Doctor Watson?

Should I Say Watson supercomputer? or Should I say Doctor Watson now, not to be confused with a character in Sherlock Holmes, recently a computer did what doctors failed to do, a computer identified Unknown illness a Japanese women had, this illness was a rare type of leukemia, the Japanese Doctors were Stumped, until Watson one of the Smallest Super computers the world built by IBM helped them, Watson is famous for going on the USA Quiz show Jeopardy 2011. 

http://siliconangle.com/blog/2016/08/05/watson-correctly-diagnoses-woman-after-doctors-were-stumped

"After treatment for a woman suffering from leukemia proved ineffective, a team of Japanese doctors turned to IBM’s Watson for help, which was able to successfully determine that she actually suffered from a different, rare form of leukemia than the doctors had originally believed. Watson managed to make its diagnosis after doctors from the University of Tokyo’s Institute of Medical Science was fed it the patient’s genetic data, which was then compared to information from 20 million oncological studies. This analysis found a different diagnosis for the type of leukemia from which the patient suffered, and it suggested a different form of treatment, which proved far more effective than the original methods doctors had been using up to that point."

This is so cool people should the power of Watson more to solve problems that can change the world, this opens a window on to the future where computers help in the diagnosis of illnesses, but I hope Computer don't replace Doctors completely. mote Information

• https://www.wikiwand.com/en/Watson_(computer)
• http://siliconangle.com/blog/2016/08/05/watson-correctly-diagnoses-woman-after-doctors-were-stumped/
• http://www.nydailynews.com/news/world/ibm-watson-proper-diagnosis-doctors-stumped-article-1.2741857

pi-top laptop

have you always wanted to build your own laptop, now here is your chance check out the video below
 
 the laptop is powered from a raspberry pi b+, the latest raspberry pi on the market, the laptop comes in kit form with all the parts needs to build your own laptop. the makers say "No soldering is required to build Pi-Top and a beginner should expect to be able to complete the kit in an evening".

To get one you can go to indiegogo to kit at the moment is $299 until nov 13th https://www.indiegogo.com/projects/pi-top-a-raspberry-pi-laptop-you-build-yourself#home

also check out the website for more details
http://www.pi-top.com/

fake IT Support scam

there are lots of ways you can be conned on the internet, there is a new way, by fake IT support ringing you up claiming to be microsoft or other computer company and claiming something is wrong with your computer, when there is nothing wrong with your computer it is working as it should, watch the video below to find out how this scam works.



 Do not be taken in by this spam no computer company whether it be your ISP or Microsoft know what is going on, on your computer unless you tell them. This is real and is happening these people keep phoning me up and as a computer expert I tell them to get lost and hang up and that is what you should say and do to them.

The people that phone me have a Indian voice and start by say there is something wrong with your windows computer, i don't get conned by it because i know computers, you can stop been conned to by knowing your computer, do some research and get educated, this scam only works because people don't know how a computer works.

check out these links for more cons and scams you should not get done by them

• http://www.thinkjessica.com/
• http://www.hoax-slayer.com/

3d printed food

if you ever wanted to be willy wonka or if you ever wanted to 3D print food and have $5,000 or $10,000 laying around doing nothing now is your chance, 3D Systems just brought out two 3D food printers Chef Jet and the Chef Jet Pro

 

with this system your can 3D print anything as chocolate or candy, all you have to do is 3D scan it, or have a 3D print file of it, which you can download from the internet, think about it 3D edible car, or anything else you can think about, you can print some very complex structures, which would be impossible to make otherwise.  at the moment the printers are just aimed at the professional market but maybe they will release a home model soon

check out this link for more information
http://www.slashgear.com/3d-systems-chef-jet-and-pro-eyes-on-legitimizing-3d-printed-food-11312870/

startrek tricorder

what if doctors in the future can use star trek like tricorder or other technology to help them diagnose illnesses, this sort of technology is not far away, that can talk to smart phones, a number if different sciencetists are working are working on a number of such systems check out the videos below




these sort of systems may help people in remote parts of the world gain medical help they need, check out the links below

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sciencetech/article-2535740/Its-medicine-Jim-not-know-Scientists-build-Star-Trek-style-tricorder-scans-signs-disease.html

http://www.theverge.com/2012/12/21/3792042/visi-mobile-monitor-lets-doctors-track-condition-with-smartphone

http://dailynewsen.com/2014/01/08/star-trek-style-tricorder-that-scans-for-signs-of-disease-built-by-scientists.html

a look at Google glass

below is a cool look at google glass.



Google glass is a wearable computer by Google which has the ability to capture the world as you see it in real time and share it to anyone you want.

Google glass is like a head up display in a fighter aircraft, which can present information such as directions how to get somewhere right in front of you, superimposed on the real world.

It gives you all the information you need such as translations, flight times etc either on the display or in your ear without the device getting in the way of your life, or without people knowing what you are doing.
below is a quote from Google about Google glass

"We started Project Glass to build technology that’s seamless, beautiful and empowering. To share the world through your eyes. To get answers and updates, instantly. To be there when you need it, and out of your way when you don’t."

more infomation

• information on wikipedia about glass
• project website

Minority Report-Style Gestures will be possible soon

ever wanted to use a computer like they did on Minority report, well here is your chance, Asus and leap motion are bringing out a device, that will bring the ability to control your computer with hand Gestures

the device will come with asus all-in-ones and laptops soon, and can be used with windows 8, check out this quote from the wired website

"Imagine a Microsoft Kinect on steroids and you have a good idea of how Leap Motion works. The motion controller tracks in-air movement to 1/100th of a millimeter. But instead of watching you dance, the Leap creates 8 cubic feet of 3-D space that is recreated on the computer and can be interacted with via hands, pens or random objects you find lying around your home.
One of the more intriguing aspects of the Leap Motion on a Windows 8 machine is that the Live Tiles can be manipulated without having to touch a computer’s display. CEO and co-founder Michael Buckwald told Wired, “In terms of the basic Windows 8 control experience, Leap can provide a better experience than a touchscreen.
The Leap Motion will ship Windows 8 and OS X ready. Support for ARM devices including smartphones and tablets will be available in the future."

this can be found at http://www.wired.com/gadgetlab/2013/01/leap-motion-asus/?utm_source=tumblr&utm_medium=socialmedia&utm_campaign=tumblrclickthru

