Sebenarnya hal ini udah cukup lama diketahui, tapi baru sekarang lah terdetect oleh antivirus, antispywere dll.
Seperti yang telah kita ketahui, Advanced Systems Format adalah format Microsoft untuk audio dan video streams yang dapat menampung konten arbitrary seperti image atau link ke sumber-sumber Web.

Kalo kamu memainkan file musik yang sudah terinfeksi, Internet Explorer Anda akan meluncurk dan me-load halaman Web jahat. Halaman ini kemudian akan meminta Anda men-download sebuah codec. 

Kalo kamu menyetujuinya, yang di-download sebenarnya bukanlah codec, tetapi Trojan horse yang meng-install program proxy ke PC. Program tersebut memungkinkan hacker untuk mengarahkan trafik lain melalui PC Anda. Dengan kata lain PC Anda dipinjam untuk menutupi jejak kegiatan jahat si hacker. Jadi kalo ada apa-apa, PC dan IP kamu jadi sasaran.

Malware ini oleh Trend Micro disebut Troj_Medpinch.a. Julukan yang diberikan Secure Computing adalah Trojan.ASF.Hijacker.gen oleh. Sedangkan nama yang disematkan oleh Kaspersky adalah Worm.Win32.GetCodec.a. Apa pun namanya, sifatnya serupa worm lainnya.

Begitu bercokol di PC, malware akan mencari file-file audio MP3 atau MP2, menggantinya ke format Windows Media Audio milik Microsoft, membungkusnya dalam bentuk ASF dan menambahkan link untuk menggandakan si malware, dalam bentuk codec.

Akhiran .mp3 dari file sendiri tidak diubah, sehingga sang korban (Anda) mungkin tidak langsung melihat perubahan tersebut. Demikian menurut Kaspersky Lab.

Kebanyakan pengguna PC mungkin menyadari tipuan codec ini, tetapi serangan ini tetap efektif karena banyak media player memang adakalanya harus menerima update codec agar bisa memutarkan file.

“Mereka yang men-download dari jaringan P2P harus berhati-hati, mewaspadai pop-up yang muncul ketika memutar video atau audio hasil download ,”  sebuah anjuran dari Secure Computing.

Nah, jadi sekarang kalo kamu mau mendownload lagu (MP3), sebisa mungkin scan dulu sama antivirus yang terbaru alias uptodate. apalagi kalo dari rapidshare. Kalo multiply kayanya masih aman deh, tapi ga tau juga dink.. Pokoknya UPDATE YOUR SECURE!.

Salam

diperkuat oleh Sumber: Kaspersky official.

برنامه ای بسیار قدتمند در زمینه تبدیل ویدئو و صدا و همچنین ساخت DVD و تبدیل DVD به فرمت های دلخواه .

DVD Studio Pack برنامه ای قدرتمند است برای تبدیل فرمت های صوتی و تصویری به هم که شامل چهار ابزار مهم و کاربردی می شود که در یک پک و بسته جمع آوری گردیده است . این چهار ابزار عبارتند از : Aimersoft DVD Ripper , Aimersoft Video Converter , Aimersoft DVD Creator و Aimersoft Audio Converter . این ابزار به صورت خلی موثری به شما کمک می کنند تا فایل های ویدئویی و صوتی خود را به فرمت های دلخواه خود تبدیل کنید ، به شما کمک می کند تا دی وی دی های مورد نظر خورد را Rip کنید و همچنین فایل های مورد نظر خودتان را بر روب دیسک های DVD رایت کنید .

این برنامه قدرتمند به شما این امکان را می دهد که فایل های دی وی دی خود را به تمام فرمت های صوتی و تصوری دلخواهتان تیدیل کنید , می توانید فایل های را به فرمت هایی مانند :

MP4, AVI, MPG, MPEG, VOB, WMV, XviD, MOV, DAT, VOB, IFO, 3GP, 3GPP, ASF, FLV, WMA, M4A, MP3, AC3, WAV, limewire and YouTub

و غیره تبدیل کنید .

به صورت شما قادر خواهید بود که فایل های ویدئو ها و م موزییک های مورد علاقه خود را در وسایلی همچون iPod, Zune, iPhone, Apple TV, PSP, Xbox 360, PS3, Archos, iRiver, Creative Zen, PMP, Pocket PC, PDA و گوشی های همراهتان ببنید و یا گوش کنید .و لذت ببرید .

همچنین این برنامه دارای ابزاری برای بریدن , مرتب کردن , تنظیم کردن و همچنین اعمال افکت هایی بر روی فایل های تصویری می باشد . این برنامه با اینکه شامل ابزار هایی بسیار زیاد و قدرتمندی می باشد ولی در عین حال استفاده از آن بسیار آسان می باشد و هر کسی توانایی کار با آن را دارد .

لینک دانلود در ادامه مطلب

قیمت : 65$ دلار آمریکا

لینک دانلود DVD Studio Pack v1.1.58 با حجم 25 MB

پسود فایل : ندارد

تصاویری از محیط برنامه

سایت سازنده

سایت منبع : www.bia2abc.com

Con AVI, MPEG, ASF, WMV SPLITTER V3.22 usted podra partir, cortar o recortar videos en formatos avi, mpeg, asf, wmv en clips de videos mas pequeños de manera facil y rapida y sin perder calidad, muy buen programa para cortar videos en idioma ingles + keygen para tenerlo full y solo pesa 1.30Mb

DESCARGA:

http://rapidshare.com/files/80812093/A.M.A.W.S.V3.22_By_Flood_87_VC.rar

The small and powerful purple cube goes on sale on 3 May but as with any console, the game titles released with it will be crucial to its success.

"It is great to play and really fulfils Nintendo's promise that the cube is all about fun, " wrote BBC News Online's Darren Waters about Wave Race: Blue Storm.

But Crazy Taxi did not go down as well: "The problem is that the GameCube version differs so little from the Dreamcast original that none of the power of Nintendo's neat little machine is utilised."

But what do you think?

This debate is now closed. Please see below for a selection of your comments.

Just wait for the next in the Perfect Dark series - dare I say it, it could even be on a par with Halo.

How many of you actually watch DVD's on your consoles? I know at least 12 people with PS2s and only one uses the DVD player. The playing quality of DVD on the console is also inferior to watching it on a dedicated DVD player.

In reference to the 'cute' references, just wait until you see the lovely colourful blood, pooling on that stunningly cute floor, as it runs out of the .50 calibre hole in the baby-faced-zombie's head.
Ciaran O'Connor, N. Ireland

The GameCube may have some great games, but as a console it really is doomed.
Chris Malins, USA

I've got a Cube, an Xbox, a PS2, Dreamcast and N64. I bought the Xbox purely to play Halo. But I bought a Cube because I have high hopes for some "quirky" (Japanese) console games of the likes of Pikmin and Animal Crossing.

As it stands today, your choice of hardware matters very little as the same games seem to be available on all three "next gen" consoles at the moment. Personally, I'm hoping for more than just the current batch of boring PC ports on the cube, and hopefully Nintendo will bring us more stuff like the N64's Zelda, the PS2's Jak & Daxter and Skies of Arcadia on the Dreamcast.
John, Germany

I think GameCube is going to be in for some fierce competition given that Sega are developing games for PS2.
Max, UK

I have had my Cube for months now, and I can't wait for the new titles to get released. I am very happy to see that you all are enjoying yourselves over there. Rogue Leader is awesome, but I really like the billiards game on Super Monkey Ball.
Steven Romanowsky, NJ, USA

Having spent an hour queuing up at midnight, I can safely say that the Cube is a serious contender in the console wars. The vast majority of people buying the Cube were in their mid to late twenties. People should stop taking themselves so seriously and realise that far from being a kiddie console, the Cube is fun - what every console should strive towards!
Richard Marchlewski, UK

Having both a GameCube and a PS2 I can safely say that the GameCube makes a refreshing change from the other consoles on the market. Games such as Pikmin and Super Monkey Ball are exactly what you want when you can't be bothered with the other consoles that take themselves far too seriously. It's totally games orientated and although it's aimed at the younger market it's games will be a source of enjoyment for all ages.
Ade, UK

The GameCube's success depends on developers widening their vision of what can be released on a Nintendo machine, and whether the station generation can put down their lager and chips and enjoy the brighter side of gaming. I doubt gamers who's gaming collection includes Tekken, Gran Turismo 3, Grand Theft Auto 3 and Metal Gear Solid 2 will appreciate rolling a monkey in a ball around a brightly coloured tilting playing field. It's unfair though to judge the cube this early on, especially to a console that's been through its teething period. Developers tend to judge early on how a consoles life will play out, despite the potential of the machine. Just ask Sega.
Revels, UK

Crazy Taxi is the last game you should be mentioning on this site. The game is over three years old and this is it's fourth format. I have just picked a GC up and I am astounded by the games I have played so far: Super Monkey Ball, Rogue Leader and Luigi's Mansion. I have played the PS2 and Xbox, but the cube knocks them both into a cocked hat. Super Monkey Ball has got to be the most frustratingly superb game in recent years.
Martin Gillett, UK

I feel that the GameCube will most probably outsell the Xbox, however, it will take a very long time to reach the stature of the PS2. With great games such as Luigi's Mansion, Sonic Adventure 2 and Star Wars Rogue Leader, there will be something to cater for everyone's gaming needs.

Although the GameCube doesn't have a DVD player or a hard drive, the fact of the matter is that it is all about the games. With franchises such as Mario, Zelda, Donkey Kong and more, along with developers such as Rare, GameCube will definitely be the machine to have if you're in it for the games. It's quality, not quantity. By the end of 2002, Nintendo will have reclaimed what is rightfully theirs, the throne of the video games market.
Zak, England

Much to my eternal shame, I was fourth in line for a cube in Glasgow. And already it's my favourite console ever with just one game (Luigi). It doesn't matter that it doesn't play DVDs or any of that nonsense, in terms of game-playing it's simply a perfect evolutionary climax along the lines of the Great White Shark and Siberian Tiger.
Ross McGlashan, Scotland

I've got a Japanese GameCube, and I'll be off buying the UK one shortly. I am stunned by the innovation shown in terms of the hardware, the software, the GBA link facility, and the pricing.

Compare and contrast: £230 for the Xbox and the very lacklustre Bloodwake and £150 for the GC and the magnificent Super Monkey ball. Where else can you get such quality, innovation, fun and value for money?
John, Reading

My advice to everyone even slightly interested in gaming is BUY A GAMECUBE! It looks cool, plays brilliantly and is very fun.
Jamie, England

Well bought the last one in the store along with the Star Wars game and ISS 2, a football game. Is it any good? Well put it this way, I was up until 4am pretending I was Luke Skywalker, and very nearly slept through the FA Cup final! Having played PS 2 and been utterly put off Xbox by its gargantuan size, this is definitely the best of the three!
Adam, UK

I was at the midnight launch at HMV London this morning (just behind the Sarah) and I got Luigi's mansion and Rogue Leader. Both games impressed straight away - with Rogue Leader edging it with the kind of graphics you show to impress your mates.

