ReviewColumn’s rating :

Adobe Dreamweaver (formerly known as Macromedia Dreamweaver, but was acquired by its competitor Adobe Systems in 2005) is perhaps one of the most popular web development applications. Despite changing its name and company, it still remains as one of the strongest competitors in this field of programming. Adobe has quite a number of products that are specifically made to help in designing web pages such as Flash and Fireworks but Dreamweaver has to be the most ideal one for customising your own webpage. It is pretty simple to use and hence, could possibly be an appropriate choice for people to start off with - to learn about website designing from scratch using Adobe Dreamweaver.

Adobe Dreamweaver provides several templates for those who just started. It simplifies the entire process by providing such stuff and only requires the user to input several basic designs to kick start the webpage. For those who are already used to HTML and want to start from a blank sheet, there’s always the choice of an empty page, fully equipped with the basics to start anyone off.

Don’t worry if you have no idea about HTML, simply because of the very fact that Dreamweaver allows several views to the webpage, either in the design style (which is an easy way to view the webpage) or the HTML view (purely HTML data that would seem impossible to understand for someone who has absolutely no experience in it) and also, the mixed view. I would recommend you to use the design mode, since it is the easiest to play around with and you can actually see what you did to the elements of the page, unlike the HTML mode with, in order to make amendments, would require one to punch in the right data at the right place with the right codes, a hefty task for anyone.

Being a product of Adobe, it has the ability to incorporate the various functions of other Adobe products such as Flash into Dreamweaver. For example, if you need to edit a video inside the page, Dreamweaver allows the function to automatically import the video into Flash in order to facilitate video editing. Flash videos could also, vice versa, be imported into Dreamweaver to be added into websites, a function that I doubt other similar programmes could compete with.

Adobe Dreamweaver allows non-coders like myself to design our very own website. The simple layout of the webpage design allows movements to the slightest of details, by simply dragging the mouse across. It also allows previews in many other web browsers like Mozilla Firefox apart from the standard Internet Explorer. This function is triggered on once the browser is installed. The flexibility allows users to test out browsing through the various browsers and to find adapting issues such as add-ons like players, which some browsers may not have already incorporated into their systems.

All in all, Adobe Dreamweaver allows users without coding knowledge to play around and create a website they can call theirs, one that could fulfill many’s dream of having their own website to boast about.

Buy this software
Rate this application, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading …

ReviewColumn’s rating :

Cabal Online is a Massively-Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Game (MMORPG) that is built upon the legend of the ancient world. Players are taken into the world of Cabal, understanding the storyline and their purpose of existence. In the world of Cabal Online, players can choose among 6 character classes (known as Authentic Six), namely Warrior, Blader, Mage, Force Shielder, Force Archer and Force Blader. The first 3 are the ‘basic’ characters but without the power of the force, the latter three are the ‘advanced’ jobs, incorporated with the power of the force. Although the latter may all sound fanciful, there isn’t really much difference in those characters in terms of capabilities, it rather, depends on how one plays the character.

Currency: In Cabal Online, the currency used is known as Alz, and it is the most basic form of trade, unlike other games that depend a lot of jewels or other rare materials gotten from monsters. Also, Alz can be ‘earned’, like any other games, from monsters and selling items to shops.

Equipment: Each job has their own set of armoury. Although 2 characters would share the same type of equipment, the armour would require different stats to equip for each character. There are Martial armours, worn by Bladers and Mages, Battle armours for Force Bladers and Force Archers, and also Armour suits worn by Warriors and Force Shielders. There are several advantages for it being set this way. It makes it a lot easier to sell off your armours, since there is a large demand for it. However, this advantage brings about some obvious problems - it is awfully difficult to buy your items since there are others out there requiring the same items. It is up to the players themselves to get the best deals and become the strongest character.

Mission: The unique thing that differentiates Cabal Online from many other MMORPG games has to be the fact that the missions tend to be overwhelming and never-ending. The missions are linked to one another, with main missions and other side quests. The storyline is split into several main missions which will bring the player through different worlds and maps, leading them to exploration and the hunt on stronger monsters. This allows players to experience the storyline of Cabal Online, to understand truly what made Cabal possible. The earlier maps are Bloody Ice, Desert Scream and Green Despair. As players progress through the quests, they would be brought to other towns and areas such as Port Lux, Fort Ruina, Forgotten Ruin, Lake Side and Undead Ground. They would have to battle monsters that never tested their strength to such an extent, difficult battles await as the players explore the towns of Cabal.