What's Fake Tech Support

just finished reading a cool article on the new way people are conning us and I think you should read it as well, here is idea, (quote from Make Use Of magazine)

"You’re sitting at home, minding your own business. Suddenly, the phone rings. You pick up, and it’s Microsoft (or Norton, or Dell, or …). Specifically, it’s a support engineer, and he’s concerned – concerned for your well-being, and for your computer’s health. You see, his company’s servers have detected your computer has fallen prey to a dangerous virus that’s been making the rounds. Untreated, this virus will steal all of your personal data, credit card numbers and all, and will then proceed to spread to your loved ones and other contacts, wreaking havoc on their lives. Oh, and it will also ruin your computer. If you’re reluctant to believe, the technician can easily prove it. He shows you how to open your Windows Event Viewer. Those errors you see there? That’s the virus right there; conclusive evidence. Fortunately, the technician is here to help. If you could just let him assume remote control over your computer for a few minutes, they would make all of this go away….for a modest fee, of course."

sounds OK doesn't it, wrong this a scam, as you read it the quote above, it starts with a so called it engineer calling you and it ends with you parting with lots of money for nothing, the thing you need to remember about this is, IT Engineers don't usually call people up, you call them. read the article from Make Use Of magazine, below and find out how to stop it happening to you
What's Fake Tech Support & Why You Shouldn't Trust Everything You See on Google

Computer Law and Security

---

Law

Data Protection Act 1998

The Data Protection Act 1998 came into being, to update a previous act. This was to comply with the European Rights Convention, Article 8 – giving people the right of privacy. If any size company collects information about people, in particularly personnel information such as credit card number, address, name, telephone number etc, you must follow the data protection guidelines.

• You must say what the data is for and why you collect it (this you must stick to and not use the data for any other purpose).
• You must register your data collection system with the information commission.
• Personnel data about people must be lawfully obtained
• Data held must be must be accurate.
• You must show information stored about a person to the subject of that data and delete it, if told to by the subject of the data.>
• You should not give the information about people to anyone else without permission, except to police only if they need it prevent a crime or to catch a suspect or if they have a warrant.
• You must prevent unauthorised access and processing of data (using appropriate security methods).
• You must not allow personnel data to be accidentally lost, damaged or altered, (using appropriate security methods).

Penalties

As from April 2010 any company that breaks the act can be fined up to £500,000 dependant on the seriousness of the breach.

Computer Misuse Act 1990

The computer misuse act was started to stop a loop hole in the law, after two people broke into the British Telecom's Prestel computer system and Prince Philip’s message box in 1985.

This Act states you should not:-

• Access computers which you are unauthorised to access.
• Access computers which you are unauthorised to access, to cause damage or perform other crimes with the information you obtained illegally.
• Modify computers or data you, do not have the right to access.

Penalties

• Access computers which you are Unauthorized Access, is called a summary offence and penalties are limited to 6 months imprisonment and/or a maximum fine of £5000.
• Access computers which you are unauthorized to access, to cause damage or perform other crimes with information obtained illegally is a serious crime and carries jail terms of up to 5 years and unlimited fines.
• Modify computers or data you, do not have the right to access is again a serious crime and carries a jail terms of up to 5 years and unlimited fines.

Computer and Data security

You must protect your computer against things that can damage it and the data on it

 

How can we protect computer systems?

• Not making passwords too easy to guess.
• Backing up data on computer systems.
• Using Antivirus/Malware/Spyware checkers (Make sure the spyware /malware/ antivirus software is not fake, to be on safe side use a known one like Kaspersky, Norton, MacAfee (paid), Microsoft Essentials (free) MalwareBytes (good Professional checker).
• Use firewalls, this blocks unauthorized access to your computer.
• When you move away from Computer/workstations Lock it (ctrl-alt-del, Lock Computer)
• Using a Uninterruptible Power Supply (ups)(battery backup that prevents computer being damage due to power cuts).
• Using surge protection.
• Erasing Data on Hard Drives before disposing.

cases where data has been found on hard drives

“A study conducted by Kessler International, a world leader specializing in computer forensics, determined that over 40% of the hard drives listed for sale on eBay still contain personal, private, and sensitive information otherwise thought to be erased.” Kessler International. “Sensitive information for shooting down intercontinental missiles as well as bank details and NHS records was found on old computers, researchers say”. BBC News. “Medical records, confidential letters and X-rays of patients in Lanarkshire have been found on second-hand computer hard drives”. BBC News.

Laptops and Security

One of the worst areas for data getting out is data on laptops, below is a list of things to do to secure your business laptop

• Not Leaving your Password with your Laptop Case.
• Be careful what Data you put on your Laptop.
• Encrypt your laptop.
• use screen shield (prevents the laptop screen being view from side).
• Use Laptop desk lock when one is available (device you can use to lock the laptop to a desk).
• Don’t leave the laptop lying Around .

Further Reading

• (2009) Data Protection (3rd Edition) Peter Carey, Oxford University Press.
• (2008) Introduction to information Technology Law (6th Edition) David I. Bainbridge, Pearson Longman.
• (2002) Information Security Best Practices: 205 Basic Rules By George L. Stefanek, Butterworth Heinemann.
• (1990) Computers Under Attack By Peter J. Denning (editor), Published by Addison-Wesley Publishing Co.

our day in the future

a look into what our day will be like in the future, enjoy http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6Cf7IL_eZ38&vq

computer on a stick

the computer on a stick or "cotton candy" to call it by the right name, is by Norwegian company FXI, and is one small computer, that could turn every screen in your house into a cloud computer. this computer can run either Android or Linux. the computer is not out yet but should be out mid 2012


from fxi company web site http://www.fxitech.com/

Benefits

• Provide consumer-friendly access to the Cloud

• Accelerate the adoption of “smart screens”

• Extend the life of consumer hardware like laptops, monitors, TVs, set top boxes, tablets and more by accessing the latest OS, software and apps.

• Provide a consistent experience across all screens

• Create a single point of content storage.

• Consolidation and organization of personal digital content.

• Share media from mobile devices on large screens and projectors – videos, movies, photos, games and more.

• Drive down the cost of computing, allowing more people to have a personal, secure computer.