Remembering that this is only the first wave of titles, the GameCube is only going to get better, with titles like Mario Sunshine, Zelda, Metroid Prime and the simply stunning Resident Evil all exclusive for the console - the future looks bright for Nintendo's little box.

Excuse me, I have some games to play...
David Howlett, London

Although Nintendo will invariably experience a lag phase in sales, the games for the fourth quarter should be something to behold, regardless of your age it is going to be a big year for Nintendo.
Anthony Watts, England

We have a GameCube at our offices for our clients to use, it rocks, and our clients love it.
Fresh Egg, UK

Having had one on import since it was released in the US I can say that this is one hell of a games console. And that's what it is. Not a DVD player or anything else! It's for pure gamers. THPS3 is just a great game!
Rik Sidebottom, UK

I own an Xbox and the reason? Because the launch games inspired me more on the Xbox than with the GameCube. I will definitely buy a GameCube but not at the moment. It's so cute! Nintendo have taken a different approach and created a "just for games" system which could just work.
Ed, UK

Amazing. Nothing short of that. The box is perfectly made, and the games are so small, they take less time to load. Yet, they hold enough data to make you appreciate the graphics and gameplay. Not only will Nintendo take the game market to a new level, they will set new standards with this fantastic machine. Has been well worthwhile queuing up till midnight for this.
Parvez Hakim, London, UK

I think the GameCube has a lot going for it. Nintendo have always developed some of the most enjoyable games for its consoles and knows the business. I think it'll come in second in the "console wars."

It has some good games on launch and more on the horizon. It's also a lot more aesthetically pleasing and cheaper than the Xbox and the pad is a lot nicer to use. I know I'm going to get a GameCube over an Xbox!
Chris Seto, UK

GameCube will finally prove to everyone that Nintendo are the world's best and forever greatest games company. Sony and Microsoft are just bit-players in this on-going saga - they are disposable.
Jon Adams, UK

I for one will be getting a GameCube mainly for two of the launch titles. Super Monkey Ball looks absolutely fabulous and will be great fun to play with the lads on a drunken night in. Then there's the Star Wars game. I've seen it demonstrated in the shops and it looks great, it's every Star Wars fan's dream to do the trench run, now we get to do it!! Fantastic. The obligatory football games are there too, my choice will be the attractive gameplay of ISS2 over the "run down the wings and score" style of Fifa games. All in all, with the launch titles and the price of the cube, it's already on to a winner!!
Darren, England (UK)

Excellent. Better than the Xbox.
Kash, UK

GameCube games all seem to be ports, remakes or for the younger audience. Recent polls have suggested that the average age of gamers is between 25 and 32. This means that for the largest portion of the gaming community there is no real reason to buy a GameCube. The PlayStation 2's technology is outdated, and was so even before it was released in the UK.

The only real innovation was Microsoft's Xbox, however the PSX's fan base was so large that Microsoft were always going to have a tough fight. The Xbox has great games and is a great console. It is just a shame that most gamers are too stubborn to put down their Sony products for fear of not looking "cool".
Dani, England

Just got my cube and wow! I've always said Nintendo make the most original games that are always great to play. Long Live Sonic!
Keith Scott, Northern Ireland

I'm loving it, loving it, loving it. I got home at 1am this morning and plugged it in straight away for a few hours of fun.

As an overweight middle-aged man I find playing Tony Hawks Skateboarding a really great experience.

Of course, being an overweight middle-aged man also makes playing Star Wars Rogue Leader a dream come true when I finally get to destroy the death star.

Long live the rebel alliance.
James Hayward, UK

Amazing! The graphics which are made by ATI have really brought out the power in the GC. With 20 release games and about 50 by the end of the year Nintendo have made and effort. I feel that the GC is the best around, the PS2 has respectable games but poor specs and the XBox is a glorified PC that looks like it came out of the 80s. Nintendo are truly the best. Remember - No Nintendo, no PlayStation.
Ben Anthony, UK

The GameCube is one of the best consoles on the market. With games that already blow peoples' minds away and yet the best is still to come. Nintendo will bring out the most memorable sequels such as Zelda and Perfect Dark.
Genius, UK

The GameCube sure looks cute, but after the fall in the price of the Xbox just before my birthday, I'm afraid I could not wait for the GC. Sure the games look good (If you're into cutesy graphics and gameplay). But for the serious more mature gamer once you've played Halo on the Xbox. There's no need for any other machine. Though I do secretly hope my brother gets a GC, mind you he said he'd get the games 'cos the discs are cute (oh brother).
Tony B, N.Ireland

I am not disappointed! Rogue Leader is just fantastic, I'm currently unlocking as many hidden ships as possible... Anyway back to the fun before I have to go back to work on Monday!
H, UK

I live in a student house with eight other lads. Between us we have every console under the sun. I can safely say that Sony better get their Playstation 3 out soon 'cos their console is looking outdated, outmoded and simply old fashioned. The Xbox is a great console and I personally would be happy to have one along side the GameCube. Ultimately though I think that the GameCube will win out with those exclusive Nintendo titles. Just wait until those PS2 games start popping up on the Cube. And what a deal it is at £130.
James, UK

GameCube simply doesn't have the killer app titles to compete with Playstation 2 or the power to compete with XBOX. Its perception as a childrens toy is well founded. It will be a home to some exceptional titles over its time like the N64 before it but just like the N64 it will be an "also ran" horse in the console war race.
David Williams, UK

I¿ve had a Cube since it was launched in the US, and the games knock spots off other formats, the controller is excellently ergonomically designed, watch out for Bloody Roar, a solid beat 'em up with awesome graphics, beautiful, gauntlet dark legacy's brill, but its early days yet! Goodbye Microshaft X-Box!
Ibbs Hussain, England

I went to the Nintendo Cube Club event in April for a taster of the GameCube, I own an X-Box and GameBoy Advance. I was disappointed that so many of the games on offer were games that were already available for other systems. It hardly shows the GameCube¿s uniqueness. Luigi's Mansion and Pikmin looked good titles, but I'm wondering at what age group that they're aimed for. At 21, I'm more likely to go for a game like Halo or Deus Ex. Anyway, it's good that the console race isn't just two systems. Hopefully all the consoles available will make developers create new and much more interesting games.
Alasdair Duncan, Scotland

Got my console today (just, last one in the shop!) and I've been playing it virtually all day. I got Super Monkey Ball, which is superb and very addictive. Rogue Leader, every Star Wars fanboys dream come true this: Destroy the Death Star, battle Tie-Fighters, trip up AT-ATs, and that's just in the first 3 levels! And ISS2, which continues to be a superb footballing experience on a new generation of Nintendo hardware. I can honestly say that I was tempted mid-week to buy an X-Box. Needless to say any such thought has since been firmly banished from my mind forever, as I already have more games for my 'Cube than I would purchase at the moment from the complete range of available X-Box titles. Also, less than £130 for a new console, as opposed to £200 for either of the other two? No thanks, I'd rather have my 'Cube with 3 games for the price of a PS2 or an X-Box with 1 game. And it's a superior console to boot.
Dave James, UK

GameCube will wipe the PS2 because of GameCube's 400Mhz or more and PS2 has only got 200Mhz or more. GameCube will be beaten by the X Box by miles with its 700Mhz Or more.
Buckey, UK

I got a GC today and I am sooooo impressed!! The X-Box is too expensive & I know no one who has one(you can buy a GC a PS2 and a game for the price of the X-box alone!!), the PS2 is starting to show its age though it will still out sell both the GC and X-box.
Dillon Scott, Eire

Now I realise what attracted me to games in the first place - NINTENDO
Wayne Spencee, UK

It's a shame that the success of a product depends so much on how 'cool' it is, for in my opinion the Xbox wipes the floor with all these machines. Apart from a small handful of games GameCube on the whole is aimed at much younger players anyway, leaving the PS2 to slug it out with Xbox in the 'big boys' arena. Early adopters of the latest generation of consoles will have gone with the PS2, which is understandable, but the discerning gamer will have bought Xbox. And of course the hard-core gamer will have all of the machines, including GameCube!
Richard Joseph, UK

The GameCube is fantastic. Star Wars R.L. 2 has speed and graphics to rival any Xbox title and games like Super Monkey Ball and Wave Race Blue Storm have gameplay only Nintendo can produce. So it's not all about the hardware, the software is the key!
G.Williams, Co. Durham, UK

GameCube rules. I now have both PS2 and GameCube. PS2 will win this console war purely on the fact that it is deemed "cool" while GameCube will run second even though it is the best machine of the three.
Chi hao Tsang, England

I have to say the GC is way much better than the Xbox, it's small, powerful and it's got a great line up of games (Rogue Leader kicks ass).

Like Microsoft, Nintendo will have to come up with some sort of ingenious idea to pull people away from their PS2s.

The Xbox is just a souped up version of a PS2 with a different name, they both have similar games apart from Halo and other Microsoft franchises.

Overall, in the next two years or so I predict Nintendo will be named King of Gaming consoles.
Humza Ibrahim, UK

I am really impressed with the GameCube - it has launched at a price which is very affordable. It can produce some of the most amazing graphics ever. The Xbox has failed to be a success in Europe and it has specs which it can never perform to, looks ugly and a controller which is a deformed copy of the Dreamcast one.

I admit that Halo is a cracking game - but the GameCube at a cheaper price, easily matches or surpasses the Xbox in terms of graphics/sound, has a great launch line up and the best controller ever made. The PS2 is getting old now and although it has some mint games, it fails to excite.

The GameCube is a breath of fresh air with some really original titles. Future. Pikmin, Super Smash Bros. Melee, Eternal Darkness, Super Mario Sunshine, Starfox Adventures, Perfect Dark 2, Metroid, Kameo, the whole Resident Evil series plus new titles and a whole lot more - and these are just the games which haven't been released yet on European shores. Rogue Leader is amazing, Luigi's Mansion is very original and Super Monkey Ball is mad. Too many good games - too little time to mention. Buy a GameCube and you won't be disappointed.
Mike Thornton, United Kingdom

I think the GameCube will wipe out the PS2 but get nowhere near the Xbox.
John, UK

Nintendo are the kings. Super Monkey Ball is stunning.
Graeme Crowley, UK

For fans of the Sega version of Crazy Taxi I would recommend getting Simpson's Road Rage which has identical game play but the added fun of all the Simpsons characters! 2 player mode is great fun too.
Andy Mc, Boston, USA

Why does everyone keep thinking that this console is for kids? Only if you think that as soon as you hit adulthood all you want to do is look at Lara's chest. I'd suggest it's the other way round, this console is for the discerning grown-up.
Mike, UK

I own a PS2 and I have considered purchasing the Xbox, but I can't bring myself to part with cash when I know that the GameCube, which costs less, is the safe bet for outstanding, playable games like Mario, Zelda, and Metroid - there is simply nothing comparable on any other platform. Video game aficionados cannot possibly want to miss out on this little box of joy. I'm 28 years of age by the way...
Neil Blair, UK

The GameCube is great for younger children, with its bright colours and childish games. If you want the best gaming experience available though - buy an Xbox.
Chris Crowther, London

While the PS2 and the Xbox are both big, meaty machines with fairly serious games (e.g. Halo), I think the GameCube has the upper hand. The cute, purple (or black) machine sums up what gaming is all about - fun. Also, with games like Mario Sunshine, Zelda, Rogue Squadron and Super Monkey Ball, how can it fail?
Edward J Clark, UK

The GameCube is by far the best looking console on the market. Now having played it, it's got the best games as well.
Inzi, UK

Personally, I think Nintendo should just throw in the towel on console gaming. This is their fourth console and they have finally made it to the level of Sony PlayStation one. If people say that the GC has better quality in graphics than the PlayStation 2 or the Xbox then they haven't played Final Fantasy X for the PS2 or Halo for the Xbox. And when game developers truly start designing their games to use the full processing power that the PS2 and Xbox has to offer, well, I hope Nintendo has a rag to wipe the dust off their face as they get blown away. Anyway, this is my thought on the subject. But just to let you all know, the only way to game is computers.
Jonathon Pluth, United States

Tried the Xbox, and was unimpressed - most of the games are clones of those available for other platforms. I picked up a GameCube today, and haven't looked back - stunning graphics, fast and oh-so-addictively fun gameplay, and all in a cute little box to boot.

