smith, Tandy, Retravision, Harvey Norman, Betta Electrical, Myer, Leading Edge Group, NARTA strores (Bing Lee, Clive Peeters etc..)

Price: $238 (for one base unit and one extension unit) plus around $100 for extra extension units.

Search for EasyJack at the Dick Smith website: http://www.dse.com.au

Sony Playstation II DVD Remote Control

The DVD Remote Control comes in the form of a kit including an Infra Red Unit and a DVD player software disk.

* The IR unit plugs into the controller port at the back of the Playstation II and is used for communication with the DVD remote control, enabling for some of the more advanced functions like five playback modes, three different speeds of fast forward and reverse, and a time search function. The remote will workup to 15 metres away from the console.

* The software disk upgrades the 'bios' in the console which improves the overall DVD performance of the Playstation II.

Price: $49.95 from most major retailers.

Mobile Phone Number Portability Comes into play today (Tuesday 25/9) and means that you can keep your own mobile number when you change mobile networks. No more reprinting of stationery or sending out of mass emails if you want to change networks. Once you fill out the authorisation form with the network you wish to change to, the change should take place within hours.

If you are under contract with the existing carrier, you may be required to pay that contract out - contact your carrier for details, or check their frequently asked questions, below.

Telstra: http://www.telstra.com.au/mobilenet/cur_prom/mnp.htm
Optus: http://optusdirect.optus.com.au/shop/mnpwhatis
Vodafone: http://www.vodafone.com.au/servlet/extranet.contentServlet?docName=content-2632.xml
Orange: http://www.orange.net.au/

Nimda virus

This is a particularly lethal virus because it can infect your PC without you even opening the email and clicking the attachment. It comes in an email message with random letters for a subject, no text in the body, and the From: address doesn't indicate where it came from. You can't even see the attachment that causes the problem. If you are using Outlook Express and you have the Preview Pane turned on, you could be hit with it.

Computers running Windows NT and Windows 2000 (which have Microsoft Internet Information Server with them) are particularly vulnerable if they haven't had the patch installed.

Although the virus doesn't destroy any data directly on your PC, it uses it to increase the volume of Internet and network activity, which is why we've noticed the entire network has slowed down considerably over the last week.

Turn off the Preview Pane in Outlook Express. In Version 6, click View and turn off Preview Pane. In previous versions, click View, then Layout and then Preview Pane.

Make sure your anti-virus software is up to date. For more info visit:

Microsoft : http://www.microsoft.com/technet/treeview/default.asp?url=/TechNet/security/topics/nimda.asp

Symantec: http://www.symantec.com/avcenter/venc/data/w32.nimda.a@mm.html

Inside the House - a guided tour through the Sydney Opera House on CD-Rom

This awesome program is highly graphical and allows you to position yourself anywhere within the Opera House or surrounds on a virtual map.

You can start with levels 1, 2 or 3 or get a view of the harbour by getting on top of the 'shells'. Various spots within the tour include information links for further text and photographs. For example, click the Opera Theatre Scenery Lift on Level 1 and you'll get a heap of information on Stage Machinery

The CD-Rom is available from the Sydney Opera House shop for $29.95, but for a sneak preview, visit the Sydney Opera House website at http://www.soh.nsw.gov.au/ and click the 'inside the house' button on the right.

For my fact sheet archive, visit http://www.getmega.com/getmega/todayshow.html

The best selling 'PCs for Dummies' book has been adapted for the first time for Australia by yours truly, me! Click on the book image to order the book now!