Spec Quad Core ARM® Mali™-400MP Graphics Processing Unit
-Quad-core ARM Mali-400MP 720p / 1080p OpenGL ES v2.0
-30M Polygons, 1.2 GPixels / s
ARM® Cortex™-A9@1.2GHz
-NEON extensions
-TrustZone extensions
Connectivity-Wifi 802.11 b/g/n
-Bluetooth 2.1 + EDR
Memory -1GB DRAM
-Up to 64GB memory local storage (microSD)
Software-Android
-Ubuntu
-Virtualization client for Windows, Linux, Mac, embedded
Video / Audio / Media Support-480p/720p/1080p decode of MPEG4-SP/H.263/H.264 AVC/MPEG-2/VC1
-MP3, AAC, AAC+, Real Audio
-JPG, GIF, BMP, PNG
-Additional video, audio and image formats can be supported through 3rd party codecs
Connectors-USB 2.0 male form factor for power and connection to devices that supports USB mass storage
-HDMI 2.1 with audio for connection to devices that does not support USB mass storage

more on the computer and the company that built it

• http://www.geek.com/articles/chips/fxi-cotton-candy-is-an-arm-pc-in-a-usb-stick-20111118/
• http://booredatwork.com/2011/11/18/fxis-cotton-candy-dual-core-computing-on-a-usb-stick-hands-on-video/
• http://www.fxitech.com/

check email accounts

if you have a yahoo, hotmail or gmail account or a isp using these email providers engines, check your account it may be sending out spam emails by it self

i checked my yahoo email the other day and i was suprised that, there was emails sent from my account advertisting viagra which is something i would not do, so it led to thinking my account has been hijacked, looking at the internet lots of people are having the same problem.

what to do if your account is doing the same:-

• change your password immediately
• update your security qustions immediately
• ensure your moblie email accounts and email messenger acounts are up-to-date

more on this issue can be found below:-

• http://www.blindfiveyearold.com/yahoo-email-hacked
• http://www.ehow.com/how_113726_rid-e-mail.html

parents and games

Parents and games

Do you know what your children are playing with

parents guide to computer games

by Christian Gittings and Jonathan Lapper

Introduction

Computer games may seem harmless but are they this report sets out to guide parents in making their own minds up about computer games and wither it is right to give their children

this report gives also a over view of what on the computer games market today.

This report started out as a project while working at De Montfort University's CCSR (centre for computers and social responsibility) on a placement

Genre in games

There are a number of genres available on the game market today below is a list of them

Action

Action games today are based on different areas, there could be action and adventure game in which the user takes control of a character and fight through many different levels using different strategies and ideas to help overcome different aspects of the game.

There is an also first person shooter action game in which the player utilises the first person view and gets to actually feel like they are the main character as they go through the different levels.

Hack and Slash
(not suitable for children)

This type of game is just what the title says the player goes around the levels hacking and slashing through the enemies using different weapons and techniques, as the player goes around the levels his weapons or abilities could become stronger but then the enemies also become stronger. This game will appeal to those who want a lot of action fast as there will always be something to fight around the next corner.

Fighting

Fighting games allow the player to fight there computer opponent using a variety of different characters with different special moves, the player will fight others using there fists or a variety of different weapons, this type of game can be quite violent and contain blood which could be unsuitable for younger gamers

platform

A platform game allows the player to take control of a character or characters and use them to solve puzzles and fight through the levels to a certain goal. The puzzles could be quite easy at first and become quite difficult at the end of the game so try to think carefully about how you are going to solve each puzzle don't jump in and hope

Sport

Sport games are the sports games and events you see on television from the athletics, Olympics to football and rugby there is a sport game to suit most players. To name a few of the sports that are available there is football, where you can choose your favourite team and take control and beat the computer or even your friends. Football not your thing then maybe snooker games will interest you where you take control of the player and try to line up the shots just like the professionals. There are many other types of sports games that are available such as American football, athletics, baseball, basketball, boxing, cricket, pool and wrestling to name a few. If you enjoy sports you are bound to find one you like.

strategy

Strategy games make the player use there minds to control there own forces to conquer the enemy, build your forces, build your city and protect your people in a war of minds. Real time strategy games allow you to experience the battles as they would normally happen at a good pace, but for the starter users to this genre of game this format maybe a bad idea as they could be conquered before they have even begun to play. Turn based strategy games allow the opponents to make moves in turns allow each to build up a force and try to attack the other when they want.

Role playing

Role playing games, allow the user to create there own character and play it in a world of mythical beasts and monsters, as they battle these monsters and complete different missions there characters start to become more powerful and find more valuable items in which the player can use. There is some different types of Role playing game, there is your normal role playing in which the player can play by them selves and advance through the story at there own pace, and then there is the MMO (Massive Multi Online) This means that there is many players from around the world playing on this game in which you can interact and join forces to conquer the different monsters. This type of game usually requires a subscription charge as there is new content being released for it on a regular basis

Adult(18+) and Mature(17+)
(not suitable for children)

Adult based games are the games that are not suitable for children under the age of 18; they sometimes contain sex, rape, references to drugs, nudity (even full frontal nudity in some games), bad language, violence and murder. These games are for the adult generation only.

The Wikipedia, the free encyclopaedia on the internet says this about these games http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Computer_and_video_game_genres last accessed 27th jan 2006 says this about adult games and nudity

"Adult video like adult movies or other media, are intended for an adult audience. There exists a wide variety of adult games, though many lack mainstream appeal and represent a niche category. The object of an adult game may differ from a mainstream video game or computer game, in that the reward can be a visual representation of nudity, partial nudity, or sexual activity rather than points, etc".

The Parents Television council looked into "M" or Mature rated games here is what they came up with, taken from their website http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/videogames/reviews/maturegames.asp last accessed 27th Jan 2006

"Conker: Live and Reloaded (Xbox) - Release Date June 2005 Blood and Gore, Mature Humour, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Use of Drugs and Alcohol

Devil May Cry 3: Dante's Awakening (PS2) - Blood, Suggestive Themes, Violence

Metal Gear Series (PS2, Xbox, Game cube, PC) Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes
Nocturne (PS2, PC) - Blood, Intense Violence, Language, Sexual Themes

Outlaw Golf (PS2, PC) - Crude Humour, Language, Sexual Themes, Violence

Rumble Roses (PS2) - Sexual Themes, Violence

Halo 2 (Xbox) - Blood and Gore, Violence, Language

Half-life 2 (PC) Blood and Gore, Violence

KillZone (PS2) - Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Grand Theft Auto: San Andreas (Sony PS2, PC) Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Drugs.

