2008-10 HUB/The Computer Paper

iometric Options:

Th

it Back: When Laptops Grow Legs How Low Can You Go? Sub $700 Laptops A Word to the Wise on Office Security

Get fed: The Feed from

Beauty uncovered.

Elegant. Stylish. Revolutionary. The Antec Skeleton is a case unlike any other. Let the world see the true beauty of your system with this powerfully-cooled open-air enclosure, the first of its kind. Shed your skin with the Antec Skeleton...and dare to think beyond the box. For more information, visit http://www.antec.com.

RntE Believe i 1741' Canada Computers www.canadacom . uters.com

m i n m o r y. xpress

rot tes

NCIXaom

Cooler M a s t e r ' s U C P (Ultimate Circuit Protection) sets the bar even higher for efficiency and durability for computer power supplies. The UCP power supply f r a t i l o w d the world's first 80 Plus Silver Certification for the whole line This certific tion validates that the power sup has the capacity to povs,er s r t up to 88% efficien The UCP has an innovativcircuitry layout designed t o p r o f i t s l i f e expectancy f o r hardcore garners and over-clockers who pushes their components to the max.

UCP is truly the last power standing.

www.coolermaster.com

Cooler Master introduces the next generation of ultimate gaming and overclocking chassis with the HAF 932. The HAF 932 (High Air Flow) case is intelligently engineered with 3 gigantic 230mm fans propelling cool air throughout the case. The HAF interior design features: easy upgradability, creative cable management possibilities and tool less design. The combination of rugged exterior a n d i n c r e d i b l e a i r f l o w

makes this tower stand o u t from the rest.

DISTRIBUTOR RESELLERS

1 1 1 1 _ 1 1 - WE

Inc . a

Canada (om niters

r g ' b Compoper B e *

jnfonec 111 C o m p u t e r s

fradtee inE=8

N B rlli&ro;

> ASI. D A I W A Comtronic

EPROM

HUB

The Computer Paper

Contents 10 The Feed All the latest from hubcanada.com including election buzz, .CA history, digital resources and more 12 The Doctor is in Your questions answered by the HUB PC Doctcr 16 Safeguarding your 1\otebook How to prepare for the worst before it happens

October 2008

27 Atlantic Ave, Toronto. ON, M6K 3E7 a16348-9666 Toi.free: 866 757 0179 Fox. 416-348-9553

Andrew Moore-Crispin andrew@ppublishing.ca

Editor-in-Chief

David Tanaka

Editor-at-Large

david@ppublishing.ca

Dorian Nicholson

Associate Editor

dorian@ppublishing.ca

Gord Goble Mike Palermo Marc Saltzman Chad Sapieha Ray Richards Helen Bradley

Contributing Editors

18 Biometrics for Home or Office Securing your PC with a fingerprint 20 File Security in the SOHO Protecting your sensitive data quickly and easily

18

22 How Low Dare You Go? The scoop on five of the least expensive portable PCs you'll find anywhere

Advertising Sales Ontario/Toronto

Montreal

(

K

8

6

6

Vivian Jin vivian@ppublishing.ca (604) 696-1389

President S c o t t Piccolo Key Accounts Manager scott@ppublishing.ca (416) 348-9666 ext. 222

28 Security Tips to Protect Your Sensitive Information Keeping safe and secure online

Art Director

32 Online HD Deliverance High-def and the demise of physical media... maybe 34 Power Pellets: Fan Ire Diablo III comes under fire 36 Geeks and Pocket Projectors The birth of the truly portable projector 38 The Last Byte What we can learn from iPhone girl

Business Group

Steve Stoner steve@ppublishing.ca

Production Co-ordinator

Liz Van Der Wee liz@ppublishing.ca Duane Hass webmaster@ppubhshing.ca

Office Administrator/ C h a r l i Allen-Laforce Accounting c h a r l i @ p p u b l i s h i n g . c a IT Manager

..••••••.••

NB+ULTRATHIN

www. fspgroupusa. corn

TO 4 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

UNIVERSALNOTEBOOKPC ADAPTER D I G I TA L C O N T R O L O U T P U T F O R 1 5 — 2 1 V

hubcanada . c o n *

Steve Quinney steveq@ppublishing.ca

Canadian Publication Mail, Sales Product Agreement #41037518.

Printed in Canada.ISSN 1710-0143 HUB: TCP (B.C. ed.) ISSN 1710-0161 HUB: TCP (Edmonton ed.) ISSN 1710-0178 HUB: TCP (Eastern ed.) ISSN 1710-0186 HUB: TCP (Montreal ed.) ISSN 1710-0194 HUB: TCP (Prairie ed.) ISSN 1710-0208 HUB: TCP (SW Ont. ed.l ISSN 1710-0216 HUB: TCP (Toronto ed.) HUB: The Computer Paper is published monthly by Piccolo Publishing Inc. All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or in part without the permission of the publisher is strictly prohibited. Information presented here is compiled from sources believed to be accurate, however, the publisher assumes no responsibility for errors or omissions. The publisher reserves the right to refuse ads. The opinions expressed in the articles and columns and ads are those of the writer/advertiser and not necessarily those of HUB: The Computer Paper.

www.memoryexpress.com www.minimicros.com www.elcosystems.com www.eprom.com www.allway.ca www.ncix.com

GROUP

757-0179

26 The Protected Home Office Physical security for the digital times

Webmaster

SP P

)

Western Canada

31 A n Xbox for Xmas X'08 showcases Xbox 360's holiday lineup

O'Z' F

r i m Rizk karimftpublishing.ca (416) 348-9666 ext. 252

24 Biometrics Defined It's not a new weight loss scheme, and it's already all around you

30 Portable Data Storage How to prepare your precious files for travel

AVAL1ABLE AT :

a

evolution in the World of D a t a Storage

HUR1-Series

HRF2-Series

2 Bay Raid + Enclosure

4 Bay Pro Raid Enclosure

USB 2.0 USB 2.0 & IEEE 1394 A& B USB 2.0 & Networking

USB 2.0 & e - SATA USB 2.0 & e - SATA & IEEE 1394 A& B

Mediagate

Qnap

MG-45

QNAP TS-209 Series

Networking & TV Entertainment

2 Bay Hot - swapable Network-attached storage

QNAP TS-409 Series 4 Bay Hot - swapable Network-attached storage

MG-450HD Wireless Networking & HDTV Entertainment

uct details and information on where to purchase please visit our website at:

http://www.mediasonic.ca

„ tr 11111ediasonic

Editorial The old adage "an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure" has never been more apt. Well, other than the fact that said adage uses the antiquated imperial system of measurement. Perhaps we should update the cliche for today so that 28.35 grams of prevention is worth .4535 kg of cure.

Doesn't have quite the same ring but the point remains; a small preventative measure is infinitely more valuable before disaster strikes than a large and involving (and likely expensive) fix after the fact.

Take, for example, a friend and associate of mine. No names.

He spilled what he claimed was coffee all over his laptop keyboard. Everyone knew the truth and he did finally confess that it was in fact wine that spilled and fried his computer. His older model Dell laptop wasn't particularly valuable but the data it contained was. And it, along with the laptop, was gone. A couple of weeks, more than $1,000 worth of data recovery service and a new laptop later, he was back up and running. All his important work files, personal pictures, his music collection, abunch of files that were sitting on his desktop and more were recovered and arrived via courier on DVDs. An expensive class, but an important lesson nonetheless.

In this scenario, my associate had no backup routine for his laptop. He had no contingency plan for what he'd do if disaster struck which, as any long-time computer user will tell you, it eventually will. Had he opted to backup his computer even once a week say on a Friday, before leaving the office for the weekend, he would have been able to simply restore his files upon receiving his replacement laptop. At most, he would have lost a week's worth of work. Since this incident happened on a weekend (as wine spilling accidents are wont to do) he wouldn't have lost anything save the couple of hours required to take data from the backup source to his new laptop, and, presumably, his glass of wine.

We're all apt to feel the "won't happen to me" syndrome. But whether through coffee (or wine) on the keyboard or the laptop being dropped, lost, left behind or stolen, it has to happen to someone. The law of averages suggests that one day it will be your turn.

Ihave had no fewer than three laptops lost (once) or stolen (twice). It's always upsetting but since I do all my work from a USB key and keep my data in the cloud, it's never too disruptive to my work. Personal pictures, videos, documents and files are kept on my desktop at home. Connected to a NAS drive (network attached storage), my backup routine is simple, predictable and reliable. Every evening before shutting down or at 3 a.m. if it's left on over night, the computer does a scan and backs up any new data. Since this happens every day, it takes no time at all.

Should I loose my USB key along with my laptop, that would be a bit of a killer. However, I'd only lose as much data as I created since the last time the USB key was plugged in to either my home or office PCs. An ingenious software program called

AllwaySync resides on my USB drive and autoruns every time it's plugged in to a host PC. It analyzes and backs•up everything that it hasn't seen before. That includes files that have been modified since the last time it was plugged in. It does the same thing behind the scenes while I work. Before ejecting the USB key, it backs up again. So, unless I were to lose my laptop, lose myUSE key, and have my office and home computers stolen all in the span of a day (I suppose stranger things have happened...) I feel pretty secure with my backup routine. And even if 1:he above scenario did play out, I'd still have all my email, ccmplete with attachments. All of the copy that makes up HUB:The Computer Paper would be safe too with edited copy sitting in my Google Docs folders online and on the content management system we use to organize the magazine process called, (appropriately enough) Magazine Manager, and raw copy still safely in my Gmail inbox.

As we turn our thoughts to securing our work and personal files from prying eyes and securing our documents and personal property against sticky fingers, we need to think also about how to make sure we have at the very least one safe, current and usable backup of our data should the worst case scenario arise.

Did you know that October is "cyber security month?" Me neither. I'm not sure who declared October cyber security month or what the impetus might be (or whether they're truly qualified to go messing with the calendars like that) but hey, the timing couldn't be better for us, given that this is our IT security issue. And cyber security month is as good a reason to celebrate and get in one last beer on a patio near you before Old Man Winter makes his presence felt again.

Enjoy the issue, Andrew Moore-Crispin Editor-in-Chief

The Doctor is in

Email your computer troubles to. pcdoc@ppublishing.ca for a diagnosis and prescription to cure what ails your PC

Your Ultimate Source for C mputer and Entertainment Accessories Serial Attached SCSI

EXTERNAL M I N I - S A S C A B L E S SFF 8 0 8 8

LAPTOP C A R M O U N T

P E N P O W E R

DIAMOND JR.

Alhvay Thchnologies (Ontario) Inc. I Tel: 905-477-0888 Fax: 905-477-0890 To l l Free: 1-888-563-9171 #8 - 200 Cochrane Drive, Markham, Ontario, Canada L3R 8E8

TO6 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.con1

S Y B A FIREWIRE: 8 0 0 - 1 3 9 4 8 AND.OTHER EXPRESS C A R D S

PCI-EXPRESS A POWER A D A P T E R S

Aliway Technologies Inc. Tel: 604-232-3981 Fax: 804-232-3984 Toll Free: 1-888-633-5656 #5 - 3671 Viking Way, Richmond BC, Canada V 6 V 2J5

A

For Dealers Only

Your Reliable Computer & Electronics Supplier

System

NGALLYOURTtCHNOLOGY NEEDS! M I O S

8008BS Mini Tower

M I O S 8008BR Mini Tower

M I O S

911E

SCC302BS Mid Tower Case

S i e a s a r d r. t a a l , p ) g g j . i r d e j )

Kimsvp, I .Nlicys.

CERTIFIED Western P a r t n e r Digitar

8008WG Mini Tower miNimmor.

1353 Britannia Rd. East, Mississauga, ON Toll Free: 1-866-625-9889 Phone: 905-565-9391 Website: www.tomcom.ca E-mail: info@tomcom.ca

(77171=7* P C -FT

Our 19th Year!

Directions & Hours

550 A l d e n Rd., U n i t # 11 0 Markham, Ontario L 3 R 6A8 Phone: (905) 470-1425 Shop

C

O

M

P

U

HARDWARE •

3

7

6

0

0

„

SOFTWARE

Compatible with XP. 2136 cda ndusLminou Upto 6 hard drives

l

ijenvironmentalyfriendly and V E N

Lis m u c h cheaper to run than a standard desktop system.

$25900

LASER PRINTERS G45

SAMSUNG M L 2 0 1 0 r (printer/20pprn/1 200dpi) 6 6 9 5 M L 2 5 7 1 n (printer/25ppm/1200dpinan) 1 4 1 9 5

Websystem SystereZ064604

C L P 3 0 0 (colour/1 7ppm/600dpi) 1 4 4 " S C X - 4 5 2 1 f (Iaser,pdreer. fax,copy) 1 6 4 " C L X 2 1 6 0 combination colour printer. colour scanner, and colour copier 2 4 2 9 '

/ E L M

WORLD'S SMALLEST

$102395

Asus Eee 6-Cel NetBook

POCKET DRIVES FrooAgeot G o

by Seagate ✓A1110Backup soltunue I Ens 0 yourUse pocket a' Powered by use pens I For MacorWindows Systems I Greekfor backing computers

M S I Wind 6Cel NetBook

12295 150" 236"

e_

Intel kom processor. 1024mb. 800 hard dove, 10' wide screen display Intel video, Windows Home. 802 ltbig Wireless, Bluetomh, 2.6Ibs. White chassis.

MS-U100-063US $ 5 2 5 . 9 5

, / l e e r Aspire 601 NetBook

Intel Atom processor, 1024mb, 1600 hard drive, 8.9' wide screen display. in- -.-‘, t e l GMA950 video. Windows Home.

802.110/9 Wireless, 2 filbs ACA0A150-1423 $ 4 2 9 . 9 5

A c e r Turion Notebook

AMDTenon64 dual core processer.103 memory, 1200 hard drive, 17' wide drsplay. Inlet X3100 video. Vista Home Premium edition, DVD mite ACA57520.5926 $ 5 4 9 . 9 5

Fujitsu LifeBook A3130

Intel T5470 Core2Dtro'' processor, 2048mb. 12096 hard drtve, 15.4' wide display, Intel video. Windows Vista Business, DVD miter FUV1020-VB $ 8 4 0 . 9 5

A c e r Dual Core Notebook Intel T2390 Dual Core processor.

•1024mb.160gb harddeve.15'vade dts. play, Intel 03100 video, Windows Vista Business edition, DVD writer AC.E05620,1469 $629.95

Duo

M u l t i - R A I D 3 U Core2Quad" Server with six 250gb drives

Package as listed I

Dell's lineup of professional photo and video editing displays offer excelent performance fora reasonable price. With resolutions upto 2560 x 1600, these displays fit virtually any application demands.

6 9 ° 0

24" Size

$59900 Model 240BWFP (1920 x 1200)

3O S i z e

$19990° Model 3008WFP (2560 x 1600)

Backed by Dell's Full Service Warranty

I r e00;2Dro2Ec6°a SetSeagate250GBESwives 1 AdeptenRAID contrdler t o t 7 4 1 m°6mt"rdedn„..,P(e-COribg111-edasRAID 1610 I Ninepinexpansion slots nonsensedive bays s x Buten DVD/CD writer V 413.5'81 x 5.25'Iseys I Eight Intel 09150quadewecent I Duel °gene nerworlung ports aezi.b ogee: memoriamI Intel 3210 sewermewl:card 1 4 USB2.0 ports. 2PS2 ports I CD-R01.16%Rey tikes 14 GB800rnh,ECCmemory I Twoyear watranty I Inlet onboardRAIDOD t5/10 I Two year werranly Package as listed (1064114) $ 2 3 1 9

Comes wits Intel's Atom processor. 1gbmemory, 80gb drive. 802.1114n networking, andWindows XP home.

$

3 6 4 9

5

r

I S L I = wSarrk AS-MNONBAVII

INKJET PRINTERS EPSON lnkjets C 8 8 + Photo Printer 8 2 9 R 2 8 0 Photo/DVD/CD Printer 9 1 9 R 1 4 0 0 Wide Photo/DVD/CD Printer2 7 3 9 R 1 9 0 0 Wide Photo/DVD/CD Printer4 9 3 9 R 3 8 0 0 Wide Professional Printer 1 2 3 7 9 5 H P K5400 Business Pro Printer 1 3 9 9 5 o,nnionno R.Ink Can 7 , 1 5

CAMERA MEMORY

C o m p a c t Flash Cards K i n g s t o n Elite Professional 4gb 1330 3 2 " K i n g s t o n Otte Professional8gb 1330 5 1 9 5 K i n g s t o n Elite Professional 16gb 133x ..12795 L e x a r Pro 133X 4gb/8gb 5 9 9 5 / 1 0 5 " Lanus° Business Notebook L e x a r Pro 300X UDMA 4gb/Bgb 8 8 9 5 / 1 6 3 " Intel T5750 Core2Duo'" processor, L e x a r Firewire UDMA CF Reader 999' 1024mb,80gb hard drive, 15.4' widedis4 2 " play Intel video, Windows XP Pro. Fin- S a n d i s k Ultra II 4gb 60o 58" gerprint scanner. DOD writer S a n d i s k Ultra II 8gb 60o LE-7650E6U$ 7 4 3 . 9 5 Secure Digital Cards 5 Aces. Business Notebook Kingston SDFIC6mblsec 4GB1 9 9 3595 Intel T7300 Core2Cluo'" processor, Kingston SDHCGmb/sec 8GB 2 0 9 5 204Emb, 160gb hard drive. 15.4' wide O C Z SOHC6mblser 4GB deploy. Intel video. Windows Vista Busi. O C Z SDHC 6mb/sec 8GB3 4 " ness edition. DVD miter K i n g s t o n SOHC 4mb/sec 16GB 6 8 " ACTM6492-6930 1 8 9 8 . 9 5 Built-in 1.3 Megapixel Video Camera

Fujitsu Noteboolcfiablet

Intel P8400 Core2Duor" processor, 2046mb, 1 6 0 g b drive, 1 3 . 3 ' (ouctscreen, Intel video. Wridows Vista Premium edition, DUD writer - EU•11010-E53000 ._51408.95

SERVERS R a c k m o u n t 2 U COre2Diwi Server with 320GB Storage

Asus's EeeBox Micro Desktop Inhoducing Muss 17014 EeeBox micro computer system Oat can Sit011 your desk or attach directly to the back of your monitor or television. Truly incredible Asus engineering!

Core-2

Montevina P r e m i u m Notebook

Intel151502.0Gtoprocesser • 802.1INvotelessand eyetooth .3076inoBODMhzODR2memory • X4150OvideocontrollerwMDMI eta . Microsoft Vista premium05 * D u a l layerDVD.RWsuper drive PAc01,16 II.A At .133' 1280,4800res. dispby . 9 i e m e t r u t e n t scanner for insideandoutsideuse • T w o year gl warranty Includes accidental .250gb SATAharddove . F r e e canyng case& mouse damage protection Intel Atom processor, 1024mb, 160gb hard drive. 10' wide screen display, IMO GMA950 video, Windows Home, 802.11b/gIn Wireless. 8luetooth. 3.21bs AS-PC1000H-66X ......... $ 5 2 1 . 9 5

PRO Displays

What's Included' . Intel Core20uart" 09450 45010 processor. Asus 7 5 0 i n Vi d i a S L I E P U motherboard. 4G8 of Kinoton 800Mhz DDR2 mernory.500013 Seagate Interpose' dive. Dual nVidia 98000T 1024mb video cards.. Antec Three Hundred garners chassis. PC Power & Cooling quiet 750 watt.SLI certified power supply.Viewsonic VX2240W gaming LCD.22x DVD/CD writer. Logitech keyboard and optical mouse.Microsoft Vista Premium Package as listed (4064424) $ 1 7 1 9 . 0 0

We don't often see value like this! Asus's new F6A notebook is light weight thanks to it's 13" wide screen display but packs in all the performance you'd expect in a much more expensive model

H E W L E T T PACKARD P 1 0 0 6 (b&w/1 7ppm/1200 dpi) 8 9 9 5 P 1 5 0 5 (b&w/24ppm/1 200 dpi) 1 8 8 " P 1 5 0 5 n (len/b&w/24ppm/1200 dpi)1 3 2 " P 2 0 1 5 (b&w/27ppm/1200 dpi) 2 6 3 ° C P 1 2 1 5 (colour/1 2ppm/600 dpi) 2 9 1 9 5 C P1515n Danicolourt12ppm/600 den 3 0 5 9 ' 3 6 0 0 n (Ian/colour/17 ppm/600dpi)2 9 0 9 ' 2 8 4 0 (colour laser.scaneecooier, lax) 5 2 5 9 9

HP Ipart 510 (08 Phone/Mobile 6) 2 4 0 " H P !peg 110 Rocket PCNinfn 2 7 4 9 5 H P 310(3.5' PocketGPSSystem) 3 2 7 9 ' H P Enterprise 210 (Pocket PCNAVM6) 3 6 2 9 ° ASUS R300 (3.5' GPSMultimedia System) 1 6 9 9 5 A s u s P527 (08 PlicreANGGPS/Motie6) 4 9 8 9 5 P a l m Z22 (Pocket Organize) 1 1 5 " P a l m E2 (Pocket Organizer) 2 0 0 " Palm Tx (Pocket OrganizerAVGBiretoodt) 2 9 9 9 5 To m To m One (3.3' PocketGPSSystem) 1 6 7 ° ° To m To m XL330 (4.3' PocketGPSSystem) 2 2 4 "

$171900

Notebooks - Notebooks - Notebooks

ML3051n(printert28ppm/1200dpi/lan) 19095

POCKET TECH

r Targeted to gaming enthusiasts 1 1024mb video memory/card ✓ Viewsonic 22' gaming monitor I Intel Core20uad 09450 ✓Antec Three Hundred chassis ✓ PC Power & Cooling supply

FEATURESAND SPECIFICATIONS . Intel Core2Dul1" e8400 45nm processor . Acer 22inch widescreen digital Intel DG45ID top of the line board monitor with 1680x1050 res. .- 4GB of Kingston 800MhzDDR2 memory LGSATAdual-layer 22x DVD/CD . 500GB SeagateSATA3hard drive writer with software bundle . Intel's new X450HD video controller Logitech desktop bundle corded Antec Three Hundred tower chassis with keyboard and optical mouse super quiet 140mm cooling fan . Your choice of WindowsXP Pro - Ace quiet heavy-duty power supply ORVista Business edition

What Included?

Intel 1.6ghzATOMixocessor.IntelATOMmainboard .512mb DDR2 memory.Seagate 80gb hard drive .Intergrate business graphics .Small footprint chassis with 120 power supply.22X DVD writer with software.

Padiageas islet (4064286) $ 2 5 9 . 0 0

2 5 0 G B (SE-ST902503FGA1) 3 2 0 G B (SE-ST903203FDB2) 5 0 0 G B (SE-ST905003FGB2)

Dual 1GB 9800GT's This system features AsusS new PSN.D motherboard with nVidia's new 750 SLI chipset.

✓ Includes Intel's Core2DuorM e8400 processor ✓ Antec "ThreeHundard" super tower chassis ✓ 22" widescreen 1680x1050 pixel monitor ✓ Microsoft's Windows XP Professional ✓ Dual output to LCD plus HDMI device 4GB of high-speed 800Mhz memory

r t . . ILI F e a t u r i n g Intel's new ATOM procesSor,sizedthithis "expandable"cogpsfteris l

nVidia S L I GAMERS SYSTEM

Intel Core2Duo- Business Bundle featuring Intel's new G45 Express Chipset mainboard

"GREEN" PC e

• ACCESSORIES

✓Intel 09450 CPU ✓RAID 011/5/10 ✓Dual 500 GB drives What's Included, Intel quard-ccre 09450 Core2Quad,"266Ghz 1333MhzFSB proc. essor _Intel G45 chipsel mainboard.4096mb DDR2 800Mhz memory .Dual Seagate 500gb SADO drives in a RAID 1 array Ih security.500 wan power supply. Intel X4500 HD graphics corvette .Antec 300 tower chassis .Ace 22 inchHD 16500050 resolution digital LCD. display .DVD ReWriter.Logitech Keyboard•Logaech optical mouse :Your choice of Microsoft XP Professional or Visla Business edition [iterating systems Padoue asisted (6064291) $ 1 2 5 9 . 0 0

What's Included' Intel e8500 Core2Duo," 3.16Ghz processor. Intel S3210 server motherboard.4096MB 800Mhz DDR2 memory. Four Seagate eatead,ackives: one 250GB for your opera( ing system and programs: three 500GB drives in a protected RAID array for your data. Built-in Intel video controller. Dual gigabit LAN pmts. Heavy duty power supply.Antec P182 full lower ettassis.DVD ReWriter .Logitech keyboard and optical mosue. Two year parts and labour warranty Package as listed (4GT.SYS064621) $ 1 3 7 6 . 0 0

h

I N C

R

This system features RAID security..

Should one o f the two included drives fail, y o u r data is protected!

We k n o w servers a n d we've been building them for years!

This new Premium pedestal server offers fault tolerance with RAID 5. Should one of it's three drives fail, your data is still protected and business continues as usual 1

E

RAIDed Performance Business Bundle

Small Business RAID Server

$

T

5 Lights North of Steeles Avenue 1 Block West of Warden Avenue Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday & Sundays: Closed

R a c k m o u n t 1 U RAID-1 Ultra Quiet - Low Power

I Inlet Pentium.° passer ✓1GBOualchannel mammy Package as listed I Asus server rnamlaoard I Dual160geSeagate drews $ 7 5 9 0 0 BuilemOVCVCD renter 1064062 I PCI Expressexpanson slot I Dual ornatenetwork porn.

I OnboardMD graptses I Twoyear warranty

GREY-TECH EXTERNAL O r new AWN/ LINE units come with Seagate 3.5' SATA dri es in a premium solid aluminum englosure. With triple interfaces (eSATA. USB 2.0, and Firewire 400), these units work with both MACs and PC's. They are stockade and can be daisy chained using the dual Firewte ports. Interface cables and power adapter included.

• The new PC powered portable MICRO LINE can fit In your packet and includes both USB 2.0 and Firewire interlaces'.

