Month: May 2010

The technology of video game industry has grown immensely in the past few decades. From huge computers holding a single game to disks that contain vast amounts of information, the leap is simply staggering. Today there are thousands of games that can be played on many different consoles. The most common format for the game today are DVD. There are thousands of different titles out there and many different platforms to play them with. The only problem with the DVD format is that the games do not last forever. They have a finite life, although it is quite long, so they will eventually become unusable.

There is a way to combat this inevitability of deterioration and that is because there are programs that can copy games to increase the longevity of their existence. You can easily backup your Xbox 360, PlayStation 3, Nintendo Wii, Xbox, Playstation 2, Game Cube and even Dreamcast games. That means you do not have to play the original game anymore. You can preserve its life and ensure it will last a very long time.

The new way to copy games is so powerful that after the process has been completed, the duplicate is basically identical to the original. There is absolutely no difference in game play between the original and the copy and that makes for a great way to enjoy all of the games you love without ever having to use the actual game.

Some people are very protective of their video game collection and would never allow anyone else to touch their precious inventory. However, with the ability to copy games, even the most nervous gamer can let anyone play with the backup copies. Even a small child could touch the copies and not have to worry about ruining the game.

This is such a powerful tool for the unorganized gamer as well. Many people like to just leave games all over the place and that causes them to become scratched and unplayable. If you are one of these people that has wrecked a few games because of careless storage techniques, the best way to save yourself a lot of money is to copy games. At around $50 USD per new game, it can become very expensive to replace one. If your favorite game becomes unusable, the only option is to go out and buy a new one. The only way to combat this problem is to make a copy of the game and then if it is broken, the cost to make a new game will only be the price of a blank DVD.

Now that another year has come to a close, it’s time to create a million and one best-of-the-best lists for the previous year. Even with a worldwide recession, gaming was stronger than ever. Here’s a rundown of the top-selling video games for the year 2009:

1. Wii Fit.

This exercise game was not only the best-selling console game in 2009, but it’s also become the second best-selling, non-bundled console video game in the history of the world. Wii Fit has received mostly positive reviews. One of the main criticisms of the game is that it doesn’t provide its players with a serious workout. Then again, it could be argued that those who want that probably wouldn’t be playing a lot of video games anyway.

2. Wii Play.

This laser-centered game for the Wii is actually a collection of nine games. While it received high marks for its playability, criticisms included the individual games’ predictability and redundancy. Still, the game became a smash hit. In fact, Wii Play has become the best-selling non-bundled console video game of all time.

3. Pokemon Platinum Version.

Ironically, while this game was only an upgrade from the game “Pokemon Diamond and Pearl,” it was a huge success. It also received rave review for the features that it contains, including its enhanced graphics and interface.

4. Mario Kart.

This go-cart-inspired game helped to introduce a new generation of gamers to the popular Nintendo characters. The series was launched in 1992. This version became extremely successful and even broke several Guinness World Records. It includes some past famous characters from the series, including Donkey Kong Jr., Yoshi, Koopa Troopa, and of course-Mario and Luigi.

5. Resident Evil 5 (Xbox 360).

Ironically, this is the seventh game in the series from Capcom. The reviews for the game were basically positive. Although trailers for Resident Evil 5 received some initial criticism, the game had over four million worldwide downloads while the service was available for the Xbox Live and PlayStation Store formats.

6. Killzone 2.

The success of this game hooked gamers from the moment the first trailer was released. It received extremely high reviews, with features such as playability and levelling receiving particularly high marks.

7. Call of Duty: World at War.

This game is the fifth installment in the series. It received generally positive reviews from various online gaming review sites. Many reviews praised the game’s setting and playability. However, others criticized the scope of the game as too wide, which they argued negatively affected the flow of the game.

8. Resident Evil 5 (PlayStation).

9. Halo Wars.

Deviating from the previous installments of the series, this one moves away from the first-person perspective of the previous ones. The game broke sales records after its release, while receiving mostly positive reviews from the critics. The PC version received more lukewarm reviews than the console versions.

10. Street Fighter IV.

This was definitely a huge oldie-but-goodie game for the year. The series has a loyal following, and this version didn’t disappoint them. The home version (along with the arcade version) of the game received outstanding reviews, even though it was the first instalment of the series in about a decade.

The latest version of Microsoft Windows, Windows 7 OS slated to be released on October 22, 2009 is designed to be more focused on incremental upgrade thereby providing full compatibility with devices and applications with which Windows Vista is already compatible.

Windows 7 includes a stream of new features like advancement in touchscreen, speech, and handwriting recognition, support for virtual hard disks, support for additional file formats, improved boot performance and kernel improvements. This explains Windows 7’s superiority over Windows XP, Windows Vista.

Windows 7 Features

Windows 7 includes a number of new features, such as advances in touch and handwriting recognition support for virtual hard disks, improved performance on multi-core processors, improved boot performance, Direct Access. Windows 7 has inbuilt mechanism which adds up as support for systems using multiple heterogeneous graphics cards from different vendors.

The operating system also includes a new version of Windows Media Center with a Gadget for Windows Media Center, improved media features, the XPS Essentials Pack and redesigned Calculator with multi-line capabilities including programmer and statistics modes along with unit conversion.