Mortal Kombat: Deception Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

Doom 3 Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

PSI OPS: The Mindgate Conspiracy Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Playboy: The Mansion (PC, PS2, Xbox) - Nudity, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol

The Guy Game (PS2, Xbox) - Crude Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol

Singles: Flirt up your Life (PC) - Partial Nudity, Strong Sexual Content

Leisure Suit Larry: Magna cum Laude (PC, PS2, Xbox)- Mature Humor, Nudity, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Use of Alcohol

BloodRayne 2 (PC, PS2, Xbox)- Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Sexual Themes, Strong Language

Fight Club (PC, PS2, Xbox)- Blood, Intense Violence, Language

Fable (Xbox) - Blood, Strong Language, Violence

Def Jam Series (Nintendo Gamecube, PS2, Xbox) - Blood, Sexual Themes, Strong Language, Violence"

Drive3r - A run-of-the-mill storyline with far more violence than heart, buggy coding and abysmal game play make this game a poor choice for kids in almost every respect.

Ninja Gaiden (Xbox) - For Blood and Gore, Violence

Judge Dredd: Dredd vs. Death (Nintendo Gamecube, PC, PS2, Xbox) - For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language

Resident Evil Series - For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence

Manhunt (Sony PS2) - For Blood and Gore, Intense Violence, Strong Language.

Quote from http://ps2.gamezone.com/

"As a quick note to parents who are reading this, I know that sometimes the overall thought can be well, I know it has an M rating but it's just a game. Trust me on this one ? kids under 17 should not be allowed to be anywhere around this game, and it contains scenes of some of the most disgusting killings that I have seen either in movies or in a game, not to mention being filled with more four letter words than you'd care to shake a stick at. If you've got kids, this is one of those titles that they should never know that you own."

True Crime (Xbox, Sony PS2, Gameboy Advance) - For Blood and Gore, Mature Sexual Themes, Partial Nudity, Strong Language, Violence.

Max Payne 2: The Fall of Max Payne (PC CD-ROM, Sony PS2, Xbox) - For Blood, Intense Violence, Mature Sexual Themes, Strong Language.

Road Kill (Xbox, Sony PS2, Nintendo Gamecube) - for Intense Violence, Mature Sexual Themes, Strong Language.

Outlaw Volleyball (Xbox) - For Mature Humor, Mild Violence, Suggestive Themes.

Postal 2 ( PC ) Rated M for Blood/Gore, Violence. This game is so violent, so racist and homophobic, that four countries are already considering banning it because players can gruesomely kill African-Americans, Priests and gays. You can also slaughter animals and cops. The first Postal has been banned by at least seven countries.

Dead or Alive Xtreme Beach Volleyball (Xbox) - For Nudity, Voyeurism, and Gambling. Read Review

Soldier of Fortune 2 ( PC, Xbox) Rated M for Blood and Gore, Violence.

BMX XXX (Nintendo Gamecube, Xbox, Sony PS2, Nintendo Gameboy) - This may look like an ordinary biking game but it is the first sports game to carry an M rating and feature strippers, public urination, The producers of the game brag that it is chock full of violence, nudity, and swearing.

Dead to Rights (Nintendo Gamecube, Sony PS2,) Nudity, Voyeurism, and Gambling

Hitman 2: Silent Assassin Gamecube, PC CD-ROM, Sony PS2 ,Xbox) - For Blood, Strong Sexual Content, Violence

The Getaway (Sony PS2) - For Blood, Drug Reference, Strong Language, Strong Sexual Content, Violence".

You can see from the contents of some of these games above, how bad these games really are.

Driving

The driving genre of game allows the player to get behind some of the fastest cars available, they are able to customize there own cars and race to win money, the player is also able to race his friends. The game play is fast and furious as you try to win all the races to get the best vehicles you can without crashing the car you are currently using. There are a some different sub categories of the driving genre of game such as the action racing which enables you to go as fast as you can to try and win different races and goals while doing as little damage to your own car as possible. Flight games allow the player to take control of the sky as they fly planes in the simulator or do battle in air to air dog fights. There is also motorbike racing for the player who doesn't like the idea of driving a car they can race on a motorbike against other players.

The driving genre of games are not always about racing there is some games that are about crashing cars, car chases and stealing cars so the driving genre is quite large and will appeal to many different users. Some of these games involve driving at speeds on the public highway, this encourages people to do the same in real life, games that do that are not very helpful to society as a whole, but on the other hand driving games help people to learn to drive.

Simulation

Simulation games allow the player to actually do the things they never thought they could do, such as fly a plane, drive a train, build there own city or even run there own amusement park. These simulations may appear to some players but others may not be interested in the flying of a plane and be more of an action type of player.

Activity

Activity games are for the younger games players, it allows them to do different things with some characters they may know from Television or from out of the movies, these type of games help children learn different things and in different ways.

Classic

The classic range of games is the older version from each genre, for example do you remember the first sonic the hedgehog which is now on the Play station 2 along with his nemesis shadow the hedgehog, the classics range allows you to go back to the beginning and play the original games that made the new ones possible

Other

there are a number of other different from the one above such as christian games, puzzles, card games and educational games all of which are very safe for children and grown ups a like and fun to play, there and also computer games based on board games such as cluedo, risk and chess to name a few.

Examples of games

World of Warcraft

Website: www.worldofwarcraft.com
Genre: Action and Role playing

Method of Play: The game uses the keyboard and mouse in which players can defeat different creatures and get different items while they advance levels.

World of Warcraft is a massively multi player online role playing game which means there are many different players around the world playing with or against you. There is a monthly fee to play this game but this fee allows the player to get new content to see new levels, monsters and items, this game can be very addictive and players may find it hard to stop, so if your child as a addictive personality it is not a good idea for your child to play this game, below are websites about being addicted to warcraft

• http://www.wikihow.com/Break-a-World-of-Warcraft-Addiction
• http://www.wowrecovery.com/
• http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/programmes/click_online/4887236.stm

The game itself is passed on two rival factions the alliance and the horde who are waging war against each other for control of the land. The player can battle dragons, ogres, hydras and other mythical creatures as they aid there friends or fight the enemy in this online game.