• 5 0 0 G B IrGT-MIN10500PR02)1 2 4 9 5 1 6 0 G B Pocket Size (1GT-MICR0160)1 0 4 " 7 5 0 G B (1GT.MINI0750PRO2)1 6 9 9 ' 2 5 0 G B Podtet Size (IGT-MICR0250) 1 1 9 9 0 1 0 0 0 G B (VGT.MIN11000PRO)1 9 9 " 3 2 0 G B l e Poc,ket Drive (use on ) 1 5 1 9 5 • Custom ma 11 , • • ',r Ace • Corporate purrpurrh,eu I I t t . r U , r r u n • All pea t r a n t y • Prices already cash discounted. C r e d i t • We ship insured across Canada . ff h 4 s r h r • O r d e r o n l i n e a t w w w. o r o y t u c h . c a i n

USB FLASH DRIVES K i n g s t o n Data Traveler 1gb K i n g s t o n DataTraveler2gb Kingston DataTraveler 4gb

Sandisk crocer micro 80, 4gb O C Z Economical Otese1800 2gb O C Z Economical Diesel 80x 4gb O C Z Economical Diesel 80x Bgb O C Z Economical Diese/80x 16gb O C Z Vista vBoost185x 4gb1 1 1 1 1 1 O C Z ATV Waterproof 2000 2gb O C Z ATV Waterproof 200a 4gb O C Z ATV Waterproof 200x 8gh O C Z ATV Waterproof 2005 16gb O C Z ATV Waterproof 2000 32gb

§es

12" 18" 2895 119' 1895 34" 5895 1990 16" 2395 419, 629, 1219'

DVD DUPLICATORS Push a button and make upto 11 copies of a DVD or CDautomatic*. Top gualityAthena controller

allowswritingatupto18xonDVD media. .1 Full self-contained design ✓ Uses Pioneer 115 drives ✓ Upto 20xDVD burning ✓ 64mb built-in cache ✓ Supports dual layer 1 One year warranty Current M o d e l s 3- Ta r g e t Ped (440604561 3 7 9 ° 0 5- Ta r g e t Ped (#057097) 4 3 9 0 0 7- Ta r g e t Ped (x056516) 5 0 9 ° 0 9- Ta r g e t Ped (4056517) ... 6 0 9 ° ° 6- Ta r g e t Rack (0061349) . 6 2 9 ° 0 11- Ta r g e t Ped (645919e) . 67900

tladIne.-.4fta

Store complete images of your DVD's with the optional 80GB hard drive add-in kit... $60.00

Grey-Ted resenesthe righttoxirhdraworchangepricing. products. or services without notice Grey--Trollassumesno responsibilih forerun in content or pricing.Somekrms are special artier°, limited time offers. Accurate as of 09-17-08.

Our 19th Year!

Directions & Hours

550 A l d e n Rd., U n i t # 11 0 Markham, Ontario L 3 R 6A8

C O

Phone: (905) 470-1425 Shop online at www.greytechCOin

M

P

U

T

E

R

H A R D W A R E 4. S O F T W A R E

Seagate

I N

C

• ACCESSORIES

Home Theatre Entertainment Systems Liven up the living room with a high-clef media center system with remote control powered by Microsoft's Vista operating system!

FreeAgent PRO External Hard Disk Drives

a s i t Powered by

Windows Vista

Seagate's line of freeAgentr, Pro external triple interface hard drives offer great protection against system failures, virus attacks, or hard disk failures.

Simply plug it in and your ready to go!

Includes eSATA, USB, and f irewire interlaces. Automatic backup software for Windows included.

f a r h media renter system includes'

✓HDMI,DVI,andVGAconnection pons v Easyon-screenmenustoview movies, photos,andplayMP35&other files ✓ nVidia high-def graphics controller .d Ultra slim component style chassis ✓ Microsoft Windows \ (Isla Premium ✓ Microsoft remote control & receiver DVD/CD authoring software bundle

5 Lights North of Steeles Avenue 1Block West of Warden Avenue Hours: Monday - Friday: 9am - 6pm Saturday & Sundays: Closed

BASIC (4064389) • $ 4 8 9 . 0 0 250mstorage.CRAIG:ireprocessor, lob moody.0401CD playback andtwangremote mad unit operad0systemand ditties ADVANCE (#Q64401)$ 5 8 9 . 0 0 500p storage.Cee2Detprocessor.2gbmemory.CRTYCO peps:in and ming remoteconed unt, operatingsystemand Ades ULTIMATE (4Q64402)$ 1 0 1 5 . 0 0 20004,storage.Core2Ouryprocessor. lab memory 84 Ray playback.

DVD/CDplayback& wing. remote.operatogsystemand states 1 1 I

FUJITSUssXx Doctanem Storage System The Fujitsu ScanSnap S5xx bridges the paper and digital worlds allowing fast and flexiblecapture of paperbased information moo high quality PDF image files. ScanSnap is compact and powerful; a complete 'out of the box' solution for managing your documents. The scanner comes bundled with full featured software giving you the ability to archive, search, edit and share your documents and business cards.

Windows Complete Kit 'PA03360-B5124 4 1 "

500GB Drive Kit 1 5 1 9 5

✓ Super Fast... Scans upto 18

Apple OS X Confide Kt

7 50GB Drive Kit1 9 7 9 5 1000GB Drive Kit2 5 5 9 5

Intel PROCESSORS AMD

(Search for 'FreeA gent' on our websee)

4 4 1 "

doublesidedpagesper minute v Portable withoptional case ✓Compactattractive design VBulltrindocument feeder VIncludesAdobe Acrobat VSimple to use

3 . 1 6 G h z (1333Mhz. lamb. E8500) 2 1 1 9 5 3 . 2 0 G h z (1600Mhz. 12mb. Q9770 Ex016339' LCD TELEVISIONS INTEL Pentium Dual Core VIDEO CARDS 79953.33Ghz (1333Mhz.6mb,E8600) 2 9 9 9 5 AMD Athlon64 X2 Pual Core VIEWSONIC N X1 932w 19"TV.720p support 2.00Ghz (800Mhz,1mb,E2160) ASUS 2.20Ghz (800Mhz,1mb,E2200) 4 6 0 0 Athlon X2 (2.4Ghz, 1mb, AM2) 7 2 9 5 87" INTEL Core2Quad Quad Core 1440)(900res.ATSCtuner3 1 9 9 5 8600GT540mhzSilent512" 9 2 9 ' Cote2Duo Dual Core 2.44Ghz (1066Mhz,8mb.06600) 2 1 1 9 5 5 6 0 0 Athlon X2 (2.8Ghz, 2mb, AM2) 9 9 9 5 VIEWSONIC NX2232w 22'TV.720p support INTEL 9600GT650mhz5121°.Silent2xDVI 1 4 8 0 0 2.40Ghz (800Mhz,2mb,E4600) 138" 2.50Ghz (1333Mhz.6mb.Q9300) 2 8 9 9 5 AMD Athlon64 X2 In COre 1680x1050res.ATSCtuner4 6 2 9 5 2.70Ghz (800Mhz,2mb,E4700) 166952.66Ghz (1333Mhz,12mb,09450) 3 4 8 9 5 8450 etmeore (2iau. 3.5mb,AM2*) 11 6 9 5 9800GT600/725mhz5121a,2x0VI, . 15495/16496 217" SAMSUNG 225ms 22' TV. 720p support 2.53Ghz (1066Mhz,3mb,E7200) 4850625mhzDDR3512",2xDVI 138" 2.83Ghz (1333Mhz,.mm11E19550 3 5 9 9 5 AMD Athlon64 X2 Ouad Core 30995 1680x1050res.Notuner3 7 8 9 ' 3.00Ghz (1333Mhz,6mb, E8400) 187003.00Ghz (1333Mhz,12mb,Q9650 £x01099959550 Phenom(2.2Ghz,4mb,AM2.) 1 6 2 9 ' 4870750mhz0E5055121^.20091 GTX260/280 minnows 30309/48900 VIEWSONIC N2635w 26' TV. 720p support BFG 1366x768res.ATSCtuner5 3 5 9 5 9800GT685mhz512",2x0VI 1 4 7 9 5 HARD DRIVES 3.5" MONITORS VIEWSONIC N3235w 32' -rv. 720p support MOTHERBOARDS GTX260/280 896'"I1024'"....326'"/514" IDE (PATA) FOR INTEL PROCESSORS ACER 1366x768res.ATSCtuner6 5 2 9 5 VIEWSONIC N3735w 3T TV. 720p support Asus P5N-EM-FIDMIMrxoraaaunt 8 3 9 ' SeagateBOGS(ST380215A)2mb5years 499' 17" V17 3iirb5ms500:1 4:3 Analog 1 5 3 " SAPPHIRE 4 0 0 0 19" V1 93b5ms3000:1°, 4:3Analog 2 0 6 9 5 X2400eRo 256",hdmi Seagate160GB(ST3160815A)8mb 5years6450 1366068res.ATSCtuner.DNX 7 5 1 9 5 1 4 0 m 19" X193WBwt5ms2OCCO°Digital 1 5 3 9 5 3870DDR4512" WD 250GB (WD2500AA) 8mb 3years 6 3 " VIEWSONIC N4285p 42' Tv. 1080p support Asus P5K-sE mow maw=9 6 " 4850625mhzDDR3512",2x0VI 201 9° Asus P5E-vm-oo 1 3 0 " WD 320GB (WD3200JB) 8mb 3years 9 6 9 5 20" X203wori 5ms 2500:1° Digital 1 9 6 " 1920x1080res.ATSCtuner1 1 2 5 " 317m 22" X223wtd 5ms2500:15Digital 2 0 6 9 ' 4870750mhzDEIR5512",2x0VI SEAGATE SERIAL (SATA3) VIEWSONIC N4785p ar TV.1080p support Palit/Sparkle/Chaintech 24" X243wod 5ms 3000:1° Digital 3 4 0 9 5 80GB (ST380815AS)8mb5years4 2 " 192001080res.ATSCtuner1 3 9 3 " 24" P243wald 5ms300015 Digitautomi 399" 8 6 0 0 0 t 400mhz 5124,, DVI.PCIE 8 2 9 5 1 6 0 G B (ST3160815AS) 8mb 5years 4 8 5 0 9600GT650mhz512",2x0,4 1 3 7 ° 6 26" X263wm 5ms 3000:1° HDMI 4 3 6 9 5 960001700mhz1024",2)(0vi 1 6 9 9 9 N E T W O R K I N G Asus P5E.ws-t8 .1,.1.0aw • 2 9 0 9 5 250GB (sT3250410As)16mb5years 5 7 9 5 DELL 9800Gr600mhzs1egn024e,2sD 15395/19295 Asus P5N-T-DXnn4.4n7UV.*ao 2 2 5 9 5 320GB (ST3320620AS)16mb5years6 6 9 5 19" 1908fp 5ms 800:1, 4:3 Digital 2 7 9 9 5 4850625mhzDDR3512",2aDvi 2 0 9 9 5 WIRELESS ROUTERS/AP 5 0 0 G B (ST3500320AS) 32mb 5years7 4 5 0 20" 2009w 2ms2000:1° Digital 2 8 4 9 ' 4870750mhzDEIR5512",NOVI 3 1 9 9 5 TP-Link WirelessRouterWR642g(G108) 3 0 9 5 Asus STRIKER2Extremenu11,016X11ft 4 7 1 " 500G(ST3500320NS) Enterprise 9 9 m 22" 2208wre2ms2000:1°DVI w/webcam309m nte DG31G1. rei wsow *ere:bola 6 8 9 5 T P - L i n k Wireless RouterWR941nd M E E 5 9 " G T X 2 6 0 576mhz DDR3 89644 2051 . 3 4 2 9 5 750G(5T3750330A5)32mb5years 11 9 9 5 24" 2408 5 9 9 0 0 G T X 2 130 602mhz DDR3 102444 2it0ai1_ 51395 Dlink Wireless Reuter DIR-655 " 110 1000GB (staicoomoAs) 32mb 5years 15895 30" 3007wm 14ms 1000:1 oignai 1 1 99" Trendnet WirelessRmaer6314 M " 9 5 9 5 1918m me DG33um933 arms Ann /331•Argal 14495 1500GB (ST31503341AS)32irb5years . 214" 30" 3008wm8ms3000:1° HDMI PROJECTORS LinksysWressRtMerWRT160NIThliTi9 9 9 6 SAMSUNG LinksysWrelessRcustWRT310NraliE .... 117'9 99 POWER SUPPLIES. 17" 720n 5ms600:1Analog 1749' WIRELESS ADAPTERS 19" 920nw 5rns 600:1 Analog 18295 X1160 DIPBusinessUnit800400 4 4 8 " me DX48672 iema...w,,,rew.ao.. 30395 ACE TP-Link WirelessPCICardWN651g(6108) 2 4 " FOR AMD PROCESSORS 22095 VIEWSONIC 20" 2053bw5ms1000:1 Digital Performa 3 5 0 / 4 5 0 1 5 2 0 watts ..

3895/5895/64" DDLPBusinessUnit1024068 5 6 7 9 5 TP-Link WirelessUseWN6209(G108) 2 4 " 23995 PJ551 22" 2220wm 5ms 1000:1 Digital ANTEC MITSUBISHI 22" 225ms 5ms 700:1 Digital TP-Link wirelessuse wiwintztira 3 3 9 5 378" TruePower 430/650watts(?/sli•cf) 6595/102" 600 DIPHomeTheatre12800720 9 3 3 9 5 42495 HC1 24" 2456 5ms wool Digital TP-Link WirelessPCICardWN851n m a _ 3495 Asus M3A32-mve-wr 2 4 0 9 9 HC4900 DIPHomeTheatre1920x1080 . 211995 Q u a t t r o 850/1000w (sled) 1 7 2 9 5 / 2 0 5 " 24" 24516ms 1000:1 Digital RS 64395 Trendnet WirelessPCICard4234,(csa) 2 8 " BENQ Sign S i g nature650/850w(stud) 18895/24995 27" 275e.bms 1000:1Digital FIS .

9289' W500LCDHomeTheatre1280x720 8 6 6 9 5 Trendnet WinlessUS8424ub(G54) 2 8 " VIEWSONIC Trendnet WirelessUSB624ub " 67 SCANNERS PANASONIC G a X s t r e a m 7001850w(saki)1239V1 6695 19" VA 1 9 2 6 w 5ms Analog 18295 P T- A E 2 0 0 0 Home Theatre 1920x1080. 296500 LinksysWrdassUSBWUSB54G(G54) 6 0 9 ' Canon Lide25 Photo1200X2400 6 3 " PC rower and Cooling 26295 19" VG930m 8ms 600:1, 4:3 Di g i t al PT-AX200UHomeTheatre1920x1080 174900 LinksysWressUSBWUSB600Nekra 7 5 9 5 E p s o n V 2 0 0 Photo 4800X9600 8 8 9 ' Silencer® Quad750wNUM) 1 3 4 9 5 19" N X1 932w MonitorandHDTV 3199' ( M o n k s have Canadian warranties) Trendnet WirelessPCICard623piliErg -6 7 9 5 Epson V350 Photo6400X9600 1 2 2 9 5 SPI (a 2URacks)350w 3 9 9 5 32395 19" VP950b 2ms 800.1, 4.3DIgital Fs Epson V500 PhotolNeg6400X9600 2 3 1 " Dlink wirelessPCICardDWA.542CHU6 8 " 20" VA2026w5ms 1000:1Digital 204" Epson V7504 Photo 6400x9600139467695 DVD I CD CASES DlinkArmlessUSDDWA-1301ME 5 9 9 5 OPTICAL DRIVES 20" VG2030mn smssool octal 27495 Dlink %firelessCardbusExtrmeDWA-64212EBE 5995 Pioneer (DVR.116)20xa/200410xDL 3355 20" VX2035wm5ms700)1Digital F/S 3029' Jewel Case SingleAcrylic 2 9 C HARD DRIVES 2.5^ Liteon (20A4P)20x 200 DL 3 0 9 5 21" VP2130b ems10001 4:3 F/S 6409, Pack of 50-9150, 100...'22°°,200...40°° WIRED ADAPTERS Trendnet 10/100/1003CardTEG.PCITXR(PCI) 1795 SEAGATE EIDE (PATA) 22" VA2226w smss000:iDigital 225" Vinyl Case singleC-Shell 2 5 0 LG(GH22N)22x 4220 - DL 3 0 " SWITCHES Packof 50—'11", 100_520°3,200-53800 1 6 0 G B (ST9160821A) 5400 RPM 5years 6795 P i o n e e r (DVR-215) 20x SATA DL 3 5 9 5 22" V X 2 2 4 0 w 2rIs1003.1 Digital F/S 252" Tr e n d n e t s o c b 89xt10/1001033TEGS8TXE 6 2 9 5 31095 Jewel Case SingleAcrylic (Slim) 2 0 0 22" VG2230omnSms7C01C1gal SEAGATE SERbIL(SATA) Liteon USB DVDRW slim external kit 7 5 9 5 SMCSwitchgort10110Y1C0351./CGS8 6 2 9 5 39095 Packof 50...'850, 100-516°0,20o...12e 8 0 G B (ST980825AS) 7200 RPM 5years .. 9995 Liteon (DH-4015-n) Blu.Rayreader ... 12285 22" VP2250wt ariktacci clams 3 C o m Seat 8mt10110,10033CGSLIC6 7 2 9 5 402" Jewel Case DoubleAcrylic 3 5 C 1 6 0 G B (ST9160821AS) sace RPM 5years 6595 LG ( zoL) Blu.RaytHOplayer•DVDON . 149" 22" NX2232w MonitorandHD-TV ciscosathafationomo $020088195 2 5 0 G B (ST9250827AS) 5400 RPM 5years 7395 Pion-ter (2202)EIN-RayplayeriDVDRW 129" 26" VP2650wb3ms10001DigitalF6 616" Packof 50..51350, 100...02500.200...54400 551" DVD Case SINGLEVinyl (Slim) 2 5 C Dlinks4thispoinoncmccoowinso 1 6 8 9 ' 200GB is-rezoovaasi 7200RPM5years 8 3 " LG(GBW-H2OL)Blu-Ray writer 2 4 5 0 9 26" VA2626wm5ms Eacci 640" 28" VX2835wm 3ms10031HDMI Dlink Seidl 24-port 10/1001003 tars-10240 1 8 7 9 ' Packof50...$900, 1o0...51699,200...52809 320GB (ST9320421AS)7200RPM5years 9795 L a C i e External Blu-Ray writer PC/MAC 6 9 8 9 ' Trendnet swath16p:4E01nTEGS160TX 1799' D V D C a s e SINGLE Vinyl2 5 0 Trendnetswitth 24mnr01010TEG.S240TX 2329' Packof50...5900, 100...51600,200..12800 DVD Case DOMEWry4 2 5 0 r g n N s p i r e Economy (with 350 watts) 4 2 " Packof 50...$90°, 100...016°°200...528" CAPTURE CARDS t e c . S o n a t a s GreyTech CSATowor(nlp120mmfan) 3 7 9 ' DVD Case tor4DVD's-Vnyl 6 9 0 ASUSP1731Tunerwithremote.MCE.PCI 4 3 9 5 Antec's new 300 lower offers lots InWin MCEMicroDesktop(300w)7 4 9 5 DVD Case for5DVD's-Vrn4 7 5 0 HAUPPAUGE 150forVista.PCI 6 7 9 5 ExtremeQuiet!Antec's Sonata; is Of expansion room and great (waAntec sonars d (W/500want,USB)1 3 9 " HAUPPAUGE HVR.950Qedema!USB HD/Digitalone of thequietestcases around DVD Case for 6DVI:ds-Vnyl 7 9 0 in cooling in a veryaffordable stylus CableTuner kit. Includes oret, remote coned, software bundle, and includes their 500 watt highNZXT Apollo (rtrp120mmled lighting) 8 9 " mid-tower ChaSSSi design. efficiency power supply' rdmicrodesktopantenna.XPArista 8 4 ° 5 NZXT Len (nip120mmled lighting) 1 1 7 " M s i

P 6 N G M - F I H

m o a n

' n u m =

A I S M I W O I S n r W a l e CZO

p o i

1

4

8 8 9 5

A s u s

P 5 Q

A s u s

P 5 E - v m - H D M I GlStaRAD•15.1.133ft a f g a l

A s u s

P 5 N - o

rm.nneIS•”511anparlo

A s u s

P 5 Q - E

/ 8 8 . 8 8 8 , 8 s . o u n k r c e 8 c a n

1 7 3 9 5

m e

D P 4 T r r

( 4 3 ! m o d odd TA O n n w w t w .

1 1 0 9 5

m e

D G 4 5 1 o m s

1

5

5

D G 4 5 r c

GO•rliAIDOIX ! o w l *

m e

D P 4 5 s o

P O t o R AV I t e r e O n t s f r e L o v s e 1 . .

M 2 A - v m

A s u s

M 3 A

A s u s

M

3 N

5

5 0 9 5

0

9

5

o 4 A 1 0 • 1 • 6 11 • I o n o n u w . a r x a 1 3 0 9 5

n t e

A s u s

9

0 0 . •

Pfena16POGA1Paddallaa

Olinecol

M

d

.

m e w,

- F I T- D X - M P N f , , ,

...

7

9

1 7 7 9 5 1 7 3

3

6

2

9

5

9

6

2

5

9

0

SYSTEM CASES

Rntec soo

n k

Hauppauge!

1 P l m m c o d . , Fan Incluled Upfront Line. dada/. & 0 5 a l a p o d s M A N I Oust N M

$13995

HD

PVR $23595 Remote Included !

HIAZIa

The only way to record HD from your cable box!

TheHauppageHDPVR1212istheworld's firstHigh-Definitionvideo recorder formakingreal-timerecordingsfromcableTVandsatellite set top boxes. A built-in IR blaster can automatically change TV channels for scheduled recordings. Keep movies on your computer or burn them to DVDS for HD

playbackonBluRa pia ens.Computer kit with software included

A n t e c Fusion Media Center kit with 430 watt

)

P 1 8 2 Aluminum mid tower np 1

5

7

9

SlI/CrosOre Compal.de

5

Thermattake rscenarrerower (nip) 1 2 7 9 5 Thermallake ornol HorneTheatre2 3 8 9 5

r o e M o u n t e d 1 i O m m t o a d % fan ♦ Tw o front 0 5 0 & l u d o p o w,

power,display, &IRreceiver.Superquiet! 18505

S5(195

acer 24" Mote

Wide Screen LCD

✓1920x1200resolution v v Digital visual (DVI) input v V16.7 million colour palit V ✓3000:1dynamic contrast v incredible Value!

Shop online al

www.greytech.com

Three year warranty 5msresponse time Uses only78 watts Non-glare beazel $ 3 4 0 9 5

/ m

r s , c n

t-. a

n u n , -

\ F .

P

U

B

CD and DVD Media Save on DVD and CD media when your purchase in quantity Ritek

DVD-P 16x 5

0

_Media

ewurs12", 200 recOriii

DVD-ROx white inkjet printable to hub surface5 0 o=01285,200 4,.oi,500 DVD-DL4X white printable 25ped 1 4 4 * Ritek CD-R Media Ritek 700mb5 0 Fwk'129', 200 wo*50,* Ritek 700mb white inkjet printable to hub surface5 0 0 0 ' 1 2 9 ' , 200 iwii%47w

Inkjet P r i n t a b l e CD/DVD L a b e l s Matt Surface1 0 0 , k s 8 9 ' , 400edik'26° Glossy Photo Surface 50wv01 6", 200e..064°

All trademarksandtradenamesareused10kientiA emit, claiming themarksandnames of their products. Grey-TechComputerInc. disdains, an) livered in trademarks orwadenames wept In own. Accurate as of 09-1708.

customers can create vinyl material skin covers for cell phones, laptop computers and even game consoles. www.hubcanada.com/feed/470

The Feed

from www.hubcanada.com

Breaking News: Globalive Opens Up for Suggestions

By Kevin Freeman Imagine being able to tell your wireless telephone service provider what you wanted in a company before you signed up, and actually have them listen. That's what Globalive Wireless Management Corp is letting you do.Globalive has set up a website that allows would-be customers to share their thoughts, opinions, and ideas about ' wireless service. www.hubcanada.com/feed/448 Harping About Harper, in Song!

By Matt Smith If you browse the new Canadian website Mashline.com, you might hear an odd little song. The lyrics are as follows: "You're good for our economy, prosperity for you and me, tax cuts and incentive forms, they make me warm. You're not that far to the right, you're right here at my side. You can Harper me tonight..." www.hubcanada.com/feed/469 Get Some Skin at MyTego.com

By Matt Smith When it comes to selecting a skin for your cell phone or any handheld device, it seems the selection is limited. That has recently changed however, with a company called MyTego. Winnipeg-based MyTego is providing an online service where

1111111111PF P R O M O T I O N VA L I D F R O M O c t 1

- . B G Y r o 7J ...,044/WW.I1A-E_COM 64-2102B $79.99ea.

64-11058 $29.99ea.

64-0501 $14.99ea.

p d o m m l 64-1 0 9 B $ 11 0 . 0 0 e a .

64-110 8 6 4 - 2 1 0 2 B $39.99ea. $ 2 1 9 . 9 9 e a .

11098

$ 10.00ea. wholesale price available L A P T O P B A G S B l o w O u t S A L E FIT upto17" Lavroks

$1 9-50ea- $ 1 9 . 5 0 e a - $ 2 4 . 5 0 e a . $ 1 9 . 5 0 e a . $ 1 9 . 5 0 e a . ..

l

i

1104 0 0 it

HDMI 1.3 Cables!!!

erver Racks

53-6380 3 0 1 0 11 + 11 6 7 Single LNO

$35.96es

min 10pcs up

We are t h e dealers for CIDTIVEWORKC ,___IarjgrZww.sce.a#-_cdows7Dealers Call f o r Q u a n t i t y P r i c e r1.-111 I C 1 r1e-1,,

SVIEWlat

Students Create and Launch VoteEducation.ca

By Matt Smith In the upcoming election, do you ever wonder what political party will strive to cut down the cost of education in Canada? If so, you'll know soon enough with the launch of VoteEducation.ca. Created by the Canadian Federation of Students, VoteEducation.ca will focus on post-secondary education and research issues. www.hubcanada.com/feed/477 Founder of .CA Domain Receives Recognition

By Matt Smith Do you ever wonder how the Canadian web domain .ca was created or how long it's been around for? As history would have it, the top-level country domain was created solely by John Demco, co-founder and director of Webnames.ca, more than 20 years ago. Because of his efforts, Demco will now be honoured by the University of British Columbia (UBC) for creating the .ca country code for Canada and managing it on a volunteer basis for more than 10 years. www.hubcanada.com/feed/473 The First World War is now Online

By Dorian Nicholson Anew online resource on World War One has recently been created in order to better inform Canadians and others of the role we played in "the war to end all wars," lest we forget. The website, entitled Canada and the First World War, was launched thanks to the Canadian War Museum with the help of the Department of Canadian Heritage as part of their Canadian Culture Online initiative. www.hubcanada.com/feed/465 Featured Articles: ShopRepair: One Way to Keep iTunes Playing

By Dorian Nicholson Technology is a beautiful thing, it really is — except when it stops working for you.

