Archive | February, 2008

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Mozilla Firefox


ReviewColumn's rating :
4 stars

Mozilla FirefoxOne of the most reliable web browsers around the net, Mozilla Firefox has been relied on by many for safe web browsing and its ability to allow multiple downloads (unlike the Internet Explorer's (IE) of just 2 parallel downloads). It has been trusted by many for years since its development. Although doubted by many during its initial launch, it has grown much into a household name for net browsers. Today, it has achieved much and is currently the world's most used web browser, comparable to the IE.

One of the few reasons why Mozilla Firefox became so popular was because of its uniqueness in the web browser. For one, it allows users to customize their own version of the Firefox with various themes like Aero Fox, NASA Night Launch and much much more. As compared to the IE's standard look, the Firefox is much more user-friendly and users could download various themes to constantly have a fresh look for the browser. It also provides thousands of add-ons to keep the web browser unique and users can customize them to make it their own personal web browser. It is also one of the first web browsers that allows tab browsing, in which only recently did IE also implement that feature. To the layman, it simply means to view multiple web pages without opening up more than one web browser windows, allowing it to be easy to keep track of what the users are actually viewing.

The security of the Firefox is also something that many rely on. Unlike the IE, which is virus-plagued, the Firefox has much less viruses to worry about and has a much better capability to hold back attacks from the cyberworld. Due to its constant security updates to prevent virus attacks, it is heavily updated by the latest virus protection technology, and hence, many people feel much safer using the Firefox, knowing well that they and their personal information are protected from unauthorized access.

Personally, I've been using the Firefox for several years now and it has proven its capability to me by protecting me against viruses and safeguarding my personal information. The ability that allows me to customize the very look of my browser continues to keep my browser fresh and not a boring old standard outlook of the IE. Ultimately, it is a reliable web browser. Although some websites, especially the official government and some education websites requires the use of the function of the IE to work properly, Firefox is currently trying to be adaptable and try to accommodate such websites to ensure that they are able to work in the Firefox.

All in all, Mozilla Firefox is a very reliable and trustworthy web browser that protects the people's interest as well as keeping harmful viruses off the reach of our computers. For those who are considering Firefox, hesitate no more, for which it is one that would definitely live up to the expectations of many.

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Simple Plan (album)


ReviewColumn's rating :
2 stars

Simple PlanThe name "Simple Plan" is almost synonymous with the punk rock genre of music. Formed almost a decade ago in 1999, Simple Plan has had major successes world wide. Releasing "No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls" back in 2002 and then "Still not getting any..." in 2004. Both albums achieved double and single platinum in the United States respectively as well as quadruple platinum in Canada. Just recently (a week ago as a matter of fact), they released their 3rd studio album, simply titled "Simple Plan" (no pun intended).

However, the standard of this album falls far behind that of the other 2 albums in my opinion. The most popular song in this album, Your Love is a Lie, as well as I Can Wait Forever remind me of the boy bands of the 1990s (ala Backstreet Boys/Westlife), especially the chorus. Not to mention Take My Hand sounds like an oddly "cheerful" song (S Club 7?) and The End is practically indistinguishable from all the other punk rock songs (Yellowcard, Good Charlotte... take your pick) as do Generation and Time to Say Goodbye (both sound like Bowling for Soup, and the latter is just irritating me by repeating the song title over and over again in the song itself). Save You almost sounds like a boy band singing along to rock music in the background (ie. completely weird).

The only songs in the album which I can bring myself to remotely like are When I'm Gone, Holding On, No Love and What If (ironically the first song and the last 3 songs). Yet, even then, there isn't anything completely unique about these songs that sets them apart from all the other punk rock songs out there, including Simple Plan's own songs from previous albums. In my opinion, the music found in Simple Plan (I'm referring to the album here) simply hasn't evolved much over the years.

In fact, I loved Simple Plan's debut album No Pads, No Helmets...Just Balls and Still Not Getting Any... When it comes to the punk rock genre, I've always enjoyed their songs, unfortunately, I can't say the same thing about this new self-titled album of theirs. Honestly, these type of songs were fresh when they first appeared a few years back in their earlier albums, but it's time they injected something new into their songs. I don't know what that secret ingredient is, all I know is that it's missing from this album.

All in all, I expected better from a band of this standard and am pretty disappointed by this album (I'm not alone). Simple Plan's plan for this album was perhaps a little too simple (pun intended this time).