This game is in the Dungeons and Dragons family of games and has the same short of things and characters in it such as wizards, warlocks (male witches), priests (which can heal people) and warriors, many believe these games are bad as it opens you up to the occult, but as parents you need to do your own research and decide for your self wither you let your children play this game

Matrix Online

Website: thematrixonline.station.sony.com
Genre: Action and Role playing

Method of play: The game uses the keyboard and mouse in which players can complete missions and get different abilities as they advance levels.

The matrix online is a massively multi player online role playing game. The player is able to create there own character and fight through the levels and some missions that are written by the writers of the movies, during the game they are attacked by the agents and other players and can fight using various different techniques and manoeuvres.

Devil May Cry 3

Website: http://www.devilmaycry.com/home.html
Genre: Action and Adult and Hack and Slash

Method of play: The player uses a joystick based on the console they are playing the game on they have to press different buttons to make the character move and fight as they want.

The player takes on the roll of Dante a half demon and half human to fight the forces of darkness. During the game you will go through the levels trying to destroy the different creatures that are on each level. There is different style of fighting for the user in which they can utilize different skills and abilities depending on there own style of play.

The game has three different genres because it is an action game in which you are doing things a lot of the time such as killing the enemies. The hack and slash genre applies because you are using you sword or guns to destroy the enemy in different ways. Adult applies because it has blood and violence and maybe unsuitable for young children again this game could open you up to the occult because the main character being a demon in the website for the next game devil may cry 4 it invites people to "indulge in the demonic realm of devil may cry" which I don't think is a good idea.

Harry Potter And The Goblet Of Fire

Website: harrypotter.ea.com/
Genre: Action and Platform

Method of play: The player will use the joystick from the console they are playing on to control Harry Potter on his adventures.

Harry potter and the goblet of fire allows you to take control of Harry in his adventure as you battle the evil lord voldemort using different spells and solving different puzzles. The game also allows more then one player who can take control of Ron or Hermione.

The new game play allows you to cast more powerful spells then the previous games and also allows you to actually feel like you are in the movie as the characters are modelled by the actors who play them in the films.

The action and puzzle genre to the game means that you as the player are able to use the characters to defeat the monsters using the different spells but also think about solving the puzzles using the spells or items around the screen.

This game is also base on the books by J. K. Rowling and has the same sort of things in it such as wizards and spells, some would say Harry potty is a bad idea has the as the books and every from them i.e the games and films promote witchcraft and the occult among children as but as parents you need to do your own research and decide for your self wither you let your children play this game

Manhunt

"warning this site may contain screens of a violent nature, don't say we did not warn you!"
Website: www.rockstargames.com/manhunt/
Genre: Action and Adult
Method of play: The user can use the mouse or keyboard for the pc or the joystick of the console they are playing this game on.

Manhunt is an adult game in which the player takes control of the main character call Cash who has awoken in a very bad area; he has to go around the different levels killing people by any means necessary. There are many different weapons in which you can utilize to kill someone such as plastic bags, knives, guns etc these are all taken and used to kill another character in the game which is shown close up as you do it.

This game shouldn't be played by anyone who the described ages as it may offend easily due to the nature of the graphic content.

this game has been responsible for a number of real life deaths as the players have taken the game far too seriously and used its style of game play to murder other people and has been banned in both Austria and new Zealand Because of the violent content of the game (see the articles below).

in Video Violence Villain or victim: A review of the research evidence concerning media violence and its effects in the real world with additional reference to video games, by Dr Guy Cumberbatch: A report prepared for The Video Standards Council, found at http://www.videostandards.org.uk/sections/downloads/pdfs/Video%20Violence%202004.pdf Dr Cumberbatch says this abut the game Manhunt

"The Manhunt case came up when a 17 year old, Warren LeBlanc, pleaded guilty to murdering his 14 year old friend, Stefan Pakeerah who was stabbed and repeatedly beaten with a claw hammer. It became a major news story. The Daily Mail devoted its front page to the case with the headline MURDER BY PLAYSTATION and it received similar treatment elsewhere (e.g. Killing incited by video game. The Guardian 29th July). The essence of the story was that (a) the police had seized the video game Manhunt as evidence; (b) the murdered boy's father, Patrick, said the way Warren committed the murder this how the game was set out killing people using weapons like hammers and knives. There is some connection between the game and what he has done (c) Stefan's mother, Giselle, said I think I heard Warren's friends say that he was obsessed with the game. Most reports described Giselle as saying I heard rather than I think I heard. Only the local paper The Leicester Mercury (29th July) note that by the time of the trial, the police had decided that the game was not linked.

In the days and weeks following, the case continued to receive considerable media attention when Dixon's withdrew the game form all its stores, then Giselle Pakeerah announced that she was going to sue the game's manufacturer. For many newspapers, all this was taken as further proof of the game's guilt. But, from the outset, the story was hardly an open and shut case. The police had seized the game from the murdered boy's house and not the killer's (although Warren had lent the game to his friend). Perhaps the final word on Manhunt must be that given in court when Warren was sentenced to life imprisonment: The prosecution and defence barristers insisted at Leicester Crown Court that the video game played no part in the killing (The Leicester Mercury, 3rd September, 2004)."

Please see the news story on the BBC website:-
http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/england/leicestershire/3936597.stm last accessed 27th Jan 2006

This is what the parents Television council say about the Manhunt game http://www.parentstv.org/ptc/videogames/reviews/maturegames.asp last accessed 27th Jan 2006

"A gory computer game has become the first video game banned in New Zealand.Manhunt, a computer game that encourages players to kill all in sight in a variety of wicked ways, was classified by New Zealand's Office of Film and Literature Classification on Friday as depicting horror, cruelty, crime and violence such that its availability would hurt the public good. Chief censor Bill Hastings said that although many computer games have become edgier, Manhunt goes further than any he's seen before. Manhunt's developer, Edinburgh, Scotland-based Rockstar North, is a division of the producers of Grand Theft Auto, Take-Two Interactive Software in New York. Take-Two is amidst a $246 million lawsuit filed in the United States by the families of two people shot by teenagers allegedly fuelled by the game's message ".