In the age of hyper-connectivity, where people have four or five digital ways to keep in touch with each other's actions and whereabouts, having your PDA or smartphone break down is disastrous. And having an MP3 player break down can leave you feeling deprived, with no other option than to listen to the garbage coming out of the next guy's earphones.

Whether one of these gets dropped off the edge of a dock into the water, dropped off of the edge of a dock onto a sharp bed of rocks, or whether it just dies from internal battery failure, these are two pieces of equipment that generally need to be replaced as soon as they break down.

That's why, fortunately for owners of the iPhone brand of smartphones or the signature Apple iPod line, there is a new way to get these devices back in working order again, and it goes by the name of iShopRepair.ca.

Read the full version, only at: www.hubcanada.com Zune Launches New Lineup with More Features

By Dorian Nicholson Audiophiles and media junkies may remember a certain device unveiled by Microsoft almost three months ago which was rumoured to be a worthy competitor to Apple's fantastically popular iPod line of products.

The device, known as the Zune, made a splash here in Canada roughly a year and a half after the first models began to make their way out to American consumers. The new brand of media players hit the ground running with a unique image, brand new software, a diverse range of products and unique features such as Wi-Fi wireless syncing with computers and other Zunes.

However, perhaps due to a lack of persistence in marketing or because of the already established iPod line dominating the market, the Zune failed to pick up the steam it needed to reach even ground with the Apple products. And for a device that flaunts its social capabilities, market saturation is key to making growth exponential.

So, with that idea in mind, Microsoft is trying to breathe a bit more life into its sleek and stylish Zune line with several new models and new features, including games.

Read the full version, only at: www.hubcanada.com

1350 Matheson Blvd Mississauga, U n i t #8. L 4 W 4M1 TEL:(905)206-0931 TO 10 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.con*

Compiled by Dorian Nicholson

0 0 mu, 9 e m

Digital Omar°°rule' i t

Z i g i LAND

onI

825 Denison St. #8, 10, Markham, ON, L3R 5E4, Canada We Open: Mon.-Fri.: gam-8pm

4675 Steeles Ave. E, Main Fir 41D11 Toronto, ON, M1V 4S5, Canada We Open: Mon.- Sun.: 11am-8pm

Toll-Free: 1 - 8 8 8 - 4 7 9 - 3 9 9 2

Tel.: (416)880-4638 www.digiland.ca

Te l . : ( 9 0 5 ) 4 7 9 - 3 9 9 2

www.digitalelectronic.ca

580TVL ..4414fCleo CCD Image -Info-Red Night Vision -Waterproof Metal Casing

Digital Video Record .445.00/e4 --SP CIBoards a3n0d4a81 oonF pess

$49.00/e4 Weatherproof Bullet Cam

-.Motion Rec - IE Access

A VerAledia

Pacific Mall Steeles Ave. Splendid China Tower

- Tempted Glass Top - Heavy-duty Metal Frame - Customizable 3D Logo - Lighted Display Area - All Sorts Of Sizes & Shapes - Ready To Usel

- 3D Logo; Sticker CuffingMachine er/glOglirarnin—ator - Poitable Photo Studio Photo Cutter/Trimer

Mobile Ad Banners Professional Box Cam PANSAT 2700: --W • m L5 O O O t

In /Outdoor & Vandal Proof & Pan/Tilt/Zoom Dome Cam - 420 - 540TVL Resolution - With or Without Info-red Night Vision

Pinholeases Lens Wide-angle C Concealed - Audio Function

',J16- Pi:

Free TV, No Card Needed " I " N r i l t = 1 - 18" & D i s h e s PANSAT H e a Single d j 8, iDual l t i s witchils - Cables M r Ira 1 ccessories

$`19.00% FTA Satellite Receivers ColourLED Signs

CCTV & Satellite Accessories' CableAdaptor, Tools, Brackets -,

4 '

1.!ghted3DiEffectAd Frame MACI, B r a c k e t F r o m

191-241

35°-651 1Fxscsirk.:$25 - 9 9

CD/DVD Duplicator Printing & Lamination CD/DVD Duplicator Controller Paper & Material

l o n e r 16x Dual Layer DVD Writers Made In Taiwan

00/SC

A„firt

The Doctor is in Here's your chance to send your PC woes to our resident Techspert, the HUB PC Doctor Hi Doc, I have a Lite-On brand internal DVD burner in my computer I've had for a year now. The problem I am having is that when I put a DVD inside, the drive does not read it. After I put a DVD inside it makes four or five clicking sounds and then it stops. Do you think I need a new DVD burner or is there some other solution?

Paul B. Hi Paul, It sounds like either the motor or the tracking guide for the laser on your DVD burner is having problems. While it may be possible to have the drive repaired, it probably isn't worth going to the effort or expense as you can purchase a new one for $30 at most computer hardware retailers.

If you aren't comfortable installing the drive yourself, the labour shouldn't cost more than $20.

If you are going to replace the drive yourself check to see if the current burner is connected via a SATA cable or IDE cable and get the a drive with the same connection type to ensure compatibility with your motherboard.

Dear PC Doctor, My ISP is Bell Sympatico and whenever I launch my Explorer browser it starts up and then disappears immediately. I have to restart the browser about 10 times before it finally stays on. What could be causing this problem?

P.S. This situation does not happen on my other basement computer, so I'm beginning to suspect a conflict with something else on my PC. Thanks, Nevstar

Online Scanner: • Trend Micro HouseCall - Performs an online scan of your system to determine if your computer is infected by spyware or viruses. Available at: housecall.trendmicro.com Spyware Scanning and Removal: • Spybot Search and Destroy - A spyware scanner and removal utility. Available at: www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html • SUPERAntiSpyware Free - The free version will scan and remove spyware that is infecting your computer: www.superantispyware.com

Hi Nevstar, What you're experiencing sounds like a software issue either with Internet Explorer or a third party add-on it is using. Microsoft has a knowledge base article on how to disable third party add-ons here: supportmicrosoft.com/kb/298931 If, after following those instructions you continue to have the same issue try to download Firefox — available for free — here: www.getfirefox.com and see if you don't have better luck.

Use Firefox to download software to scan for spyware, and viruses by doing the following:

• Lavasoft Ad-Aware 2008 Free - A spyware detection and removal utility: lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

•Microsoft Windows Defender - A spyware and malicious software detection and removal utility. This utility provides real-time protection which means it will detect spyware as it is accessed on your computer or the Internet. Available at: microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.m

Your TOTAL HARDWARE Store

iiiii4a1W444 I L L . L . t . , I i n i v I L . *14

SATELLITE

ALL iikitiINAL PRODUCTS WITH FULL WARRANTY

KBOXVIEWSATSONICVIEWCAPTIVEWORKSCOOLSATCONAXSATTECHNISATFORTECMULTISTARACERCAIAMPINVACOMZINWELLECODAEMPCHIETAMOTECK STAB

K1 HEROS

4 4 0

INOWHOUIEI

KBOX IN S T O C K

•

•

•

i

Y e -0/`&

\

1370 KENNEDY SCARBOROUGH ../

ELLESMERE E.

QUEEN ST. E

158 KENNEDY S.

24 RONSON

B R A M P TO N

E TO B I C O K E

Mon-Sat: 1 0 a m - 8 p m Sun: 1 0 a m - 6 p m

GLIDDEN RD

905.451.5999 STEELES AV. E

Mon-Fri: 1 0 a m - 7 p m Sat: 1 0 a m - 5 p m Sun: C L O S E D

416.235.2600

Oh HWY 409

z

IS

Io 0 (3 RONSON

LAWRENCE

HWY. 401

ATTENTIONDEALERSANDINSTALLERS Contact for Bulk Pricing

GRAND OPENING

OCTOBER 6

httoaransatElectro ics.com TO12 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conlll

[ts1 PBfM/fBCOMPOTfBCAN.40 AMD Athlon 64 X2 Bundles

Intel Core 2 Bundles

Lea MIA IldnonnoW ZOBDOR2 Were 80014/47pa 256) EMMAtrentreer MX Coe PnIght 350W MX PSU MIN aeon 64 42 4450F PAID11054064 02 5200/ PAO M I . OP %2600(0 AND047447)64 X2 MOO.

lam 050 flotheflowa Asusk3815•Pro Matherboard 2GB C M Memory.600440216 206) 4GBDDR29006192Memory129 2101 1 _ v leedionser Case EMMI wearer Case Maple ;SOW 450W Art PSU 0 9 0 3508 no $511 see orb interPentium 14600 P70 Phencm8450 w e web se web inter Ream 66550 ASKIP109in B750 s e e 08 Se MO lee Ponder (7300 PAOMenem 0550 s n emb IntelPentium 00500 se 0 A N D Peen 9950 Bled s e We Meese check Of 011.1111 IM .8 In deaf Trees CA I k e W e a n any no substitutions

Ultimate Gamer

AMD Phenom Bundles

CPUs and Memory Available

AMD; i AMD CPUs

Asus P50 Premium or Asus M3N-HT Dlx/Mem Sony 3.5 Inch Black POD WD 640GB SATA2/300 HDD. 16MB Cache 4GB DDR2 800 RAM (2. 2GB Modules) Antre Sonata 0 case w/500W PSU Asus ENGTX280/HTDP/ 1GB, PCI-E 16 LG GH22L530 Black DVD-RW Ddve Sony Black 16X DVD-ROM Drive

AMD &Non X2 4450E

02189.99 or 073/44th

On-Board 8 Channel Digital Surround Sound

AMD Athlon X2 5200.

12204.99 Or $73/relh

Logitech 8-5500 Speaker System

AMD Athlon X2 6000.

12239.99 or 075/Mth

on-Board Dual Gigabit Network Adapters

AMD Phenom 8450

12239.99 or $75/Mth

US Robotics 56Kbps Modem

AMD Phenom 9950

Acer x243wbe 24" Digital WO* Screen LCD

ntel P4 Dual-Core (2220

$2319.99 or 077/44th $2204.99 or $73/Mth

Loretech G)5 Gaming Keyboard with LCD

Intel Core 2 Duo (4600

$2239.99 or $75/Mth

Logitech G9 Laser Cordless Mouse

Intel Core 2 Quad 06700

$2394.99 or $80/44th

Arctic Silver Thermal Compound

ntel COM 2 Duo (7300

$2264.99 or $75/Mth

Microsoft Windows Vista Ultimate 64510 OEM Intel Core 2 Duo E8500 ? Year Labour and I Year Parts Warranty

Intel Core 2 Quad 09550

I

Home Theatre PC Asus P5E-VM HDMI or Asus M3A78-EMH HDMI Sony 3.5 inch BlaCk POD WD 1TB 5ATA2/300 HDD. 16MB Cache 4GB DDR2 800 RAM (25 2GB Modules) Ante Fusion 430 HTPC Case w/430W PSU Infrared Remote and VFD Display Onboard Video With HDMI Output Hauppague Win-TV 1250 HDTV/SDTV Tuner

AMD [anion X2 4450E

LG GGC-H2OL Blu-Ray and DVD-RW Drive On-Board 8 Channel DIdtal Surround Sound

AMD Athlon X2 5200* AMD Athlon X2 6000e

Logitech 2-5300e Si Speaker System

AMD Phenom 8450

On-Board Gigabit Network Adapter

AMD Phenom 9950

Rockwell 56Kbps Modem

Intel P4 Dual-Core E2220

Acer 4263w0i 25.5' Wide Screen LCD Monitor

Intel Core 2 Duo E9600

Microsoft Digital Media Pro Keyboard

Intel Core 2 Quad 06700

Logitech 05 Laser Mouse

Intel Core 2 Duo E7300

Microsoft Windows Vista Premium 640it OEM

Intel Core 2 Duo E8500

. , Ye a r Labour and I Year Parts Warranty

Intel Core 2 Clued 09550

Home Office &sus M3A or 0505 P50 Motherboard Sony 3.5 Inch Slant FDD WD 500GB SATA2/300 HOD. 16MB Cache 2GB DDR2 667 RAM (2.1GB Modules) Chenbro PC6I169 Black miotower ATE Case Nspire 150.500 450W ATX PSU Asus EN7300GT slient/HTD 512MB LG 00220530 Blek DVD-RW Drive

AMD Athlon X2 4450E

On-Board 6 Channel Digital Surround Sound

AMD Athlon X2 5200.

Logitech R20 Speaker System

AMD Athlon X2 6000.

Rockwell 56Kbps Modem

AND Phenom 8950

On-Board Gigabit Network Adapter

AMD PhenOrn 9950

Ater X193wb IC LCD Monitor

ntel Pa Dual-Core E2220

Keytronic KT800 104 Key Keyboard

Intel Core 2 Duo (4600

Logitech Optical Mouse W/SC7Oldtheel and pad Intel Core 2 Gilead 06700 Intel Core 2 Duo (7300 Microsoft Windows Vista Business 64trit Intel Core 2 Duo E8500

5 War Labour and I Year Parts Warranty

Intel Core 2 Quad 09550

Surf System (CS 945GCT or (CS 4740G61-41(0.0) Sony 3.5 inch Black FDD WD 160GB SATA2/300 HDD. 8MB Cache 1GB DDR2 667 RAM (21 512MB Modules)

Intel CPUs

ANDAeon el x244506 leen 41421BOX1454// me Web 0140Peon 64112 5000/ (Sorel /6421B0XIBlefel see We AMoNalm 64.2 5200. (3061 042) 000 see Leo ANDkeen 640.2 5644 (Seel M2)400 me Web ANDAeon 64 92 6000.(50.1 PAO) BOX sweet AMDAMIon64 x2 640te (34.0set 41421800 see Web ANDPhemom8.150(SocketANZ) BOX see Web AMDPronorn 8650 (socket AK) BOX see WM ANDPhnom 5750($9441 AN2) BOX see 1013 AMD Peen 9550 (Sorel Oen BOX see WM ANDPerorn 9650 (Soirset4412) 80% see Web AID Proem 9150(09M M17)1100 We Web ANDMenem 9650 Bled (den IScONI4142 BOX see Web ANDMenem 9950 Bled Edllon (Seel MN BOX Wel) Cm 10 Be Made nature c Wow Re= d e m sherd M r *Kane l a Mairale u0 I* 10 did Mites

Heppe, WInTV 14411•1600 TV Tuner

On-Board 6 channel Digital Surround Sound Logitech 5-120 Speaker System

M

On-Board 10/100 Network Adapter Acer X173wb i r LCD Monitor Keytronic KT800 104 Key Keyboard

M M

D D D O

I n t e l

Athlon x2 4450E

0539.99 Of 020/Mth

AtNon X2 5200.

1554.99 or $21/Mth

Athlon X2 6000.

5589.99 or $22/Mth

eftenom 8450

$58999 or 022/44th

Phenom 9950

$669.99 or 025/44th

P4 Dual-Core E2220

$559.99 or $21/Mth

Late( Optical Mouse w/suolrereeel and pad I n t e l Core 2 Duo 04600

5594.99 or S22/Mth

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Basic 64b11 I n t e l Core 2 Quad 06700

8749.99 or 128/44th

5 Year Labour and I Year Parts Warranty l u t e ( Core 2 Duo (7300 Intel Core 2 Duo E0500

0619.99 or $23/MN 3659.99 or 024/1reh

Intel Core 2 Quad 09550

Modules

256NB.SDRAAIPC/Illeks 16010 s e e 512NB.SORPAIPC.11331t w e 512Mb13131191C320014004111111 s e e GB.DORPC3200 (40014e) s e e 513,00112 91054001667011 s e e 1GB.DDR2(000200(110004M) s e e 2GB. 0002 PC6400 (800101 a n 1GB,DORSPC10696(13339099) s e e 2GB. 3003 PC1066611333/40e) s e e Corse13140120205 PC6400 Dual Cennel Kit s e e Corsair Teed% 4460(6400139m1Cheimel101 s e e OCZ440 PC6400 Vista Dual creme Mt Meek a n OCZ4G0 PC6400ColdDual Chanel N't Men) s e e OCZIGO PC6400ReaperDWIChannelKM We ) M P OCZ446 PC6500 Ramer Due Channel ea ("WO s e e OCZ4G0PC3.10666 114100 Dual C001X11 (*POO s e e

Network Solutions

N 28 11 Moo CasalsAiellatile Milo

D

see VOW we 0 0 see Wet • 013 see Wae see 960 see Mb see Vet see WO me Web see Web see 6 0 Wee Wil0 • Ateb SW 1.110

Web WM Web Web Web Web Web Web Mt Wee Web WO Web Web VAN Peel

Sewate 16056 SATA/300 720009164 Hard Drive 8140............949.99 (PreysWR731011 Melee 802.1in Raster w/ 4 Port_ 5 1 1 4 . 9 9 Seegarte 32006 SATA/300 MORONI Hard Drive 0 16116............964.99 LInksy, RV91000 01901 MN Router 're/ 4 Port- 4 1 2 9 4 9 Nernortowo Ow MD G U Seegate 5000B SATA/300 720DRPSI Hard 1160 vs/ 3210. ....... .314.19 TP•Mrd113.4641 Rare red 4 Porl L OSL keen _ 5 3 4 . 9 9 32304 99 or $77/44th Aso M30. Socket AM2. AND 770 (ANDP M 99 Sweat* 500GB Cl SATA/300 7200RP.1 Had Drive w/ 32/102999.99 TP.Unk 1009206 802.744 Allen Router i DS/ M000_22954.99 Mm M1A78•CM.Socket Pf42. AMD 7808 (MAKS-..._._....._....96499 32454.99 or $132/Mty Seagate 64006 5ATA/300 7200RPM Hard Dnve w/ 210 VII Wireless 802119 Romer w/ 4 . . . . . ___934.99 Sesmate 116 SATA/300 7200RPM Hard DrIve w/ Asus 12070. Socket MK. AND 770 (IPX)0 5 9 4 . 9 9 Segke 1310 SATA/300 MORAN Hard Dive wr 32146.......08224.99 Cases and Power Supplies Mm el507Of140 Heel Socket Mt. AND 7800 INA751--- -4109 99 WO 7005 SATA/300 10000RPN Hord Drive wl Asus14311-111Deluse/Mempipe. Socket M e n7601 SU 11701 9251.99 Ante NSXI380 Cube Case 99/ ISOW . . 9 1 1 4 99 WD150GB 504/300 100000911 Hard Onve re/ 9 9 Amu613X786111. SocketA112. 116200 (NATX)____ .....

0 9 WO300GB SATA/300 10000RMI Ord Drive w/ 16M6 _ 2 _ .131499 9114.99WD80GB SATA/300 1200(1064 Hard Drive vs/ 2 _ 9 3 9 9 1 Antw NS6448013 allniltwer ea 380W (MARX) Brett..............59499 (CSA1400/111 011.01Socket0142 P e n ) WI Video. sound a LA415999 ECS Gel 3. w/ 3000. 11.410/ w/ Video. Sound 6 Len..... _ $ 5 9 . 9 9 WD3200B SATA/300 7200RPM Hard Drive w/ 4 5 9 . 9 9 Ante Super Lanery AlurnIrsan M O O . AntecSonata III 500 Nano Brad w/ 500W (114).-......-.....1129.99 WO500GB 507A/300 7200RPM Hard Orlve w/ 16110.........„........579.99 Ofoftroboarrif b Marl M b Ante Sonata Orderer 500 9611. w/ 500W 14701.--- ...... .1149.99 WO640GB 5919/300 7200RPM Hard Drive Avant 4CoteDuel-SATA. LGA775. Via PT8(10Pr0/UMMATX).........$19 99 Ante Senate Plus 550 0led w/ 550W (MX).. . . . - . . . . 11 6 4 . 9 9 WO7500$ 5100/300 72000P14 Hard Orlve 9 9 /tared 1741650/k/A5R. 5478. (rnATX) w/ Ade°. Sound 6 115.46949 Antic P102 Wm* t w o Case (ATM WD ITS SAT1/300 7200RPM Pak Oro W/ 9 9 9 09 errs P5E-VN Neel. LCA775. Intel G35 (NATX) PCI•Fxpree____.$144.09 Anln PI62SE BlackTower ewe 1 1 1 1 1 ) 1 1 5_>17990 I O W. * HNC MM 0/roe (On edosPSEI Premium. I450776. klual 041 (ATX)PCtEsgmles willAt.-9194.99Fulitsu120061PATS 5400RPN Hard DINE WI MO A 5 4 . 9 9 Aso P54C•MX/1131. 9.40775. Owl 95401 <Nese MATI)........$54 99 FLOM 32008 SALE 5400RPN Hard Drive Antes trine Hundred 910-Tern (ATX) 81wk. S 1 1 4 . 9 9 Alas PSAPL011. LOA775. Intel 031 MAT111 61609.99 or 354/Mth Seagate100513SATA7200RPM Hasa Drive 0 1310.-.........-2159.99 antec Twelve Hundred Nielower (MX) sure . . 4 1 1 3 9 99 AsusP564-0 SU. LGA775. nrarte 6501 SU 441/0 PCS-Erpress.-.6124.99 $1724.99 or 854/Mth Samsung 25005 SATA5400RPM Haul Drive 0 Man915441/400641. LGA775. Mace 630i (611170) PCI2xpren_....1.79.167 Asus TABM led-Tower (KM 51441 1 4 4 9 9 Samsung320GB Sae 5400RPM Had Mire vs/ $1659.99 or $55/Mth AsusP5N•MX. 10A775. ,forte 6101 (rnATX) PCI-Expreff- 1 6 4 . 0 9 WOC32050 SATA540011194 Herd Drive w/ . . . . . -509.99 CeenbtoPC61169 Mid Tens COMP (AM Black........................154.99 0165909 or S55/MN AsusP50. IG4775. Intel 1945(AT%) rearxrerea NI Oa a Wel Oho ara. amide* 04.8 Arse P500. LGA775. Intel P45 (ATX) PCII•Expres1 . 9 1 5 4 . 9 9 CoolmMaMerCenturion 510 Mb Tamer Can (MX) Illack....,...069.99 01739.99 or 158/44th ASUSP50-1. LGA775. Intel P45 (ATX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 0 1 7 4 . 9 9 CoolerMaMerCM 690 1419Terser CaSe COX) $1.06---...,..,__.....670,99 $1689.99 or $56/Mth Mus P50 Deluxe. LGA775. lntel P49 (AIX) PCIAmsess.1 2 0 9 . 9 9 Sony I.44kb Floppy Disk Drive CUM1 2 4 . 9 9 (n1411 kW Torre Case se/ 7 Bays 1010) Beeenliek.. 5 4 9 . 9 9 $1724.99 or $58/Mth AsusP503 Deana. LGA775. lute P45 (MX) Pelexpless w/ Thermalteke 1110 RS 100 • 110001311$ BIM ATX CaSe........95499 Promise 1110/133 1X2 Controller Card (PCI)1 4 9 . 9 9 Asus95302-010. L05775. 515 672 (malt) PCI•Fxprees... 5 4 9 99 Promise 5ATA2/ 300 T04 Controller Cart . . . . . -519.99 Therrnalteke Swing 11360000WS Bledt rex Co..

81879.99 or $63/Mth Ann MaIirMS C5riN110.109775.11113 (ATX) 31749.99 or $58/Nth pore[ 00451400 SA11/300 Controner COO (K1 CX10991.--...93999ThommellakeMozart VC4000SHS Sew ATx DeSktep CaSe.....5114.99 60.15Rampage Forma.. LGAI7S. 941 (ATX) ThermaRem111.1110111Learn 100013144 A S X case.......1119 99 31789.99 or 060/Mth Asus Striker II. tGA775. 1750 (ATX) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 3 3 1 9 9 9 Thermaltaki TStrarni Dieem 10005V41SINer C0-.2.9124.99 31939.99 or 1,65/M1.1/1 ICS 945OCT•10331 03. Socket 775 (0P7X) A d e . Sound 6 Lan.149.99Flash Memory Storage lexinalteke Moor k 1105000BW5BMW MX Case--___,109.99 Kingston D e a n a * 146 neonMemory.ERB 2.0_ - - $ 9 . 9 9 Tnerrneltalre Ague VI/10006AS BMWATX Cal 5 1 1 9 99 7141of ltdoitearel Availably Ones Thernallake Arrow 160000815 Wed ATX Oen.- 1 M 0 . 0 9 OCZ2013 flash Memory.USA 2 0... . 2 0 . 9 9 Therrnettailya Anne, VH6000BWS Brad MX Case. 1 2 0 9 . 9 9 OCZ 408 MashMensory.USB 2.0. > 1 1 .

9 9 Video Cards limit PC•60APlus II Aluminum Case 10710 310.. ...... -.2.23164.99 OCZ1300Hash Memory. MB 2 . 0 2 - - ......

MA VIPS. oda Asus090600Pro/11100 w/ 512Mb 194(0) 0110 00,....._..._2_._..699.99 OCZ 3206 MashMernOry USB 20..._6 1 1 9 99 Ilmire R.112 Case wl 050W 14TX) Belge................-._139.99 A.SuS010650 Silent/0Di W/ 512640(MOP) Video Out._.........$109.99OCZ 200 SeCuia Dplel Memory. ISO. _._._..____........314.99 Aspire M7111Case w/ 350W (MX) B e d . . . . . . . _ . _ 4 9 4 9 . 9 9 (VGA 005200 vol 12810 (AGP) Video Out NO Me of neer Room overeat Or** w p m . 0811865.26000 95/ 512610 (MP) Video 1 0 2 _ _ _ _1992919 199 rww, N 69 69 Wow Woof, 4•50 AosIo1.4 M M E c o n o m y 250w Aix Rome Supylli 1 1 1 . 1 9 e p e e Ratkon 0260001 WI 256440 (AGM Video Out- - 111 0 9 . 9 1 Sapphire Re do° 1103850 yr/ 512610(AGP) Vero O6...--......-5144.94 Optical D r i v e s 0 0 1 1 9 5 1 350W Power Supply.