Well done, Nintendo - you've even put Sony to shame!
Jack, UK

In my eyes, Nintendo will always rule the console market. If it wasn't for them we wouldn't be enjoying the amount and quality of games on all platforms. Xbox's specs eat the rest up but it is quality in gaming that I'm after, not graphics and anyway, you'll be using them all as a doorstop in three years time. Especially the Xbox!!!
SB, UK

The GameCube is a cool little machine, a good alternative to the Xbox and PS 2. Plus it's got the Resident Evil franchise which should help Nintendo shift a few more cubes.
Ashley, England

Great games, but it can't play DVDs. Huge mistake there Nintendo. Sorry guys, you will be missing out to the PS2 and Xbox on that one!
Paul, UK

Having got my cube this morning, I must echo the comments of most of the folk here, it's amazing. As for it only having "cute" games, then take a look at what games are heading to the cube. I'd hardly call many of the tiles cute. And as for many of the games being ports.. of course that never happens on any other console now does it? Nintendo have produced a winner.
Joanne Connors, UK

The GameCube is rubbish! I can't believe I queued this long to pay £129 for this. The graphics are poor and the gameplay is lacking.
James Peck, UK

While many gamers seem to fall into one of three camps, I personally think there's room for both Xbox and GameCube. With the PS2 already well established, however, both may have a little trouble finding a footing. Technically, both are better than the PS2. The Xbox gains ground on the GC due to the hard-drive, broadband modem and full DVD support. The GameCube, on the other hand, can link with the GBA which could prove interesting.

And while the Xbox/PS2 tend to cater towards the older or "cooler" gamer, the Cube looks to be shaping up to deliver a series of small but perfectly formed fun-fests for the whole family.

I've got a PS2 and an Xbox at the moment. Certainly a GC will fly my way soon - but not quite yet. The initial line up, bar Super Monkey Ball, holds nothing "must buy"... Give it a few weeks, though.....
Dagada Dagada, UK

Too little. Too late. Disappointing to see a company who wield the banner of games forth and foremost should present the least technically innovative to gamers. Where's the broadband gaming future? Ironic that a stuffy, PC-orientated company like Microsoft should lead the way with Xbox.
Cockles, England

The GameCube is good for what it is aimed at...I have PS2 and Xbox for big, more serious games, but the GameCube is just right for that after pub gameplay with friends... and it's small enough to fit into the limited space under my TV.
Papa, England

We bought the GameCube for our children at Christmas and it has been a great success. I love playing Pikmin, a good mix of action and strategy. The kids like Smash Bros Melee.
KS, USA

I have one, am very excited. I only have bought Super Monkey Ball so far as this game is fantastic! The GC really offers something different, unlike the Xbox that just does the usual Microsoft trick of copying everyone else.
Jasper, UK

The launch selection is the most impressive I have seen to date. I believe with lowest price and most powerful hardware, the GameCube will secure its place as a market leader.
Kevin Prince - Next Gen Games, UK

I've got my GameCube (though not played it yet as I'm at work). I do own a PS2 and a PC (so I don't need an Xbox) but I can see this becoming my main games machine. Nintendo do only games and they do it well. They're not doing it for control of the living room like Sony and Microsoft. They will concentrate on the quality of their games, while MS and Sony will concentrate on extending their games consoles into the rest of your home. I sincerely hope that the quality and innovation that Nintendo deliver will ensure a long and fun future for Nintendo.
Simon Frost, UK

I think the Cube will succeed as an "impulse" buy - it is less than three average games after all. I will buy one to complement my Xbox, but Xbox is the one that I am most excited about in 20 years (!) of gaming.
Ross, UK

Whether or not you buy this machine is completely dependent on what you're looking for. If you just want games, get this. Unfortunately I have no faith in Nintendo following the N64, where games like Mission Impossible which were meant to be launch titles didn't come out until nearly a year after the console. They simply don't have the wide developer support that Sony has, Rare being one of the few. Plus the fact that the games and machine, as Nintendo have admitted themselves, are generally aimed at the younger market.

You look for fun games, definitely, but you can get these on a PS2 as well as the darker, more cerebral games like Soul Reaver 2, Silent Hill 2, et al.

More powerful as regards the hardware, but not the most appealing of the batch I'm afraid. And hey, give it a few months and chances are most of the games will have been ported to PS2 anyway.
Adam Green, England

Just picked up my GameCube. I haven't managed to take it home yet as I am still at work. (I got at lunch!!!) Three excellent games - Sonic, Luigi's mansion and ISS2 ....I can't wait.
Chico Mendez, UK

GameCube's launch titles may be good, but it's the next six months that will show whether it has the legs. Playstation beat N64 by the sheer number of games churned out for it. PS2 will kill Xbox and GameCube if they don't adopt the same approach.
Laurence, UK

The wait is finally over. I love this console - the games don't rely on their amazing graphics and sound, the playability is un-rivalled. Unlike its competition, Nintendo have launched this console with a huge array of great games right from the start. The only question when deciding on which console to buy should be "What colour GameCube should I buy?"
Richard Allen, UK

I've had a Japanese Cube for a few months, and it is by far the best console since the underrated Dreamcast.

Forget the power and DVD arguments - the games are the most important, and Pikmin, Super Monkey Ball, Super Smash Brothers and Rogue Leader are pure entertainment. What more could you want from a games console?
Dan, Wales

I picked up a GameCube today, with four games. I played them all and loved every second of it...I urge you to buy one.
Kip, UK

Nintendo certainly have the pedigree and financial clout to make GameCube a success, and with a £130 price point from launch it is a very attractive option. What concerns me however is the speed to market of their software, and the quality of it. The N64 was a good machine but suffered from a dire lack of "adult" themed games and was notorious for triple A titles being delayed. With the exception of Zelda and most of the Rare titles it was a disappointing range of games. If Nintendo can rectify this (and the signs are good with Rogue Squadron and Resident Evil) then they will be on to a winner.
Nathan Griffiths, United Kingdom

Fantastic console and games. Size of console makes a great change from that elephant of an Xbox. Long live Nintendo.
Adam, UK

Whilst Super Monkey Ball is an excellent game, it is far from being in the league of Halo. Having owned an import GameCube for months, I now play it very rarely and it is sitting gathering dust like my PS2. Halo, Jet Set Radio Future and Project Gotham Racing put the GameCube to shame. I expect better games to arrive in the next six months!
Ian Harvey, UK

It may be small but it will frighten the life out of Xbox, except Halo which is the best game ever.
Joe S, England

Awesome, absolutely awesome. As simple as that.
Mark, UK

The cube's great. I'm hoping I can run my Xbox games on to it real soon, as it's so much cheaper.
Ciaran Mullan, Ulster

I think it's brilliant and can't wait for more games.
Daniel, UK

My mate bought one on Friday, with SMB, Rogue Leader, Luigi's and Waverace, and I was stunned. I have always been a keen Nintendo fan (having owned every console so far) and I was interested to see what route they would take into the next gen of gaming, and they have blazed their own path as usual.

The games are incredibly beautiful, the controls are responsive and fluid and the humour is as present as it ever was. Since the demise of the N64 I have converted to PS2, but I think the two are going to lead the way, with Xbox trailing behind. PS2 seems a bit more adult and serious, whilst GameCube is definitely geared towards the multiplayer post-pub crowd. Get one of each and make your life complete!
Ash, UK

I'm a 30-year-old gamer and I must say that I own all three systems and Nintendo by far outdoes the other two. With the games they have now and the ones on the way, Nintendo is gonna leave the rest wondering what happened. Because it is fantastic. About it being a kiddie system, just look at the release calendar. I am going to trade my PS2 and Xbox in to pre-order as many Nintendo games as I can. It's just that good. Nintendo rocks. By the way, wait till you lads see Resident Evil. It's the best looking and scariest game I've ever played. Be sure to check that one out. And please enjoy the sweetest system of them all. Nintendo rules all.
Mark, USA

I think it's stupid when people say that the GameCube is a kiddies console. Is Resident Evil a kiddies game?
Jake Kearsley, UK

The Xbox is undeniably American - ugly, big, powerful and noisy just like their cars, however, it only has one distinctive game, Halo, that was destined to be a hit on any platform.

Whereas we look at the GameCube, it is undeniably Japanese, sleek, small, affordable and fun - also like their cars.

This is not a battle of consoles, this is a battle between the East and West!!
Alex, UK

I have a PC, I always will have a PC and my PC will always be better than any console. That said, there is only one reason why I'd buy a console; multiplayer!! I cant think of a better way to spend an evening in with three friends but to play Super Monkey Ball or Super Smash Bros.

Also the fact that I can get any decent Xbox game for my PC (Halo) makes me wonder why I'd want to shell out £200 for what is essentially a one game platform
Max, UK

This cube kicks serious butt. Rogue Leader is amazing, as is the short but very sweet Luigi's Mansion. Done Nintendo, let's keep these magnificent games coming.
Jac, Scotland

I got a GameCube with Luigi's Mansion, Super Monkey Ball, and Star Wars. The console itself is excellent - I love the size and the look. The control pad feels good in the hand and the games I have at the moment are all very good. I'd highly recommend the GameCube, oh and I'm 22.
Ben, UK

People talk about the "power" of the GC compared to the X-box, the fact is that as those who understand the technical specifications of the machines will know, the GC is more than a mach for the X-box. Why? Because for one, it utilises Apple's "Power PC" technology in its "Gekko" CPU, whereas the X-box uses a standard Intel chip. Bottom line, the raw power/clock speed of the GC at 485MHz is fairly much on a par with the 733MHz of the X-box.

As for games (the most important factor), I would hardly call the complete Resident Evil series a child's game. If you look at recent screenshot comparisons you will also see how vastly superior the graphics are to Sony originals.
Andy, UK

Bought one under extreme duress from my housemate who has always rated Nintendo above all others - looked forward to mocking the smug little fella for being sucked in by the prospect of cutesy games wherein you fire your bubble gun at smiling hamsters.

