Gears are all about control, and this loot will have you in command of all that venture near.
Andrew Rollings and Ernest Adams on Game DesignSupplier: Penguin Books AustraliaWebsite: www.newriders.comPhone: (02) 8204 3318Price: $79.95
Game Design is a 500-words-a-page book that tries hard at being a 'tech' manual. It's a solid read on the formalities of design documents and gameplay concepts -- for those with no background in its content. Rather than regard the reader as a die-hard gamer, Andrew and Ernest appeal to the simple folk of marketing and management. Which is probably a good thing, as most 'core gamers' will glean squat from the last 10 or so chapters, which discuss in fluffy detail the aspects of first person shooters, strategy titles and RPGs.
X-Panel II - 3.5" Cold Cathode Control CentreSupplier: PC RangeWebsite: www.pcrange.bizPhone: (08) 8322 9544Price: $31
The XPII doesn't provide your peepers the capability to peer through walls, but it can give anyone in the near vicinity epileptic fits. Managing up to four cathodes, you can change their strobing frequency, light amount and sound sensitivity thanks to the inbuilt microphone. It's quite the looker, constructed from aluminium (also comes in black) with a flashy blue LED above each knob. A cheap yet worthy addition for those desperately looking for that extra piece of kit. Trippalicious!
Round Cold Cathode FanSupplier: PC RangeWebsite: www.pcrange.bizPhone: (08) 8322 9544Price: $25
Fans suck (hah!) and are liberally boring. To rectify this platitudinous problem, we are seeing all sorts of flashy bits attached to them. Like, ironically, lights. This quiet 2500rpm case fan has a circular cold cathode around its front rim. It also comes with two '3D grills', each with a slightly different design -- ready for some changin' action. Available in four colours (red, green, blue or UV), this is a funky addition to your luminescent needs.
A4 Rechargeable Wireless Desktop KitSupplier: AnywareWebsite: www.anyware.com.auPhone: (03) 9763 8200Price: $95
Here's an RF wireless keyboard and mouse whose receiver acts as a recharger for the provided mouse AAAs (keyboard uses AAs -- not rechargeable). The distance is neat, useable a good ten meters away and the mouse is a smooth runner. The keys are A-shaped, apparently an ergonomic decision (gobbledygook) -- distracting at first, but you get used to it. Not for the elite hax0rs requiring lowest-latency human interfacation, but great for an entertainment setup in the lounge.
Warcom Wireless ADSL RouterSupplier: Netbro / WarcomWebsite: www.netbro.com.au / www.warcom.com.auPhone: Netbro (02) 9212 2838 / Warcom (03) 9308 2780Price: $369
This antennafied object here is one gob smacker of an ADSL router chock full of extras. Not only a four-port 100Mb/s Ethernet switch, but also sports a configurable stateful Firewall (www.speedguide.net/faq_in_q.php?qid=73), an 802.11b wireless interface, supports real Virtual Private Networking, Dynamic DNS client, NAT and is fully configuratious (it smacked my gob, remember). If you're out there for one of the most feature packed, configurable wireless ADSL routers, this will tickle all of your packet switching/routing fancies.
Mambo X 128MB USB Music DriveSupplier: Logix InnovationsWebsite: www.logixgroup.comPhone: (02) 9742 1900Price: $249
Beware of the ultimate no-frills 128MB 'MP3 Singing Diskette'. It's almost identical to the Apacer Audio Steno in Atomic 27, but with a price drop and slight change in chassis design. No new whiz-bang features here, just a solid yet simple music player with a mic. Like all USB keys, simply jack into a port and tune away. It's lightweight, has an easy interface and is cheap with the only downfall being the horrific earphones.
JNC SSF-302 256MB Digital Audio PlayerSupplier: JNC DigitalWebsite: www.jnc-digital.com.auPhone: (02) 9264 8677Price: $449
It's not an MP3 player, it's a Digital Audio Player to you, mister. This cylindrical entity supports the .wav, .mp3 and the .wma formats. Sporting an inbuilt FM radio tuner, a seven-colour back lit display, a great quality mic and a wholesome 256MB of legroom, this is one feature packed player. Considering the cost of comparable SD memory, it is very well priced for a player of this size. Just don't wear skin tight pants. . .
Full Case WrapSupplier: PC Case GearWebsite: www.pccasegear.com.auPhone: (03) 9568 0932Price: $119.50 ($65 for panel wraps)
If you feel that case painting is mediocre - oh the shame - welcome to the next beautification craze - case wallpaper (the 50's are back, baby!). Measuring in at 49.5 x 127cm this slick full case laminated vinyl sticker is available in eight beautiful designs (also available as smaller panel wraps). No teeth crushingly irksome wait for that darned paint to dry, just whack this on and you're done. Wonderful stickerage for all!
Issue: 133 | February, 2012