9 3 9 .

9 9 00 00•01 H A M M Mm Extreme 4114850/MIDI 112.1111119CRE)---------.921999 50110160 DVD-ROM 0 0 . (010/118k)... .

Mm Estsetw 04850 TOP/HT010 5 0 0 ( P C 1 0 - - - - - - 0 1 2 2 4 . 9 9 Llte01)16%CMDMOM DAW (Ble(k) Enemas/Gailaw DXX 1000W Pons Supply- 2 _ - 2 9 2 3 9 . 0 9 AsusTxtreme 04870/HTD1 w/ !IRMO (19C1.1)22---.------11299.99 I L ire of Wm AMNON P I M E n e m a Liberty 400W mum SuMel Okeekt Csekedoes)___574.99 Aws flaremeAH4670X2/117131vd/ tots (PC11)-2------....01164.99 LG054145511 0130 Dual Layer IND R/RW) 0 4 . 0 0 , 0 ubaty 500W oww Supply $019.99 or $30/Mth SSWExtremeEN62001E1010/1051214 5 111 0 (PC10- . 13999 LG01122NS30 (229 Dual Layer DVD R/RW1 (Black) (SAW.- 124'19 Enema. Liberty 620W PowerSMAIS Medulla CenneCtors)_..1124.91 $834.99 or S31/44th AsusEstreme El/17300LT/4712Went 0 5121•10 11101)---5 5 4 . 9 9 LG0112269120 1220 Dual Layer 040 R/RW) (Block) (0010)......124.99 511m.0 4414002, 621W pmee Suppea... .....

0869.99 or 532/Mth AsusExtremeE026300G7 Went MG w/ 51201 ( P C 6 0 - - - - . 2 - 3 6 4 09 LOG11221.330 (229 LIghtscrIbe DVD RAW) (111106) (51115).....129.99 o w „ . 100.0000 450W mow Suply w/ 2 $869.99 or S32/44th ANNExtreme EN86006I Went SITOP571 5 1 2 1 1 P 0 { 1 , 1 9 4 . 9 9 LGG00.11201 (01u-Res/HD-013) (111601) (SAW) 3 1 4 4 , 1 0 OCZ 600W GarmAStrearn SU Pewer . _ 512449 *susEstresrmENS60041MG AM 0 5120 0 1 1 ) . 1 6 4 99 Pioneer 006-116 1209 Dual Laser DVD 9/RWKBele/Blarkl......529.99 4 , 0 mow 0.4„4004.444 o w w 54,0,044 1909.99 or 335/Sith Pioneer 000•215 (20. Dual dryer DOD R/RWIMATAXIMIde).„...34.99 4 , 0 4,000 00ww„.0.ww s , Asd Istreme 0188005 HOOPvr/ 004140(PC1111 1 3 4 . 9 9 0894.99 or S33/Mth P10.11 Cekt16 120. Dual Layer OVD R/RWSISATAXEllack)......129.99 Seasonk SIZ•S50 550W ATI124 62.0 Power MorsExtreme 019600GT Saere Mid * / 5129111(P0K1-5 5 9 9 9 Su 9 9 9 9 9 0929.99 or 034/44th AsusExtreme 05960041 IN/M0 5 1 4 0 (PC1E)-----470149.99 'Nagler (0X'62091201 211111.11W DVD R/9110(54041 A7612..-2..974.995•4900 S12•650 650W ATX120 •2.0 Power SuPPle.-----1129.91 Asus resew FlIGTX260/NTOP w/ $94446 ( 1 1 0 1 1 5 3 0 2 9 9 SonyOptlasc 72005 1209 R / R W ) (1361.09) 15001 ATA1...0924." Altman 1111101C7S1TSOW100610 y2.2 PowerSuPP14--- - -01,29.PF 0084.99 or $40/Mth AwsWHeme INGTX260 TOKHTDP w/ 096610 ( P C K ) . - 9 3 2 4 . 9 9 CPR CDWW 2101.19 Nide Aw14010. M N n e e d * ekereC651 65041 120121 v2.2 Peer sappry_....203160.99 595499 or $35/Mth AsLoEalsemeENGTX280/11110P Iv/ 1G17(PCI-r11 1 2 999 WermielsSIRP.K1001 1000W molly v2.2Power SuBMV-----4311210.97 0994.99 Of $37/Mth *900ExtremeE0247X280OC/1170P m/101) %twelve 900.0020, 120015 *70121922 Pot. S1Ippat..........01259.99 Sound Cards • $1144.99 or S42/Mtly .0.13 (arrow EN41X200 100707091 w/ O61KFE1..----...9524.90 Zemin 260550.11POmet aSOW0701210 52.2 Power SHOON.....21189.99 SoundMasterAudlgy 0•71 e k e * MCI) MEN). 1 4 4 . 9 9 FIEG°snore 650007 ea IGO (PCI•E) Mee Out 5 1 1 4 . 9 9 Soundblaf ter Audloy 041 Xtrene reci-Expressi $ 4 9 . 9 9 BEGGeForde 960001 OC w/ 512148 (PCIA) Video..............3N999 Sounclierster Addy 211 )1111eme0296(PC1) (Retail Beal 5 4 . 1 9 Barebone Systems 01400100. 6TX260 OCataXCOBE re/ Befin (PCI•E) video 0020004.99 0606I0ter ltri Surround 5.1 (0551 1801111 tee)--... 5 5 4 . 9 9 Shuttle S011021100 (Socket 7751 w/ 531 Geese( 5 2 3 4 99 BEG Gene. GTX260 OCX w/ 896616 (PCI-E) Video OW . . 0 3 4 . 9 9 Soundiester kedge 0-71 XlterneGamer Metall .

999.90 Stwittle5e16091061311(Sachet A1121 • 41MVb1. newt. 7025_5334.99 BEGGeom. GTX260 OCX te 1013 (KIP) Video Out__ ........350499 Soundblater X13 71010 (PCI-61 (BMW 0 1 2 - - - - - - - - _ 0 9 9 9 . 9 9 Sapper* 01550 vs/ 2560119 (PC11) Video O u t . . . . . 9 1 4 9 9 Soundblester 0-01 11 0 1 0 Melly Pm (PCK) 10.002 BIM_ ...Me 90 Sapphire 003450 w/ 51.21 DDR3 (K14) Video Out. 6 4 9 . 9 9 Soundblaster erne X XtremeGamer MOW (Wail 8011-....913999Monitors 5ee01102 003650 trer512040 0082 (PCI•El Video 041. ._..-........_..$74.99 SoundblesterAudNy 0.01 fatality crerwoo (PCI) (Reel B01)....5169 99 emaltre 403850 Le 512kb 00113 (PCI•F) Video 0 1 , 1 . . . . . e 4 4 . 9 9 SoundtlaSter 0.01 Merman fateRty champion INTO 0 4 0 019174.99 SoundelasterAuchey 941 Lae No 554PCI) Men 8e9)..........-4274.99Viewsonis 0 2 2 4 0 0 • 2210 4450 LiCO2-2 . . . . .

Spoke HI/4650 W/ 512)40 0DR3 V i d e o o u t 1 1 1 9 . 9 9 5 t1294.99S u O o e id )V I•E C (P 3 b /k w 7 8 4 1 2 0 6 M o id lv -E C (P 5 8 O /IG tW X 7 4 0 r1 e p a 209549.99

On-Board PCI-Express 3D Accelerator M

M e m o r y

teePenton DagCore 02220150M 775)2 exe lel entitle DuoCore t5200150de1 775)2 5410 MICore 2 DuoE4400 Made 775) 2.40e060014117 HoeCoo 206 (4700 Meet 775) 2.60e5/80014e let Cafe IWO 16550(50M 775)241Cre/1066ke SICCore 2 deo F7200 (Seel 775) 2.5301u/1066.44e terCote 2 Duo17300 delee 775) 26706/106614ne noelCore 2 Duo MOD Memel 175) 2.67es/1333Mo le Core 2 Due18400 Madret 775) 3.0006/133114e INV Core 2 Ow E8500 Mode 775) 3.160.47/1111107 MIL Cl,. 2 Wad 060213(Sachet 775) 2440e net Core2 e e l 06700 ne(iet 773) 2 eke keelCore 2 CON 09100 Moen 775) 2502 eta Core 2WOO09450 Mode 775) 2.We Intel Cafe 2 066 09550 (50514 7751 2.102 lee Core 2 Owe/ 09650 (Seel 7751 1001:

Motherboards

Nspire MEM Medium Tower w/350W PSU Rockwell 56Kbps Modem Sony ISO Biagi DVD-ROM Drive

Intel Core 2 Quad Bundles A999P50 Marne Motherboard 406 W R260014Ns leered (29 2091 0 0 Midtown Can (MOM 4501 ATX PSU inselCos 2 Owe 06600 S e e wet, eke Core 2020 06700 s e e 06 *teem. 2 read 09100 m e web altelCme 2 Owl 09550 s e nob

$809.99 or $30/14›

,; ()) I (1,{ I .11( ti 1- ( I kr (1 VII,

$

9

4

.

9

9

DAM& 10/100011 Ontstnet Card Tp-Unk Gigabit Ethernet Card9

1

4

.

................92499 0 9

Auer0193145 1910 16110 LCD 1 1 5 4 9 9 Mx 0223W1113 2211 16910LCD..

9 1 9 9 . 9 9 Aces6243We0 241n 16910 L C D . - - . - - - - v v . -9324.99

(Asus EEEPC BOX Computers

Hard Drives and Storage

4.10 Vo 611111110leso0 5155 Ethernet Admiter m i Senate 80GB MA/MO 720000 Herd Maw le/ 2114.2 . 9 4 02.99 lluksys WI4P546 • 802.114 Wireless Adapter Seagate 160GB 919/100 rZOORPM Het Drive se/ 69.99 Lincoln WPC54G ' 802119 Wireless Mapter Seagate 25056 979/100 72000P44 Hard Drive M/ LieltsysWU51154G • 802.119 WIMOS Adapter . . . . .

Seagate 12006 ATA/100 7200RPM Hard Drive w/ 1661*..

Seagate 50000 PTA/100 7200RPM Herd Drlye 1 6 1 4 9 . ..... A 99 99 C a b l e s . 0 0 N 90411144 wr * S a o C M .

SI4C'10/10014411 5 Port Switch_ WO80GB A1A/100 7200119M Herd TP•llok 10/100N5t • 5 Poll dollen 5 1 4 . 9 6913160GB ATA/I00 7200RPM Herd Orlre vs/ 9 9

99

Merely IL in size. the fee Box is delightfully sleek. Slim as a papE

949.19 back novel. users can reclaim thi desk space previously lost to 9

bulkier. Intrusive desktop system

([11101001109.0917osorvem ce Donn*, 91.1.1w1 WD 5000B 171/100 7200RPM Hard Oritra vr/ Perk Ad Hod tlR Orlwv L I N k s y s 6515402 Aweless 802 IN Router vii/ 4 Port-- _.._.._._...554.95 1692men1,070 0 90.0 Dowliask09Home Wearelo90139;1/ UnksysWRTNGL Valreess 507 Romer w/ 4 Port (lInux).........569.99 \N. Serrate 11045 51701300 7200RPM 1.10 Drive vs/ . . . . . _54419

www.pccanadatom

'Tr

i

•Dear Doc, I've been computing for eight years and have a Microsoft XP Home Edition system which ran quite satisfactorily until now.

After establishing a connection and opening Internet Explorer instead of my home page popping up, the window remains blank and after a while the words "not responding" appear. The window also freezes. After hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete and getting through several End Task dialogue boxes, the second try to open Internet Explorer with the favourite is successful. I have downloaded all Microsoft Updates without improvement.

I would much appreciate receiving your advice with regard to this. malfunction.

Yours truly, Z. L. S.

Doctorisn e h T

E-mail your computer troubles to pcdoc@ppublishing.ca for a diagnosis and prescription to cure what ails your PC

What is DivX? • Where did all my files go?

HowmuchRAMdo I need? • What is the meaning of life? • How do I check for spyware?

All these questions and more answered Anti-Virus: • AVG Free - An anti-virus scanner. Get this if you don't have any anti-virus software already installed.

Available at: free.grisoftcom/ Most anti-spyware and anti-virus scanners use a definition database to detect unwanted software. The files on your computer are compared to the definition database and if they match are then flagged as spyware or a virus. For this reason it is important that you ensure you have updated your software and definition files prior to starting a scan, otherwise new threats may not be detected. With the exception of Trend Micro HouseCall, Microsoft Windows Defender, andAVG Free you will have to update the above mentioned software manually. Many people run several different spyware scanners on the same computer to ensure better coverage in the event of an infection.

While this may not be necessary, it does make it less likely that you'll miss something while scanning. Once you have used the utilities to clean your computer you should continue to update them and scan your computer weekly.

Hi Z. L., From your description of the problem you are experiencing it sounds like Internet Explorer is trying to detect proxy settings, or contact a proxy server, and failing.

Microsoft has a knowledge base article that has instructions you can follow to hopefully resolve this issue. It is available here: supportmicrosoft.comAb/220902 if that fails to resolve your issue you can try disabling third party add-ons for Internet Explorer by following the instructions here: support-microsoft.com/kb/298931 Presently I recommend using Firefox for browsing websites as it tends to have fewer of these types of issues, is more customizable, and if things do get

broken you can easily uninstall and re-install it to resolve your issue.

Firefox is available for free here: www.getfirefox.com Dear HUB PC Doctor, Iseemed to be having some printing glitches (HP Laserjet) and reinstalled the printer driver online. The problem persists, except that it works once in a while.

When I press OK to print the Save-As window pops up.

Imay have missed something in the install. Or is there another issue here?

Thank you, Lance Lance, It sounds like the printer drivers are installed, but your default printer is set to Microsoft Office Document Image Writer, or something similar. The Document Image Writer allows you to print your documents to an unmodifiable image file, providing you with a soft copy of your document.

To change your default printer follow these steps: 1. Click on the Windows Start menu, then click on Printers and Faxes 2. A window will appear listing all the printers that are currently installed on your system. Right-click on the icon for the printer you want to set as the default printer. A menu will appear. :3. Click on "Set as Default Printer".

Simon Bolduc is the HUB PC Doctor. Questions, comments and queries can be sent to pcdoc@ppublishing.ca

klathred.

R C -VCS Wi-Fi internet radios

Tr sted Connected Can+adian

Access over 11 , 0 0 0 radio stations from around the world.

I Stream music wirelessly from your computer.

Massive station choice from 1 9 0 + countries, all subscription-free. w w w. m y r e v o . c a

Distributed in North America by

Tel: 4 1 6 7 8 0 00 44 cutomerservice@gill-max.com

Gill-max Incorporated

TO 14 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conlik

270 Esna Park Drive, Unit 11, Markham, On L3R 1H3 Toll Free: 1-866-946-8998 Tel: 905-946-8998 Fax: 905-946-8992 YOUR SECURITY IS OUR BUSINESS Open:Monday-Friday 9 AM-6 PM • Saturday 10 AM-4 PM Leading supplier of CCTV Equipment / Installers & Dealers Welcome (Wholesale Prices Available) The Lowest Prices and Best Qualit Guaranteed / We'll match an c o m i e t i t o r ' s ' r i c e ! tifTECH RealTime Display!

H.264 Hardware Compression DVR

SED-DVR-CP515 8CH MPEG4 Network DVR

SamsungSMT-190DN 19" ColorLCDSystem with 8ChannelDVRand 4 Cameras,Remote View S•ecial $ 9 9 9 . 9 9

AVTECH4 Standalone DVR,MPEG4,USBBack up, AVIECH8, 16 ChannelsStandaloneDVR,MPEG4, ILDVR, 4,8,16 ChannelsStandaloneDVR,Real lime USBBock up, DVD-RW,RealTime Display, Multiplex, Recording 8 RealTime Display, Up to Dl Resolution, 120FPS,Support SATA& IDEHDD,VGA Port, Motion Detection, Remote View & more ...

AudioRecording,Remote View, Support 8 SATA HDD. RemoteAccess F r o m $ 1 9 9 . 0 0

Day& C for IP Night C a m e r a

Made in Taiwan

MPEG4Web Server with Build in GPRS support Easymonitor security cameras over the internet, N o PC Required

SVSP939H

5 4 0 P 1 1

AutoTracking Outdoor PTZCameros 22x.

Best Seller

Domes S u p e r i o r peed Dome 30x

Day & Night IP Cameras, Software support 16 IP cameras.Easy Setup. Mode in Taiwan Best Seller

S V S P

I OW

S

V

S

P

Worlds Smallest Audio/Video CamcorderPortable PocketDVR . . . $ 2 1 5 . 0 0

9

19

420-540 High Resolution New Design Cameras, Mirror Dome, 3 Axis Vandal Proof Dome, Zoom Cameras with Remote Control, Outdoor Heater & Blower Cameras

MirrorDome/540TVL

a

2

WDR5600 Made in Korea Year Warranty S V Z 5 8 8 R / Z o o m

ELI p r e O F .

C

a

r

L

I

N

-

SVBI 1 I /540TVL Heater & Blower 540TVL 6-15mm

OM

Plate Reading Camera

Coolsat/Viewsat/CaptiveiNerks/SonieViewFTAReceivers,Dishes,LNBs,BrodcetsDirect Importer,BigWholesaleDiscountPricesAvailable (AuthorizedDistributor for Coolsat, Viewsat, Nfusion) Clone Free...

$199.99 (Spea

85Mbps Powerline 'Network Adapters 5 6 9 . 9 9

IKS $199.99 (New!!!)

LNBs, Cables, Switch, Motors

LCD Wall/Ceiling Mounts for 1 0 - 6 0 inch, Tilt and Swivel from $35.00 CLOSED CIRCUIT TELEVISION

a. -a -VideoDoor Phones

•

ON PREMISES CCTV Signs

Leading supplier o f CCTV equipment and satellite products such as Indoor/Outdoor, Dome, Bullet, PTZ, IP, Mini, Spy, Wireless cameras, Video Door Phones, Mobile DVR, Connectors, Tools, Video Baluns, Brackets, P o w e r Distribution Boxes, Lens, Cables & more....

Please visit our web site: Importer & Distributor of Security Larneras,

or call for more details 1-866-946-8998 igitai Video Recuiuei, taiiu

lamp

Closeout.=Safeguarding Your

Your BEST online source f o r Laptops

Dell D 6 0 0 from $ 4 9 9 Dell Inspiron from $ 6 9 9 Dell D 5 2 0 from $ 7 4 9

(ram 5 4 4 9 . ` " lenover

Lenovo NC 1 0 0 1 5 4 9 Lenovo N 1 0 0 from 5 9 9 Lenovo V 1 0 0 from $ 6 4 9

(From5449.°°)

HP N C 6 0 0 0 from $ 4 9 9 HP NC 8 0 0 0 from $ 4 9 9 HP D 2 0 0 0 from $ 7 9 9

From5449°°)

I B M T41 from $ 4 9 9 I B M T42 from $ 5 4 9 I B M Z 6 O M from $ 5 4 9

'From5449.°°) ExedontquakyReftrbishedlaptopsatEst:optimal Vain Wholesale and Retail V Software Package M o n e y Back Guarantee V Internet Ready U p to 70% off Showroom in Dovadon Toronto ea Bay & Moor

70 Yorkville Ave. , E I 416-975-0748 I I " ' .2

Notebook

How to prepare for the worst before it happens

As a piece of advice for when I was going out somewhere, my Dad would always tell me: "Never carry more than you can afford to lose."

It's a good piece of advice, and I try to follow it in case anything should ever go wrong — in case I lose something or it gets stolen — but it's still a difficult rule to follow all of the time.

It's an especially hard piece of advice to heed for laptop owners, who break that rule every time that leave the house with laptop in tow.

A laptop, while a significant expense, is relatively easy to replace if lost or stolen. However, the precious data said lost or stolen laptop contained might not be so easy to retrieve.

We'll say it again: an easy to follow backup routine should be considered a necessity. Still, it would be much easier and cheaper if you could just get your erstwhile laptop back instead of replacing it and relying on backup discs.

Aside from just getting your data back, consider the sensitive nature of personal or company data that resides on your laptop.

Without even getting into the specific files such as Word documents, Excel spreadsheets, MP3 files and photos — all of which are, if not irreplaceable, then at least of personal or economic value — there is also the fact that your notebook contains your browsing history. That might include memorized passwords to your Facebook account, e-mail address, and possibly even passwords to access those sites that you wouldn't want anybody accessing or knowing about (I'm talking about sites that have your personal or financial information, FYI).

So it goes without saying that it would be worthwhile to know a couple of things you can do to safeguard your data and

maybe even retrieve your computer if it disappears, or at least make it useless to whoever stole it and protect your personal or company data in the process.

Boomeranglt -$10 and up www.boomerangit.com Platform: Any Tracking method: Honour system The most passive of the products we will talk about, Boomeranglt's anti-theft labels are designed not to instill fear into the hearts of thieves, but to help computer owners to get their gear back if lost.

The company has been in existence since 1998, although at that time its focus was on returning lost or stolen bikes to their rightful owners. Since 2002, however, the company has been helping to reunite owners with virtually any lost product thanks to their Boomeranglt line of products.

The concept is simple: buy a Boomeranglt label and affix it to your computer, then register the label's number on the Boomeranglt registry. That's it. Easy.

If a product is found with one of the trademark labels on it, the person who found it can log onto the Boomeranglt website in order to notify the owner. The finder pays nothing to have the product returned, while the owner pays shipping and may.also choose to issue a reward.

Contacts that Boomeranglt has established with the police and insurance companies help to speed up the returning of various products and also give Boomeranglt a good reputation.

The cheapest of the packages offered at Boomeranglt starts at around $10 for one label and a registration, which lasts ten years.

There are a couple of downsides to this security method though, the primary of which being that your computer won't exactly be secure. The labels are nonremovable (as good as sticker labels get) but won't prevent any thief from accessing your computer. Also, the labels may act as a deterrent, but won't keep a computer off of the black market, so this product relies fairly heavily on the honour system and is most useful for when a good Samaritan finds your lost laptop.

Adeona SO adeona.cs.washington.edu Platform: PC, Mac, Linux Tracking method: Connect-the-dots A free open source program for tracking and returning laptops, Adeona was developed by American students from the Universities of Washington, San Diego and California Davis.

The program is a fairly low-level example of laptop tracking software, software that can. be used to keep tabs on where your computer is even if it isn't in your possession.

It does this by tracking data when logged on to the Internet and storing certain information about how the computer is connected. This information includes the computer's own IP address, the external IP address of the access point, any nearby routers that are detected as well as the name of the access point that the computer is connected to.

Also, if you're a Mac user and have iSightCapture (which is freely available online) then your computer will also be able to take an image of whoever is using your computer once it is connected and file this with all of the other information.

All of that data can be retrieved remotely through another computer by using Adeona's retrieval system and inputting the unique password that was used in the initial Adeona install.

This program is unique in that it doesn't rely on any third party or central service — which, while good, can also be a bad thing. On the one hand, the program is open source so the security functions can be openly analyzed, and no third party has the goods on where your computer is or what you are doing.

On the other hand, the software is easy to remove, as stated in Adeona's FAQs. The software is not embedded into the BIOS, so an OS reinstallation, a hard-drive format or a change of hard discs will completely remove Adeona.

Adeona's method of locating a computer is more of a connect-the-dots approach but will help the authorities once you contact them, especially if you're a Mac user with a picture of the culprit.

GadgetTrak —$30 and up for one year www.gadgettrak.com/ Platform: PC and Mac Tracking method: Detailed network analysis

can also not be formatted without the same information.

This may pose a bit of a conundrum as it would show that there is a program operating in the background preventing normal hard disc actions, but by this point it might already be too late for would-be thieves.

Once alerted to the theft, every time the computer is moved and connected to the Net, location and network information are discreetly sent to the rightful owner via email. This data includes the same network configuration information as Adeona (and video for Mac users with webcams) with the added bonus that GadgetTrak claims to be able to pinpoint the location anywhere in the world, rather than just following a cookie crumb IP trail.

Also, for about $65 customers can purchase the Search and Destroy edition, which, going with the "if I can't have it no-one can" belief, gives users the ability to wipe pre-selected files off of the computer upon connection to the Internet.

The OS and GadgetTrak will remain in order to keep the possibility of retrieving the computer.

To Conclude Boomeranglt, Adeona and GadgetTrak are just a few examples of laptop recovery and, in some cases, data-destroying programs available should your laptop grow legs. The level of protection your computer needs is decided by the value and sensitivity of the data your laptop contains. Anytime a laptop is lost or stolen, the replacement price is only part of the story. And it's always better to secure your precious PC against loss or theft than it is to track it, trace it or wipe it after the fact.

If all else fails, you could try the tested and true method of using SuperGlue or MightyPutty to secure your laptop to your desk. Sure, it makes your portable PC considerably less mobile, but any thief trying to steal it would not only look mighty silly trying to do so, he'd also be really easy to catch.

By Dorian Nicholson

298 College Street

Previously only available to Mac users, this software is now available for PC users as well. Unlike Adeona, this software has various security measures that it uses in order to ensure that it is difficult to remove from the computer.

GadgetTrak's program has been developed to be persistent, in that it will survive a disk wipe and will be discreet enough to not make itself known to anyone tampering with the laptop.

All of the files included in the installation and running of GadgetTrak are hidden from view, and the program can neither be detected nor removed without administrative privileges as well as the original program with an authorization code. The hard drive

M

O

Toronto, ON. M5T 1R9 M a College I Spading P Tel: 416-413-9709 i n f o @ M-F 10AM—7:30PM Sat 10AM—6PM - Sun11AM—5PM W

2.53 / I T o w 512 e r/ 40 LCD / XP PRO (off lease

139 t

54G WiFi Router New ($24.99)

D

C

O

M

7 3 1 0 Woodbine Ave. Unit 6

r k h a m , ON. L3R 1A4 -Woodbine / Denison Modern Computer Consultants l a z a Entrance Throu h Denison Rd. g m o d c o m . c a T e l : 905-258-0333 M -F9AM —8PM W W . M o d c o m . c a S a t 10AM—6PM - Sun11AM—5PM

Vista 350 (ref) ($39.99)

LGLN-730GPS LCD TouchScreen 20 channel SDmemo card (ref)

9 .9

USB 1GB ($5.99)

' O a 8 GB USB ( $19.99)

mulp

Acer Quad: (ref) SamsungDVD Camcorder Viewsat Ultra Satellite SC-DX100T ref) Vista/ 500GB / 3G Receiver 1 2 9 . 9 9 memory/ includes 229.9 18" Satellite Dish DVD-RW keyboard $ 29.99) + mouse

$574.99 Panasonic KX-TG5423 (ref)

64.99

2.5320GBSata (new) Dome Surveillance

Laptop Power Supply (new/ref) 9'.''