However - I have just blown up the deathstar and bent it like Beckham in under 30 minutes and have to admit he was right - Super Monkey Ball is a bit poor though.
Neil Stephens, UK

How can the Xbox and Ps2 compete? GameCube is almost half the price, half the size but four times as powerful as the PS2. Also, some incredible games are lined up for the next few years and third party developers are already queuing for licenses to develop for Nintendo.
Glenn White, Uzbeckistan

Friday May 3rd. A day I had been waiting for months. Ever since the launch date was announced I counted the days waiting to get my hands on Nintendo's cube of quality. I bought Luigi's Mansion, Fifa World Cup and Tony Hawk's 3 and have been playing ever since. The graphics are unbelievable and the gameplay is even better. My advice to anyone who wants a console that plays good quality games is: BUY A GAMECUBE!
Darren, England

GC already wipes the floor with the competition in terms of sheer fun. Super Monkey Ball is the most enjoyable game I've ever played and Rogue Leader the most impressive. But Nintendo will only defeat Xbox if they can convince enough adolescents that there's more to gaming than guns, gore and fast cars. I'd love to see Microsoft crash and burn, but it will take the right sort of marketing.

Incidentally, in response to a couple of earlier posts, the Cube does have broadband capability.
Charles, UK

The GameCube is superb, a next generation console for £130, what really annoys me is people that say the GameCube is not as powerful as the Xbox and see that as the be all and end all. Okay it isn't as powerful as the Xbox but what you need to understand is that all the machines including the PS2 (look at Jak and Daxter, Devil May Cry, GTA3, MGS2,THPS3) are capable of hi-end graphics, it's mainly how you work with the hardware to get the game running smoothly. The GameCube has soooo much potential, just look at what Rare did with Donkey Kong Country on the Super Nintendo.

For me the Xbox has always been out of the picture, I think it is losing the fun aspect of gaming and all the titles seem to be way too serious, and you can't get away form the fact the machine is big and ugly. (Halo is great though!)

I do believe that the GameCube is the best choice in the long run and cannot wait for new games such as Sega Soccer Slam, Zelda, Mario Golf and that Starfox one. The PS2 is still great!
Ross Wallingford, Sussex, UK

For me, the Xbox launch software was better. I think I'll use my GameCube money to buy some more Xbox games. Maybe get one in four or five months time when there's more software.
Arran, UK

How disappointing, after reading all the comments here I expected so much more. Star Wars is good but just not finished off professionally. Luigi's mansion is for children. Oh well, back to the PS2 and Metal Gear Solid 2!! I think if you are over 16 or something it's not worth it. It's a toy aimed at children, my daughter loves it!
Kevin, England

With a huge amount of games on day one and with games to come like the new Zelda and Mario Sunshine, GameCube will rock. I already own a cube and the graphics rule, the sound is amazing and it is so great I can't put it down. With more and more games being announced it will easily thrash the Xbox and the PS2 in the computer games wars.
Andy Holkham, England

I got a GameCube for my kids (to get them off my PS2), but I find myself sending them to bed early so I can get my hands on it. It's an elegant design, and Super Monkey Ball is great fun. For a £129, it rocks!
Janus, UK

The GameCube is just plain amazing. It's got the most games on release than any other console, its' easy to carry (unlike the Xbox which gives you a hernia just trying to lift it), it's got four times as much power as the PS2 and it doesn't actually look ugly. So BUY A GAMECUBE, don't waste your time buying these overrated consoles, mentioning no names (PS2, Xbox!). Think clearly and buy a GameCube!
Robert Boyce, England

I have been very pleased with my GameCube. The graphics this system can produce are stunning and easily comparable to the PS2 and not far behind the Xbox. The controller is very comfortable to hold and all the buttons are within easy reach. The most important thing though is the games and both games I've bought (Star Wars and Super Monkey Ball) are excellent fun and have a lot to come back to. I have always bought Nintendo consoles and the GameCube certainly doesn't disappoint.
Alex McIver, Scotland

I have a Cube and an Xbox but the cube seems like a toy. The box has an air of power in comparison to the weedy cube.
John Woodhouse, England

See also:

05 Oct 01 | EntertainmentGameCube packs a punch
22 Apr 02 | EntertainmentGameCube price dropped
13 Sep 01 | EntertainmentWhat's in the GameCube
02 May 02 | EntertainmentConsole wars hot up
Internet links:

Nintendo GameCube
The BBC is not responsible for the content of external internet sites
Top Entertainment stories now:

Fans await Beatles 'jam' footage
Afghans repair broken heritage
Mona Lisa smile secrets revealed
Gallery unveils Titian show
Spice Girls dismiss comeback plan
Hello! executive denies 'court plot'
Star Wars strikes $15m TV deal
TV's Joe Millionaire picks his lady
Links to more Entertainment stories are at the foot of the page.

A123 AVI MPEG ASF MOV MP4 FLV to WMV Converter is powerful and easy-to-use WMV converter software which helps you convert popular video including AVI, WMV, MPEG, MP4, ASF, MOV and FLV file to WMV format. With very simple settings, the A123 AVI MPEG ASF MOV MP4 FLV to WMV Converter can convert video file super easily, fast and with excellent quality.

Version 4.1 includes changed runtime file.

Download

Dengan aplikasi ini, kita dapat mengatur parameter-parameter keluaran yang kita inginkan. Beberapa parameter yang berguna untuk mengatur keluaran dokumen audio seperti:

• Audio Bitrate: besarnya "informasi" yang tersimpan dalam dokumen audio. Semakin tinggi nilai bitrate yang kita tentukan akan menghasilkan suara yang semakin jernih, tentu saja dengan membayar ukuran dokumen yang lebih besar pula.
• Audio Samplerate: sample rate mewakili "resolusi" dari dokumen audio. Sama seperti halnya dengan bitrate, semakin tinggi nilai sample rate, semakin jernih suara yang dihasilkan dan semakin besar pula ukuran dokumennya.
• Audio Channels: kanal audio stereo atau mono.

Dengan kemampuan seperti itu, aku rasa aplikasi ini cukup baik, apalagi untuk aplikasi 'cuma-cuma' yang bisa kita gunakan secara legal. STOP PIRACY!

Saiba mais.

[ ]'s

We took a group trip one evening to the Raging Rivers Waterpark in Grafton, Illinois.   Anyways, I thought for sure it would be flooded right now, but it looks like it might have just missed the waterpark (the road to the park is flooded, but the actual park is still operational).

Random memories of the waterpark:  It was so pretty, right next to the Mississippi River.  You could watch the barges while you swam.  It was nice seeing everyone out of the hotel setting.  I got to just sit with Tammy (conference chairperson- what a huge task) and watch Audrey swim.  The kids (of course) all had a great time in the water.  There was a family from California sitting near us on the bus ride, and the daughter just stared out the window "Everything is *so* green!"  There was a giant cyclone ride that swirls the rider down into a tunnel and then drops them in a deep pool (Cassie nicknamed it "The Toliet").  There was a downpour!  I know we were in swimsuits and wet already, but it was a hard and cold rain, and we all squeezed in under the food service tent.  I got to watch Camille for a few minutes!

Credit companies are using the Facebook social networking site to target young people, a debt charity has warned.

Credit Action says adverts promising cheap loans for people with poor credit ratings are appearing on the site and many break advertising regulations.

In particular, they are promoting two new products - payday loans secured against a salary or logbook loans secured against a car, it says.

The charity has made a complaint to the Office of Fair Trading.

Credit Action says many of the adverts contravene UK credit advertising regulations, usually by failing to give details of interest rates.

It is now advising Facebook users to warn the website about adverts which break the rules.

A charity spokesman said: "Social networking sites, Facebook in particular, have become hugely popular in recent times, and not just with users.

"Lots of credit companies, especially payday and logbook loans companies, are using the medium to advertise their products.

"It is such a popular method because they can target young people with whom the site is so popular."

'Make it clear'

Chairman of Credit Action's board of trustees, Malcolm Hurlston, said that advertising rules "are there for a reason".

He added: "They are there to make it clear to people from the beginning what they are letting themselves in for."

Mr Hurlston also said some adverts do include the rates of APR but only in the frequently asked questions section, and not prominently on the advert, which is what the rules require.

BBC technology correspondent Rory Cellan-Jones says the adverts are being placed at a time when it has become harder to borrow from traditional sources.

Facebook, along with its main rivals Bebo and MySpace, lets users set up personal web pages and communicate with each other.

It has an estimated 50 million members worldwide and figures released earlier this year suggest that it has 8.5 million UK-based users.

Read a selection of your comments on this story:

I'm a Facebook user and I think its ridiculous how credit companies can advertise such high rate APR loans on a social network site who's main audience is teenagers and young adults. The majority are students who have a poor credit rating anyway, they're like vultures waiting for vulnerable young adults, these kind of credit companies do more harm than good, instead of helping improve credit situations, in most cases, they make it worse. If someone has a poor credit rating it is because they cannot control their own spending, so by giving them MORE money it's a disaster waiting to happen
Pally, Wolverhampton

I saw an advert for Payday UK and attempted to go through their application form. Once I had completed all of the required fields it asked me to enter an authorisation code that was sent by SMS. This code did not arrive and when I queried this with the helpline I got the answer that I needed to send a copy of my passport to them despite it being all over the site that no documentation was needed. At this point I got cold feet and asked them to remove my details as I was not going to complete the process. To this I was told they are legally oblidged to keep my account details (bank & debit card) on file for 6 years. I am not happy and am trying to ascertain whether this is legal or not.
Jon Poste, Leicester

I recently complained to the FSA regarding PayDay UK, who offer loans at 1355% APR. It seems unreal. On their website they also provide information about what apr means - but this is totally misleading. They compare borrowing money over a 3 or 5 year period with their charges for one month, and suggest that their rates are cheaper! The FSA's response was: "Neither the FSA nor the OFT can intervene in or investigate complaints against firms on behalf of the public...To make a complaint against the firm you should complain to the firm..." I am sure that the firm, PayDay UK, are fully aware that they are targeting young people who have no knowledge or understanding of finances. I am also sure that the firm feels no remorse for preying on the vulnerabilities of their victims. Evidently, all PayDay UK obviously care about is money. What then is the point of making a complaint to them, and detailing the above? I suspect their response might be something like: "Dear Damian, thank you for your compliments! If you would like to arrange a loan with us we would be more than happy to prey on you too!" I strongly feel that there should be laws implemented to prevent these kinds of companies operating. I also feel that Facebook should be ashamed of making money by allowing these companies to advertise on their site.
Damian, Sheffield

I think it is wrong, there are so many people preparing to go to uni at this time of year, and they may think, well if i get a loan i will be able to afford it. Its wrong and i feel personally that it is taking advantage of the younger generations.
Victoria , Grimsby

I saw an advert where you can take out a loan as little as £70 to bout £2000. I was tempted to borrow jus £100 as I was skint that week and you can't really borrow small amounts of money like that anywhere else. I don't think it's a good idea. I just saw it and wanted it because I could.
Charlotte, Newport South Wales

The Facebook advertising piece gives only limited space for text for advertisers. As there is not enough space to meet regulatory requirements in the ads and deliver a marketing message, it makes sense for Facebook to refuse ads from the financial services sector. Maybe also they should publish a code of conduct to all other advertisers which includes Advertising Standards Agency guidelines and before Facebook publish ads they confirm compliance against these. Ian Hendry
Ian Hendry, London, UK