Introduction of new features presents an all new Control Panel. The list includes Clear Type Text Tuner, Display Color Calibration Wizard, Gadget Recovery, Troubleshooting, Workspaces Center, Location and Other Sensors, Credential Manager, Biometric Devices, System Icons, and Display.

Renaming of Windows Security Center to Windows Action Center as part of Windows 7 streamlining process encompasses both security and maintenance of the computer.

A new improved visual appearance to taskbar includes, the Quick Launch toolbar’s replacement with pinned up applications to the taskbar. These pinned applications are integrated with the task buttons, thereby enabling the Jump Lists feature to allow easy access to common tasks. This feature enables effective reordering of taskbar buttons. Show Desktop icon present on the far right of the system clock in form of a small rectangular button is part of a new feature called Aero Peek introduced in Windows 7. Hovering over this button makes all visible windows transparent for a quick look at the desktop. In touch-enabled displays, such as touch screens, tablet PCs, etc., this button is slightly wider to accommodate being pressed with a finger. Clicking this button minimizes all windows, and clicking it a second time restores them.

Additionally, another feature named Aero Snap has been added, that automatically maximizes a window when it is dragged to either the top or left/right edges of the screen. This allows users to snap documents or files on either side of the screen to compare them. When a user moves windows that are maximized, the system restores their previous state automatically. This functionality is also accomplished with keyboard shortcuts. Unlike in Windows Vista, window borders and the taskbar do not turn opaque when a window is maximized with Windows Aero applied. Instead, they remain transparent.

The Internet is a phenomenon that has changed our world in many ways. We communicate, conduct commerce, and obtain information globally…all good things. However, it also has it’s dark side that we contend with too. 

The use of the Internet has globalized our communication and information gathering by allowing us to email, blog, and message text with people and business partners in almost every country in the world. This has increased our productivity and everyone’s ability to compete in the global economy. Our schools are able to compare teaching techniques and strategy with schools in other countries and help each other increase effectiveness. Our businesses, large and small, have the ability to buy and sell products in countries previously not possible because of logistical restrictions. Consumers have the ability to shop the world for goods and services previously not possible because of geographic boundaries. 

Considering all the good things mentioned above, we tend to ask ourselves what we ever did without the Internet. However, considering the “dark side” of the Internet, we wonder how long we’ll be able to continue to use it. 

When listing the Internets list of warts, the proliferation of pornography comes to mind first. Despite the efforts of law enforcement around the world; you can access any genre of porn in photographs and video very easily.

 Another wart on the list is criminal activity in cyber space. There are organized crime groups in many countries whose sole objective is to use the Internet to steal our money. 

Spam and Junk mail are next on my list of objectionable features on the Internet. We are inundated with a huge volume of malicious email that has doubled in the past year. Most of it a nuisance, some of which is an insult to our sensibilities. 

Finally, the proliferation of destructive viruses that harm our computers and cause us to lose our ability to use them until we remove the offenders. These malicious programs are created by two categories of criminals: the hacker; a programmer who wants recognition among the growing herd of hackers…there are conventions where they meet to brag on their accomplishments and obtain new skills; and the other group is the criminal faction mentioned above. 

All in all, I’d say that in spite of the list of dark side attributes, there is far more positive value we derive from the Internet. However, the lesson we must take from this phenomenon is that we need to educate ourselves on the downside problems of the Internet so that we are able to enjoy the positive attributes safely and securely in the future.

project management

I was hired last week into a position that will challenge me to grow beyond my experience as a photographer and toward a larger career as a teacher and writer. Thanks to everyone at New Horizons I have a better grasp of some of the technological aspects of the world that I am entering and, more importantly, a number of very impressive instructors to emulate. You really are all pretty amazing. I appreciate you and the excellent training at New Horizons.

Randy Armor, 2007 Project Management Student

Project Management Training

project management training at New Horizons of Boston is intended to introduce participants to the methods and tools of project management in order to improve the performance of projects. Our goal is to help enhance the success of projects within an organization, while also preparing students who are working toward successfully becoming industry certified as a PMP – Project Management Professional.

New Horizons offers a strong curriculum, based upon a proven methodology that provides individual certifications. Our unequaled delivery platform consists of curriculum created by industry subject matter experts and delivery by those same experts. Facilitators are recognized for their ability to provide instruction of theory and their ability to ground the theory in real-life application.

New Horizons Project Management Training can help your company:

Reduce project time and improve market responsiveness

Control costs

Achieve greater customer satisfaction

Increase morale and team building

Enhance productivity

Increase organizational effectiveness

To receive FREE information about Boston-area project management training, visit www.projectmanagementboston.com

About New Horizons Learning Centers of Boston

New Horizons Computer Learning Centers of Boston provides learning solutions that help organizations achieve business results, such as increasing productivity and efficiencies, driving revenue, and reducing costs. New Horizons provides customer-focused training choices in multiple formats and delivery methods, offering organizations and individuals top-quality training that can be tailored to meet individual learning styles and specific needs.

Whether you are in search of a solution for the complex training needs of a large, multi-location business, or you are an individual seeking the skills to excel in a new or blossoming career path, New Horizons is your integrated learning solution.

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