Camera 4 9 . 9 9 Compaq/Toshiba 3.51TB(1000GB) SataDVRcard 4 Channel for 69.9s Panasonic/Dell /Sony 7200rpm (new) IBM/Acer/HP/Gateway $149.99

(prom $39.99

‘

I

i

Panasonic KX-TG 6074 4 Handsets (ref) Boomeranglt label

Samsung ML-1610 Hpnc6220 laptop: Laser Printer (Ref) 1.73/1GB/60GB/DVDCDRW/XPpro (off lease) 39 99

l II 4

hubcanada.con*

379.99

Laptop Repairs / Computer Repairs

from $35)

HUB:The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

TO 17

Biometrics for Home or Office Securing your PC with a fingerprint Arecent trend saw biometric fingerprint readers being inserted into the bezels of just about every mid-range and high-end notebook that was released from about 2005 on. If you made a recent purchase, there's a good chance you have one of these fingerprint reading strips sitting somewhere on your notebook. ' Recently, these biometric fingerprint readers have started to be replaced by webcams mounted in the upper bezel of the notebook screen that, along with connecting you with friends and relatives across the miles (I supposed you could also flash complete strangers in various seedy cam-enabled chatrooms but this is a family publication) also allows you and other authorized users no-touch access to personal user accounts. By taking a 3D facemap and associating it to a certain user account on a Windows Vista PC, all users have to do is sit in front of the webcam, wait a couple of seconds while it crunches data and then you're in. No passwords, no finger swiping and no hassle.

With either a fingerprint- or face-reading security solution, its easy for authorized people to access your portable PC but difficult for other unauthorized would-be users.

But what about the desktop?

The broad acceptance of biometrics in laptop PCs has brought similar desktop PCbased solutions back to the forefront. While there are few manufacturers making desktop biometric solutions, they are still readily available at retail. That said, the manufacturers, with a couple of exceptions, target business and enterprise markets where the need for good security is more poignant and more readily understood than it is with the general computer-using public. Consumer-only solutions like Microsoft's aptly named Fingerprint Reader don't make the data security claims that some other dedicated solutions do. Instead, they sell based on ease of use and on the fact that

THERE ARE MORE IMPORTANT THINGS IN LIFE. LEAVE YOUR COMPUTER PROBLEMS TO US. - home / small business service - remote desktop support - turnkey network support solutions

you can access your PC, any password-protected functions and your favourite web sites with just a quick fingerprint scan.

Word to the wise Asecurity solution, like a chain, is only as strong as its weakest link. It's important to note that even the most security-conscious biometric solution is only as effective as the password users set for the thing. Biometric security solutions can be bypassed with a password, by registering an otherwise unauthorized fingerprint or by simply disabling the software. Using best practices for creating strong and difficult to crack passwords is among the easiest and most important steps when setting up your new biometric security solution.

Microsoft Fingerprint Reader $30 - $40 www.microsoft.c:a/hardware Pros: Cons: Simple to use Passive scanning Attractive Less secure than some Available integrated into a keyboard Microsoft's Fingerprint Reader is available as a small pod that sits beside your existing keyboard and mouse setup and connects to your PC via USB or integrated into a regular-sized USB keyboard from Microsoft Hardware. As the overall quality of Microsoft keyboards is generally excellent and given that it means one less USB cord snaking to the PC tower, we'd opt for this solution if we didn't already have a keyboard we were particularly attached to.

The Fingerprint Reader consists of an oval of glass ringed with a slight red light a bit larger than your thumb. Once fingerprints are registered, all you need to do is slap down a pre-indexed finger (index or otherwise) and the pod does the rest. When logging in to Windows, that's all there is to it. If you're looking to log in to a website that's been registered with the DigitalPersona Password Manager 2.0 software, the same procedure will populate both the user name and password sections of the site.

The included software prompts for a fingerprint whenever you navigate to a password-protected web site that is registered with the software.

Microsoft's Fingerprint Reader does not make any lofty security claims. In fact, it's best viewed as a convenience on your desktop for one-swipe access to your Windows account and less sensitive password protected websites with which you have an account. The documentation that comes with the Fingerprint Reader and the Microsoft Hardware website both explicitly state that it's not designed for use with online banking client numbers and passwords or other such highly-sensitive information: "Should not be used as the only means to protect sensitive data like

Some of our skills at your disposal • MS SBS Server 2003 R2 • Infor Visual Manufacturing • Epicor Vantage • SQL Server 2000 and 2005 • Data Recovery

Microsoft Fingerprint Reader

have it fixed NOW Call 1-80889-15adadja TO 18 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.con0

on business machines, virtual private networks and potentially sensitive corporate intranets than on personal convenience.

That said, if you keep private, personal and sensitive data on your home machine, this might be just what you've been looking for. Should your PC go missing, anyone but the most sophisticated data thief is going to give up trying to gain access before too long.

Opting for a 1 by 1-inch scanning sensor, the Zvetco Biometrics solution scans below the surface of the fingerprint, as compared with the Microsoft Fingerprint Reader which uses imaging to grant access. It can also apparently tell the difference between a finger attached to a living, breathing human being using electrical current feedback; a dead or dummy finger would not be able to conduct the small electrical charge and so would be dismissed out of hand, as it were.

In addition to the Windows PC security management software that ships with the VP3400, the fingerprint scanning pod is also available for enterprise purchase with user-specified software. Further evidence that, while there is a retail version available, Zvetco's attention is focused on bigger business applications where data security is paramount.

APC Touch Biometric Pod Password Manager

financial information or accessing corporate networks," in Microsoft's words.

An online test by several Washington & Jefferson College students in Washington, PA, (tinyurl.com/67982z) suggests that the Fingerprint Reader was the more easily fooled of the two USB biometric devices they tested. For what it's worth though, our own similar tests conducted in 2006 — though not as exhaustive — consistently failed. These students were also apparently able to fool the APC Pod device that follows.

APC Touch Biometric Pod Password Manager $10 - $50 www.apc.com Pros: C o n s : Active scanning goes below the surface F i n g e r / thumb placement is finicky Small and simple F a l s e negatives not uncommon APC's Touch Biometric Pod Password Manager uses a full 1 by 1-inch scanning surface which, in many ways, is much easier to use than the more common 1 by 1/4-inch solutions found on the majority of laptops sporting a biometric solution, as well as in several desktop products. With this full scanning surface, there's no need to swipe your finger or thumb across the surface. Instead, you just place the digit on the scanning surface. While this does up the overall ease of use, it also seems to make the placement of said digit more important. Tests we conducted with this solution previously allowed for less than a 1 cm tolerance up and down. The result was a few too many frustrating false negatives for our tastes.

The upshot is that this is an inherently more secure solution than the passive Microsoft fingerprint reader. Where the Microsoft solution uses imaging to determine whether the user pressing a digit against its glass surface should be allowed access to the PC, the APC solution uses AuthenTec's TruePrint sensor technology (www.authentec.com) and scans below the surface of the fingerprint for a more accurate and reliable read.

By purchasing through APC's site the Pod can apparently be had for about $10.

Even when factoring in shipping that's a hard bargain to pass up.

Zvetco Biometrics VP3400 Biometric Device $100 www.zvetco.com Cons: Pros: Expensive Small and stylish Small scanning sensor area Build quality inspires confidence Claims to be the most secure solution on the market

Roundup These are just a few of the options for fingerprint-reading biometric security solutions.

The previously mentioned face-scanning biometric solutions that are currently in vogue for webcam-sporting laptops have also made their way to the desktop.

After-market software solutions like FaceCode as well as proprietary software bundled along with some brand name desktop PCs are also available. With just about any USB webcam and a $30 piece of software, you could quite easily set up a similar solution at home.

While we have had hands-on time with each of the biometric fingerprint readers mentioned previously, we've yet to try out any of the webcam biometric scanning solutions mentioned and so can't vouch for them.

By Andrew Moore-Crispin

Electronics

905-624-9986

1350 Matheson Blvd. E. #10A Mississauga, ONLaw am

Dual-Mode I n t e r n e t Telephony Kit • StondardCordlessPhonewithSkype support • Youdon'thaveto sit in front of yourcomputerto talkon Skype.

• YourSkypecontort list is right thereonthe display • SupportsSkype®,SkypeOufm,SkypeinTM,andSkype foicemahlTM ALL YOU NEED IS • A Computer • Broadband • This I &

LCD M O U N T

Fits 30r-63" TVs,up to 1651bs

FREE CALLS TO CANADA & USA 3 Easy Steps 1. C o n n e c t

2:3 Setup. Cal

The derivative title afforded the VP3400 Biometric Device from Zvetco Biometrics hints athow business-oriented the device is. No fancy titles here; this is a small and attractive USB fingerprint scanner encased in a lump of solid-feeling and weighty metal. Just the look of the thing inspires confidence for users and, ideally, the complete opposite feeling (dread, perhaps?) for would-be users who aren't authorized to access the computer it's protecting.

FingerTouch is more at home in an office where data security is of the utmost importance than connected to your standard personal computer. While the VP3400 does offer some of the same website password storing and access features and other conveniences that more consumear-skewed devices include, its focus is more

Wireless Baby Camera and M o n ' t o r

hubcanada.con*

•

V O I P M O D E M 2 -LINE

(refurbished)

WORKS W I T H ANY PROVIDER HUB:The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008 T O 19

File Security in the SOHO Every organization whether big or small requires some level of document or file security. If your employees carry laptops for example, your data is at risk if the machines are stolen or lost. Security doesn't have to involve entire computers either; a single file may contain privileged or confidential information that you don't want just anybody to have access to. This month we'll look at a range of options that you have for securing the data on your computers.

Secure your laptop One problem with laptops is the issue of securing your data if the computer is lost or stolen. The Windows Vista operating system includes a new tool called BitLocker which can encrypt the files on the disk so that the disk cannot be accessed without a USB key that has the password stored on it. This new feature is built into the two higher-end versions of Vista: Vista Ultimate and Vista Enterprise.

Until recently, using BitLocker required you to repartition the hard drive to install it, but the new Windows Ultimate Extra release from Microsoft includes a tool for installing BitLocker which doesn't require repartitioning — the downside is that this tool is only available for Vista Ultimate users. BitLocker

4.1d 6 l m m & 1 1 1 . . / J • a . ell

um.

o

n o . . iLts i - g _ t g l a •

P O . >a•ii

r i e w o _

j

A t e

f

Imo • o f I . = e s t b. • as aspraK m a d d a i .41 tools k g w e t l y * w a s ewe a Phavolutp

•••—"*.*"' 4 . N r. o n e a m n a l I I pontremeam .

typere f e y W s v i t a e maga r . ec s a w , e s n o e l a d a d . . . - 6.1 m u eq.u.I I n d s

D b a . a . p r n i l oilman •••Neowes.

>2 t001 c m W O . t t a e t e i t o d of I b e . e l t e n clgic

• F l A v a . . . . . . . g o e o n s w a m B y t t r a w s o u gio * n o w . , s o , m e a d b & O a etv n

14 d i c k y a m es ea.

I

I ea g m a t y. m u t

W o o l =icy.. I tee • t q a . o r Y e r thumbnail 34 J u t Jac

1 1 ai

In, I n

I f a

a o

-

a v

a

,

Word offers a tool for securing a Word file so it cannot be accessed without a password. encrypts everything on the computer including programs, user files, settings and Windows itself.

Essentially, without the USB key, it's impossible to boot the computer — however once you insert the key the computer works just like any other running Windows Vista.

The press frequently reports stories of PCs which have turned up on eBay or which have been donated to organizations and which still have the original company's data on them. Everything from sensitive company data to customer information to credit card numbers have been reportedly found on these machines.

News of this happening reflects badly on the businesses involved and customers of those businesses are understandably annoyed when it happens. If you plan to dispose of your old computers you should take care to wipe the disks clean before doing so.

•Unfortunately, typical delete and disk format utilities like those in Microsoft Windows don't actually remove data from a disk. In fact, deleted files are easily recovered by anyone with a little spare time and an undelete utility, and disk data is typically not destroyed when the disk is reformatted.

Adisk wiping program, such as Paragon Disk Wiper 8.5 will wipe the data off the disk permanently. It works by not only removing any reference to the file in the disk index but also by overwriting the space that the file consumed on the disk with new data. The

F1711111.7;77.

5 MEG RESIDENTIAL

0500GBStorage o Host50 domains o3500GBTransfer/month o Free setup oUnlimited email account o cPanel Hosting

HIGHSPEEDINTERNET SERVICE! NO CAPS ./ NO THROTTLING •/ NO CONTRACT

1 1 1 . 4

$26.95 PER MONTH

FOR 3 MONTHS ($29.95 THEREAFTER)

6 MEG BUSINESS

HIGHSPEEDINTERNET SERVICE!

NOCAPS, NO THROTTLING $ 4 9 6 9 5 NO CONTRACT PER MONTH ./ STATIC IP INCLUDED F O R 3 MONTHS

024/7 TechSupport o 99.9% Uptime o700GBTransfer/month o Free setup °RemoteReboot o NO contracts

(ZG.35 THEREArTER)

VELCOM

velcom.com Hosting & egusiness. SubplIfthd

WWW.VELCOM.CA

416-848-7690 866-9-VELCOM

( * ) velcom.com

• SHARP TECHNOLOGY • BLAZING SPEEDS • STELLAR SERVICE

WWW.VELCOM.COM 416-848-7690

566-9-VELCOM

TO20 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.con*

your disk by repeatedly writing data over the place that the file occupied on the disk.

Muhl, J .

4 0 , - . Imo, tlab b o w m a n 1Q10-)

E

j

t

,

ttllookmipd thsoven_l Itsween-l_miv It.gen.20. mmereekiop Iterrean21.q ibleram.5.0q t h e x e r, 6 0 Itcreen_Tps hb1walmto.pd1 MAW neablO_ZOI rran19114.03 oalt_ntel_01.0p at...Ants:113%v a-km[62_01k nete_awlAte1iPa nalkar032_06.0i

efoccosnem end Se.4, e x *

psimmomossm Ikevalv level • Narnd

.15 Ser<1.51 3 4 4 .

TotalSO FUSS

Aprogram like Mutilate File Wiper can permanently remove files from your disk so they can never be recovered. program does this multiple times to remove all traces of the original data. While a license for a program like this costs —$30, the cost to your business of not using it or similar disk wiping software could be much higher.

Often you won't need to wipe an entire disk and, instead, you simply need to remove traces of a file that contains sensitive information but is no longer needed.

Afile wiper program works in a similar way to a disk wiper program but does its work one file at a time.

Onerecommended program is Mutilate File Wiper which costs —$20. It removes all traces of a file from

I M I P T C o r n p u t e r s

If you are transferring sensitive information via e-mail you can protect it in transit by encrypting the data.

When you encrypt data the program uses a key or password to encode the file so that anyone looking at the file simply sees gibberish. Only if you have the correct password can you open and work on the file.

You should encrypt sensitive files if you are e-mailing them or storing them online. A handy encryption tool is the open source 7-Zip utility that not only archives and compresses your files but can also encrypt them using the 7z format.

Select the file or files to encrypt and click the Add button to open a dialogue which lets you configure the compression and encryption options. Select 7z as the format and type a password — the longer it is and the less you base the selection on dictionary words or common derivatives, the harder your new password will be to crack.

If you send an encrypted 7z format file to someone, you need to also give them the password to use to decrypt the file. They will need either 7-Zip or a program that can decrypt 7z format archives to get access to the data.

Use program options If you are using a tool like 7-Zip to archive and encrypt files to store them securely on your own computer, make sure that once the files are compressed and encrypted that you remove the

2370 MIDLAND Ave. Unit A10, Scarborough, ON, MTh 5C6 Canada TEL: 416-292-0533 hours: 10am-7pm Mon,Fri., 10am-5pm Sat. closed Sunday W W I N . MPTCOMPUTERS . COM

I n c o i p e r a t r

17 YEARS IN BUSINESS G R E AT SERVICE ' HONEST ADVICE

128CD / DVD wallet 400 CD / DVD wallet 200 CD / DVD case 510 CD / DVD case with carry handle w i t h dual binder w i t h index & lock w i t h index & lock

$9

$

1

9

$

1

9

$

2

9

2-Port USB2.0 Peripheral Switch 2-Way PS/2 KVM - one monitor, kb, ms 2-Way USB KVMA* -one USB device 4-Port USB2.0 with two computers * also switches audio* with two computersPeripheral Switch

$25

$39

$29

originals from your disk. Programs like 7-Zip compress and encrypt files but typically leave the original files untouched.

In some cases you will need only to retain some privacy so that the file you are working on cannot be opened by anyone who is not authorized to do so. In this case check to see if the program you are using has tools for protecting the document. In Microsoft Word you can protect a document so it cannot be opened without the password.

To do this, open the document inside Word and choose Tools > Options > Security tab and type a password to prevent the document being opened.

Make sure to use a password which is a good length — seven characters or more — and that contains a mixture of numbers and letters so it will be harder to crack.

There ere programs readily available that can crack Word passwords so you need to use a good one. Now, when you save the file, the saved version will be protected and you will need to provide the password in future to open it.

When assessing your security needs, determine what you need to secure and then work out the best tools for doing the job. It's important to not only secure your data from prying eyes within your own business but also to secure your business and customer data so it won't turn up in the wrong hands and cause damage to your business.

By Helen Bradley

$45

Component to Component DVI to DVI HDMI to HDMI Digital Audio Cables Component to VGA DVI to Component HDMI to DVI TOSLINK / COAXIAL Gold Plated Premium Grade Cables - $15 and up - 6 Feet up to 50 Feet lengths available 100%Money Back Satisfaction Guarantee

Network Hard Drive ENERMAX Power Supply ENERMAX SLi Power Supply 3.5" Enclsoure FMADual Fan 460W @ $69 I N F I N I T I 650W @ $169 RJ-45 & USB 2.0 NOISETAKER 485W @ $89 I N F I N I T I 720W @ $199

$59

40,

80GB Digital Photo Bank Desktop Memory (RAM) Desktop Memory (RAM) Notebook SODIMM 7 -Port USB 2.0 Hub 3-Port USB 2.0 Hub Multi-Port Print Server with 12-in-1 card reader with card reader 1 Parallel + 2 USB h i g h speed USB 2.0 2GB DDR3-1333 (PC3-10600) DDR2 I DDR / SD RAM 1GB DDR2 667 @ $35 w i t h Power $ C A L L 2 G B DDR2 667 @ $49 $ 2 2 $109 $22 $ 4 9 $ 1 1 9 hubcanada .con1111

HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008 T O 21

How Low Dare You Go? The scoop on five of the least expensive portable PCs you'll find anywhere supports only the aging 802.11g standard. It has a nice big 15.4-inch 1280-by-800 display, but it's powered by a meagre 4-cell battery, so don't expect too much operating time.

The rest of the hardware — 1 GB of RAM, a CD burner/DVD player, and an 80 GB hard drive — runs along the lines of other bargain laptops, and you can choose from a wide selection of case colours and patterns.

Still, it's among the lowest-power laptop you can buy. Unless you really need the optical drive and larger screen, best invest $150 more and upgrade to one of Dell's dual-core Inspirons (or save yourself a little cash — and weight — and just go with a netbook).

Dell Inspiron 1525

Laptops, once considered a computing luxury, are now the norm, outselling their bulkier desktop counterparts for the last two years. And as notebooks have increased in popularity they have steadily decreased in price. As recently as a few years ago, the average cost of a portable PC still hovered around $1,500.

Nowadays, drop by any big electronics store and you'll be hard pressed to find more than a handful of laptops with price tags in excess of $1,000.

Indeed, the question for most budget conscious laptop shoppers these days isn't so much whether a notebook PC is affordable, but rather how inexpensive dare a person go?

Excluding the relatively new genus of the "netbook" — incredibly inexpensive ($300 to $500) sub-notebooks that eschew features once considered indispensable, such as optical drives, full-sized keyboards, and hard disks — there are plenty of traditional, full-featured notebooks available in the $500 to $700 range. But are these machines so technologically eviscerated that they won't be able to meet your basic productivity requirements?

To help find the answer we've put together a little comparison of five bargain notebooks currently available from mainstream manufacturers.

HP Compaq Presario CQ50-100CA ($550, www.hp.ca) Fifty bucks more buys you this Compaq Presario from HP, which offers plenty of worthwhile perks, beginning with a dual-core AMD Athlon X2 processor that runs at 1.9 GHz, which ought to make running multiple applications simultaneously a little less of a hair-pulling experience. Plus, 2 GB of RAM and discrete graphics in the form of an nVidia GeForce 8200M card let the QC50-100CA function as a (very) modest gaming machine (think Civilization III, not IV).

What's more, a boost from Windows Vista Home Basic to Home Premium adds features such as the operating system's ballyhooed Aero interface, as well as handy multimedia apps such as Movie Maker and DVD Maker. You'll also get a 160 GB hard drive, a webcam and an optical drive that burns DVDs. In other words, $50 buys plenty. There's no choice in case styles, but that's a negligible complaint. If your budget is capped at five-and-a-half bills, you're not likely to do much better.

HPCompaq Presario CQ50-100CA

Dell Inspiron 1525 ($499, wwvv.dell.ca) The cheapest traditional notebook we could find, the Dell Inspiron 1525 starts at just $500 less a buck. Why so inexpensive? Rest assured that it's not because Dell is simply undercutting the competition. It's the only laptop in this group to feature a single-core processor — Intel's 2.0 GHz Celeron 550. In the current computing climate this is sort of like a dodo sighting as mono-core CPUs are pretty much extinct these days. It's not an ideal processing solution for the 1525's pre-installed operating system, Windows Vista Home Basic, nor is it recommended if you need to do much in the way of multitasking. What's more, the machine's built-in wireless

* COMPUTER DEPOT

8 0 0 D u n d e s S t E s s t M i s s i s s a u g a , O n t a r i o Te X : ( 9 0 5 ) 8 0 4 - - 1 6 0 0 w w w . c o m p u t e r d e p o t c a . c o m

I n t e l System D u a E420 1 .6GHz E 2 2 0 1GB DDR2 2 G B 80GB HDD 2 5 0 G LG 2 0 x DVDRW L G KBD & MSE K B D XP P r o G e n u i n e X P

$299

l

System 0 2x2.2GHz DDR2 Memory B SATA HDD 2 0 x DVDRW & MSE P r o Genuine

Quadro System Q6600 4x2.4GHz 2GB DDR2 Memory 500GB SATA HDD LG 2 0 x DVDRW n Vi d i a 9600GT 512m Keyboard & Mouse XP P r o Genuine

$399

•- i.1 War w

$749

S M S S

t o r e H o u r s o n — P r i : 1 0 a m - 8 p m a t : 1 0 a m - 6 p m u n d a y : C l o s e d

11,

1 Logitech R-20 S p e a k e r s

I,ogitech S100 S p e a k e r s

Logitech L o g i t e c h Webcam K B D & MSE

$29.99

$9.99

$19.99 $ 1 9 . 9 9

•rnP r h. e:MSOffice2007Home&Student 99

TO22 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conlii

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400

Sony VAIO VGNNR430D

Lenovo ThinkPad SL400 ($623, www.lenovo.com/ca/en) Beijing-based Lenovo, which took over IBM's workplace-oriented ThinkPad laptop business a few years ago, has continued the brand's reputation for delivering reliable, no-nonsense machines, and perhaps none more so than the utilitarian 14.1inch SL400, which was selling for $623 at the time of writing. It's a workstation, plain and simple.

Its modest spec sheet — which lists 1 GB of RAM, a CD burner with DVD playback capability, an 80 GB hard disk, 802.11 b/g wireless, and an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 1.8 GHz — makes it sound like a mid-tier notebook manufactured circa 2006, though, of course, it likely would have cost twice as much back then.

But that's a good perspective to take: If your computing requirements haven't changed much over the last two years, then there's no reason why the SL400 shouldn't be adequate now.

The white, pink, and brown models in Sony's entry-level NR series are priced at $699 and they come with respectable specs to boot. A low-cost but practical 1.86 GHz Intel Pentium dual-core processor and 2 GB of RAM will provide enough horsepower to perform ordinary productivity tasks and basic photo and music editing chores.

What's more, a DVD burner combines with the NR's bright and vivid 15.4-inch WXGA display to make this laptop suitable for casual movie viewing.

Bonus: speedy Wireless-N networking is built in. Simply put, unless you plan to use your laptop to play 3D games, make movies or record an album, the NR-series VAIO ought to satisfy your computing needs.

By Chad Sapieha

Toshiba Satellite L300 ($629, www.toshiba.ca) Toshiba's least pricey Satellite, though a little more expensive than the Compaq Presario CQ50-100CA, offers essentially the same experience. It, too, flaunts a 15.4-inch widescreen display, a 1.9 GHz AMD Athlon X2 processor, 2 GB of RAM, 160 GB of storage, a DVD burner and a webcam. An ATI Radeon 3100 graphics card helps add a little punch to your movies and games.

Why spend the extra change? Perhaps because it's half a kilogram lighter than HP's machine, coming in at just 2.49 kilograms. In fact, it matches Lenovo's SL400 for the title of lightest machine in this group of budget computers. And while its soft silver case can't compete with the sleek and elegant industrial design of many pricier machines, it does have enough panache to make it stand out from most bargain bin notebooks. Ergo, if style is a factor and sore shoulders are a concern, Toshiba's Satellite L300 might be the portable PC for you.

Sony VAIO VGNNR430D ($699, www.sonystyle.com) Sony isn't known for offering products that might properly be called cheap, but at press time they happened to have an entry-level VAIO that managed to squeak into the sub-$700 range we are exploring.

FUJITECH TECH

180 Steeles Ave. W, Unit 2A, Thornhill, Ord Tel : ( 9 0 5 ) 6 0 4 2 2 7 0 o f f e r Va Mon-Fri :10am-7pm, Sat :11am-7 Sunday : CLOSED Do- i t -Yourself Wireless Home Security System .. • .. .