I noticed an advert for a 'payday' loan on facebook, and out of curiosity I clicked on it to find out what it was - i was shocked by how misleading the marketing of the loan was; it was cleverly done and could easily dupe vulnerable or naive individuals. The value of the loans is low and it just seems like a completely pointless product, but I was left stunned when i discovered the APR breakdown: a whopping 1380%. That's no typo!
Tom, London

Facebook is responsive to user suggestions and complaints. I was offended by a particular set of ads for "meet the babe of your dreams" and emailed them; the ads stopped appearing on my profile within hours. I am sure that Facebook will respond equally well to Credit Action's complaint. This highlights a wider issue over US adverts appearing in a UK context, something the technology should be able to solve if done right.
Stuart, Staffordshire

I find using Firefox and AdBlock you can set it so that you don't see the ads. Parents could set it up if they wanted so kids didn't see them at all.
John, Teesside, UK

You should be aware of the fact that not all Facebook users are "Young People". Personally, I'm 54 and quite a lot of my friends of similar age use it to stay in touch. These ads don't bother me, they're just part of the background noise of using the net. After all, someone has to pay for the upkeep of the system and I'd rather it was advertisers than me.
Steff, Yeovil, UK

Have we lost all power of free will? There's nobody pointing a gun to your head threatening to pull the trigger if you don't click on one of these ads and take up the loan they advertise! You can click on it, see the interest rate is humongous and close the page - or not click on it at all if you can't afford credit, simple as that.
Dino Mavridis, Manchester, UK

I've seen the ads, I should think most people have. I didn't think they were illegal and if they are they should be removed. However, I can't help thinking, if you are silly enough to take one of these loans when they are so obviously an unregulated scam.... you deserve the obvious outcome!
Sara Daintree, Manchester, UK

I use Facebook and have certainly noticed the advertising boom since its early days. The ads are often targeted, as keywords on your profile are used, but also often not at all and are just general. Sometimes they are actually useful; I'm a gamer and sometimes good offers come up. Other times it's things like these debt ads. I had noticed the payday loans and do think it's disgusting that this kind of ad is allowed when users are generally of a young age and we're mostly in debt from University anyway!!
M Baker, London, England
]]> http://monterreymex2000.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/click-tips/ Wed, 18 Jun 2008 12:13:45 +0000 Jahzara http://monterreymex2000.wordpress.com/2008/06/18/click-tips/

Rob Freeman, Click Online's very own Mr Fixit, troubleshoots your PC problems.

At the birth of the web one piece of software had the monopoly on surfing the internet. Developed by America's National Centre for Supercomputing Applications, it was called Mosaic. The authors went on to write Netscape, which quickly became the online world's new browser of choice.

Over a decade later, there is still one browser with a massive monopoly. It is called Internet Explorer, and the way it works is getting some of our viewers really annoyed.

Jeff Jones sent this to us:

I'm really fed up of pop-up windows. How can I stop them? They are killing IT for me.

And then there's this one from Debra Lodoen in France:

I get a lot of pop-up boxes when I'm online. I always ignore them and click the close button even if they interest me. Are any safe to open? Some of these increasingly frequent pop-ups are annoying and intrusive and I am worried that they will download something that will wreak havoc with my PC.

Debra, you are probably wise to ignore them, because there is a distinct chance that one of them may not be what it appears and may contain what is known as a drive-by download.

If you do see something interesting that pops up in front of you while surfing, it is still probably safer to look it up separately by doing a web search.

But pop-up windows take advantage of the fact that most versions of Internet Explorer cannot block them. So why not try a new browser? Internet Explorer is not the only one, there are other browsers out there which do exactly the same job, some would argue a better job.

First is the fastest growing new browser at the moment. It is called Firefox and it is the only browser for many years to come close to threatening Microsoft since Netscape disappeared from widespread use.

Many of our viewers have e-mailed to recommend this. It is free to download and to use.

The main thing that has brought on the take-up of Firefox is Microsoft's own shaky record when it comes to security. Firefox is Open Source which means there is an opportunity for anyone to examine the code for potential problems, and fix them.

It is resistant to spyware and comes with an effective pop-up blocker and is just over 4mb - probably between 10 and 20 minutes download time if you have a slow modem.

And it is not just for Windows users, as there are versions Linux and OSX, and many language versions, including Turkish, Polish and Swedish.

Another contender is Opera, already the browser of choice in a lot of handheld computers and internet phones because it is less than a megabyte to download. There are Linux, Windows and Mac versions as well.

Mac users also have the speedy Safari, also Open Source, which can be downloaded from Apple's website It is just for OSX, so you guys can rub your hands and feel just that little bit more special that you get something all to yourselves!

Incidentally, changing your browser does not mean losing all your personal web bookmarks.

Many browsers make a copy of these during the install process, but you can make Internet Explorer create a file containing all your favourites, which can be useful to import into any browser, or as a backup.

Start at the File menu, and choose Import and Export. You will get a welcome screen, and then you will need to choose Export Favourites from the Options.

Internet Explorer will then show you the Favourites folder, and if you have made any sub-folders for special categories then you can export these separately if you want to.

Otherwise, just press the Next button and browse to where you would like the file to be stored. The result will be a single file containing all your bookmarks which you can use on a different browser, or share with someone else.

If you have any questions or queries, please visit our "Contact us" page to get in touch.

Click Online is broadcast on BBC News 24: Saturday at 0745, 2030, Sunday at 0430, 0645 and 1630, and on Monday at 0030. It is also shown on BBC Two: Saturday at 0745 and BBC One: Sunday at 0645. Also BBC World.
]]> http://felipemasterx.wordpress.com/?p=102 Tue, 17 Jun 2008 18:41:00 +0000 FelipeMasterX http://felipemasterx.wordpress.com/?p=102

Descrição:
Ele converte AVI, MPEG1,MPEG2, VCD, SVCD, DVD, WMV, ASF, DAT, VOB Extramamente rápido!!

• Extreme fast Conversion speed;
• Supports AVI, Divx, xvid, MPEG1, MPEG2, ASF, WMV, VOB, DAT;
• Batch file conversion;
• All supported formats to MPEG1;
• All supported formats to MPEG2;
• All supported formats to VCD,SVCD,DVD(PAL,NTSC);
• All supported formats to AVI(DivX,XviD, MPEG-4);
• All supported formats to Windows Media Format (support custom wmv profile);
• Joints video files to a large one;
• Splits large video file to smaller clips;
• Specifies start and end position while convert and joint;
• Extract sound from all supported formats to mp3, wav, wma;
• Extract images from all supported formats to bmp;
• Backup DVD Disk(.VOB) to all supported formats;
• Backup DVD Disk(.VOB) music to mp3, wav, wma;
• Backup VCD Disk(.DAT) to all supported formats;
• Backup VCD Disk(.DAT) music to mp3, wav, wma;
• Create custom wmv profile;
• Load custom wmv prfile.

Crack/KeyGen/Serial:
Não necessita.

Tamanho do Arquivo:
2.59MB

DOWNLOAD: RAPIDSHARE (NOVO!)

Watching one where you know something about the people and history is fascinating - for me it's obviously the one about the Apache HTTP server.

Via Sander Temme.

By John Penycate
BBC TV's Money Programme

Identity theft is Britain's fastest-growing white-collar crime, increasing at nearly 500% a year.

At that rate, says the banks' fraud avoidance bureau "this type of fraud will become the most serious, with significant financial losses".

Most victims of identity theft are reimbursed by banks for money stolen from them, but they suffer nonetheless.

John Seater, a car-dealer from Cornwall, told the Money Programme: "It's a terrible feeling. It's a feeling just like your house has been burgled."

How identities are stolen?

The simplest way is to be robbed of your credit-cards.

A thief can spend freely with them until they are reported lost.

After that he can use them as identification to acquire store-cards.

This is because at present shops issuing store-cards are denied access to the banks' hot card file of stolen card numbers.

Identity theft can also go on for months or years without the victim's knowledge.

Fraudsters bribe burglars and postmen for bank statements, which contain enough data to open new accounts and take out fraudulent loans in your name.

Or they can simply retrieve discarded credit-card slips from dustbins.

Anyone can send off for your birth certificate and driving-licence.

With a birth certificate, the fraudster knows your mother's maiden name, and can acquire a passport in your name.

Include public records like the Land Registry, Companies House and the Electoral Roll and there's not a lot about you that can't be discovered.

Identity thieves can get your mail redirected, or apply for credit-cards using your name and your real address as the former address on the application.

Mobile phone accounts, loans, overdrafts - all can happen in your name.

And often "you" decide to withdraw wads of cash from your bank account, presenting just enough ID information to convince busy counter staff.

A worldwide crime

In America there have been hundreds of thousands of identity thefts.

California keeps a register of ID theft victims, and Los Angeles has a detective squad dedicated to the crime.

One victim was a young lawyer. On her first day at San Diego's District Attorney's office, she was arrested, handcuffed and marched off to jail for crimes her identity thief had committed.

In the UK, there are still only thousands of cases each year, but the numbers are increasing dramatically.

The Money Programme has investigated a handful of typical cases.

A Londoner had false credit accounts opened in his name at Oxford Street stores, and thousands of pounds spent before he found out about them.

Or how about the businessman who had his impeccable credit record damaged by an impersonator who had changed the electoral register.

In the West Country, an accomplished fraudster systematically emptied the bank accounts of numerous small companies, using impersonation and stolen financial details.

That fraudster, Glenn Davies, now in jail, told the Money Programme about his role in a nationwide ring of identity thieves, which utilises private financial information supplied by corrupt bank staff.

How to protect yourself

Be careful whom you give private financial information to, and tear up documents like credit-card slips before discarding them.

If you think you may be a victim then send off for your credit-reference files from Experian and Equifax - it only costs £2.

They will show any fraudulent applications for credit. Inform CIFAS, the Credit Industry Fraud Avoidance System, which will put your name on an alert file.

But there is no escaping the fact that right now fraudsters are finding this crime all too easy.

And that, even if your losses are made good, you can suffer huge disruption, embarrassment and fear, when somebody filches your good name.

The Money Programme investigation into Identity Theft was broadcast on BBC 2 and on BBC News Online at 1930 BST (1830 GMT) on Monday.

Ever wondered why a DVD movie costs 15 pounds in a shop but you can download music for a few pence off iTunes? Well it's obvious, isn't it? DVD has pictures. Pictures cost more to make so you have to pay more.

Well OK then, if that's true, how come you can get a brand new DVD player on the internet for 20 quid but an iPod portable music player will cost you a princely £219? Is it really 10 times more sophisticated? Perhaps not. Welcome to the hardware/software war.

The way it works is this. If you are a software maker, you are a peddler of pure information. That information might be music, or video, or a computer programme or a story or anything else that can be squeezed down a phone cable. If you are a hardware manufacturer, you might make computers, or DVD players, or iPods or telephones or any other bit of kit needed to play the software. Josephine Public needs both hardware and software together to get her fix of opiate infotainment.