This game is about killing people for fun and is not good subject matter for a computer game

Leisure Suit Larry

Website: www.leisuresuitlarry.com
Genre: Adult and Platform,

In this game you play Larry a college student who is trying to get onto a TV dating show by making any girl on the campus fall for him. As you go around the levels you have different missions to try and make the girls fall in love with you, to do this you can get them drunk or help them around campus as they begin to fall for you, you will be able to see them in different sexual situations, this game contains scenes of nudity and of a sexual content. This game is just sexist and teaches people the treat women as objects which is bad because they are not.

Age of Empires 3

Website: www.ageofempires3.com/
Genre: Strategy and Action

The player uses the mouse and keyboard to enable them to construct there base and forces to enable them to become the victor in the battle ahead.

In this game the player is able to choose from a number of different countries such as England, France and Germany etc. These different countries each have there own pacific type of units and structures which allow them to build different things. The player builds up his town using different structures and soldiers, he has the maintain a good regiment of soldiers because as the game progresses the enemy you are playing against will begin to attack, this game requires thinking as you need to set the base up in such a way you can utilize the different items available to you.

This game is very good as it teaches children about strategy or how to think as the game is like chess, plus is gives a insight into history

Brothers in Arms, Earned in Blood

Website: http://www.brothersinarmsgame.com/us/index.php
Genre: Strategy, Action and Adult

Method of play: The player uses the keyboard and mouse to play this game, as they manoeuvre there troops using different commands.

The player takes control of a squad of soldiers during World War 2, as the commander of the squad you have to give your troops commands, such as cover fire, or assault the target and the troops will carry out your orders. The game has three different types of genre as it contains a lot of action such as the fighting and taking enemy positions, but also contains a lot of strategy in which the player has to think if they are doing the right thing for the troops and the adult genre because it contains blood and some scenes that maybe unpleasant for some players.

Prince of Persia the Two Thrones

Website: www.princeofpersiagame.com/us/index.php
Genre: Action and platform

In this game the player, is the Prince of Persia a gifted warrior who has travelled around the world searching for a way to stop the sands of time, upon returning to his home the sands are released and he is infected by them giving him two sides, the good prince who fights to help people and the dark prince who fights for himself. The game involves the player to try and solve different puzzles to do certain areas of the game so this type of game requires skill and quick thinking to help them defeat the different areas.

This game seems to contain lots of half naked people both male and female as they seem to be running their underwear so you have been warned check out the screen shots below and you will see what a mean.

Shadow the hedgehog

Website: www.sega.com/gamesite/shadow/base.html
Genre: Platform

Method of Play: Analogue Joystick

Shadow the hedgehog is a platform game, in which the player controls shadow as he embarks on a mission to get 7 emeralds to help him unlock his memory. As you progress through the game you have to decide of you will play the character evil by doing bad things or become a good guy by helping others. The platform system means that it's a scrolling 3D game this means you will be forced to move in one direction like other platform games to enable you to beat the different levels.

SoulCalibur 3

Website: soulcalibur3.namco.com/
Genre: Fighting and Action

Method of control: Analogue Joystick is used to controller your fighter as you do battle with other fighters.

SoulCalibur is an action fighting game, in which the player takes control of one of many different fighters utilizing there weapons and combos to defeat the opponents that may appear. The players are also able to create there own character and make he/she look as you wish and choose the weapons they can wield. This feature also opens up a new aspect of the game play in which the player can take there newly made character and level them up in the chronicles of the sword mode

Also in the game like Prince of Persia and other games the female characters look half naked

Roller Coaster Tycoon 3

Website: http://www.atari.com/rollercoastertycoon/europe/uk/
Genre: simulation
Method of play: mouse

The player takes on the role as a theme park owner, the aim of the game is to build and run a theme park, plus keep the guests happy and make them spend money and time in your park.

You can choose different rides to build you park with, or even build your own, and with the 3d graphics you can get on the ride and see what its like to ride, and then exchange it with other people on the website. This game is very good and teaches children about business

SimCity 4

Website: simcity.ea.com/
Genre: Simulation

Method of Play: The game uses the keyboard and mouse in which players can use to built and control the city.

In this game the player can take on the role of God or the mayor of the city, at the beginning of the game you take on the role as God creating mountains, gouge valleys, etc, to lay the groundwork for the players city. the player can build the city of their choose, using roads rail networks and even download famous buildings which they can use in their city,

After the player has built the city the player can take on the role as the mayor of the city controlling the finances and people of the city, and even charge the people in the city taxies. At any time during the game the player can set disasters on the city such as monsters, fires, twisters and volcanoes which can wreak havoc to the city.

This game is very good and teaches children how a city is run, plus how to think and solve with problems

Fifa 06

Website: fifa06.ea.com/
Genre: sport

Method of play: keyboard, joystick, analogue controller

Fifa 06 is a football game where you become the player or manager of a football team, the player of the computer game can personalize your football world the way you like it and set up matches with up to 8 people online.

This is what EA games say about the game from their website fifa06.ea.com/gameinfo/index.asp last accessed 7/2/06

"EA SPORTS FIFA 06 brings the TOTAL FOOTBALL experience to your fingertips. It delivers a combination of attacking game play, complete customization, pure authenticity and the deepest manager mode ever. Intuitive game play enables you to command every move of your player with pinpoint accuracy. Passing, shooting and tackling is now more responsive than ever and enables you to trap, shield and dribble like a world-class football player. Experience 90 minutes of heart pumping football, feel the Team Chemistry of your side and the sense of momentum shift as you battle for supremacy on the pitch. As the Midfield General you'll control the overarching strategy of the game, dictating the pace and performance of your players as you execute strategic decisions on the fly using the tactical play button configurations. Master the most immersive management mode ever. Sign sponsors, scour the transfer market and buy players to build the perfect squad. Uncover the stars of the future or drop the strugglers and make some extra money. My FIFA now gives you the tools to create a star-player and customize every aspect of FIFA 06 to fit your individual playing style and preferences. FIFA 06 delivers the most comprehensive line up of official licensed leagues from around the world of football with an unprecedented level of real clubs, kits, stadiums and players. FIFA 06 gives you football as much as you want, whenever you want."