N " N

$ 3 9 9 CalforDemo O Contracts O Monthly Fees

Includes: Voice Panel,1*Door Contact & l`Motion Sensor 111emote Control

$299 Wireless Internet Anywhere

PCMCIA GSM/GPRS Wireless Modem

$999

Fujitech

$64

VisionDTV jooDDBB:SFM*10.30100.1 Support Wrth Remote Support H D T V

USB - Serial Cable

FTAPCI Satellite Tuner Card

25M$999

2Ghz CPU 512MB DDR 40GB HOD 15" Touch Screen 15" LCD

5 . $19e loom $2922 CATSE Network Cables Touch POS System

$e KeAwaWed9e

CCD Barcode Scanner

70W Universal

Notebook Adapter/Charger

$149

99

Class 1

Webcom

Fulitech

Optional: Remote Control, Keypad, Smoke Detector Auto dial-out to your preset Cellular/rel. no. when there is an break-in notifying you of nature of intrusion.

Fulitech

Fujitech

USB Bluetoot

Adapter,100M Twinklecam Keyboard S6dcers F u l i t e c h Digital Camera Bags

Chinese Korean Russian Greek Arabic Hebrew Romanian

FCB-01N

$6— $ 4 9 L 9

$265 Parallel Port IncahPrinter cabie P05

Receipt Printer

$165

2'20 Characters Multi language Support Height Adjustable RS-232 Serial Port VFD

P05 Pole Display

9999

$9992 Keyboard Wedge USB also available

Laser Barcode Scanner

PC TROUBLE? Toshiba Satellite L3OG

Fujitech

POS Cash Drawer

Liquid O x A n g Thennattake BigWater SE

ON LASER PRINTER

Save 0 50/_CARTRIDGE

Bring in your PC for a FREE indepth L a s e r Toners Refilled f o r PC DIAGONISTICS. No Obligation. BROTHER / SAMSUNG / DELL / CANON / OKI Please Call for an a p p o i n t m e n t EPSON / MINOLTA/SHARP / HP / LEXMARK hubcanacta.conlik

HUB:The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008 T O 23

Biometrics Defined.

It's not a new weight loss scheme, and it's already all around you Few emerging technologies have had such widespread implications or spurred such debate as biometrics.

That's not too surprising actually, given that biometrics is so pertinent to an issue that's important to all of us in this digital age — security. But what exactly is it?

Generally speaking, biometrics is the science of determining the identity of a living person by analyzing one or more of his or her physiological characteristics.

Given that so much of your physiology is completely unique to you, and assuming there is a 100 per cent accurate, quantifiable method of measuring or gauging one or more of your attributes, biometrics is theoretically the most convenient, most foolproof security technology available.

One of the oldest and most common forms of biometrics, digital fingerprinting, works thusly: You scan your print under a light source — either a laser or, much more commonly, an LED — and the information generated by that scan is then stored in a CCD(Charged Couple Device, the same thing found in digital cameras) or the less expensive CMOS (Complementary Metal Oxide Semiconductor).

When a finger isn't a finger For security reasons, the process does not save a photo or graphic image of the print itself. It instead

utilizes a complex and closely guarded series of algorithms to convert the location, size, and shape of all your print's ridges and valleys and other particulars into digital (ones and zeroes) format. The resulting template is then compared with the templates generated in future scans to make a positive or negative identification. This is a routine common to most forms of biometrics.

But digital fingerprinting, like virtually all forms of biometrics to date, isn't completely failsafe.

Fingerprints can be altered, either deliberately or accidentally. They tend to get dirty and sometimes worn, thereby impacting the appearance of the print.

And the image of the print can change from instance to instance, depending on the level of pressure being exerted by the user when being measured.

Afar more serious problem is that of "spoofing."

Spoofing is the practice of deliberately deceiving biometrics devices by utilizing counterfeit samples. In fingerprint scanning, reports of scanner-tricking lake fingers" made of pliable substances such as gelatin, wax or silicone have been rampant for quite some time.

Indeed, one of the most worrisome reports hails from a 2005 US Department of Defense-funded Clarkson

1.1grfi c).1114% 6 , 9 9 / m

*Annualpayment required

We provide the following s e r v i c e s : • Web Hosting • Website Design • Graphic Design Payments via cheque accepted

• FREE Setup • FREE Domain • 10 Email A/C • 10 GB/mth

• FREE Setup • FREE Domain • 100 Email A/C • 100 GB/mth

n o a $6.99

q t a $ 1 4.99

We support Perl, CGI, PHP, SSI,ASP,ASP.NET, MySQL Please visit our web site for more details

www.iqweb.ca Tel: 1-866-837-1522 and (416) 628-9793 • Email: sales@iqweb.ca

QWeb Solutions TermsandConditions apply

Your Web Solutions Provider From Start To Growth

TO24 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conill

University study that proved how easily some optical camera-based fingerprint scanning technologies are defeated. Researchers collected several fingers from cadavers and fashioned casts from live fingers using dental materials and Play-Doh. They tested in excess of sixty faked samples, and were ultimately rewarded with a 90 per cent false verification rate.

Accolades for saccades Yet it's these very issues — spoofing and erroneous results — that in many ways fuel the industry and keep biometrics researchers as busy as they are. One of the most topical "unspoofable" biometrics concepts in recent months is currently in development by Japanese researchers Masakatsu Nishigaki and Daisuke Arai at Shizuoka University, Japan. It's based on something called "saccades," the rapid, involuntary reflex movements of the human eyeball, and it may be just the ticket if the research team can unearth a pattern that consistently differentiates one person's saccades from another's.

Spoofable or unspoofable, biometrics is already commonplace in today's society, and the technology will be even more prevalent in the future. Facial scans, hand geometry scans, and voice authentication routines are just some of the methods currently in use.

Apply for a driver's license in some parts of the world and you may need to submit to an eye or fingerprint scan.

Passport Canada wants to introduce biometrics into passports, as do most credit card companies. Indeed, you may soon pay for retail purchases and conduct much of your interactive life with quick analysis of some portion of your physiology.

Biometrics comes home Biometrics is already well entrenched on the personal computing front, whdre so much of your personal data lies waiting to be stolen. But "well established" doesn't necessarily mean "perfected."

Adecade ago, when biometrics first appeared on the personal computing scene, it did so in the form of addon devices. But there were problems. These add-on devices were often big and clumsy, and the scanning process, and results weren't nearly as sophisticated as they are now.

Today, the level of sophistication has noticeably improved. Fujitsu's soon to be released PalmSecure Mouse, for example, scans not the fingerprint but the veins that lie under the skin in the palm of one's hand. It therefore cannot be spoofed by "dead" or fake hands.

That this technology is making its way to PC end users is good news all around, particularly when you

consider it had previously been available only for commercial applications such as ATM machines â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and was priced accordingly.

Notebook manufacturers have recently moved toward better built-in biometric solutions than the comparatively primitive fingerprint readers of times' past. Lenovo's IdeaPad laptops feature integrated cameras and facial recognition software dubbed "VeriFace."

Once the camera scans your face the first time, you need merely to sit in front of said camera again in order to log back on. Granted, facial recognition capabilities are not new to Lenovo notebooks, yet there's little doubt that the 1.3 megapixel camera in current models will do a much better job than the 0.3 megapixel camera of earlier units.

Biometrics versus passwords That said, many biometrics-equipped notebooks still rely on fingerprint readers built upon technology that's already several years old. That's not a good thing according to many studies that show old school fingerprint readers to be a less effective and more easily defeated data safeguard than traditional passwords.

But soon, even the tiny fingerprint readers on laptops may be capable of more than merely verifying ridges and valleys. More sophisticated fingerprint readers such

The Feed

from www.hubcanada.com

New Products: Brother Announces New Printer Models for SMBs

By Dorian Nicholson Recently Brother International Corp. of Canada revealed its latest line of printers aimed at small business users, with the first of the models now available and two less expensive models due out this month. The top of the line flagship model, the , MFC-6490CW, leads Brother's new Professional Series of printers with more features and solutions for SOHO users like the ability to print and scan ledger-sized paper... www.hubcanada.cOm/feed/468 Dell Inspires Consumers with the Inspiron Mini 9

By Matt Smith Dell Canada has officially launched the new Inspiron Mini 9, Dell's own version of the miniature notebooks that are growing in popularity. With a starting weight of 2.28 pounds, Dells Inspiron Mini 9 is equipped with a sealed keyboard and a solid state drive (SSD) of up to 16 GB for data storage.

For additional memory, the Inspiron Mini 9 has a remote storage space of 2 GB which is expandable to 25GB... www.hubcanada.com/feed/462 - Kodak Debuts Pocket Video Camera

By Dorian Nicholson Video sharing has grown a lot in the past several years what with the exponentially expanding popularity of the social net and sites like Facebook and YouTube working in tandem to spread4ideos across the world.

With recent product releases such as the Flip! And Creative's Vado, small onefunction camcorders have hit the mainstream and Kodak is entering the fray with its HD-shooting (720p) Zi6 pocket video camera at S180... www.hubcanada.com/feed/478

as those from Zvetco Biometrics already feature "liveness detection," a process that effectively distinguishes a living finger from an inanimate imitation.

Looking ahead Future laptop fingerprint scanners may also incorporate some form of perspiration and possibly spectral (hemoglobin, collagen, skin layer structure) measurement utilities and subsurface analysis capabilities.

Likewise, future consumer facial scanners may introduce tools for detecting and analyzing movement, and future consumer iris scanners may combat photo spoofs with built-in measures to identify dot matrices and dyes used in printing techniques. Future consumer voice authentication systems will counter pre-recorded blurbs by asking the user to repeat randomly generated words and phrases.

Biometrics is most definitely here to stay. We just may need to wait a bit for consumer-level biometrics to reach the point where our data is truly safe from the criminal element.

By Gord Goble

Google Chrome Sees Release ByAndrew Moore-Crispin Apparently not content to simply deliver your search results, email, appointments, news and documents, Google prematurely announced its Chrome browser after a mail room gaffe.

At the heart of Chrome is an interesting concept that's being called "sandboxing."

The idea here is that if an individual browser tab starts acting up or performs an illegal operation, just that tab can be closed down. In concept at least, this could mean an end to one rogue tab or hung Java script crashing the whole browser... www.hubcanada.com/feed/435 Olympus Cameras Evolve

By Matt Smith Trying to out-perform their competitors with the release of a new breed of digital cameras, Olympus is taking a leap forward in digital photography with the release of the Stylus 1050 SW and the new SP565 UZ this coming fall.

The 1050 SW gives the user a 10.1 megapixel resolution with a "tap control" interface that lets you turn on the flash along with other settings just by tapping the top, sides, and back of the camera. The Stylus 1050 also offers a 3x optical zoom and is expected to be for sale in October for a price at $300... www.hubcanada.com/feed/423 Epson's Artisan Helps Professionals Print

By Dorian Nicholson In New York this summer, Epson unveiled its new line of printers for the home and home office to be released in the Fall to members of the media. The printers, some showcasing touch screens, Wi-Fi and speedy print times, were recently released to market.

The printers, Artisan models 700 and 800, each have diverse printing capabilities with the flagship 800 being more impressive for a somewhat larger price tag... www.hubcanada.com/feed/420 For full versions of these stories as well as breaking Canadian technology news, hands-on product reviews and more go to www.hubcanada.com Compiled by Dorian Nicholson

hubcanada.consilli

HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

TO 25

The Protected Home Office Physical security for the digital times Back. in the day, we all had a reasonable worry about security. Physical security. You know, guarding against theft and crooks and accidents and fires. As well as lions and tigers and bears, oh my. But somewhere along the line, we became obsessed with digital crimes such as identity theft. Justifiable concerns to be sure, but hey, all that other stuff never went away. Bad things still happen outside your computer.

Truth is, if you have a home office you have even more reason to safeguard your belongings. Let's look at some of the ways you can do that.

One of the very best things you can do to protect your home office is to make it as inconspicuous as possible when viewed from the exterior. Keep the blinds or the curtains closed, particularly at night when it's so easy to see the contents of a well-lit room.

If you can, position your home office somewhere above street level where it won't be nearly as visible. It'll be a far less appealing target for window break-ins too.

Speaking of windows, are you thinking of replacing them? If so, consider shatterresistant laminated glass.

Join a neighbourhood watch program if there's one available in your area, and grab an indelible felt pen to mark valuables with your name, phone number, and e-mail address. Outside, make an effort to remove any visual barriers that might conceal the movements of an opportunistic burglar.

Thieves like to work under the cover of darkness, so it's only logical that they'll think twice about a home that lights up with the fire of a thousand suns when they walk by.

Simple flood lamps with motion-detecting sensors are inexpensive, and setting up a number of them along the perimeter of your home is always a good idea. And always make sure your insurance coverage includes a home office. Many policies require separate riders.

Once you've followed a few basic common-sense rules and established some good habits, it's time to crank it up a notch with the latest in home and home office security.

Logitech WiLife Video Securily System www.logitech.com Prices vary depending on configuration It's been our experience that Logitech makes damn good stuff, and we don't know why its brand new PC-based video security system would be any different. Dubbed the WiLife,., it's a complete house surveillance and security solution composed of indoor and outdoor cameras, a USB receiver, and Logitech's Command Center PC software.

At $360 for the Master System alone, which includes the receiver, the software, and just a single camera, the WiLife is a pricey proposition. The unit operates cordlessly over existing electrical wires, and according to Logitech, takes just fifteen minutes to set up. It'll call or e-mail you if and when it detects motion, and it allows you to view live video over the Internet via a WiLife account. Each component looks sleek and upscale, as does the software interface.

Something to remember: Although there's no shortage of standalone security systems available in today's marketplace, we prefer computer-based systems. Why? Because they can generally be upgraded how and when you want to do so, and because a computer display screen makes for a superb â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and very convenient â&#x20AC;&#x201D; visual monitoring device. ioSafe S2 www.iosafe.com US$6,875 The only thing worse than a fire at your residence (or a flood or an earthquake or the proverbial plague of locusts) would be losing years of accumulated data in the process. California-based ioSafe has a variety of preventative measures for just such situations.

Welike the ioSafe S2 because with its one-hour, 1,700 degree F fire rating, thirtyday flood rating (at a depth of thirty feet, in freshwater or saltwater), and three-year disaster recovery service, it would seem to be a failsafe solution.

It's important to note, however, that the ioSafe S2 is intended only to safeguard two external hard cliives (dual 500 GB models included). It's even more important to note

Logitech WiLife-Video Security System

TO 26 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada c o n *

that high-end security such as this comes at a price. And what a price it is.

Fortunately for those who don't expect their next fire to last that long or get that hot, and are certain a flood won't submerge their data for more than 24 hours, ioSafe also provides disaster-resistant internal hard drives that cost a whole lot less (—$330 to —$460).

TeleSpy Intrusion Notification System www.telespy.biz —$130 It looks like one of those slimline phones from a couple of decades ago, but the TeleSpy is also part motion detector. Set it up in your home office and key in a telephone number where you can be reached when you leave the premises. The TeleSpy will call you automatically if it senses movement and allow you to listen to what's going on in your room for a full 30 seconds before disconnecting. The next step is up to you. As a bonus, the TeleSpy is available Net-wide for substantially less than its MSRP. Dorgem 2.1 dorgem.sourceforge.net Free Wespotted this no-charge software utility in our travels around the Internet. Dorgem is an open-source webcam capture application for Windows 9x and up that's officially been discontinued but is still available for download. It'll turn your PC and webcam into a motion detection and recording security system that's garnered a lot of praise from those who have downloaded it.

Word of advice: Turn to the following link for an awesome tutorial on setting up your Dorgem system: tinyurl.com/HomeOfficeSecurity ActiveWebCam 11.2 www.pysoft.com —$30 Like Dorgem but more capable and not free, Active WebCam has been a monster performer over at CNET's download.com site for a long time now, dwarfing the competition with more than three million downloads. It's easy to set up, and captures an impressive thirty frames per second from any video device including USB cameras, analog cameras, TV-boards, camcorders and network IP cameras. It will broadcast and add time stamps, support multiple cameras and send an e-mail when motion is detected.

Lenovo IdeaPad www.lenovo.com Various prices depending on model Elsewhere in this issue we discussed Lenovo's IdeaPad notebooks for their facial recognition biometrics capabilities. But we thought we'd mention the IdeaPad here too because the very same 1.3 megapixel camera and VeriFace software that identifies you as the rightful owner and operator of your laptop also snaps a series of quick pics of anyone who tries to access the unit while you're away. Gotcha!

First Alert Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm www.firstalert.com $35 street price Smoking isn't healthy, particularly when it's your house that's doing the smoking.

Fortunately, you don't have to cough up a lung for a quality smoke alarm. The First Alert Dual Sensor Smoke Alarm scores highly in most every user survey going.

Equipped with ionization and photoelectric sensors, it covers all the bases of smoke detection, includes a test function and an 85-decibel alarm, and uniquely, can be silenced with any standard TV/DVD/audio remote control. How cool is that?

By Gord Goble

co E co

More than just an Internet Provider

E

In

0) C/3

C O L O S S E U .corn M ORE T H A N J U S T A N I N T E R N E T P R O V I D E R

4 1 6 - 7 3 9 - 7 8 7 3 www.colosseurn.com

co 0 01 - 0

HIGH SPEED D S L I N T E R N E T ACCESS

1) • Unlimited D a t a Tr a n s f e r • 2 4 / 7 Live Te c h S u p p o r t

_c U a) 1 0 70

35."/mth + GST e

Colocation Services PlaceyourserverwithinourTorontodatacenterandtakeadvantageof our secure, climate-controlledenvironmentandhighspeed,redundantnetwork.Simplybring in yourserver,andwe'llconnect it toournetwork.Notonly that,wemonitoryour server's connectivitytotheinternet 24/7. ,Tr

7 Internet Access Services Withavariety of dial-upanddedicatedInternetaccessservicesincludingEthernet-based connections, C o l o s s e u m O n l i n e I n c . offersawiderange of highperformanceInternetconnectionstomeetyourresidentialandbusiness needs.

C . . y , Web Hosting Services Colosseum'swebhostingpackagesarestoredonfast, reliable,secureserversconnected ) toourredundantnetworkinfrastructure. If yourequireamorepowerfulsolution, check outourcoloration .acka.es.

7 Domain Registration SecureyourTLDnametodaybeforesomeoneelsegets it. .Ourdomainsstartfrom 21Cdn./year for.com,.netand.org domains. hubcanada.con*

HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008 T O 27

Security Tips to Protect Your Sensitive Information Keeping safe and secure online Identity theft — a type of fraud where someone pretends to be someone else for financial gain — can happen in many ways, be it pick-pocketing a credit card, rummaging through letters from a mailbox or phone scams that trick victims into giving out personal information.

Increasingly, identity theft begins on computers with "phishing scams" on fake websites that look like the real thing but are in fact just designed to trick users in to giving up usernames and passwords. There's another level of personal information capture that uses high-tech means to retrieve information you type on a public computer's keyboard.

According to PhoneBusters (www.phonebuste?s.com), a Canadian anti-fraud agency jointly managed by the RCMP, Competition Bureau Canada and Ontario Provincial Police, identity theft is on the rise in this country. In 2007, the organization received 10,279 complaints, of which 9,970 were victims, totalling a loss of $6,438,123. In 2008, however, by the end of August alone PhoneBusters received 8,233 complaints (7,649 victims), with a valued loss of $6,573,335.

So, what can you do to protect your identity in an increasingly online world? The following are a few tips for computer users.

• For websites that require a password — such as your banking institution, company site or social networking home — pick one that's at least seven characters and use acombination of letters, numbers and symbols. Don't use your child's name, first dog or phone number or anything else that could be easily guessed.

• If you receive an e-mail from your bank or credit card institution asking you to act fast to confirm your information, it's probably a phishing attempt that will take you to aphony website (look at the URL, not the hyperlinked text, and you should be able to

tell). Do not click on the link in the e-mail to take you to the spoofed site, but if you do, never type in any info they're requesting. When in doubt, contact your bank directly. Computer users should never follow an e-mail link to sign in to what-should be a secure site. If there really is an issue with your account, log in to your online banking site by inputting the URL directly in to your browser's address bar. Also consider that reputable sites that deal with sensitive personal information — such as your bank, PayPal, eBay or others — will generally have a policy in place that states they never ask for personal information via e-mail.

• Peer-to-peer file sharing programs, such as LimeWire, may be used by malicious types to steal your private information — so if you use these services, be sure to configure them not to expose personal folders (disable the sharing feature in the Options menu).

• For Windows users, Microsoft releases software fixes on a regular basis. Choose "automatic updates" in your operating system's security settings, therefore you won't forget to manually update them. These fixes plug holes that hackers know how to exploit to gain access to your files. Don't initiate any Windows updates from anyone but Microsoft itself.

• Don't purchase anything online with your credit card unless the website is secured with SSL (Secure Sockets Layer), as indicated by an icon of a padlock in your web browser. On a related note, if you shop on online marketplaces, such as eBay.ca, use a secure payment method — like PayPal or a credit card — to protect your purchases in case of a dispute.

• Symantec, the makers of the popular Norton Antivirus software, say never save your logon information with a website. Always log out by clicking "log out" on the site. It's not enough to simply close the browser window or type in another address. It might be convenient when sites and some programs have an automatic login feature that saves your user name and password, but disable this option so no one can resume a session that you initiated.

• If you set up a wireless network in your home, make sure to use the security features to prevent people from joining (note: WPA security is better than WEP). If a neighbour joins your network, they not only will get free Internet access but could possibly read your computer's files. This is more important today now that 802.11n Wi-Fi routers are offering twice the range of older 802.11g devices. Some routers will allow you to limit the range of your router's broadcast. If it's practical to do so, consider limiting the range to cover the places you use your computers but not beyond.

• Try to avoid entering confidential information on public computers such as in a hotel, library, airport lounge or school. These systems may contain "keylogger" software that records everything you type. Symantec also suggests deleting your browsing history after surfing on a public computer (including your cookies, form data, history and temporary Internet files). Finally, when you're finished using a public computer, do a hard reboot which will not only clear the page file if you've enabled that option, but it will also clear out everything you did from the physical memory (RAM).

• While it might be tempting to sniff for unlocked — i.e. free — Wi-Fi networks at a café or hotel, it could be a nearby hacker baiting in order to get access to files on your PC. Be sure to ask what the establishment's wireless network name is to ensure you're logging on to the correct one.

• Finally, also watch out for low-tech over-the-shoulder snoops at cafes, school or on the airplane. While you might not need those special screens you can buy that obscure the text for onlookers, try to turn down the brightness of your laptop screen and be aware of where and what you're typing while in public.

By Marc Saltzman

TO28 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.con111

Tejas Suthar CCIE a 8423, Talus

Kamran Adil CCIE # 10373, Bell Nexxia

Ravi Chandran CCIEX 8671, Telus

Nigel Maharaj CCIE ir 9916, IBM Global Serar

Raj Thava CCIE # 10425, Tel

Hans Ma CCIE # 10424, CM

Garry Low CCIEX 11433

Edward Rajca CCIE X 11112

Syed Mu htar CCIE # 11513

Terence Summerville CCIEX 8927, Infostream

Edwin Lukash CCIE # 11263

ytrgilllo Santos CCIE11 9454 Bell Canada

Santoell Godly CCIE # 12028. BT

Giuseppe Giorgio lismanAlehritool CCIEX 9900, Next Innovation C C I E 11 10422, Next Innovation

Ahmed Khan CCIE # 11146

Ganesh Shanmugalingam CCIE # 10662, AT 6 T

Sunil Sopode CCIEX 11942

Andre Julien CCIEX 12142, Talus

Sarwar Jamal CCIE 4 11562, Bell Canada

Zar Staroselski CCIE # 11575, Talus

Craig Henriques CCIE 1111180, Network Builder

John Lilek CCIE It 11517

Imran Ta u * CCIE # 12172, CGI

Abu Uddln CCIE # 12158, Outsource IT

Darryl Coelho CCIE # 11992. Bell Canada

S. Kanagasundararajah CCIE 4 12417

Hankeeran Somasundaram CCIE 4 11904, Stargate

Kaushik Narayanan CCIE # 12087, Talus

reFauzan Si diqui CCIE # 11653

Nadeem Akbar CCIE 11610

Snezhy Neshkova CCIE # 11931, Cisco

Natal Nanthacumar CCIE # 12029, Talus

Mahtab Alam Ketan Paralkar CCIE # 12179, Bell Canada C C I E # 12171, Compugen

Amir Syed CCIE # 12249

Muhammad Shakil CCIE # 12143

Harron Shataat CCIE # 12088, EDS

($499)

More CCIEs: UI Zhao, CCIE # 10252 1 Meludad Mostafavi, CCIEX 10383 Sarumathy Vijayakuraar, CCIE # 10385 Muhammad Aamir, CCIE # 11429 Harnik Ohlllon, CCIEX 11839 Felix Trinh, CCIE # 11994 Lawrence (melon CCIE # 12000

CCVP - Voice Over IP

CCIE Lab - R/S & SP CCIE Voice Bootcamp ( MCSE & Unix

0

CCIP- MPLS/BGP/BSCl/QOS

0

Visit the best CISCO lab in Canada oir- Over 500 Cisco routers - 2800, 3700, 3600, 2600, 2500.

VOICE Gateways, IP Phones, Call managers, Unity, IPCC. r) r r r _ lam- Catalyst 6509, 3560, 3550 and 2950 switches.

J paY and register for if you TI, ADSL line and frame relay circuit.

41,- 35 CCIE Pods meets current CCIE Lab requirements. CCNP-Iimited time offer Thecoursesaredesigned by

1401 FREE CCNA or MCP FOR El RECIPIENTS

HARITHKARIAPPER

WinNET

QuadrupleCCIE #8661 S T E M S B.Sc.Eng.,MIBM,CNE,MCSE,MCT,CCNP, HI- T E C H T R A I N I N G & C O N S U L T I N G ' CCDP,CCIP,CCVP TORONTO 1200 Eglinton Ave. East, Suite 100, Toronto (Don Mills & Eglinton)

Tel: 416.447.TEST (8378) wintinf_winnet_ca

Portable Data Storage The ins and outs of where to keep your precious files when you 're taking them on the road

Whether you're a lawyer, banker, broker or a student studying to be one, chances are you've got digital data that you want to store. What method you use to store and back it up is entirely up to you, but one thing is certain: you're going to want to store it someplace.