Battle: In battles, Cabal Online follows the idea of 3D hunting. Players can move their characters in a 3D manner and engage monsters as they please. Although the levels of players determine the aggressiveness of monsters, some monsters would still be provoked once a player gets into its line of sight. There are combos for the players to throw out with their skills. By throwing in combos, players get skill experience at a faster rate and hence, skill up faster. Cabal allows PvP (Player Versus Player) combat, which means that players could be easily pit against one another to determine who’s the better of the two.

Skill: Cabal is similar to World of Warcraft (WoW) in the sense that skills have to be learnt. The experience level of a character matters lesser as compared to the skill level. A level 60 character with a very high skill rank could defeat a level 100 character who is much weaker in terms of skills. Skills are the basic form of offence. The skill is split into 2 parts, namely Sword and Magic skills.

All in all, for those who want a totally new experience in MMORPG but hate to grill for one single level, Cabal Online is the game for you.

For more information, log onto www.cabalonline.com
Rate this game, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading …

ReviewColumn’s rating :

Headshot! Bet that’s what many of you can achieve, or at least heard of this term before. Sounds familar, welcome to the world of Counter-Strike (CS). With this newest instalment, Counter-Strike: Source brings the world of CS to a whole new realm, with enhanced graphics as well as perhaps more realistic equipment as compared to its predessesor, Condition Zero.

Valve created a much better version of CS and personally I feel that it’s much closer to reality. An example would be the HE Grenade. (For those who don’t know what HE means, neither do I. All I know that it’s a grenade that can blast anyone sky high.) Previously, in Condition Zero, the HE grenade is awfully weak, more than often dealing less than 30% of the target’s health on a direct hit from in-between his legs. However, it has been revamped in Counter-Strike: Source. The damage from it could kill anyone with full health from a direct hit. (Trust me, I’ve experienced it before and you wouldn’t know what hit you until you look up to the top left corner of the screen and see that you’ve been killed by a grenade.)

I almost forgot. For those who still have no idea what CS is about, it is actually a First-Person Shooting (FPS) game. The game allows players to choose from a wide variety of arms, from the Semi-Automatic Machines Guns (SMGs) to rifles and even the shotguns. Common weapons found in the real world could also be found in the game, such as the M4A1 Carbine and the favourites of terrorists, the infamous AK47.

The game’s split into two teams, one being the terrorists and the other, the counter-terrorists. There are several game modes out there. One being the standard “Bomb” maps, where the terrorists have to go to one of the 2 bomb sites out there, set up a C4 charge, and prevent the good guys from defusing it. The second map type is the less-often played “Save the Hostage” maps. This time, it will be the terrorists that are camping at the sites where the hostages are held at. The counter-terrorists would have to move in and rescue the hostages, bring them to the save zone. But, there’s a catch. The hostages are not invulnerable, hence the extensive use of HE grenades to soften the hostage-held sites is not going to work. You’ll most probably end up killing all the hostages. The last map type is the “Eradicate the Other Team” type of maps. As the map type says so, the main objective of teams is not to plant bombs, nor rescue hostages, but shoot the other team to smitereens.

For those who have access to steam, you should be aware that some game modes are modified. For example, in a standard map, deathmatch is enabled. Meaning that you don’t have to wait for the round to end to restart if you’re already dead. Instead, you spawn almost right after you die, and could spawn at points spread across the entire map, making it impossible for someone to camp safely without being backstabbed.

Counter-Strike Source is a game that is actually featured in major competitive gaming events, such as the World Cyber Games (WCG) and the Championship Gaming Series (CGS). It is definite worth buying if you have been playing CS for quite a while. With a well-established online network already, one could play against players from many places at home, as longer as there’s access to steam.

All in all, it is a game that shifts the already massive population of Counter-Strike gamers to a new height, with the improved effects and all. Try not to get addicted though, this game is seriously addictive.