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Moshi Celesta Keyboard


ReviewColumn's rating :
3 stars

Moshi Celesta Keyboard

Usually, I would not use the adjective 'swanky' on something as dead as a piece of electronic hardware, but in this case, 'swanky' perfectly describes the Moshi Celesta Keyboard. All over the web, other superlatives have been lavished on the Celesta, and from the very first glance, it's easy to understand why.

The Moshi Celesta Keyboard is the new, uber-sleek keyboard from Aevoe Moshi and comes in two colour themes - silver perimeter with white keys and blue LED, or all-black with red key labels and LED. It is exceptionally slim, even when compared to Apple's aluminium keyboard. It has two USB 2.0 ports on the right side and is compatible for both PC and Mac. The mere connecting of the USB cable would allow the keyboard to function, without the hassle of having to install drivers and software through CDs. When powered up, the Celesta exudes class and sophistication, with the top of the keyboard giving off a warm glow, illuminating the Moshi logo.

The keys are flat and knitted closely together, resembling the built-in keyboard of a laptop. Keys are easily depressible and they actually have less 'travel' than those on a normal keyboard. This basically means that the key travels a smaller distance downwards when depressed. This might be a good or bad thing, depending on user preference. Users who are fond of pounding their keys would not be accustomed to typing on this surface, whereas users who lightly tap on keys would adore the feel of this keyboard. Typing will not require much force, making it, in fact, a very comfortable activity. The layout of keys are pretty much standard, with QWERTY keys arrayed neatly. There are two multimedia buttons directly above the navigation keys, below the 'delete' key, which allows for volume control. Also there is an 'eject' key, for opening the disc drive.

The Moshi Celesta Keyboard offers a flip-down panel to adjust the height at which the keyboard is elevated, but it can only be elevated at two fixed heights. According to Aevoe Moshi, the keyboard's two tilt angles are specially designed to provide ergonomic support for the wrists. For users who prefer to keep the keyboard far from the edge of the tray, the keyboard's incline would allow forearms to rest comfortably on the tray and for wrists to rest on the support. For those who like to keep the keyboard to the edge of the table/tray, the flip-down panel tilts the Celesta to an angle where your wrists and forearms are aligned comfortably. The Celesta comes equipped with rubber feet, so the lightweight aluminium frame does not slip and move around when typing.

One thing I really liked about the Celesta is the presence of not just one, but two USB ports on the right side. It makes it that much more convenient to dock thumb drives or even charge an iPod, when compared to connecting it to the computer's USB ports. Typing is pretty much hassle-free, but comparatively, it is not much different to that of a standard keyboard.

The biggest attraction of this keyboard is the eye-candy factor. This keyboard is such a ravishing sight. Complete with the cool hues from the LED glow, the Celesta oozes poise. The downside of this is the extravagant hole that this gadget will burn in your pocket. Priced at US$120, it is more than double the price of Apple's new wireless keyboard, and a good 20% more expensive than Razer's lauded Tarantula gaming keyboard.

If you have the cash to splash out, the white version of the Moshi Celesta Keyboard would be a perfect match for that iMac, while the black one will go with almost any other PC. Fundamentally, this is a very basic keyboard for daily use. Users such as gamers might want to give this a pass, especially when there is a need to program keys for certain functions. Otherwise, this is a big 'yes' for office executives or home users who are looking for a simple yet elegant design and basic functionality in a keyboard.

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FIFA 08 Soccer


ReviewColumn's rating :
3 stars

Fifa 08 SoccerThis is for the soccer fans. And once again, EA Sports comes up with a smashing hit, the latest series of the world-renown game series, FIFA 08. Made available on almost every single popular console, this version has found its way into many awards, such as many of IGN's top awards (Game of the Year, Best Sports Sim, etc).

Being already a very popular series amongst football fanatics, this game makes the virtual world of soccer much more realistic with its new features, never before attempted gameplay ideas that even other football series find it hard to accomplish. EA Sports have implemented the new idea of manual crossing/manual through balls (i.e. to pass the ball into empty spaces without any team players in it). This allows gamers more mobility to move their players around the pitch and send the ball flying in all directions. Contrary to the old format of crossing the ball into the box, the new format of manual crossing requires players to aim the direction of the cross through moving the directional key while holding onto the cross button for the power gauge. This makes the game much more challenging and allows players to make awkward crosses. All these new features are supposed to change the image of FIFA being a fairly simple game to a much tougher one.