Generally speaking, that place will be on your computer's internal hard drive. It's quick, it's easy, and it's readily accessible.

But maybe that someplace shouldn't be the computer, either because yours is getting close to capacity, or because it's a file you're going to be taking on the go with you. Or, because as everyone knows (or should know by now) you need to make sure you have a backup (or two) of any and all important files.

Whatever the reason, there are plenty of devices to choose from that all do a great job of retaining information. And for the students out there — of all disciplines and studies — there are storage spaces of all shapes and sizes depending on the size of file you intend to store.

Room to decide Where options were few in the past, in the days of limited hard drive space and floppy discs, now we have plenty of portable storage media to choose from. For a lot of smaller files like documents, spreadsheets, low-quality images and multimedia content that may require revision, there are USB keys and even SD and microSD cards. For straight archiving and read-only backup of files and folders there are discs, ranging from CD-Rs.and CD-RWs to DVDs and Blu-Ray discs.

And for large files and heavy multimedia requiring read / write access, there are portable hard drives and enclosures which' can range from about 100 GB up to 2 TB (-2,000 GB).

We're going to go through all of those storage devices as well as what type of student each would be best suited for.

SD or MicroSD: The majority of recent laptops and "netboOks" feature an SD card slot. Desktop PCs often have a card reader slot and when no card reader is present, an external card reader can be purchased for $20 or less.

However now that most people have a digital camera which stores pictures to SD (or microSD) and many people have a smartphone or palm pilot with one of these types of cards as well, storing small files onto these devices can be a good way to move files between platforms.

As was previously mentioned, a backup routine with redundancies should be considered a requirement for important files. MicroSD and miniSD cards are most commonly found in the range of 1 GB to 4 GB with standard SD cards appearing in about the same range with larger storage capacities coming down the pike.

SDHC(secure digital high'capacity) cards are becoming more common with potential to have up to 32 GB on a card.

Ideal for any student who is working with small files such as text documents, PDFs, or even modest quantities of pictures and music, SD cards are actually an ideal way of keeping a backup of files. The only problem is that not every computer has a card reader.

That means that if yours doesn't, you'll either have to carry a card reader on you, or simply carry the USB cable that connects your device to the computer so you can access your card.

Of course, if you are a netbook user (see last issue's In the Lab: Computing in the Clouds) SD and SDHC cards are your best bet for small-scale portable storage. Some netbooks feature more than one SD slot, allowing you to keep a card of up to 32 GB attached at all times for boosting your limited hard drive space, yet still be portable for when you need to move to a different machine.

External hard drives: On the other side of the size spectrum are external hard drives. These things can carry a tremendous amount of data, be it a 250 GB hard drive or a 1 TB (1,000 GB) drive. The drives are portable and connect either via USB, Firewire or the much faster but not yet ubiquitous eSATA standard, to connect to your PC or laptop. .

With that much data storage space, external hard drives are ideal for students who are working with files that demand a great deal of drive space, frequent . back-ups, or saving multiple versions of the same file.

TO30 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.contli

This would make the external hard drive the back up data storage device of choice for the average multimedia student.

Whether someone is working on their next album remix with four or five different variations of each track or working on editing a half-hour video with different files saved after every hour of work, they will still have ample space on one of these. The only problem of course is the physical size of the hard drive for those who don't want to carry too much extra baggage.

Discs / burners: As for discs, CD burners and even DVD burners practically come standard with laptops nowadays, so it seems logical to keep a couple of blank discs of one kind or another on you at all times. Also, with duallayer DVDs being able to carry over 8 GB of data, keeping discs close at hand make it possible-to do a system or file backup anywhere.

CDs can typically carry up to 700 MB of data. While most music albums come on CD and would only fit about 80 minutes of audio, that's not to say that a CD wouldn't be able to hold many more songs in MP3 format, or many, many Word documents or other files.

DVDs can carry about 4.7 GB of data if they are single-layer discs and roughly 8.54 GB if they are duallayer. That's more than 10 times the capacity of a compact disc, and should be enough for all but the most complicated video editing files.

With CD and DVD readers being in 95 per cent of the computers out there (the MacBook Air and netbooks primarily making up that other five per cent) discs are undoubtedly the most versatile, if not the most compact means of backing up and transporting data.

The only devices that are more portable would be the USB keys...

USB keys: USB keys can go all the way up to 64 GB, although the higher capacity models might clock in at quite a bit more than one is willing to pay for such a small — and easily lost — product. USB keys are tiny enough to fit into a watch pocket and most come with a strap that you can use to wear around your neck so that you always know where it is.

Naturally, USB keys are used by plugging into a USB port, standard on any computer post-2001 Once plugged in, they can run applications directly off the key, act as a separate hard drive, or can be used for such tasks as calling long distance through Skype or speeding up your computer (similar to RAM) by activating ReadyBoost within Windows Vista.

USB keys are also affordable and reliable. Guaranteed for thousands of rewrites and costing about $20 for a 1GB stick, these keys are great for transporting moderate amounts of data or for using as a primary or secondary backup. They're more durable than CDs, DVDs, standard hard drives or SD cards, and are much more portable than hard drives if you want to haul your files around.

By Dorian Nicholson

An Xbox for Xmas X'08 showcases Xbox 360 holiday lineup Garners in Canada often find themselves quite far from the centre of gaming events and news of upcoming titles when compared to our southern neighbours, the hosts of the annual gaming spectacle, E3. Once a year though, leading up to the holiday season, the big three gamingcompanies put on their ownshows. Most recently it was Microsoft's Xbox 360's time to shine.

Thepreview event took place at Circa in downtown Torontoand transformed the hip nightclub into a haven for garners, reporters, gamer-reporters and, of course, developers, PR pros, company big shots and acolytes.

WhileXbox 360 was the only platform at the event, that's not to say that the range of games was limited.

Present were games from more than a dozen thirdparty developers, including LucasArts, Bethesda, Activision, EA, Square Enix and Konami. Naturally, there were also a number of games from Microsoft GameStudio as well, including Gears of War 2 and Fable 2.

TheGears 2 section was set on the second level, above the action on the main floor. There, plugged in

o-Kazoole, Nutt. and BEitts

Spiderman.1,Vel.) or Shadows

andready to play, were twelve units all networked and ready for multiplayer mayhem.

Yourfriends here at HUBmanaged to play a few rounds of a new match type called "Guardian," in which each team gets unlimited respawns until the team leader is finished off, then the game switches gears andbecomes a last man standing battle. The game promises to be every bit as intense and impressive as the first, with a new story, campaign, new weapons, andnew features. (For example, the editor-in-chief and Ihad a little battle of wills with chainsaw bayonets â&#x20AC;&#x201D; I won.)

WhileGears was easily the largest exhibit, it was by nomeans the only attention grabber. Down on the floor were a collection of eagerly-anticipated titles such as Guitar Hero: World Tour complete with the new drum kit with the cymbals above â&#x20AC;&#x201D; and Call of Duty: World at War. Thenew CoD is graphically impressive, with lighting andparticle effects all aglow and the battlefields looking more realistic as well. The gunplay feels considerably more true to life this time out. While somegarners following news of the CoD sequel may havealready heard about the developers taking a more gritty approach, seeing the game in action is the only way to really understand what they were talking about.

Adouble-barrelled shotgun really hurts people like we canonly assume a double-barrelled shotgun would. An incendiary grenade lights people on fire, and it actually looks pretty painful. It is an impressive graphical feat that can seem almost too grisly.

It's a logical step in the Call of Duty series though where realism was traditionally eschewed in order to receive a Teen rating from the Entertainment Software RatingsBoard (ESRB). The Call of Duty: World at War development team decided not to compromise and just accept a MatureESRB rating, resulting in a more believable but altogether more gory game.

Fallout 3 and more...

Anotherhighly-anticipated and rather gory title, Fallout 3 marks a milestone for the series by being the first

hubcanada.cotfillt

game in the series to test the waters of threedimensional gameplay, an understandable move considering it has been a decade since the release of Fallout 2.

Thisone starts you off inside a vault (Vault 101, "Jewel of the Wastes") with the player having to take the first steps into the outside world armed only with a pistol. The effect of seeing natural light for the first time once stepping outside is quite dazzling, a very nicetouch that shows great attention to detail. Of course, this is Bethesda we're talking about, the same company that brought us The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion.

Fallout 3 also uses the Oblivion engine. With this engine, players can put almost anything into their inventory, or at least drag or move most small to medium-sized objects.

Walkingforward through some ruined town with the capitol buildings way off in the distance, you will come across a couple of wanderers. When I played, I tried to talk with them or even barter some of the pop caps I hadpicked off the ground, but they immediately opened fire. Turns out there was a raider behind me that they picked off quite cleanly. A nice effort, but it still dissuaded me from further conversation.

Thenext raider I saw I experimented with the targeting system, born of the original Fallout and still present even in the real-time FPS third instalment.

Players can target anything from an enemy's head to the weapon they're holding. Alas, shots to the groin or eyes are now out; Bethesda's attempt at making for a clean fight.

After prying myself away from the Fallout 3 booth, I checked out a few of the other booths, some of which were slightly more appropriate for younger garners.

Banjo-Kazooie, a Rare developed game that debuted onthe N64, is back with its first Xbox 360 instalment.

Banjo-Kazooie: Nuts and Bolts has players directing their favourite bear-bird duo through a new adventure as they try to outrace the evil witch Gruntilda using fully-customizable vehicles provided by Mumbo the witch doctor. With hundreds of components to choose from, vehicles can range from four-wheel drive monster trucks to flying saucers with egg cannons attached.

Spiderman:Web of Shadows looks like another killer Spiderman game, this one allowing players to hook up with other Marvel characters in game and choose between being a friendly wall-crawler or a masked menacerunning around in the Venom suit. Players can also customize abilities and skill sets, allowing them to excel in aerial attacks or ground-based destruction, specializing in wearing the red suit or the black.

Other games of note included Square Enix's upcoming action-RPGInfinite Undiscovery, developed by TrAce of Star Ocean fame; Fable 2, sequel to the blockbuster XboxRPG; Silent Hill Homecoming, the first Silent Hill game to appear on next-gen platforms; Sonic Unleashed, a fast-paced platformer that promises to deliver excitement fast; and Star Wars: The Force Unleashed, in which you play as Darth Vader's apprentice and get to customize your force powers.

All of these titles and more will be released in the months to come.

By Dorian Nicholson

HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

TO 31

On Online HD Deliverance High-def and the demise of physical media... maybe Let's talk high definition (HD) video. In particular, lets discuss where we're going to get our HD video in the future, especially for our leisure, TV-watching hours.

We'll preface our discussion by defining what HD video is, and what it isn't. It isn't what you see on standard TV. It isn't what you see on a VHS tape. And it isn't even what you see when you watch a standard DVD.All of these sources top out at 480 vertical lines of resolution or lower.

HD, conversely, currently comes in two flavors, 720 or 1080 lines of vertical resolution -further broken down by the "p" and "i" suffixes, meaning progressive and interlaced, respectively — and is noticeably cleaner and more detailed. Colors are more vivid, object edges are crisp, and of course the 16:9 aspect ratio of HD delivers the same panoramic image we see at the theatre.

This is the stuff of HDTV and Blu-ray players, and most people who see it have a tough time going back to less sophisticated fare.

And soon, no one will have to. HD video is the future, and it won't be long until prior technologies go the way of the 8-track. One needs look no further than the big box electronics stores and the latest trends in television sets to see how true this is. In keeping with the Canadian government's mandate that all broadcast signals in this country move from analog to digital as of August 31, 2011 (2009 in the USA), virtually every set features a digital tuner.

Yet even though HDTV technology hasn't been likewise mandated, the vast majority of these sets also feature HDTV compatibility. Why? Because HDTV looks that

good and because TV manufacturers know HD is an unstoppable force.

But broadcast TV is one thing. Movies and videos that you can view when your schedule says you have the time to do so are something else altogether. One might assume that we'll just keep on traipsing down to the local Blockbuster to rent or purchase Blu-ray HD movies, just like we did for VHS and DVD. The Internet killed the rental store While there's a certain allure to owning hard copies of the flicks we particularly enjoy, who among us can honestly say we enjoy movie availability hassles and late fees? Never mind paying for the time and gas used to drive there and back, twice.

Apotential alternative — one that's already on its way to becoming reality — is downloadable HD Internet content. Granted, that's a relatively general term that can mean a lot of different things to a lot of different people. Indeed, it's even been bandied about — incorrectly — to describe YouTube's "HD" videos, which are definitely a grade higher than standard Internet video fare but are most definitely not true HD. For our purposes, HD Internet video is true HD: 720 or 1080 lines of vertical resolution with sophisticated multi-channel sound that looks and sounds just as good on your big screen living room TV as the latest Blu-ray disc.

If the concept sounds intriguing, that's because it is.

Imagine sitting in your easy chair, selecting an HD movie or video from a near-endless menu, watching said movie/video when you want to — without the

need for a disc player of any sort — then switching off your TV and going to bed. No returns in the morning, no careful handling of a disc, no extraneous concerns whatsoever.

The question is how that HD content arrives at your TV.And, sadly, there are no easy answers. About the only certainty is that video rental stores are on weaker footing now than they were a few years back. And the primary reason for that isn't the threat of online video downloads, but the appearance of online DVD rental firms such as Zip (www.zip.ca), Starflix (www.starflix.com), and Cinemail.ca (www.cinemail.ca), all of which stick to the "rent a disc, return a disc" philosophy,but do away with late fees and much of the hassle of old school brick and mortar rental businesses.

But to those who believe in HD video and the Internet as the delivery medium of that video, online disc rentals are merely a stop-gap.

Straining the infrastructure The big hurdle is size. We won't get into the excruciating technological minutiae, but suffice to say afull-length HD movie is a very big clump of data. It must therefore be compressed to a manageable size that won't take hours (literally) to download and won't put undo pressure on already-pressurized Internet pipelines. Which form of compression is the best is still in question.

Bandwidth (the measurement of how quickly information can be moved from one point to another) is another key factor. You'll obviously see better results

Ratatouille From Academy Award©-winning director Brad Bird (The Incredibles) and the amazing storytellers at Maar Animation Studios comes Ratatouille, the original corn dy about one of the most unlikely friendships imaginable. The film's protagonist is a t named Remy (Patton Oswalt) who dares to dream the impossible dream of becomin Movie Details A c t o r s D i r e c t o r P r o d u c e r s Kids .& Family P a t t o n Oswalt B r a d Bird B r a d Lewis Released 2007 B r i a n Dennehy 111 minutes B r a d Garrett i a 0 11 L o u Romano ilreiltAuB J a n e a n e Garofalo Peter O'Toole

Viewers Also

TO 32 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.corYill

with a faster connection, but the bigger issue is the quality and composition of the cables that form the gridwork of the web (I thought it was a series of tubes... -ed.).

Thankfully, that gridwork is being continually updated — more so now than ever because of technologies such as downloadable HD content.

Still, the truth is that results can't be guaranteed in an environment where standards are as yet undecided and where the framework of that environment is in a state of flux. And remember — what might work very well for one person in a particular area or building may not work so well for another in another area with less capable Internet delivery.

A is for Apple • But despite the questions and the unresolved standards, downloadable HD content •providers are already here. Arguably the foremost of these is Apple, with its Apple TV. The Apple TV concept revolves around its sleek set-top Apple TV box ($249 or $349, depending on the size of the hard drive), which in itself does away with the need for a full-blown computer to get digital content from the Internet to TV set.

The service offers a ton of content aside from HD movies, including non-HD flicks, YouTube videos, television programs, music and music videos, and much more.

Rental rates are currently equivalent to that of a movie rental store, and Apple claims that you can begin watching your show within just a minute of beginning the download process if you have a fast Internet connection.

The reviews, however, have not always been kind. Some complain of digital artifacts (caused by faulty compression), and others say movie download times are surprisingly long. Still others bemoan the fact that when Apple initially rolled out the device in Canada, it offered virtually no movie content. In the USA, meanwhile, users were able to choose from a massive library of mainstream movies. That situation has thankfully since changed, though the selection continues to be more limited than that of a brick and mortar store.

Bravo Bravia?

Electronics giant Sony is approaching the whole idea from a slightly different angle.

This fall, Sony will offer the recent Will Smith flick Hancock as a worldwide Internet

download to owners of its Bravia TVs and Bravia Internet Video Link box: It's uncertain at this point if Hancock will be available in HD, but the truly interesting bit of information is that Bravia owners will get to see the movie before it hits traditional rental stores and the DVD/Blu-ray market. Granted, Sony has made it clear that it considers the move an "experiment," but experiments like this may be a sign of things to come.

Other, American-based services — such as Vudu (www.vudu.com), which currently offers its own set-top box and more than 6,000 HD movies, and Amazon's Unbox, which doesn't yet support HD content but provides oodles of non-HD content and apparently works well with the long-established TiVo (personal video recorder) unit — simply do not do Canada at this time. Nor does America's leading online DVD rental service Netflix, with its Netflix Player by Roku (www.roku.com/netflixplayer). The little device allows users to instantly watch more than 12,000 non-HD movies in the Netflix library where HD titles are apparently on their way, but it won't be seen north of the border.

Perhaps that's a blessing in disguise. As discussed earlier, there are several reasons downloadable HD content hasn't yet come of age. But aside from video compression and Internet speed questions, there's one very important factor we haven't even touched upon — digital rights management (DRM).

Until the major movie studios can come to an agreement as to how they'll deal with piracy and other unauthorized uses of their precious properties, and until Bravia owners can have access to the same content as Apple TV owners and Vudu disciples, consumers will be faced yet again with a question of which technology to back. And as anyone who has monitored the recent and oh-so-painful HDDVD versus Blu-ray bathes can attest, uncertainty severely impedes adoption.

One thing is certain: the selection of HD movies is currently better and more stable offline than on. One can only speculate if that will be the case by the time we say goodbye to 2008.

By Gord Goble

Want to be part of an exciting and dynamic industry?

Come join our team!

HUB: The Computer Paper is currently accepting resumes for National and Regional Sales positions.

Please send all resumes to scott©ppublishing.ca (subject line "sales position") Bilingual (French and English) an asset.

hubcanada.conite

HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

TO 33

Power Pellets: Fan Ire Diablo III comes under fire The long-awaited second sequel to Diablo, Blizzard Entertainment's massively popular series of dungeon-crawling role-playing games, was announced this summer at a special event in Paris. The California-based developer revealed only the barest of details about the game, mentioning a few familiar locations and characters (including the series' perennial guru and guide Deckard Cain) and that it will support both solo and multiplayer campaigning. They didn't even provide a projected release date, even though the game has been under development in secret for some three years.

Despite the scarcity of information, the announcement of a new chapter in the Diablo saga resulted in a collective cheer from franchise fans that was heard echoed over forums, blogs, and gaming news sites across the interweb. This was predictable; the series' acolytes have been pining for a new installment in their favourite dungeon crawler for nearly a decade. What wasn't expected was the massive backlash that came from some of these same people.

After poring over the few images and videos that Blizzard had made available (all viewable at www.blizzard.com), fervent fans began questioning Diablo III's look and feel, suggesting that it didn't jibe with the series' established aesthetic. They said that its visual design seemed more inspired by the colourful fantasy environments of World of Warcraft, another of Blizzard's most successful brands, than previous Diablo games, which, they claimed, were far darker and more dramatic. Some of the more ambitious complainers even went so far as to modify some of the Diablo III screenshots Blizzard had released to the public to make them appear more in line with what they thought the game should look like.

Taking it to the Net These criticisms culminated in a lobbying document posted at www.petitiononline.com dubbed-"Renewed Artistic Direction for Diablo 3." An astounding 56,500 people had signed it at the time of this writing. To put that number in perspective, it's roughly equivalent to the famous RuinediPhone petition signed by Canadian consumers this summer that helped force Rogers into offering discounted data plans for Apple's web browsing handset. Could the Diablo III petition spur Blizzard to action as well?

Not likely.

For starters, Diablo III lead producer Keith Lee has gone on record with many game publications stating that his team approached the design of the game with the firm belief that "colour was our friend," adding that much of Diablo III takes place outdoors and in daylight, which necessitates brighter environments.

And, as more than one observer has pointed out, 55,000 angry fans may seem like a lot, but in the grand scheme of things it represents only around 0.3 per cent of the 18 million people who have purchased Diablo games to date. What's more, the zealot-like nature of game fans makes it probable that these plaintiffs will purchase

the latest game regardlesS of whether Blizzard acquiesces to their demands.

The most interesting commentary on the Diablo III art debacle so far has come in the form of a droll article with the headline "The Internet Hates Diablo III," published on the comedy web site SomethingAwful. The author, using Stephen Colbert-style sarcasm, cleverly reminds us that some of the villains and environments in the first two Diablo games were, in fact, far more colourful and cartoon-ish than anything yet revealed in Diablo III. And, indeed, it does appear as though time has tainted some players' memories. In viewing the few screens we have of Diablo III beside images taken from its predecessors, it becomes plainly obvious that comparing the new Diablo to those of years past is rather like comparing Ralph Bakshi's decades-old Lord of the Rings animated film with the more recent live- action movies made by Peter Jackson. The third game in the series has a gritty and darkly beautiful three-dimensional aesthetic that the earlier entries in the series simply cannot match. It is folly to languish in the past.

However, I doubt that even side-by-side screenshots will quell the dissatisfaction of those who disapprove of Diablo III's artistic direction. Interactive entertainment has become art. And, for better or worse, beauty is now in the eyes of the gamer.

Spore Reviewed on: A 17-inch HP Pavilion DV7-1038CA notebook with 4 GB of memory, an Intel Core 2 Duo processor running at 2.0 GHz, and nVidia's GeForce 9600M GT graphics chipset.

Score: 3/5 In retrospect, Spore, Will Wright's long anticipated evolution simulator, was destined to disappoint. It had been the subject of so much media attention over the last half decade that there really wasn't any way that it could live up to what fans had come to hope it would be. The finished product is an undeniably creative and original piece of interactive entertainment, as most suspected it would be. It just doesn't deliver a particularly compelling gaming experience.

Spore's aim is to give players the power to create and develop their very own sentient species over the course of five separate stages of evolution. And, thanks to some truly powerful and accessible 3D modeling software, it succeeds wildly in giving players godlike powers to mould their creatures into almost any form imaginable.

What's more, this power expands beyond creatures to include buildings, clothing, military hardware, and even space ships. Virtually everything we see and interact with on screen can be shaped and customized however the player sees fit. There is nothing else like it in the world of games â&#x20AC;&#x201D; especially once you factor in how

i l M I N M E . M 1 . 111111111 M I I I M M I O

A dark and deadly fight in Diablo II

TO 34 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

More colourful carnage in Diablo III

hubcanada.con0

everyone's creations are downloaded to EA's servers, where they are randomly distributed as wildlife and structures in other players' games. It's a brilliant idea.

Expect to see it pilfered by other developers.

However, creating and sharing critters and architecture does not a video game make. You also need interesting objectives, rewards, and strategies, and this is where Spore falls down.

The five stages of evolution are, in fact, five discrete games. Spore begins with an arcade-like challenge that has players trying to keep their simple, cellular organisms alive in a vast primordial soup, then progresses through several other games and activities of escalating complexity before ending with an epic quest to conquer the

galaxy by travelling from one star system to the next.

While the idea of binding several unique gaming experiences to the evolution of a single species is fascinating, Wright's team has botched the execution, delivering rudimentary and repetitive challenges that get tiresome in short order. The tribal stage, for example, which has as its goal the conquering of five rival villages, involves little more than collecting food, making babies, outfitting warriors, and attacking buildings. It gets wearisome about halfway through the 90 or so minutes it takes to complete. â&#x20AC;˘ What's worse, some stages feel like inferior rip-offs of other games. Case in point: The civilization stage, the objective of which is to conquer the globe through military, religious or economic means. If it sounds familiar, that's because it is essentially a simpler, second-rate version of Sid Meier's muchloved Civilization games.

Still, some of the stages can be quite entertaining. The creature phase sees players' species emerging from the â&#x20AC;˘ oceans and struggling to earn the right to exist on land as they encounter dozens of other fledgling animals and collect various bits of DNA that can be used to their advantage. And the space age stage is wonderfully empowering, giving players the ability to explore virtually any planet in the galaxy where they can set up terraforming projects and meet other races. Unfortunately, you have to wade through hours of mediocre play to get to it.

Wright has proven that he's a master of creating massive sandboxes in which we can tinker and experiment to our hearts' content. Now he just has to show us that he can turn this player-powered creativity into something more than just an interactive toy; something that feels like a real game. Spore was supposed to be that game, but it seems we'll have to wait at least a few more years for him to give it another go.

By Chad Sapieha

October special: 500 business cards for 70

7 COPYING/PRINTING GRAPHIC DESIGN CUSTOM PUBLISHING (MAGAZINES)

maw

gex.,PROPOSALS & l e j ANNUAL REPORTS E l CARDS/INVITATIONS CALL \ M A FOR A QL M E ON 416-348-9666

CHICRINTING DESIGN THAT MEETS YOUR NEEDS hubcanada -con*

YOUR PRINTING SHOP WE MEET YOUR NEEDS HUB:TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

TO 35

Geeks and Pocket Projectors The birth of the truly portable projector The first video projector I set my eyes on back in the early '90s was a 100 pound, three-tube affair made by Barco which threw out all of 600 lumens. The resolution was regular video (640 x 480) and just renting it for one day back then cost as much as buying a new one today.

But that was then and this is now.

Yes, projectors are poised to be part of your cell phone within the next year or two.

That's right, not as big as a cell phone but part of a cell phone or about a thousandth the size of the aforementioned tube projector. Imagine, you will finally be able to project "Kick Me!" on your boss's back without the cumbersome evidence of tape, paper, a slap on the back and your uniquely identifiable handwriting.

Not only is workplace bullying going to be revolutionized, you'll also be able to play games of a reasonable size with your cell phone too. Pico projection may really make a difference in one of the most limiting factors of portable electronics to date â&#x20AC;&#x201D; screen size. Just think of surfing the Net and reading your e-mail without awkwardly scrolling through pages to do it. Also, you will be able to watch The Blair Witch Project or episodes of Lost while out camping instead of staring at those boring stars and relaxing.

Texas Instruments has been demonstrating a hollowed out BlackBerry running as a projector using their Digital Light Processor (DLP) technology being driven by LED backlights. Because LEDs run bright and cool using very little power, you can stick them into a really small space without melting everything in sight or causing a fire.

