Sixtyplusurfers has teamed up with Selwyn Electronics to offer one lucky reader the chance to win the new A402 DigiMemo. This fabulous prize will help you digitally capture and store everything you write with ink on ordinary paper.

The DigiMemo A402 is a stand-alone device with storage capability that digitally captures and stores everything you write or draw with ink on ordinary paper, without the use of computer and special paper. Then you can easily view, edit, organize and share your handwritten notes in Windows.

When connected to a PC, the DigiMemo A402 offers an on-line writing function which can instantly synchronise your writing on the paper with the digital page in its software in Windows. It also is a USB tablet device in Windows.

It is so simple to use -

1. Take Notes

Place any ordinary paper or notepad on the digital pad. Write on the paper with the digital inking pen.

The digital pad digitally records anything you write in its built-in storage device or an optional SD card in real time.

One page you write is stored as one digital page.

2. Connect to the PC

Connect the digital pad to your PC by a USB port.

3. Organise Your Notes

With its DigiMemo Manager software, you can easily view, edit and organize your digital pages in Windows.

You also can use the on-line writing function which can instantly synchronise your writing on the paper with the digital page in its software. Save any digital pages you arbitrarily select as a book file (e-Book).

4. Send via e-Mail

Share your notes with others via e-Mail.

The DigiMemo is ideal for anyone who needs to take notes or keep their immediate ideas, sketches, thoughts and flow charts wherever they go and whenever they want.

It can store up to 999 pages (with a CF card fitted) and is very lightweight and looks great.

DigiMemo costs 116 GBP (inc VAT) and is available online from Selwyn Electronics at www.selwyn.co.uk Tel: 01732 765100

To the Enter the Competition

Just tell us the name of the famous actor and writer featured at the top of the page, then send in your name and address to the Sixtyplusurfers inbox by clicking on the hotmail address below:

sixtyplusurfers@hotmail.co.uk

* This competition is open to
our UK visitors only

Making Space on Your
Hard Disk

We received this query from a reader and because it seems to be a very common problem, we thought it would be helpful to give it some explanation:

The question:

I found that I had very little free space left on my hard disk, so I decided to delete some of my unused programs.

I went through the individual program files and tidied the PDF manual manuals and text format licences into the My Ebooks folder, and deleted unwanted Read-me files.

While looking through the 7-zip files I found 74 txt files at C:Program Files for many different languages, at between 12Kb and 32Kb, totalling about 1.4Mb. Wow!

Further investigations showed other programs also have redundant language files, including Audacity, Google Earth, lobit Advanced Windows Care, iTunes, QuickTime and so on.This amounts to a huge amount of wasted space on my hard drive.

So my question is this: Can I delete these files without affecting the functioning of the programs?

The answer

Many programs have language files that contain the menus, messages, buttons and captions for different countries and languages.

This simplifies the distribution because one program can then cover the needs of all.

Most programs will not miss the unused language files if you delete them, but to be safe what you should do is to send them to the Recycle Bin.

They can be restored should you discover that there is a problem with one or more of your programs.

Computer Tips

      The Plusnet IT Clinic -
   Your Questions Answered



1. For some time now, I have been getting the message ‘Virtual memory is low’. It appears just after I have logged on and if I close the message it reappears later. I have tried Help and Task Manager but the problem persists. Is there something going wrong and if so, what should I do about it?

I’m presuming that you’re getting a pop up from the task bar giving you this message. There are a few things that you can check to try and fix this. Firstly, check that your hard drive isn’t too full. Go to ‘My Computer’ and right click on the Hard Disk icon. If you have very little free space then this is probably causing the problem. You can use the ‘Disk Cleanup’ button next to the pie chart or delete some unwanted files yourself. Alternatively, you could also move some of your files onto an external storage facility.

If you’ve got plenty of free space then your virtual memory settings may be wrong. Right click on ‘My Computer’ and select ‘Properties’. On the advanced tab there should be a ‘Settings’ button within the performance section. Click this button and then select the advanced tab. At the bottom of this tab you should see a ‘Change’ button. This will allow you to access the Virtual Memory settings and make some changes. Select ‘System managed size’ and hit ‘Set’. Click ‘OK’ three times and the problem should be fixed.