Smack Down Vs. Raw

Website: svr2006.com/
Pictures from the ign.com website media.ps2.ign.com/media/670/670847/imgs_1.html last Accessed 9/2/06
genre: sport

Method of play: joystick, analogue controller

In this game the player becomes a WWE (World wresting entertainment) wrestling star, you control your chosen star in a number of different wrestling matches, as you progress through the different matches you could get different title shots which allow you to go for the championship belts which are available in the game. The main goal in this game is to become the champion.

LA Rush

Website: larushgame.com/
genre: driving

Method of play: analogue controller, joy stick

The idea of the game is to race cars thorough the streets of LA, the player takes on the role of a LA Street racer and can use 35 different cars to do that, Which they can change how they want using numerous custom kits on the market to hype the car up

Below from the midway website is how they explain their game from www.midway.com/rxpage/Game_LARush.html last accessed 7/2/06

"Buckle up, rev the engine, drop the clutch and blast off in Midway's high-octane arcade racer, L.A. Rush. In L.A. Rush, players join the crew at West Coast Customs to pimp their ride and live the lifestyle of an L.A. street racer. An exciting and unique story-driven experience allows players to race through five wide-open Los Angeles city re-creations filled with all of the heart-pounding treacherous shortcuts and death-defying jumps that have made the Rush franchise so addictive. Feel the rush as you race over 35 licensed rides including muscle, tuner and exotic vehicles from manufacturers such as Mitsubishi and Chevrolet as well as exclusive tricked-out racers designed by West Coast Customs and Rides Magazine while modifying and pimping your ride with an array of licensed aftermarket parts. With celebrity voices and high-profile licenses, LA Rush will be the next evolution in the highly addictive Rush franchise!"

The Need For Speed Most Wanted

Website: http://www.ea.com/official/nfs/mostwanted/us/home.jsp
Genre: driving

Method of play: joystick or analogue controller

In this game the player become a street racer and the idea of the game is be the most wanted street racer by avoiding arrest from the police and racing in head to head races through the streets

Here's what EA games say about the game on their website http://www.ea.com/official/nfs/mostwanted/us/features.jsp last accessed 7/2/06

"Wake up to the smell of burnt asphalt as the thrill of illicit street racing permeates the air. From the makers of the hit Need for Speed? Underground series, Need for Speed? Most Wanted challenges players to become the most notorious and elusive street racer. Combining illicit street racing and tuner customization with the intensity of strategic police pursuit that surpasses any Hollywood-style chase scene, Need for Speed Most Wanted will be on every gamer's 'must-have' list this holiday season. Out-race rivals, evade cops and exploit hundreds of miles of open road as gamers make their way up the Blacklist. To become the most wanted racer, players must build up their street cred and Rap Sheet with gripping, white knuckle, head-to-head races with the top drivers on the streets, as well as pull daring, evasive moves to out-run and out-fox the cops that patrol the open road. Players can manage their heat or utilize a number of strategic tactics to keep the cops off their tails as they leave their rivals behind to suck their exhaust fumes. Need for Speed Most Wanted also features a variety of the hottest cars that range from tuners to super cars. You can customize your ride to race against any class of vehicles. The streets will be your playground this Fall.

Key Features:
Open Road, Open World: Rule the streets as the most notorious street racer in various regions that include edgy industrial and urban environments. In the game, the environment can be a friend for a foe. Players will master short-cuts as well as use the traffic and destructible environments to their advantage.
All-New Gameplay: Need for Speed Most Wanted features new and exciting game play that incorporates strategic cop pursuit and skill-based evasion techniques with illicit street racing.
Visual Customization: Whether gamers are trying to lose the cops or they just want to pimp their ride, Need for Speed Most Wanted offers extensive visual customizations.
Blacklist: As players enter the world of illicit street racing, they must go up against the best street racers on the scene to earn respect and rise to the top of the Blacklist.
Rap Sheet: Players will build up their Rap Sheet with record breaking times, street challenges and out-foxing an escalation of police vehicles, tactics and technology.
Performance Tuning: Can't compete against a sports car? Head to the safe house and tune up your ride to race against any class of vehicles.
Need for Speed Most Wanted for the next generation console delivers the next level of graphical excellence in video games. Utilizing graphical techniques including normal mapping and real-time lighting, the graphical experience is incomparable to any racing game on the market.
Need For Speed Most Wanted features online play for Xbox 360, Xbox, the PlayStation?2 computer entertainment system and the PC."

Do you think games about breaking the law by street racing a very good subject for a game, this game teaches people that breaking the law by street racing is fun, street racing is not fun it kills people.

Marvel Nemesis

Website: http://www.ea.com/official/marvel/nemesis/us/home.jsp
Genre: Fighting
Method of play: Analogue Joystick will be used to move your fighter and do the different combos available to them.

Type of game: This game puts the player in control of one of the various superheroes that are seen on TV or in comics today, they can battle the enemy and try and bring peace to the world. Then again the player can also play as the enemy and cause as much destruction as they possibly can. There is over 12 playable characters each with there own unique fighting moves and abilities, you can also play two players and fight a friend.

Onimusha 3

Website: http://www.onimusha3.co.uk/
Genre: Hack and slash and Action
Method of play: Analogue Joystick moves the player around hacking through the different enemies with the different weapons that are available.

Type of game: Onimusha 3 is a hack and slash game in which the player takes control of the samurai Samanosuke Akechi and Jacques Blanc, the player uses these two characters in an intertwined story. The player uses the characters to hack through the different levels with the weapons they have been given, such as swords and guns, using different combos of these weapons to destroy the monsters that are through each level.

Parents and games

So after reading all this what can parents do to keep their children safe from bad games

1. Don't buy games that are too old for your child below is a guide to ratings

(USA and Canada)
(ESRB) Entertainment Software Rating Board
http://www.esrb.org/ratings/ratings_guide.jsp

(UK and rest of Europe)
(PEGI) Pan European Game Information
http://www.pegi.info/en/index/

2. Check to see the context of the game is suitable for you child before you buy it for them, if possible read computer games magazines to see what the game is like in the terms of graphical content

3. don't have the computer or console in the children's bedroom have it in a public area so you can keep a eye on them

laptops and men

when it comes to Fertility, a new study has shown that perching laptop computers on the lap may cause fertility health problems, due to the heat generated by the laptop.