Buy this game
Rate this game, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

 Loading …

ReviewColumn’s rating :

Downloads have never been this fast or easy. With the Internet Download Manager (IDM), users can download files at a maximum of 5 times their normal speed. Unlike other download accelerators out there, this one actually works and I’ve already used it for several month. It even works on some file-hosting websites, making it a very versatile and useful tool for those who treat downloading files to be a norm.

IDM was created by the Internet Download Manager Corporation, which is a subsidiary of Tonec Inc. It is a comprehensive download manager that allows users to not only speed up their downloads, but also to resume broken links and schedule downloads. It also has an error recovery system which allows users to resume downloads which might have been broken due to a sudden power outage, lost of internet connection, etc. How does this program work? To put it simply, it splits the same file up into smaller parts and then downloads each individual part simultaneously; it finally patches the pieces together to form the original file.

Unlike other download accelerators that make groundless claims, Internet Download Manager actually shows the user what it is doing by indicating how many parts the file is split into, and the amount of data already downloaded in those parts. The speed of the downloads is truely amazing, averaging at around 300-600 KB/s, as compared to the usual 150KB/s (if you’re lucky).

Another function that the IDM has to offer is the capability to download clips off hosting websites such as YouTube and Google Video using its FLV Grabber. This means that users no longer need to use other unreliable websites to download media from those sites. The video quality downloaded is also not too bad. As for the other types of videos downloaded off websites of the same function, they are a far cry as compared to the ones the IDM has to offer.

Personally, I’ve been using the IDM for all my downloads as far as possible (except for those websites that do not allow the usage of download managers). The good thing about IDM is that it’s a free program to try out for 30 days. Those interested should consider registering and for just a small fee, you’d be able to drastically improve your download speeds. IDM has also been voted by several websites including Download.Com, TopShareWare.Com and many others as one of their top choices, regardless of it being user-picked top 5 or the editor’s choice.

All in all, the Internet Download Manager is an excellent program that allows users to increase their download speeds by leaps and bounds. The only drawback is that it is not a free program. Regardless of that, for those people that are looking for a reliable download manager, IDM is the one for you.

For more information on the Internet Download Manager, visit http://www.internetdownloadmanager.com/

Rate this application, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 3 out of 5)

 Loading …

ReviewColumn’s rating :

The Nintendo Wii is a revolutionary idea from the ordinary console games. Standard console games like PlayStation and Xbox all only require the user to sit on the couch and just press on the controllers. In this new concept of home entertainment, the Wii not only encourages the player to stand up and play the games, but also made some games impossible to play while sitting down. This makes the Wii not only a tool for entertainment, but also an exercise tool for those who prefer staying at home.

The Nintendo Wii was released on December 8, 2006. Despite only being released for a year, it has already garnered much recognition in terms of sales, being declared the current sales leader over its competitors (PS3 & Xbox) by the Financial Times. As of September 2007, there are already more than 13 million units shipped worldwide.

This revolutionary new dimension of gameplay has brought lots of joy to many people. As compared to the PS3 and Xbox, the Wii has attracted much more attention. Although the PS3 and Xbox are also not too bad, they feel like mere upgrades from the older versions with the enhanced graphics without having to change the core of console gameplay. In the Nintendo’s version, the Wii is a completely different concept as compared to its predecessor, the Nintendo GameCube. Perhaps this could be the very reason why its sales were much better off, providing an alternative way of playing console games.

Personally, I experienced first-hand how the Nintendo Wii actually feels like. Despite not having the Wii myself, I’ve been over to my friend’s house to try out the Wii when he first bought it. Seriously, it looks weird just holding onto a stick-like object and swinging it around, controlling whatever it is on the TV screen. Trying it myself, I found it quite fun. Somehow, I feel that the controller is awfully sensitive, especially when moving around the Wii Menu. Perhaps it was me not used to how the controls work. However, not matter how sensitive the remote is, it is still very simple to play the games, especially those that doesn’t require much accuracy while swinging the remote (ie. golf).

Its simplicity in gaming provides those who are new to console games to actually pick them up easily. For those who already possess the predecessor, GameCube, the Wii provides an option for those to retrieve the memory of GameCube and allow the original GameCube games to be able to function on the Wii.

All in all, the unique Nintendo Wii remote could most probably be the most revolutionary console idea of 2007.

Buy Nintendo Wii Console

Rate this gadget, give us your rating:
(1 votes, average: 4 out of 5)

 Loading …