2. I can’t remove a particularly nasty piece of spyware. What should I do to sort this out?

This depends on the spyware software you are using. There are a couple of great Anti-Spyware programs that you can download for free. I’d suggest trying Spybot Search and Destroy (it’s what I’ve got on my home PC). This should get rid of the nasty spyware for you. Another possibility is that the spyware is being identified but not being deleted by your software. If so, you can manually locate the file using Windows Explorer and delete it yourself. Your spyware program should tell you where on your computer the problem is – you can then find it and hit delete.

As always, it’s important to make sure that the anti-virus and spyware programs you are using are up to date. There should be an option within the program settings to ‘Check for Updates’ – click this to update your protection.

3. Why does my Internet Explorer keep crashing when I search the web?

This could be because of a virus, spyware or that a corruption occurred when Windows Explorer was installed. First of all, make sure your spyware and anti-virus programs are up to date. You can do this by searching for updates from within the programs themselves. Once you’ve updated the programs, it’s important to run a full scan of your computer to locate any problems. (Details of how to do this should be clearly explained by the program you use).

If you are fully up to date and no problems have been found, then you try reinstalling Internet Explorer. Firstly, you’ll need to uninstall Internet Explorer – how you do this varies depending on the version you are running. Microsoft has published some great support articles to help with this. Type ‘Uninstall Internet Explorer 6’ – or whichever version you have, into Google and the support article should be the top link. Follow the instructions and then you’re ready to reinstall.
This can be done in two ways – either from the Windows CD that came with your computer or online. It’s probably easier to download Internet Explorer directly from the Microsoft site: http://www.microsoft.com/windows/
downloads/ie/getitnow.mspx

If this doesn’t fix the problem, then it is worth trying a different browser such as Mozilla Firefox: http://www.mozilla-europe.org/en/firefox/

4. I accidentally deleted some files when I was cleaning up my hard disk and I can’t get them back. They contain important financial information. Is it possible to retrieve them and if so, how?

Assuming that the files are not still in the recycle bin, then you’ll need to use data recovery software or a specialist recovery company, but the latter can be costly.
There is various software that you can download that is designed for this purpose – some is free and some you’ll need to pay for.

I’d suggest trying one of the highly rated free packages and seeing if that does the trick – you can see some of these programs here:http://www.download.com/1770-2001_4-0.html?query=data+recovery&tag=
srch&searchtype=downloads&=/1770-2001_4-0.html

If you have no luck with the free software, and the documents are important enough to really need back, then it’s worth calling one of the specialist companies or trying a paid-for programs.

5. I removed a virus with my anti-virus software, but unfortunately it keeps coming back. How do I banish it for good?

It sounds like the virus is not being properly removed from your computer. It’s hard to say exactly why this is without knowing which anti-virus software you are using.

Some programs will be set to ‘quarantine’ the virus whereas some will delete it permanently. You should be able to change these settings within the options tab of your software – I’d always advise deleting the offending virus permanently.

There are some good free programs that you can download – both Avast and AVG are highly rated and allow you to configure the settings how you want.

You’ll be able to download both of these for free from download.com:http://www.download.com/

If you’re still having problems after trying one of these programs, ask yourself if any of the sites you regularly visit could be compromised. If this is a possibility, avoid using them.

6. Why does my printer print gobbledegook? It’s a problem that has been affecting my print jobs a lot recently.

This sounds very much like a virus. Firstly, ensure that you have up to date anti-virus software and that your computer is clear from problems.

If your computer is clean and you are still having problems, it may be a problem with the printer install or the drivers. Try uninstalling the printer and the drivers and running through the set-up again (details of how to do this will be in your printer manual).

If this doesn’t fix the problem, it suggests there may be a problem with the formatting of the program you are using. For example, if you’re getting problems when you print from Microsoft Word, then try printing a Notepad document and see if the problem persists. If so, then you may need to reinstall Word (or whichever program is causing the issues) to solve the problem.