The difference between that and a standard projector is that with a regular projector you have a single lamp which must have its white light split into red, green and blue colours. Each colour is masked via some sort of imager and then the primary colours are recombined to make a full colour image. In a DLP projector, recombining is done using a colour wheel. The wheel spins around really fast and has a red, green and blue gel covered hole that shows the colours sequentially. This happens so fast that your eyes add them together and you have your image.

Well, this whole wheel assembly can be dumped in a DLP pico projector as you can just have three differently coloured LEDs turning off and on very quickly. This.saves space and power.

Texas Instruments isn't the only midget cowboy in Tiny Town either. Microvision is a lesser known company who has created a system that has been demonstrated and is scheduled to hit the shelves... at least, eventually. Instead of using a DLP chip with thousands of tiny mirrors reflecting regular old light at various strengths, this system uses three coloured lasers that scan the picture, much like your old CRT used to, but with an electron beam. It uses just one light-deflecting mirror instead of the thousands used in a DLP.

The potential of this system for further miniaturization is likely to be greater than DLPdue to a simpler construction of the mirroring chip and the lasers not requiring a lens to be focused. The lasers are always in focus as the beam doesn't spread out like regular light. However, a potential limiting factor of this system is the speed of the mirror bouncing the lasers onto the projection surface, which determines resolution. The faster the mirror scans the lasers across the screen, the more lines of resolution it can present in a single pass.

Another issue specific to using lasers is something called speckle. When laser light hits a surface, it has light and dark spots appearing all over it. It is "speckled" looking. This interference pattern is caused by the single wave nature of lasers and isn't very helpful when you're trying to represent an image other than, well, laser speckle. Very distracting.

One company directly addressing this issue is Light Blue Optics which has a system that uses lasers bouncing off an LCOS (Liquid Crystal On Silicon) chip. This works . much like a DLP imager in that it reflects light but instead, it's reflecting a laser beam with a slight twist. They call it Holographic Laser Projection as the LCOS chip is actually using a diffraction pattern which in effect steers the light as opposed to just blocking it. It's essentially an electronically controllable hologram. That ability to steer light allows the chip to put light at different places on the screen which facilitates error compensation for dead pixels, non-flat projection surfaces, dust in the light path and speckle reduction. Reflecting from a different part of the chip to fill in a same given pixel helps stagger the light from a laser so that it starts acting like regular light, losing that weird lasery look as the light waves are offset.

Whichever technology gets adopted, it will be a nifty and useful feature for a cell phone to have, although expect stand alone units to come out first.

Unfortunately, there are a couple of things that are going to be problems no matter what. At present, the lifespan of a typical battery while using a pico-projector is about 1.5 hours, which almost finishes a movie and most certainly would finish your cell phone. It's still in the early days but, no matter what, pico projectors will have you running to the recharger sooner rather than later. Also, you need to find a white surface in a dark room. Ambient light washes out projected images like there's no tomorrow so there will be some restrictions as to where you can use it.

All in all the future is bright and pico projectors are something to look forward to.

Just don't wear white, not after Labour Day, not ever. Lest you be painted with a digital "Kick Me" sign.

ByAndrew Carruthers

Optoma's Pico Projector, displayed at InfoComm 2008

TO 36 H U B : The Computer Paper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conliw

Company Name

Address

1stDataRecovery. com M Electronics ABO International Allway Technologies Inc. Antec Trade Canada CBL DATA RECOVERYTECHNOLOGIES INC. Colosseum Online Inc. Computer Depot Computer Depot Cooler Master Digital Electronic International Dynamic Data Systems FSP Group USA Fujitech Gigabyte Gill-Max Inc. Grey Tech Computers IQWeb Solutions Mediasonic Enterprises Ltd MPT/Match Point Technologies Omni Systems Intl Overseas Video Lab Premier Computer Canada Restoring Data Inc. RTC Electronics Sig Electronics Smart Vision SystemPro Tomcom Link Corp Transat Electronics Velcom Winnet Systems

745 - 1050 West Pender St. 1350 Matheson Blvd. E Unit #8 10E - 505 Queensway East 5 - 3671 Viking Way 300 Esna Park Dr. Unit 23 590 Alden Rd., Unit # 105 800 Petrolia Road. Unit 8 239 Queen St, E Unit # 28& 29 800 Dundas St. E. 4820 Schaefer Ave. 825 Denison St., Unit # 10 416-825-8792 14284 Albers Way 180 Steeles Ave. W, Unit 2A. 17358 Railroad St 64 Otter Crescent 550 Alden Road, Unit 110 1867 Bainbridge Dr. #200 - 2268 No. 5 Rd 2370 Midland Ave .

70 Yorkville Ave. 1359 Wilson Ave 3311 Lakeshore Blvd. West Suite 500 - 666 Burrard Street 1350 Matheson Blvd. E #10A 245 WEST BEAVER CREEK RD, Unit 9 270 Esna Park Drive, Unit 11 1804 Castlemore Ave 1353 Britannia Road East 24 Ronson Dr., Unit 4AF 131 Delta Park Blvd.

1200 Eglinton Ave. East

TransferyourOldFilms&Videosto DVD - Advanced DVD Authoring, Production & Mastering - Professional Editing Facilities (Broadcast & Corporate) - 8mm & 16mm Films, Slides & Photos to Video or DVD - Broadcast Standards Conversion (NTSC/PAUSECAM) - Multimedia Production - DVD, CD & Video Duplication (Any quantity) - Professional & Broadcast Video Taping Services - Digital Video Capture (AVI, QT, MPEG 1&2, iPod) - High Definition Vi d e o N G A Projector Rental

Overseas Video Lab ( 4 1 6 ) 2 4 4 - 1 8 2 2

1359 Wilson Ave. Toronto, Ontario www.overseasvideolab.com S

i

n

c

e

1980

Province/State

City

Vancouver Mississauga Mississauga Richmond Markham Markham Toronto Brampton Mississauga Chino Markham

BC ON ON BC ON ON ON ON ON CA ON

Chino Thornhill City of Industry Toronto Markham Pickering Richmond Scarborough Toronto Toronto Etobicoke Vancouver Mississauga Richmond Hill Markham Markham Mississauga Etobicoke Brampton Toronto

CA ON CA ON CA ON BC ON ON ON ON BC ON ON ON ON ON ON ON ON

website www.lstDataRecovery.com www.aa-e.com www.ABOink.com www.allway.ca www.antectrade.com www.cbltech.ca www.colosseum.com www.computerdepotca.com www.computerdepotca.com www.coolermaster.com www.digiland.ca www.ddsc.net www.fspgroupusa.com www.fujitech.com www.gigabyte-usa.com www.myrevo.ca www.greytech.com www.iqweb.ca www.mediasonic.ca www.mptcomputers.com www.laptopcloseout.com www.overseasvideolab.com www.pccanada.com www.restoringdata.ca www.rtcemall.com www.sigelectronics.com www.smartvisiondirect.com techieonsite.ca www.tomcom.ca www.transatelectronics.com www.velcom.com - www.winnetsystems.com

14.41t D y n a m i c D a t a S y s t e m s

D S C • NE

Whelp Companies Build Custom Business Database Applications.

Guaranteed Low Prices!

Online o r local database systems, F i n a n c e / C r e d i t

System Export, Access, SQL, ASP, Java, Net, XML, etc.

416-825-8792 w w w. d d s c . n e t Get Protection and GET IT NOW!

Dead Hard Drive Clean R o o m

Recovery $500*

The CM. Data Recovery Service Protection Plan

3- D r i v e R a i d R e c o v e r y $ 8 5 0 *

From dead, deleted, formatted, corrupted, virus infected, passworded, water & fire damaged, overwritten, inaccessible storage devices: raid server, NAS, SAN, DAS, Flash memory, tape, SCSI ... W i n d o w s / Mac / Linux / NetWare 18 Years of Quality Service D a t a back in as Tittle as 24 hrs.

Toll Free: 1-888-226-8145 1050 W. Pender St. Suite 745. Vancouver, BC V6E 3S7 157 Adelaide St. W. Suite 172, Toronto, ON M5H 4E7 925 De Maisonneuve Ouest, Suite 108, Montreal, QC H3A 0A5 info& stDataRecovery.com www.lstDataRecovery.com •.4, to130G9ATAvindwn drive

uourwaitnciDitime:au rat For Ink-Jet & Laser Printer Copier Cartridges 13V

t

Salo0 s0

0

0

I n k & Toner Cartridges Refill 0 C o m p a t i b l e Ink Cartridges

i % C D I n k Refill Kits M

i

s

c_all:(416) 822-0918

s

i

s

s

a

u

C a l l : ( 9 0 5 )

UnFmded data recovery coverage for perupes a day Buy your protection at NAM cbltech.CedrSPP.

,11 _ C o

AC7•-..447.-ilii

CBL Dora Recovery

1 8 00 5 5 1 - 39 1 7 2 4 x 7 x 3 6 5

Lost Data? Don't Panic!

ReStoring Data Inc. Can Help You! /Hard Drive Recovery (Desktop/Laptop) /Memory Card Recovery /Raid Array Recovery / R e m o v a b l e Media Recovery /Any Media,Brand orOS / F a s t Turnaround We provide FREE evaluations and offer a No Data No Charge policy.

Fax Films C T o r o n t o

New from CBI_ Data if ecovery, Canada's trusted data recovery spectall

g

a 275-8988

Address: 5 0 5 Queensway E., Suite 10E Address: 5 0 Weybright Court, Unit 43 (Queensway & Cawthra) (Midland & Sheppard) Business Hours: Mon. -Sat 1700noon -6:00pm BUSine$S Flours: Mon. -Sat.: linOam - 6:00pm

To l l F r e e : 1 ( 8 7 7 ) 7 3 7 - 8 0 0 3 salesaReStoringData.ca 100 King St. 37th Floor Toronto, ON M5X 1C9 2425 Matheson Blvd East. 8th Floor Mississauga. ON L4W 5K4

The Last Byte What we can learn from iPhone girl I read about iPhone girl in the Globe and Mail at the end of August, as her story was flashing around the world. The HUBCanada website also carried a story about her, as did anumber of other online news sources including PC World, Yahoo!News, CNet and USAToday. When you read this column at least a month will have passed since it was news, and you will probably have forgotten all about it.

To recap, a guy in the UK purchased a new iPhone and found a photo on it of a young Asian female smiling into the camera and flashing the peace sign. What looked like a factory assembly line was in the background. He posted the photo online and wondered if anyone else had the photo on their iPhone. Apparently no one else did but the message board soon became populated with speculations about the iPhone girl — who she was and whether these apparent assembly line antics would get her fired, etc..

According to the AP/AFP story carried by the Globe and Mail, further investigation discovered that the female was in fact an employee of Foxconn, the Taiwan-based company Apple contracted to make the Phones. Foxconn's explanation: the photo was taken during product testing and someone simply forgot to delete it before the phone was packaged.

Astory from NewsFactor Network, which was carried by HUB Canada, put a more conniving spin on the incident. NewsFactor writer, Patricia Resende, raises the idea that the whole thing might have been a publicity stunt to show happy workers and good working conditions. Resende goes on to explain that a Britjh newspaper reported appalling working conditions at the plant in 2006, which prompted Apple to investigate conditions for itself. What it discovered was a factory in violation of Apple's supplier code of conduct. The company agreed to improve working conditions, hours of work, etc..

Fast forward to the present and the charmingly happy iPhone girl communicating the subtext "everything is groovy here."

Maybe someone could make a case for the iPhOne girl being a brilliant piece of viral marketing but I think there are too many uncontrolled variables or dubious motivations for that, starting with the guy who found and posted the image in the

first place. If I had found that on my new iPhone, I would have immediately deleted it without much thought to its source or purpose. I would have dismissed it as just another useless sample of the kind tech companies like to include with their products — just in case we've never seen a digital image or an MP3 music file before. But maybe he was a Foxconn operative. Maybe...

One thing iPhone girl gives us is a progress report of our march towards a global village. That journey started in ancient times with oral reports of exotic and exciting places far away, gained a wider audience with books and broke through time barriers with the immediacy of radio and television. The Internet adds the next piece to the global village: global dialogue in real time.

Have we arrived at that global village so many media theorists have predicted for so many years? In some respects, it seems so. Those who cared about iPhone girl formed a community that shared something mutually interesting to them just as two suburban neighbours might talk up their passion for whatever over the back yard fence. Pick any topic you care to and you find both serious and casual discussion popping up on the Net. That's one of the hallmarks of Web 2.0, the social Internet.

The iPhone girl is our version of the mysterious stranger that passes through a village — and becomes an immediate but short-lived topic of idle conversation.

But the technology also allows geographically diverse individuals to come together on more serious issues. One of the things you may have noticed during our current federal election campaign (and also the presidential election happening south of us) is the increasingly important role the social Internet is playing in political debate. I'm writing this just a few days after the election was called, but I note that one of CBC's reporters will be following the election process as it plays out on the web.

This isn't a new phenomenon, but is an increasingly signifiCant force in determining the outcome — at least as important as the stumping, baby hugging and "debates."

Until next time, David Tanaka

it Y o u r W e b ite Ago • a Yo u r c u s t o m e r s a r e s e a r c h i n g f o r you online. M a k e s u r e t h e first r e s u l t t h e y find i s your own, presenting your message, your company image and your brand the w a y you w a n t it s e e n .

YourWebDesignOnline.com offers full service website design, databasing applications, hosting, content management and much more to ensure your online presence is felt.

• M e d i a kit design • L o g o design • C o n t e n t management systems

Visit us at http://yourwebdesignonline.com and get your web design online today!

TO38 H U B : TheComputerPaper - Toronto - October 2008

hubcanada.conll

c

CANADA & US

Tr

FLAT RATE SHIPPING

JJElectronics.com

PER ORDER!

ALSO VISIT OUR WEBSITE FOR MORE PROMOTIONS AT HTTP://WWW.SIGELECTRONICS.COM

a c e r Empowering People

Authorized Dealer

ASPIRE ONE XP Edition

19" LCD

• Intel A t o m 8270 1.6GHz Processor

• 18.5" Viewable

• 120GB Hard Drive • 1 G B DDR2 SDRAM

• 5ms • 1000: 1

• 8.9" LCD + CrystalEye W e b c a m • 8 0 2 . 11 b / g Wireless LAN

• Intel C o r e 2 D u o 2.4GHz • AT I R o d e o n H D 2 6 0 0 P R O 2 5 6 M B • 320GB Harddrive • 1 G B SO-DIMM DDR2

I

DOORcash$139.99

Cash$389.99 Online $399.99

.E5

t i t , %CY

Apple iMac 2.4GHz

-

CRASHER Online $149.99

Celeron Complete Notebook

is

* A d d i t i o n a l U p g r a d e t o 4 G B S O - D I M M f o r just $ 7 9 . 9 9 APPLE P r o t e c t i o n P l a n s

Cash$149.99* Online $149.99*

DOOR

CRASHER

FEATURED ITEMS • G A R M I N . nuvi 770

TOTTOM 411XL S

0

G

T EXT TO Speech fuctlen

• - M MSNDirect

I

Cash$249.99 Online $259.99

FREE 2x512MB SD Card FREE CAMERA CASE

LACIE t

o

E

N 140

• F M Tr a n s m i t t e r $ 4 9 9 . 9 9 • North America & Europe M a p L o a d e d $ 4 9 9 . 9 9

t

e

r

n a l 0582.0

DOOR CRASHER

PXC-250

NOISE

NOUS'

$109.99

$99.99

$119.99

$109.99

For-4Y: SDHC

SENISHEISER

Canon PowerShot S5 IS

$299.99 $319.99

Canon

Canon

8.0 MP

PowerShot SD1100 IS

PowerShot SD790 IS

3% optical zoom $179.99

2.5 Inch LCD

5199.99

$269.99

JAWBONE•11

',-

0

$ 11 9 . 9 9

8.5 MP

Mom

$259.99

2.7Inch LCD

$313.39

OLYMPUS

WodO.AnCW3

$269.99 Panasonic DMC-FX35

9.1 MP

10.1 MP

$303.79

2.5 inch LCD

$309.99

MP

OLYMPUS FE310

I8X optics zoom 2-in-I

$329.99

$344.99

Anti-bitx

$ 11 9 . 9 9 $125.99

8.0

(MYMPUti

850SW

MP

1030SW

Shock Proof $244.99

$249.99

Water Proof

.

9

Foxconn GeForce 7950 512MB GTOC$

9

9

.

PC G a m e Enemy Territory Quake Wars$ MPIO MG100 MP3 Player 4GB (Titan) $

1 7

4 9

.

9

2

.

9

Body Glove Digital Camera 8 MP3 Case $ 11 . 111 . 1 , - I V K A J

•

J F / I u i n

•

-

-

r

•

l

u

w

u

l

l

.

I

w

•

W

W

9

W

$9.99

G A M M A n u v l 650

2008 P r e m i u m

24 inct LCD

10.1 MP

9

/ $9.99 j W i n JD-VD625 5 . 1 0 ) Karaoke Home Theater System / $69.99 j W i n JD-V(7509 Progressive-Scan DVD Player $ 3 4

9

.

Cret=1111K

( SD CCM

Slot $249.99

Text to Speech

$259.99

$342.99

Water Proof

$124 T " $129.99

Torrerom X L 330

4 to 1 S w i t c h e r

4.3 inct Touch Screen

Shock Proof

$349.99

SimplyAccounting

MP

$169.99

Eosy Pat aani.

$189.99

538.99 $39.99

onics.com

/ $79.99 j W i n JX-M89 Splash Proof Shower CD Player / Radio $ 3 9 . 9 9 / $29.99 Philips Norelco 8140XL shaver $ $79.99 / $69.99 B r a u n 360 c o m p l e t e Shaver $ / $99.99 j W i n Digital Photo Frame r LCD w / Built in Memory

9 9

9

8.0

DOOR

5X optical zoom

sciution

OLYMPUS

4% optical zoom

3 inch LCD

8.0

SP- 5 6 0

10X optical ZOOM

10X optical zoom

9

DOOR CRASHER

I I ) A E &

$129.99 CRASHER $12.99

$319.99

8

B E L K I N H D M I 6ft.

TO,.....MTOT O N E 3rd

$97.99

Panasonic Lumix TZ4

1 1

1 9

9 9

$99.99 / $97.99 Philips Norelco Cordless Rechargeable Shaver 9 9 / $29.99 Vizio 37" Wide LCD HDTV 7000:1 8ms (RF) $ 5 7

$14.99 / $9.99 V 7 40" LCD 1080i HDTV 16:9 ratio, w/Wall Mount 9 / $1.99 To r g u s Travel Adapters too oo I tOd 99 R r n t os 7A521) gym-a, csztfarn Smnrf I Plain Shaver1 1 9 9 9 9 / $109.99 P a l m m100. Hi. VII Series Portable Keyboard W

W

W

.

,

-

-

-

-

-

/ $29.99 / $4.99 I $24.99 / $39.99 / $12.99 / $5.99

(1080P V111.3)

AUZ144.111_4111MiliMiwww.si • e ec Foxconn GeForce 7900GS 256MB PCI-Express$

9 9 9 9 9

$99.99

Panasonic Lumix ns

3inch LCD

5279.99

Gaming Accessories

$ 2 5 . 9 9 Accessories kit

3% optical zoom

0'

Panasonic 8GB SDHC 20MB/S Professional $ 8 9 . 9 9 / $79.99 Panasonic 16GB SDHC 20MB/S Professional $ 1 4 9 . 9 9 / $149.99 Sony 8GB Pro Duo Mark 2$ 7 9 .

9 9 / $78.39 Sony 16GB Pro Duo Mark 2$ 1 5 9 .

9 9 / $149.99 AData SDHC Class 6 4GB$ 1 1 .

9 9 / $9.99 AData SDHC Class 6 8GB $ 2 2 .

9 9 / $19.99 ADato SDHC Class 6 16GB $ 4 2 .

9 9 / $38.99

$19.99

$269.99 $279.99

10.0 MP

Memories

$20.99 8.2 MP

/ $189.99 / $128.63 / $289.99

MS Office Home&Student 07 + Norton AntiVirus 08 $ 9 9 . 9 9 / $89.99 Apple Logic Express 8 Retail $ 1 3 9 .

9 9 / $129.99 Apple Xsan 2 Retail $ 5 0 9 .

9 9 / $499.99 MS Office:mac 08$ 3 0 9 .

9 9 / $299.99 Simply Accounting 08 Premium (2 users) $ 1 2 9 . 9 9 / $119.99 Mobile ME Individual $ 7 9 .

9 9 / $69.99 Mobile ME Family (5 Pack) $ 1 0 9 .

9 9 / $99.99 A d o b e A c r o b a t 8 standard (PC) $ 2 6 2 . 4 9 / $256.99 A d o b e A c r o b a t 8 Standard (Upgrade) $ 5 4 . 9 9 / $49.99 A d o b e A c r o b a t 8 Pro Upgrade (PC) $ 9 4 .

9 9 / $89.99 A d o b e A c r o b a t 8 Pro (MAC) $ 3 4 9 .

9 9 / $341.99 A d o b e Photoshop Elements 6 + Premier Elements 4 $ 8 4 . 9 9 / $79.99

- $24.99

6X Digital zoom

2.S Inch LCD

.

$17.99

5X optical zoom

25 Inch LCD

9 5 9 9

$19.99

S O N Y T2 To u c h S c r e e n

10.0 MP

PowerShot SD 8 9 0 IS

12X optical zoom $299.99

N

Ready

Canon

8.0 MP

$319.99

Headset

9 2 9

R4 / DSTT Flash Cord $ 3 4 .

9 9 Hori PSP / DS Light Screen Protector $ 6 .

9 Logitech PS3 Wireless Media Board $ 2 9 .

9 Sony Wireless Controller Sixaxis For PS3 $ 4 4 . 9 Wii Blue Light Charge Station w / 2 Battery $ 1 7 . 9 AirForm G a m e Pouch for NDS Lite $ 4 .

9

cash $12.99 Online $13.99

stcrronosa MOO

CANCELLI IC

CANCELLING,

DOOR

CRASHER

Cash$6.99 Online $7.99

Ile

micro

J A B R A BT5020 Headset

HD

$199.99 $199.99

1,111.1.-.11.11

cash $13.99 Online $14.99

•cash $159.99 Online 5179.99 S O N Y MDR-NC60

M M . )

w i t h SD C a r d A d a p t e r

H a r d r i v e L I q u l d F M D e l u x e For i P o d s / i P h o n e i P o d not Included

1111 0

T EXT TO SI eech TUDOR

;

1 K I 1 4 1 1 MicroSD

1 T B Designed BY Neil Poulton K e n s i n g t o n ' F M T r a n s m i t t e r

x

K

Online Price • Cash Price

PC / Mac Software

*$50 MIR

These o r e n o t w h a t y o u a r e i o o k i n a f o r ? V i s i t 1 - I t t o : / / w w w. s i a e l e c t r o n i c s _ c o m f o r m o r e n r - n r n t i n n n n H m n r I p l c

Panasonic DMC-FX55 3" LCD

•

MacBook/iBook/Air $ 1 9 9 . iMaC/eMaC $ 1 3 1 .

MacBook Pro/PowerBook w/Display $ 2 9

• 8 0 2 . 11 b / g Wireless LAN

"Wo M i Online $499.99

cash $1499.99 24" online $ 1 5 9 9 . 9 9

• 15.4" LCD + CrystalEye W e b c a m

$ 4 7 9 . 9 9

Cash$1199.99 Online $1299.99

•

Microphone Included InBox

• 1GB DDR2

„pa, c a s h

- i x o e r o i e

D r a g o n Naturally S p e a k i n g 10 Preferred A N D GET VERSION 9 FOR FREE

• Intel C e l e r o n M 5 6 0 2.1GHz •1 2 0 G B H a r d D r i v e

O s 20"

• •

-

-

.

9

.

9 / $99.99 9 / $189.99 $89.99 / $84.99

9 9

.

9

9

/ $549.99

$699.99 / $669.99 $4.99 / $4.99

- r 7 A L L N O W 1 8 6 6 8 0 0 8688

S T O R E R i c h m o n d HIII: 245 West Beaver Creek, Unit 9 R i c h m o n d Hill, O n t a r i o Tel: 1(905)886-8601 M o n d a y to Friday: 1 0 A M - 6PM Saturday to Sunday: 12PM - 7PM .• . .

• .

- • • 9 T - • • : 11 A M - 7 P M Thursda t o Sunda : 11 A M - 7PM M o n d a & W e d n e s d a : C l o s e d sL Peca0 s0nIrvc,

0¢.40.1. A l p e

sominolmwx

Not your avera e IGP! • • • •

Mind blowing 3D performance Unmatched IGP overclocking Full HD / DX10 HW acceleration Super charged Hybrid Graphics

AMDCI Athlon-X2

7900X A I I ATI " ' " 1 "

4 A M D : 1 `e . w . e l

' A

j j

G R R P t

Dirndl

I C S

R

R

D

E

O

N

G C ,

Powerful / Affordabl / Energy Efficent GA-MA790GP-DS4H

GA-MA780GPM-DS2H

11

G A - M A 7 8

-DS3H G A - M A 7 8 G M - S 2 H

1,,pgt

Authorized Distributor •

W

h

e

r

e

to Buy:

EXPC.CA

1112'0•11113ntr_ aej_ifjpt,LelES

•

IGP:Integrated Graphics Processor '2800+ 30mark06 was achieved by overclocking C P U : AMD Phenom. 9600 / 2x1GB DDR2 1066 memory UMA set at 256MB shared / Vista 32Bit / Driver version 8.47 www. g ift a -byte .ca

D e n o n e w t , e t e l t n o s a t e not. q u e n i n I t n e l b y G I G A B Y T E . T h e

s e n n l * s

and tenures are ealhOn to m a n g o w a n o . i n o u n A l l itaoomerks

0 , 0 1 1 0 0 . M B t h e n o t t o n n s o f n e e r e s p o n e r e h o l d e n M y o v e l e l o n d a t t i t a l o a r a i n k . G I G A B Y T E Te e h n d o g y s h a l t n o t b e r e s p o o s t i e f o r a n y darnatue o r i n e n t e l i n to r o t e w o m e n , a n t n o t b o t e d . o r a n y o t h e r n e i n t e n t u n t s .

GIGABYTE