In a article entitled Laptop Computers May Affect Male Fertility on the WebMD website the author says this about the subject, found at http://www.webmd.com/content/article/98/104676.htm

“Dec. 8, 2004 -- Male fertility may be affected by perching laptop computers on the lap, according to a new study.

Balancing laptop computers on the lap raises the scrotum's temperature, say researchers including Yefim Sheynkin, MD, FACS, of the urology department at the State University of New York at Stony Brook.

About 15%-20% of couples that want to get pregnant aren't able to conceive. Many of those cases trace back to issues relating to the male. Gradually declining sperm production has been noted in recent decades, say the researchers.

Elevated scrotal temperatures have been linked to male infertility. Many factors can raise scrotal temperature, including hot baths, saunas, and tight jockey shorts.

Laptop computers may also belong on that list, say Sheynkin's team. They studied 29 healthy young men ages 21 to 35 for two, one-hour sessions in a climate-controlled room.

Participants were all similarly dressed in casual clothes. After having their body temperature taken and standing in the room for 15 minutes to adjust to the room's temperature, they sat down and were given working or nonworking laptop computers.

The researchers used two brands of Pentium 4 laptop computers. The brands aren't identified in the study, which appears in the European journal Human Reproduction.

The men balanced the computers on their laps. The researchers then removed the nonworking computers, instructing the men to hold the position for the rest of the session. Participants with working laptop computers kept the computers in place throughout the session.

The men's scrotal temperature was recorded every three minutes. The temperature on the bottom of the working computers was also monitored.

Scrotal temperature rose with the working and nonworking computers. However, the working laptops prompted a greater increase in scrotal temperature -- around a 5 degrees Fahrenheit increase (or about 2.7 degrees Celsius).

Participants without working laptops had a scrotal temperature increase of about 3 to 4 degrees Fahrenheit (2.1 degrees Celsius).

Technology doesn't deserve all the blame. The position required to balance a laptop computer in the lap -- with thighs close together to balance the computers -- also increases scrotal temperature. Still, the heat generated by the laptops adds to the problem.

In the study, the bottom of the laptop computers rose from about 88 degrees Fahrenheit (31 degrees Celsius) to almost 104 degrees Fahrenheit (40 degrees Celsius) after an hour. Both brands had similar temperature increases.

"Working on laptop computers in a laptop position causes significant scrotal temperature elevation as a result of heat exposure and posture-related effects," say the researchers.

Is the increase enough to impair male fertility? The researchers can't say for sure. However, they note that another study showed that sperm concentration dropped by 40% when median daytime scrotal temperature rose by 1 to 2 degrees Fahrenheit (or 1 degree Celsius).

More than 60 million laptop computers are expected to be in use by 2005, with another 90 million worldwide, the researchers say. Calling for more studies, they suggest that teenage boys and young men may want to limit their use of laptop computers on their laps”.

having read this article i think it's best not to put the laptop on your lap or you could use a lap tray and put the laptop on that

also there are a lot of laptop fan units that fit under the laptop which you can use, this cools down the laptop to stop it getting too hot

Blogged with the Flock Browser

Ethics of e-commerce

Ethics of e-commerce

When it comes to e-commerce we have to talk about ethics, so what do we need to look at, we need to look at such things as what are you not allowed to sell, how do you treat your customers and what do you do with data about customers generated by transactions

The first one of these is easy, when it comes to what you are not allowed to sell on the Internet; In a nutshell you are not allowed to sell anything that breaks the law of the country you are in, for example you are not allowed to sell drugs, weapons, and anything that is seen to be wrong by a descent world, such as it would be wrong to sell body parts, weapons etc.

Ebay.com is very good in this area as it vets the goods that people sell on its service, however they sometimes make mistakes.

Another thing we need to look at is if you have a real store already, can you shut that store to adopt a slim lined cheaper e-commerce site, the answer in my option is no, as this is a unethical practice as you are creating more unemployment in an already saturated jobs market, but there is no reason why you can’t start an totally e-commerce like Amazon have done.

The next thing we need to look at, if you are an E-commerce company is you have to follow the government guidelines or regulations about e-commerce, there are three of these regulations and are what follows:-

• The Data Protection Act 1998
• The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000
• The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002

The Data Protection Act 1998
If any size company collects information about people, in particularly personnel information such as credit card number, address, name, telephone number etc, you must follow the data protection guidelines

• You must say what the data is for and why you collect it (this you must stick to).
• You must register your data collection system with the information commission,
• You should not the give the information about people to anyone else without permission
• You must keep information safe using passwords etc.
• You must show information stored about a person to the subject of that data and delete it, if told to by the subject of the data
• The Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000

This applies if you are selling online or by telephone, and is about Business Transactions.

The Guidelines of is act is as follows:-

Information given must be very easy to follow and include all information, you must declare all costs about VAT and freight charges, so the customer knows what’s what before making transaction and you must declare all costs.

You have to contact the customer when order has come in, advising the customer that order has been received.

You must given some time to the customer, sometimes called “cooling off period” and usually a week to enable the customer to cancel the order and you must tell the customer their rights to cancel at time of transaction, and you must offer a free returns service.

The Electronic Commerce (EC Directive) Regulations 2002

This is sometimes called the “e-commerce Directive”, this applies to all web based companies either selling to other companies or to general customers.

This acts states the following:-

You must put your real contact information such as address Telephone number and email on the Website, not just a PO Box Number.

You should display your VAT registration number, if you are V.A.T (value added tax) registered

And like the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 you must provide clear information about price, tax, and delivery changes, plus show clear information about terms, conditions and rights about the order.

Also like the Consumer Protection (Distance Selling) Regulations 2000 you must tell the customer that you have received the order.

So why these acts, the acts are designed to protect customer’s rights so they don’t get ripped off when buying things online.

So why do companies have to follow these acts, it’s the law; companies have to look after customers and not rip them off.

Further reading

E-commerce law
http://www.clickdocs.co.uk/ecommerce-information.htm
[Internet]
Published by Clickdocs between 2000 - 2004

Data protection act
http://www.hmso.gov.uk/acts/acts1998/80029--a.htm#1
[Internet]
Published by Crown in 1998