If you have a problem, then send me an email - my email address is: murrayhj@live.co.uk

The PlusNet IT Clinic

SixtyPlusSurfers has teamed up with internet and phone providers, PlusNet, to help you overcome all your IT and broadband issues. Whether you’re having problems setting up wireless, emailing friends and family or uploading photographs, PlusNet is on hand of to provide answers to all your queries. Founded in 1997, PlusNet has grown to one of the UK’s best value internet and home phone providers. It has built its business on innovative products, excellent customer service and low-priced broadband services. It now offers broadband, wireless and voice services to over 300,000 customers across the UK.

     Intelligent Furniture
     Unveils New Range
        Of Powerdesks

Intelligent Furniture has launched a new range of standard Powerdesks for the consumer market. The Powerdesk concept offers the first true solution to the problem of the big PC tower case and trailing wires, by hiding these inside the desk and placing the world’s first true remote control for a PC in the desk’s worksurface within easy reach. This creates an aesthetic, ergonomic, clutter-free, theft-proof computing and multimedia environment.

All-In-One Solution:
Computing, Internet Security,
And Online Backup

BitDefender Total Security 2009 Improves Internet Protection Without Slowing System Performance

BitDefender’s new Internet Security software release for 2009 comes with a number of additional features including, Instant Messaging encryption, home network management and an online backup option. Retail distribution in the UK and Ireland is being managed in conjunction with channel partner, Focus Multimedia.

“Building on experience gained in over a decade of product development, this launch of the 2009 version follows one of the most extensive, global beta test programmes so far undertaken by BitDefender, “ says Nick Billington country manager for the UK and Ireland.

Recommended retail price for top of the range BitDefender Total Security 2009 covering three user PCs with 2GB capacity for online backup, is £44.95p; or without backup, £39.95p.

The mid range package is BitDefender Internet Security 2009 at £29.95p. This covers three users and home network management, allowing families with multiple computers to enjoy a safe online experience. This package provides the standard functionality including firewall and proactive protection against viruses, hackers, spam and identity theft.

Common denominator of all BitDefender products is its highly efficient antivirus protection with frugal use of system resources. BitDefender Antivirus 2009 at £19.95p, provides all the essential protection which makes this a popular choice for customers building their own bespoke solutions.

“As well as added functionality we have enhanced performance in order to keep BitDefender at the forefront of proactive protection for PCs,” says Nick Billington.

“By that we mean delivering advanced protection against viruses, spyware, hackers, spam and other e-threats, with minimal impact on system performance.”

“Unlike other security solutions, which rely heavily on a list of pre-existing viruses, BitDefender security solutions use proactive technology that identifies and blocks new and zero-day threats. Our customers also benefit from maintenance and backup tools to keep their PCs running at optimal speed and protected from data loss.”

BitDefender Total Security 2009 enhancements include:

Online Backup: BitDefender Total Security 2009 offers users the ability to backup sensitive data online to ensure it is secure if a computer is lost, stolen or damaged. Unlike competitive offerings, BitDefender Online Backup offers incremental, versioned and differentiated backup modes to better meet specific user needs.
Battery-saving Laptop Mode: BitDefender automatically enters a power-saving “laptop mode” when a laptop is running on battery power, postponing scheduled scans, backups and tune-ups in order to save battery life.
Increased Privacy Protection through Instant Messaging Encryption: BitDefender Total Security 2009 ensures that no one can eavesdrop on instant messaging traffic between two PCs, offering this protection to Yahoo! Messenger and MSN Messenger users.
Increased Data Privacy with File Vault: BitDefender’s File Vault provides a secured storage space for personal information or sensitive files kept locally in a user’s computer, and data is encrypted making this stored data invulnerable to theft or to a security breach.
Improved Integrated Online Security: BitDefender Total Security 2009 provides users a full range of proactive protection technologies for secure everyday online activities such as banking, shopping, browsing or socializing. Web, email and Instant messaging traffic are now scanned in real-time for viruses, spyware, phishing and identity theft attempts.
More control via Home Network Management: BitDefender Total Security 2009 provides home users with the ability to manage the security of every PC in a home network from a single location. BitDefender software from other computers in the network can be remotely configured, while tasks such as scans, tune-ups and updates can be scheduled and run.
Other gamer, power-optimization, usability and firewall improvements: BitDefender Total Security 2009 also features an improved Gamer mode, increased performance with lower consumption of system resources, enhanced usability, and firewall (IDS and IPv6 support) support.