Money and music

And that's where the problems start. Because if you're Apple computers, you'll make more money by selling the iPods expensive and the music cheap. But if you're (say) Vivendi Universal, you don't get a slice of Apple's hardware sales. So you want the iPod to be cheap enough that the punter buys into the technology but then spends the bulk of his money on downloading the music itself at a decent price.

Now if you make either hardware or software you have the same two choices here. In a small controllable market you can sit down with your opposite number and work out a system that lets both of you make a profit. That might be illegal sometimes, but I'm sorry to say it has been known to happen anyway. Or you can let capitalism, red in tooth and claw, find a winner out in the jungle.

Which brings us back to iTunes. Apple's fantastically successful music download service has been selling tracks by the billion to the public for three years now at low prices. The chaps from Silicon Valley have been making a pile of cash selling their iPods off the back of this while the poor music execs have had to cut down on the white powder deliveries by some margin. And for that they have the Internet and themselves to blame.

A quick history lesson

The billion dollar music download industry was spawned in the garage of a teenager called Shawn Fanning, just six years ago, when he dreamed up Napster, the very first mass peer to peer file sharing system.

Napster had millions of people downloading music even before broadband got here, and because in those days it relied on piracy, the music was free and easy to download in the universally available format we now know as MP3.

This was great news for Apple. They made a portable MP3 player, and the queues of customers in Apple stores with peg legs, parrots on their shoulders and who said "auuurgh Jim lad" rather a lot soon stretched around the block.

But if sales were built on the back of their customers' piracy, that was hardly Apple's fault. The fact that there were few strictly legal ways of filling an iPod with MP3 music was embarrassing but ultimately beside the point. The record companies were bleeding money to the pirates and Apple was cashing in.

Digital landscape

Yet the music industry was painfully slow to introduce legal music downloading, allowing the pirates and the techies a free hand to shape the assumptions that would govern the new digital landscape. Apple had already won the hardware/software war while the music men were still sunning themselves like crocodiles by their Beverley Hills swimming pools.

So when Apple finally offered to sell music online themselves, the befuddled record companies had no option but to try and claw back a few millions into the bank instead of the nothing they were currently making online.

Downloaders were by then so used to paying nothing for their music that the most that could be charged for the time being was next to nothing, and that suited Apple just fine. The music men had little choice but to go along with it, lick their wounds and bide their time. If the public could be weaned off mass piracy, the industry might then at least have some kind of digital future.

Keeping a competitive advantage

The problem for Apple now though is that there are lots of clever people in eastern lands churning out those 20 pound DVD players who have realised they can do the same trick with MP3 players that work just like iPods, only theirs would be a lot cheaper than £219.

Worse still, mobile phones are now packing more processing power than the US space programme and their manufacturers want a piece of the MP3 action too.

So how do Apple keep their competitive advantage? Their best answer is something called Digital Rights Management. They sell music online, but it isn't sold in that universal MP3 format so beloved of pirates.

iTunes music is only playable under an Apple license, and then only by the person who pays for it. In other words iTunes is 80 per cent of the legal download market but only hardware blessed by Apple can play it. So unless you want to burn it back to the old technology that is the CD, that almost always means an iPod.

But iPods don't play the digitally protected formats used by other legal download services, so if you have an iPod and you're law abiding then you're locked into iTunes. It's a virtuous circle for them, but a vicious one for their competitors.

French legislation

In this brave new world of DRM, Apple gets to keep Blackbeard and his merry band of cut-throats under the vaguest semblance of control, put one over on the Asian hardware invasion, keep Nokia off their lawn, and carry on selling lots of their own silicon at high prices. Game set and match to American designer electronics.

Hollywood may be free to charge what they like for video. Microsoft might rule the computing roost. But in music, those chaps with the screwdrivers literally call the tune, and the software makers can go whistle.

Which was all very nice for them until this week when the French Parliament went and passed a law banning all such proprietary formats. If the legislation passes the French upper house in May then Apple will have to share its DRM secrets with everyone else so that their rivals can use the iTunes formats themselves.

But once they do, will anyone ever again pay 200 pounds for an iPod?

Which is why Apple might hate the French Parliament this week and why they could very well boycott the entire country before they ever comply with this law. And, stay or leave, if you listen carefully, can you hear the sound of French record company executives rubbing their hands in glee?

I'm told that Apple fans are well known, some would even say notorious, for their vigorous defence of all things Apple and highly sensitive to offensive depictions of their religion.

In response to the many replies we got, a few points:

The legality of ripping CDs to your iPod as "fair usage" is disputed by the Recording Industry Association of America, who lead the charge in such matters (though their members have been inconsistent on the point in the past). So it is accurate to not classify the practice among the "strictly legal" as the question isn't resolved. But that doesn't mean CD rippers have got the consent of copyright holder for their copying.

Playing iTunes on a PC or Mac is a software solution in a hardware debate and not a substitute for a mobile hard disk player like an iPod, which is why you don't see many people listening to their PC on the train. You can play iTunes on a Motorola phone, but that is under an Apple license limiting them to a maximum of 100 tracks (50 in some parts of the world). So again, not a true substitute for an iPod.

iTunes pricing - here's a recent quote from Apple CEO Steve Jobs: "We're trying to compete with piracy - we're trying to pull people away from piracy and say, 'you can buy these songs legally for a fair price'. But if the price goes up a lot, they'll go back to piracy. Then, everybody loses... So if they (the music labels) want to raise the prices, it just means they're getting a little greedy".

The basic bog standard iPod costs £219 according to the UK Apple website. Reduced capacity versions like the Nano and the Shuffle cost less.

An iPod does play lots of formats, but they're mainly digitally unprotected. So, for example, it would play an MP3 taken off a pirate's BitTorrent. But it wouldn't play a digitally protected WMA file taken legally from the now legitimate Napster download service.
]]> http://monterreymex2000.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/send-us-your-comments/ Fri, 06 Jun 2008 10:36:33 +0000 Jahzara http://monterreymex2000.wordpress.com/2008/06/06/send-us-your-comments/

The comments published on this page reflect the balance of views we received. (Oct - Dec 2006).

Just read the review of the PS3 and it has an edge of favouritism towards Sony. The article dismisses the important and growing role of online co-op gaming - something Xbox live is clearly market leader in. It also dismisses the role of firmware updates (responding to new adopters complaints with the 360) and completely fails to mention that Blue Ray is one option for HD playback with HD DVD also in the race for market dominance. Tut Tut BBC - you should hold your head in shame - v poor reporting indeed.
Pete, Bristol

Rfid receivers which can pick up a signal from 5m are freely available on ebay and software is easily obtained on the internet
Douglas, Swansea

In regards to the comments on your site: OS X is pronounced how you want. If you ask me it's stupid saying the same version number twice. Do we say Windows XP XP SP2? Do we say iLife 06 06? Do we write Mac OS 10 10.4.8? And more importantly, WHO CARES?
Alex Gordon, Twickenham, UK

Re: MacOS X ("ex") or MacOS X ("ten"), I sympathise with your presenter regarding pronouncing X as "ex" rather than "ten". Being also an old Unix hack, in my case from the mid eighties, I pronounce the X as "ex" not "ten". However whenever I call Apple they never seem to know what I'm on about and keep talking about OS "ten". That seems to be the way Apple want it, but I think "ex" is better, frankly I think the fact that OS X is Unix-based should be shouted from the rooftops. At the end of the day though, it is quite a pedantic point and not worthy of some of the peculiarly acrid messages you've been receiving.
Tim, Chippenham, Wiltshire

I saw your piece about the dangers of ePassports. I too am very sceptical about those electronic gadgets, because I had a strange experience with them myself - albeit no ID theft. I work for the US Army who is obsessed with security and probably rightly so, considering the past. A few years back they introduced an electronic access card for non-US workers, for which one's right index finger was scanned and the information digitally saved onto the access card. The first time I went to have the access card done, my index finger was scanned - and I was told I'm already in the system! Remember, this was the first time I had this done! It happens that the scanner is not fine-tuned enough to detect differences between similar fingerprints. What might take place when I travel to the States, and my fingerprint pops up on the security personnel's screen as being that of a criminal? Frightening thought! And your show now proved that the new ePassports are not secure at all! Hmm, I think we have an interesting future ahead of us...
Silvia Wilczek, Weiden, Germany

Security, could it entail encrypting the data on the passport with the encryption being derived from say a finger print, eye image or even a PIN number, data could only then be read in the presence of the passport/identity card holder
James Priddy, Inverkeithing, Scotland

I have just read your story on ePassports. I actually have my ePassport on me right now and the idea that I am emitting a radio frequency everywhere i go is a bit disconcerting. Is this not against my human rights and rights to privacy? It's fair enough to have cameras on nearly every corner - safety after all - but if there are radio receptors everywhere then I'm a walking bug, at least as to my constant position.
Philip Mwarabu, London

Just read David Reid's excellent piece on ePassports. Does this mean I can claim back the £110 I have paid to HMG for my, apparently useless, new chip-embedded UK passport? What implications does this fiasco have for the Government's much touted ID card scheme?!
Nigel Bradshaw, Karlshamn, Sweden

Regarding the ePassports that decrease security and increase the ease of identity theft, I recommend people put a jacket of aluminium foil on them. The chip in these passports absorbs a rf pulse from the reader to get the energy to broadcast the information. That's how it works without batteries. Wrapping it in foil will decrease the amount of energy absorbed and decrease the signal transmitted, preventing casual snooping. Of course you will need to open or unwrap the ePassport when requested, but you will not be subject to identity theft walking around town.
David Kelly, Newbury, Ohio, USA

Your article on passport security makes a mockery of the scandalous recent increases in passport costs. The chips are constantly sited as the reason for the (close to) 100% increase in the last year or so, and if the chips don't increase the security, why pay the extra money? It's certainly not going to the passport office staff!
Kevin, Bangkok, Thailand.