As for me, I really am quite a fan of soccer. Having played almost all of the FIFA series since 2000, it was quite shocking for me to personally try out the new way of moving the ball. I had never expected FIFA to be tough to grasp. (You guys haven't seen how I fumbled over the controls while I was at my first tryout of the game.) It's getting hard to score a goal.

The new mode of Pro-Coop Season is quite interesting. It forces the player to personally customise a player and add it to an already existing team. And starting from scratch, the gamer has to grow its player into the star of the next season. There's this catch: Gamers are only supposed to control their own player and all other team members are controlled by the AI. This means that you would have to move your player to your team members, not the other way round, in order to have the ball passed to you. Nevertheless, you would be the captain of the team and all members would definitely pass the ball to you no matter where you are on the pitch if you call for the ball. This mode also allows gamers to play with their friends through this co-op mode. All human players in this game mode would be in the same team and would all have to start afresh with an original character with low initial capability. Cooperation is definitely needed for you to actually play well in this mode, since you are handicapped with weak players.

The game no longer makes deals with the in-game points earned during matches, but rather, with currency such as the Pound Sterling (£), Euro (€) or the Dollar ($). This makes the game more realistic and even closer to the real-life soccer world. Also, the game has an interactive league option that allows gamers to link onto the Internet and download real-life fixtures, team build-ups and formations. This allows gamers to play these fixtures and bring their team to victory in the virtual world. FIFA has never been so closely linked to the real life before.

All in all, FIFA 08 is definitely a game soccer fans out there would want to get. Especially if you're an owner of PS3 / Xbox 360, you would want to get your hands on this. Why? Because the Xbox 360 and PlayStation 3 versions of the game feature an improved game engine with superior graphics and different commentators, much better off than the PC and PS2 version. Personally I've tried the PS3 version and seriously, it rocks. Be sure to get them from the nearest retailer near you.

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Fight Club (1999)


ReviewColumn's rating :
4 stars

Fight club

"The first rule of fight club is, you do not talk about fight club. The second rule of fight club is, you do not talk about fight club."

Fight Club (1999) is an intriguing movie which not only provides a refreshingly new plot, but also surprises and puzzles at every little turn of the movie. With an equally spectacular ending and finale, it is a brilliant film adaptation of a novel of the similar name.

Edward Norton stars as an unnamed narrator, telling the story from his point of view, about his life. The narrator is a simple domestic man, a slave to his job, which does product recalls for defective cars, living a simple, well-to-do life. However, he feels that his life is somewhat imperfect and undefined. As a result, he gets drawn to a materialistic type of lifestyle, where he thinks that he can define his success in life via his possessions, leading him to frequently purchase such extravagant furniture. Together the need of frequent travel due to his job, he becomes disturbed to the point that he suffers from chronic insomnia.

He quickly finds solace and "therapy" in the form of visiting various support groups which provide care and attention to those with terminal illnesses, fatal injuries and that sort of ilk. Through these groups, he feels the attention that he lacks in his usual life via meeting the people who are even more less fortunate then him, being addicted to these groups as a cure for his insomnia. However, when complications arrive, he finds himself unavailable to join these groups, and desperate for another solution, he meets a strange man by the name of Tyler Durden, played by Brad Pitt.

Tyler then introduces the narrator to the idea of a Fight Club, a club where a number of people who feel that they have lost their identity in the growing consumer world of today, and need an outlet to perhaps gain some form of healing in the form releasing aggression. The goal is to bring us back to our basic instincts, away from the complex world of today, acting as an eccentric form of psychotherapy to reduce the discomforts of the modern world. The story continues and follows these two men, and where the name of Fight Club might bring them into, escalating into a stunning storyline with a twist ending.

However, despite the originality of the movie, the complicated theme portrayed within the story would only appeal to a minority of people. The story deals the conflict that ordinary men today have with the consumerism lifestyle that our world is growing into, where one's sense of success and meaning in life can only originate from their materialistic possessions, or so they think. These very mature themes, I'm afraid, would scare off the casual watchers, who would be confused about the meaning of several contexts within the film. In addition to that, Fight Club exaggerates the number of violent scenes in the movie, leading to much more gore than needed.

Despite having a plot which drives in a completely new direction, leaving the audience guessing to how the story would evolve, it is being offset by the mature themes brought forward in the film. This was probably the main result it failed terrible in the box offices, only doing much better in DVD releases. With a brain-bending plot and ending, Fight Club (1999) is still an excellent movie which would get an interested watcher grasping at the straws to understand the meaning behind every subtle action.

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