Category Archives: Product Reviews

GEEK! Product Reviews

Windows Vista Service Pack 2 Beta first looks

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After the beta of Vista Service Pack 2 was finally launched to the public, I decided to give it a try and see if there were any major improvements.

You can grab a download of SP2 beta for free from http://technet.microsoft.com/en-gb/windows/dd262148.aspx but its only recommended you do so if you are an experienced computer user.

I went ahead and downloaded it last night and the first thing that was a little annoying was that the file is getting on for 400mb and the install program has to download even more so if you are on tight bandwidth be careful. I, thankfully, checking the Fair Use Policy with my broadband provider and according to Tiscali I won’t have to worry if I’m not using in excess of 100gb per month which is miles off what I use. Anyhow, I downloaded the file and ran it.

It doesn’t require much of your attention. It first confirms you want to install and you have to accept terms, then it kicks off. Once it has downloaded a few files you have to confirm again that you want to install the serivce pack and then you just leave it to it.

However, it takes several hours to install the pack and on a 1GB memory laptop thats dual core I had to wait about 3 hours before the first PC restart. 

It hasn’t really changed very much since the install. Admittedly it is a little faster and there are a couple of minor upgrades in features but I wouldn’t say its something thats vital.

I dont think its worth bothering to upgrade, and I would wait until the final next year.

Update on the Freecom Network Drive

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Well after an almost unbelievable 2 months and 3 contact attempts I finally have a return slip.

I contacted them for a third time today using their online returns form and to double check I rung them up after I’d sent the RMA request to be 100% sure they got it.

Finally, late aternoon yesterday, I got a response via email. They have finally sent me the return slip. After 2 months of contact attempts!

Anyhow, I checked the RMA to make sure its all correct. All good. Sadly, the terms and conditions weren’t so excititng. Firstly, I only have 14 days to get the ruddy thing to them or the request is void and I wont get a replacement. Kinda sad? But worst of all, I have to pay postage to get it to them! They refuse to pay the postage and packaging to get it to them so I had to pay £10 to get it over to them first class. 

So I’m still not really happy, but we’ll see what happens when the drive gets to them. I’ll be off to the Post Office today to send it over there.

Review: Nokia 3120 Classic on 3 (UK)

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I recently bought myself a brand new Nokia 3120 from 3 (Three). Here is a review for the item and 3 itself.

Delivery was relatively good. No fuss. Ordered last Thursday and the phone arrived Saturday lunchtime in the post. Packaging was good and nothing was damaged.

When it arrived, I charged it up for a couple of hours and it was ready to go. Threw in my new SIM card and fired it up.

It’s easy to set up. The phone will ask about the date and time, and when you’ve done that call 444. They say the phone will be activated within 24 hours but mine was activated 5 minutes later. Once 3 have sent you the text confirming the account is active and your £10 introductory top-up had gone through, you are ready to do what you want.

The phone itself is fantastic for the money. I paid £80 at three.co.uk and I got free delivery, £10 free top-up, a free £10 accessories voucher which I used to buy a 2gb memory card (you must speak to the online customer service BEFORE ordering your phone to get the code required), free Windows Live Messenger to download and use as much as I liked, as well as free Skype (however this is not available on the 3120 yet – they say it will be in the near future). Update 3.2.09: I can now get Skype on my phone – I am not sure if it officially supported, but 3 let me download it and it works fine.

The only downside I can find with the phone is that the battery life isn’t fantastic. Bluetooth and 3G will drain the battery like a rocket. If you use a lot of mobile internet or bluetooth, you will only have enough juice to last a day or two. Less frequent users will get up to 1 week.

The flat12 tariff on three is very good. Calls and texts are 12p per min/each. Internet is £1 per MB unless you get an addon, TV and unadvertised radio is 49p per day (requires 3G coverage), and video calls are 50p per min (requires 3G coverage).

Verdict: Get the phone, it’s very good for £80 but watch out if you are a frequent user as battery life isn’t fantastic.

WordPress 2.7 Beta 1 Out – First test on GEEK!

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I logged onto WordPress today to find they’ve launched a first beta of 2.7. So quick as I could, I prepped up a test install to see what its like.

So here is the first page, and it looks wonderful.

Well, first looks – I really like the new design. Looks much more organised and tells you a lot more than the previous version’s dashboards.

Keeping your system happy and healthy with Iolo System Mechanic…

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In the past, I have seen a countless list of programs that claim to speed up your computer and keep your system healthy. That’s what they all say. “Your computer could be 200% faster” and “You are predicted to have xxx registry errors” are my favourite claims. They never actually help your PC at all. They just sit there hogging up RAM and bouncing up and down in the notification tray telling you they’ve fixed 6500 errors or the likes.

But I’ve finally found a program that does live up to its word. It’s called Iolo System Mechanic and it is available here for around $50 (£30ish). This program doesn’t constantly remind you how “clever” it is or nag you when your system scan is 6 minutes out of date. No. This one just sits quietly and efficiently in the background all day. And it won’t do anything unless you’ve been idle on the computer. And as soon as you come back it shuts off and leaves you alone. The only time it will ever remind you about your computer is if you start the control center manually, where it will give you 3 simple dials with the status of your computer and any problems you might be encountering. 

 

The main control center

The main control center

Once you have configured it with a few simple steps during install, you just ‘set it and forget it’ as people call it.

It’s a great program and I really recommend it. Ofcourse the real computer geek would never need a program like this but if you’re like me (can’t be bothered to spend hours clearing out the registry and so on… *yawns*) you’ll find this program so useful.