Software

You could almost sat that this is another example of “dig for victory” following last week’s look at farm management for the casual gamer.

Small is better when it comes to storing data or sending it via email. Compression software can help.

While we are often encouraged, and sometimes make the effort, to be energy efficient with regards to our home and car environment, the home computer is generally an area that is neglected in this respect.

For those who cannot afford or need the complexity of Adobe Photoshop, then Adobe Photoshop Elements has long been one of the major alternatives. Here I look at both the latest ‘Elements’, Photoshop and Premier.

Recently I have been talking to my computer. This should not be regarded as a sign of any mental disturbance but more to do with testing the latest speech recognition software from Nuance.

In the past I have played numerous games dealing with the management of various types of businesses and involved the building and running of hotels, theme parks, airports and even a prison or two. Now I have the opportunity to try by hand at farming with Ranch Rush, a game developed by Fresh Games and published by MumboJumbo.

For those who have not already encountered him, let me introduce you to Mortimer Beckett. Following his first appearance in the episode of the Spooky Manor, our intrepid adventurer is once again called upon by his uncle to help resolve a problem of chronological significance.

Where do toys go when left to their own devices? It is a question that has confounded some of the world’s greatest thinkers but not those who are young at heart.

Now at the ripe old age of 17 years, Adobe Acrobat and its PDF (Portable Document Format) technology is the established lingua franca of the world of electronic documents.

An opera singer, chatty bat, numerous rats and gargoyles all feature in an adventure that harks back to the style introduced by LucasArts

Alright I plead guilty. As regards to fashion I am a walking disaster but at least I feel comfortable in my own appearance

Adding to its portfolio of game titles, MumboJumbo now offers an adventure style hidden object game entitled Samantha Swift: The Hidden Roses of Athena.

With this new game from MumboJumbo, your puzzle solving skills will be put to the test as you attempt to rebuild some historic buildings in various parts of the world.

It was like a trip down memory lane when I received a copy of Etch A Sketch. No, this was not the drawing toy of old with vertical and horizontal controls encased in a red box. Instead it was a computerised version.

While Windows Recycle Bin does a reasonable job of providing a failsafe when a file is accidentally deleted, sometimes a more powerful tool is required.

Have you thought about the visual quality of your favourite music tracks? Audiosurf has!

Now up to version 12, Pinnacle’s video editing Studio software is available in three flavours. These are the basic Studio, Studio Plus and Studio Ultimate.

In the beginning Bejeweled was a Match-3 puzzle game that build up an impressive reputation. A follow-up version, Bejeweled 2, help add to the franchise’s reputation for addictive game play. Now Popcap has added a new twist to the game.

An Egyptian Queen, a dead Pharaoh, renegade priests and scarabs aplenty are just some of the elements that make up the latest episode of the number one selling action-puzzle franchise.

Stepping back the best part of a hundred years in time, you can test your military and strategy acumen in Ascaron’s latest historical strategy game.

With an ample supply of different coloured pegs and a collection of balls, the game of Peggle returns with more challenges.

Missing servants, a bloodthirsty religious sect and a visit to Victorian London to meet a famous detective can only mean it is another Sherlock Holmes adventure.

This used to be called CD Creator and was one of the two main products in the field. Now of course the CD part is dropped mainly as most will use the DVD part as much if not more than the CD but it does a great deal more as well.

Developers of puzzle-style games now seem to be taking the approach of blending different types of puzzle solving into a single title. This next product is one such example.

Accidents can happen, so can deliberate attacks on your computer system’s integrity. So why not make sure your data has been backed up

Following its recent acquisition, Magix has integrated some new technology into its graphic design product.

It is no secret that I like puzzle games. As a result I was keen to take up the challenge of a new game from Legendo even if it meant tackling spooky spirits.

Storing your music collection in MP3 format is just the first stage as you let your creativity take over with help from a product from Magix.

This product almost has the voice recording market to itself, the method buy the opposition, worked a while ago. Don’t get me wrong it is a very good package and could well put a lot of typists out of work. It is also happy to work unsocial hours for no pay.

When last we went to battle against each other, America gave Britain a bloody nose. Maybe this time you can engineer a result that will be different.