"Remote access keeps you in touch" Revolution? Linux users have been ssh-ing to their home computers for years.
Luke Robinson, Hillsborough, N. Ireland

Your story "Remote access keeps you in touch" fails to mention any other utility from the range of software packages which provide similar functionality. NX for Linux and VNC which is available for all widely used platforms including Windows, Linux and even PalmOS.
Rob Sinc, Paris, France

I am writing in about the feature you had on remote connection to your home computer. I was surprised to hear that there wasn't anything good to say about Microsoft's Remote Desktop Connection. I must say that I have set it up in the place I work and I have had no problems at all, in fact it is used by our satellite office in the US to do all their work on our servers. I have also set it up for my friends to access their home computers from work and I do too. It is a fantastic tool and very easy to setup.
Jeff Woodward, Hertford, Hertfordshire

Ten years ago I used to buy my newspaper every day. Five years ago I only bought them on weekends. Now I don't buy them at all, as I am getting all the information I am searching for on the internet. I honestly can't see any future for the newspapers (which is good news for the trees!!).
Marianna, Ayr, Australia

Regarding the debate over the death or otherwise of newspapers. I am reminded of an e-commerce model that was around early on, whereby the consumer would have an online "wallet", and pay a small amount, maybe one or two cents per page, for "premium" content, rather than having to subscribe or pay a monthly fee for a service they end up not using. Maybe it's time to see if this idea has merit now?
Quentin Bennett, Auckland, New Zealand

Great programme but it does annoy me that we have to put up with all the junk all over the screen when watching. BBC News 24 logo, a clock, a news ticker, and worse still last Sunday a huge BREAKING NEWS banner flashing across a quarter of the screen every few seconds for virtually the entire programme. (The fireworks factory fire, 15:30 airing). The article on USB was obscured so that we couldn't see what was being shown, and Kate's Webscape had all the web addresses completely hidden behind the breaking news banner. Totally useless! I realise this is not the fault of the Click production team, but rather those in control of the news output at the time Click is aired. Surely they could use a little more sense!
Dave Richards, Alton, Hants, UK

I catch click from time to time, enjoy the programme! This might have already been covered but the Web Browser market has been hotting up lately with IE 7 finally catching up with Firefox, Netscape and Opera by incorporating a tabbed format. I'm a Firefox man, the best thing about it is the add-ons available, the one I use more than any is the Stumbleupon tool bar. When you've downloaded it, asks you to put in your interests/hobbies and it will generate websites that it thinks you will like. This is brilliantly simple just one button that opens up new parts of the web you will never have even thought about looking. Not only does it clog up your Bookmarks folder, it is a thriving online community and almost every site you visit will be reviewed or at least commented on. I just thought I'd recommend it to everyone! Thanks.
Jon, Nottingham

In reply to those wittering on about the "console wars", get your heads out of the sand! The PS3 and Wii have just been released (or in the case of PS3 will be released in March, if we can believe Sony, which we probably can't). The X-Box 360 has taken the better part of a year to get any decent non-multiformat games. It may take just as long for the Sony and Nintendo to get up to speed. My advice? Wait and see. The X-Box 360 is due for a price cut, despite what Microsoft claim, and the AAA titles of the Wii and PS3 are on their way. If you have a current-gen console, wait for the three to really hit their stride before getting a next-gen console. Otherwise, with PS3 and 360 games costing up to £55, you could make a costly error.
Alan Fox, Greenock, Scotland

The PS3 and Wii have just been released (or in the case of PS3 it will be released in March, if we can believe Sony, which we probably can't). The Xbox 360 has taken the better part of a year to get any decent non multi-format games. It may take just as long for Sony and Nintendo to get up to speed. My advice? Wait and see. The Xbox 360 is due for a price cut, despite what Microsoft claim, and the AAA titles of the Wii and PS3 are on their way. If you have a current-gen console, wait for the three to really hit their stride before getting a next-gen console. Otherwise, with PS3 and 360 games costing up to £55, you could make a costly error.
Alan Fox, Greenock, Scotland

I think the programme is very useful and worth getting up for on Sunday mornings. Love it.
Victor Vizer, Margate

Great show on the Wii, a bit too harsh on the edges, but if you compare price and functionality but most of all gameplay, fun and the experience, PS3 is a waste and Sony's stock is losing more in addition to the 40% they lost with their batteries.
Magnus Olav Sand, Norway

I agree with your "Wii tries to put the fun back" article on your website. It is a completely fresh outlook on video games, one that will certainly attract non-gamers into playing video games. The Wii focuses on gameplay while the Xbox 360 and definitely the PlayStation 3, focus mainly on graphical power. And for that reason, I think the Wii can dominate the console war. P.S. Fantastic programme. Keep up the good work.
Shaun Scanlon, Potters Bar, England

I enjoyed your item on Search Engines. Surprised you failed to mention Webcrawler; it automatically scans a bunch of major search engines (Ask, Google, Yahoo, .....). Especially useful if you come to a grinding halt on the one engine you've chosen.
Ron Durham, Torbay, NZ

I own a Xbox 360, I only got it because i couldn't afford a PlayStation 3, but seeing how good the 360 is I don't see any difference between the 360 and the PS3. But why get a PS3 if you can get a Xbox 360 cheaper and it has the same graphics. Also, I have seen the PS3 and Xbox 360 game graphics compared on Tiger Woods, the Xbox 360 had the best graphics. If i was to advise someone whether to get a PS3 or a 360 i would say 360.
Adam, Southampton

About the PS3 and Xbox 360. Look around the net, you will see that the 360 is by far outperforming the PS3. There are no decent launch titles for PS3, a lot of them have frame rate problems, some of the games that on 360 have online play, don't on PS3 (e.g. Tony Hawk's P8). Look at Gears of War on Xbox 360, that game looks miles better than anything on PS3, it looks truly amazing. Developers have already said they prefer the 360 because it is easier to code, and that is already showing.
Rob H, Leeds

Nice article this week on the PS3 problems. One thing I thought was a little wrong though: The suggestion that 360 graphics are a little different to PS3. Actually, right now, multi-format games look better on 360 across the board and AAA 360 titles such as Gears of War are significantly better than the best PS3 has to offer. This is not surprising. If you read the technical comparisons from games developers it is apparent there is little difference in what the two systems can achieve. Sony seem to have people sold to the idea it is so powerful (as they did the PS2) but the reality is falling short of that. Far short when the price is considered.
Kevin T, Redruth, UK

I saw Click for the first time today and I must say it is a well presented programme that immediately caught my attention. Once again, I'm up to date with the latest tech-gossip and I can't wait to tune in for more next time. Keep it up!
Jaco Botes, Dubai, United Arab Emirates

I love the programme. It is one of the greatest programmes about IT. Hooray! Keep it up and make the next programme better than the last. You guys are great.
Hussein Shujau, Maldives

Click is an excellent ICT programme that I like watching even by skipping parts of my busy schedule. Keep it up and I hope to see it more frequently than it is at present.
Pema Gyamtsho, Thimphu, Bhutan

First I have to say I love watching Click on TV, although a lot about computers and new technology goes over my head, your programme is really interesting and puts it across exceedingly clearly. This is my first time on your web site but it won't be my last! I have a question, I have family that live in Belarus and although we bought them a PC when we visited them so as to keep in touch we have been unable to email for many months, would you know if it is a problem with government interference?
Christine Davies, Wallasey, England

I really love the program, as it really understandable, keep it up.
Michael Cornfoot, Liverpool

I love watching Click on the internet. Keep it up guys; you're the modern version of Tomorrow's World. I only watch Click on the internet and Spencer Kelly's comments about watching it in jerk-o-vision made me lol.
Graham McDonald, Addlestone, Surrey, UK

I want to applaud Katie Ledger and the BBC Click team for recent articles about web accessibility. There isn't nearly enough exposure of the subject in the media - and these articles will hopefully generate more awareness of these issues. Web accessibility is associated with web standards and the UK has a growing number of top web designers who are dedicated to web standards. But overall, public awareness of web accessibility is quite poor. As stated in Katie's latest article - web sites built with web accessibility considerations are also a good thing for non-disabled people too. It benefits everyone! CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) are not all that new though and has been around for a while now. There are no reasonable excuses for not using it in regular web design anymore. Again, well done to the BBC for getting these articles online.
Matt Robin, Hertfordshire, UK

On your article on accessibility, while it would be nice for many corporations and governments to have web accessible pages, for individuals such as myself, whose "web empire" runs into the hundreds of pages, it is not necessarily a viable option. I doubt I could recode the existing pages to be accessible and making new pages and adding material is time consuming enough without having to incorporate special features. I make my pages generally for my friends to see, and while there are a few hundred others who see them each day, they are not my target audience. As an individual I don't feel it necessary to have to cater to those outside my target audience. I am not without sympathy, I was previously deaf and have poor vision, but feel it is an individual's choice when they make the material for the web in how they do it. I would sincerely hope any legislation is directed at large corporations and government, not individuals and SMEs who can ill-afford the additional cost.
Richard, Hong Kong

The accessibility issue is not only important for disabled people but also for the growing numbers accessing the web via mobile phones and PDAs. Good design will ensure the site is properly rendered on all devices and the days of a PC using Internet Explorer is the only way a site will be accessed is thankfully long behind us. Designers take note!
Craig Cockburn, Scotland

Section 508 of the Americans with Disabilities Act requires all content delivered by federal websites to be accessible. This is a constant issue for our developers, and I'm disappointed that retailers do not simply take the law and use it as a basic requirement. Pity
Alan Yelvington, Arlington, VA

As a web developer one of my biggest frustrations are sites that do not code to standards. Standards are there for us to follow and they aid everyone; easier development and good accessibility. Equally frustrating are designers who do not understand the technologies they are designing for. CSS is not new but it has added another layer of separation between designer and build. As a programmer I wouldn't expect them to learn it fully but more of an effort must be made understand how it's use affects design. Designers who are not CSS proficient should not be building web pages!
Chris Moxley, London

Having just read the Click article on accessible web, I cannot believe the excuses being made by so-called web designers to get around making accessible websites. For example, the quote about CSS (Cascading Style Sheets) being "new technology" and that "many developers are still very wary of using it" is a complete misrepresentation of the facts. CSS has been around for the last decade, and is a widely used web development standard. Frankly, web developers who do not use CSS to design websites should not deserve the credibility to be quoted on issues such as accessibility. CSS can be used to make sites more accessible, as mentioned in the article, but also makes development more easy for designers.
Tom, Southampton, Hampshire

I am not disabled or visually impaired, but I am colour-blind to a certain extent. Certain shades of reds, greens, beiges, oranges can all look alike, however bright pillar-box red and grass green are ok for me. It annoys me when people have put a lot of effort into pie-charts, graphs, colour-coded maps and the like, but to me they're completely meaningless. Some diagrams use 12 or so colours (for, say, bus-routes). Please, web-designers, use bold colours. Avoid the likes of beige, olive and orange being used together.
Ken Strong, Hornchurch

Great programme, good to keep informed. It's great to have technology programs on TV, but it's just a shame how little time you have. It would be great to have two programmes, one like you have now, and one maybe dealing with issues in more technical depth.
Will Kew, Aberdeen

I started watching Click in Japan four years ago. It's a carefully sought out, chosen, ascertained and devised show. Well done the Beeb.
Aziz Abounnasr, Chigwell

This program is highly entertaining and informing. Why must it be shown at such obscure times? BBC are showing such rubbish during normal viewing times it would not hurt to have at least one good and useful program.
Alan Butler, Paignton

A huge thank you to the team for the service that Click provides! You are a rare gem of a map in the wilderness of the web and have provided me with countless points and links that have been of considerable use!
Tom Howes, Nottingham, UK

I have always enjoyed Click but usually miss most of it for one reason or another. Recently got broadband so am able to see the full programme whenever I choose. Isn't technology great! I agree about a chat site for the older set. Hope it's up and running by the time I retire, which is very soon.
Joy Lloyd, York

I noticed that this week you suggested Del.icio.us, although it is good, it is not great. One of the best sites around is Digg.com, it is a great social networking site and I think it should be displayed.
Benjamin Elgar, Brunei

I am a visually impaired computer user. Some issues not addressed in your article include speech recognition in foreign languages like Spanish, or Tagalo for my friend in Manila and how much more expensive it is for the international versions. I recently flew in a commercial jet equipped with touch screen interfaces that were extremely difficult to navigate and made me wonder about R&D on smart appliances and accessibility. May Our Lady of The Internet bless your webpages and keep your clicking carpal-tunnel syndrome free. Gracias meine amies.
Mucaro Caparra, San Juan, Puerto Rico

There are many older people who use YouTube. I am sure this is true of many other blog sites. So all you have to do to get a site, is to persuade more over-sixties to contribute to one or more blogs. Maybe they are already there, but have not revealed their age. Anyway, what have you got against young people, many of them have interesting things to say, and love to communicate with older people.
Derek Colman (aged 65), Norwich

Re Maureen Holliday's comment regarding a site for older people ... there are thriving message boards at AOL for the 60s and 70s, plenty of opinions and fun threads. Unfortunately, we are all writing and emailing and phoning AOL because they have altered their message board format. The old style format was SO easy to use but they have altered the format, I suppose to conform with other ISPs. I haven't come across anyone who likes the new methods!
Lee Ashton, Winsford Cheshire

Please can we have more of Rob Freeman's sessions back again on Click.
John Felton, Sunbury

Katie Ledger's article "Making the web accessible for all", gives a few ideas of ways in which the increasingly wide range of computer facilities can be made available to a wider public. This is a theme that could usefully be widened and added to regularly. Having used the now ancient PDA Microwriter Agenda I am reconnecting myself to that excellent one handed touch-typing keyboard with acquisition of a CyKey (www.cykey.co.uk). Others might find this of interest. Referring to the message from Nawaz Malik he might care to consider the SeniorNet organisation in New Zealand as a starter for getting the message out to his countrymen.
John Maclaren, Cambridge, New Zealand

Re: Episode on PC cooling. Greetings from humid Manila. Very interesting, guess I have to find screws for all those backplanes. I would love to see an episode dedicated to using HDTV units as large monitors. I have found the process of getting this thing working to be about as clear as something Aleister Crowley might publish. A good programme on that would be really interesting.
Arthur, Manila

I strongly support that there must be a world community on the internet for elderly people.
Nawaz Malik, Lahore, Pakistan.

I found the programme on TV very interesting this Sunday morning. Is there a social networking site for over-60s? We make up 30% of the population, so I gather, but we don't seem to have many sites. Most of them cater mainly for teens. I think it's great that the teens have all these sites but it's about time the more mature had a look in. Such a site would also be good for older people who live alone to be able to make more friends. Please consider, and get Google or some other source to do the business!
Maureen Holliday, Leeds

Click is great and Spencer Kelly seems a real affable character. What Click needs to remember is that it has a lot of viewers in the older age range. I am 64 with a range of friends from about 50 to 75. In fact the 75-year-old is a real computer buff and has almost taught himself. This networking could prove very useful to us. Can you do a programme advising on a suitable network provider. Myspace looks a bit young for us. Great programme, never miss it.
Peter Martin
]]> http://bdelacretaz.wordpress.com/?p=941 Thu, 05 Jun 2008 16:52:07 +0000 bdelacretaz http://bdelacretaz.wordpress.com/?p=941 The members meeting of the Apache Software Foundation is over, and I've had the pleasant surprise of being elected as a member of the board.

Thanks very much to Henning for nominating me, and to everybody who put an f in their votes.

I'm replacing Henri Yandell who decided not to run again this year, for very good family reasons as I understand. Thanks Henri for your work!

Apart from him the board is unchanged. That will probably make the transition easier than last year, when several directors were replaced at once. It feels good to be the newbie when you're 46 years old ;-)

Am I looking forward to it? Am I crazy? I guess yes and yes...

More than 60,000 journalists and computer trade figures will descend on Los Angeles this week to soak up the latest developments in the industry.

The event is a mix of razzmatazz, showmanship and hard-nosed business as the $20bn industry unveils what the world can expect in the 12 months to come.

Margaret Robertson, games editor at Edge magazine, said this year's E3 came at a "tricky time" for developers and manufacturers.

"We are entering a delicate time because we have a launch of new consoles in the near future," she said.

'Holding pattern'

Microsoft, Sony and Nintendo are all working to produce a new generation of consoles to succeed the Xbox, PlayStation 2 (PS2) and GameCube.

E3 may be the world's largest showcase of new games technology but it is unlikely that this year's event will be used to launch the new machines.

All three consoles have at least 18 months of life left in them and to trumpet new machines too early could adversely affect current sales.

"We are in a funny holding pattern at the moment," said Ms Robertson.

"It was believed that Xbox 2 would be unveiled at the GDC (Game Developers' Conference) last month but it wasn't.

"There are rumours that it will be shown at E3. But I don't think that will be the case."

It could also have a damaging effect on software sales, as developers enter a crucial transition period between generations of consoles, explained Ms Robertson.

"It's a tricky time for developers. Traditionally there is a slump in sales as new consoles prepare to launch," she said.

Pocket games

The biggest news to come out of E3 is expected to be in the field of mobile gaming.

Both Sony and Nintendo have new handheld machines which are tipped to make a splash at E3.

"There will be big handheld announcements from Sony and Nintendo, with the Sony PSP and Nintendo DS," said Ms Robertson.

Sony is expected to unveil its "Walkman for the 21st Century", a portable games console which will also act as an audio and video player.

Nintendo will show off its Dual Screen handheld, which they have kept firmly under wraps since it was first unveiled.

Ms Robertson said: "It's still not clear how much of the PSP we will see.

"The Nintendo DS is the biggest dark horse. It was widely derided when announced, slightly unfairly, as Nintendo did a poor job of explaining the potential of the device."

She added: "Microsoft too will want to make a big announcement - its tie up with Electronic Arts (EA) on its online service will be made formal."

The lack of EA titles on Xbox Live have been a "high profile gap", said Ms Robertson.

EA is the biggest games publisher in the world and the arrival of huge sporting franchises such as Madden Football and the Fifa series on Xbox Live would be a big boost to Microsoft.

Game delays

For many journalists E3 2004 could invoke a sense of deja vu.

"One of the most notable things is that the big three software titles expected at this year's E3 were announced and shown last year," said Ms Robertson.

Doom III, Halo 2 and Half-Life 2 were exhibited last year with the expectation they would be released by the end of 2003.

But a year later and the games are yet to see release, with Half-Life 2 delayed by a theft of the game's source code and Halo 2 pushed back 12 months until the autumn of 2004.

"Last year all three games had a huge impact. Half Life 2, especially, had an electrifying effect.

"It will be hard to match that although I think Halo 2 can still do it. I would be quite surprised if the games were playable.

"It's not Bungie's (Halo 2 developer) style. They tightly control what they release about the game. And Valve (Half Life 2) seem anxious in all directions. They were thrown by the leak of their code.

"Perhaps Doom III will be playable."

Ms Robertson added: "One of the things that happened last year was that there was almost too much product, too much hype."

But it looks as though E3 2004, which runs from 12-14 May, will be no different. A leaked list of games being promoted for Sony's PlayStation 2 is 80-strong and growing.
]]> http://spdmrbid.wordpress.com/?p=40 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 19:59:15 +0000 Vorstand http://spdmrbid.wordpress.com/?p=40

Die Arbeitsgemeinschaft sozialdemokratischer Frauen im Unterbezirk Marbug-Biedenkopf wählte in Lahntal Ruth Beusing zu ihrer neuen Vorsitzenden. Ruth arbeitet als Archäologin und PR-Baraterin in
Frankfurt sowie im Wahlkreisbüro von Silke Tesch. Karin Szeder, ihre Vorgängerin, hatte fünf Jahre den Vorsitz der AsF inne. Sie blickte auf eine erfolgreiche Arbeit zurück. Besonders wichtig sei es, sich in die Personalvorschläge einzumischen, denn "die ältere SPD-Männerwelt tut sich immer noch mit der Quote schwer, vor allem wenn es um die Besetzung wichtiger Ämter  geht". Unser Foto zeigt Ruth Beusing und Karin Szeder beim Bezirksparteitag in Baunatal. (DR)

A lot of technologies have conspired to make it easier for us to capture and share images and video on the web and with our friends and family. One of the most unsung is compression but without that there would be no photos on the web, movies on DVD or digital TV.

Songs, photographs, movies and video clips are all compressed into small files using complex mathematical algorithms or codecs that strip away much of the original information, yet retain enough quality for us not to notice, ideally.

In the video world, constantly improving codecs, and the proliferation of software and hardware with built-in compression technologies, is one reason video is seemingly everywhere.

DivX is one of the most popular codecs and, like many others, is lossy. This means that during the encoding process you lose bits of information to reduce the size of the squashed file.

By contrast some codecs are lossless. For instance creating a Zip file means no data is lost even though the final file size will be smaller than the original.

DivX is already popular in Europe but is now gaining a foothold in the US thanks to its combination of small file sizes and high quality images.

"We get 25 frames in every second," explained Mark Lawson from DivX. "We look at each of those frames and the stuff that doesn't change, that isn't moving, we can do stuff with that to make it smaller because we don't need to replicate the data again.

"So you go through every frame and allow the stuff that's moving to go through, while the stuff that isn't moving you compress it down to make it smaller."

Encoding and decoding video is a complex process with many factors such as bit rate and frame rate to take into account, but increasingly companies are encouraging the consumer to take charge with new technologies that attempt to hide the complexities.

"The goal is to make video compression as invisible to the end-user as possible. But it's very important because it improves both the efficiency of transport as well as the quality of playback," said Eric Ameres from compression firm On2 Technologies.

"You want to have the best quality, the highest resolution and the best user experience while consuming the least resources from the service provider's perspective."

Hardware or software?

There are already many devices that make encoding video a real-time one-click operation that is computer free.

The iRecord media recorder is a slim white box that uses the H.264 codec to produce portable video from any source, including DVD players. Plextor's ConvertX encoding device does a similar thing using Mpeg 4,1 and 2.

Then there is the Video To-Go USB stick that claims to re-encode movie files at five times real-time via a built-in dedicated video processor chip.

"The Video To-Go is using hardware encoding," said Mike McCoy from ADS Technologies, the company that makes the device. "We see the biggest benefits in time savings, and that's really what we're doing here - saving time in bigger files.

"So if we had a 5GB file it might take an hour and a half or two hours with software encoding, but with hardware encoding it can be finished in 15 or 20 minutes."

But hardware does not have it all its own way, advanced video compression is being starting to appear in a slew of software titles. The newest version of Toast not only burns DVDs on Macs - its original function - but can now transform high-quality video into multiple formats for multiple uses. It is the default application for moving Tivo shows from the DVR to portable players or DVDs.

For Windows PC's Nero has done something similar, expanding its video compression capabilities and offering an Mpeg 4 compatible codec called Nero Digital that claims to reduce video files to 20% of their original size whilst maintaining a high quality result.

So why is any of this interesting? Well, if you save your home movies using a specific codec, how do you know that in a few years from now you will be able to see them or play them?

Craig Campbell from Nero said he was not too concerned about the codecs: "I'm pretty sure it's going to be the hardware that's the problem. They need to support both old and new codecs. That's a lot of work and expense and the manufacturers just don't want to pay that."

So how can you be sure to preserve your treasured memories?

There's no 100% guaranteed solution for longevity but probably the best advice is to keep copies in at least two formats such as Mpeg 2, that is commonly used with DVDs, and on a tape format, such as Mini DV.
]]>