For a full list of BitDefender 2009 features and benefits by product, please visit: www.bitdefender.com/site/view/antivirus-

About BitDefender®

BitDefender is the creator of one of the industry's fastest and most effective lines of internationally certified security software. Since its inception in 2001, BitDefender has continued to raise the bar and set new standards in proactive threat prevention. Every day, BitDefender protects tens of millions of home and corporate users across the globe—giving them the peace of mind of knowing that their digital experiences will be secure. BitDefender solutions are distributed by a global network of value-added distribution and reseller partners in more than 100 countries worldwide.

More information is available from www.bitdefender.co.uk

Scientists Use Brainpower To Make Wishes Come True

From the Hollywood film Firefox to the television show Heroes, science fiction writers have always dreamt of the day when humans could control machines with the power of thought alone.

Now British scientists are turning the vision into reality with a device that allows objects to be manipulated with brain waves. The prototype, developed at Essex University, can already be used to play simple computer games. By imagining a movement, the wearer of the hat-shaped device can tell the computer to move an object around a screen or a robot around a room.

The researchers hope their technology will eventually allow people to move wheelchairs and drive cars with their thoughts.The development came as the video games maker Nintendo disclosed that it wanted to build on the success of the motion-sensitive technology used in the best-selling console, the Wii, by developing games that can be controlled by thought.

To pick up the signal from the brain, the scientists use a cap fitted with electrodes that detect changes in the electrical activity produced by the neurons. When a person wearing the cap imagines a particular action, such as moving a hand, it produces a distinct pattern of signals that a computer learns to recognise.

Dr John Gan, who is leading the research at Essex University's department of electrical engineering, said: "We have been developing this to help disabled patients who have limited movement ability or don't have any, so they can control a computer or a wheelchair by thinking. But the general applications are quite widespread, from controlling computer games to using the brain to control things in the living environment, such as turning lights on and off, opening and shutting curtains or switching channels on the television."

Scientists hope to change completely the way humans interact with computers and technology by abandoning keyboards for devices that interpret signals directly from the brain.Prof Nigel Shadbolt, of the school of computer science at Southampton University and former president of the British Computer Society, said: "The old science fiction idea of interpreting brain signals is becoming scientific reality.The brain is constantly active and produces a lot of chaotic noise, but we are getting better and better devices that are able to separate useful signals from the background."

The Essex University scientists have developed a second device which picks up electrical activity in tiny muscle movements in the forehead and the movement of the eyes to control a wheelchair.With a flick of the brow, patients can move the chair forwards, backwards, left and right.”

Express Your Style With
The Sony VAIO CS11

Sony Vaio CS11 laptop

Richly varied, exquisitely styled: it’s a new experience

With the creation of the unique CS11 VAIO notebook, Sony continues to explore the space where technology and fashion intersect. The result is pure VAIO: bold colours, contours that fit the hands and please the senses, and technology that connects, entertains and beguiles.

“This is a companion, not a tool,” said Hidetoshi Takigawa, Marketing Director for VAIO Of Europe. “If you want tools, there are plenty out there. If you want something that’s special, that’s ahead of the curve, then here is where you need to be. The VAIO CS is fresh and colourful, and sheer style is going to be a big part of its appeal, but it’s clever as well as beautiful. It can become a part of your lifestyle, letting you communicate, helping you manage your digital world and have fun at the same time. You don’t just own it – you will treasure it.”

With the CS11, the styling is completely integrated. The use of harmonised colours extends throughout, from the casing to the palm rest and exposed inner surfaces. Everything is meticulously designed, from the shape of each key on the keyboard to the touch-sensitive AV controls that respond to the brush of a fingertip. The effect is a visual and tactile experience that rewards the attention.

Original VAIO software uses powerful built-in intelligence to organise your digital world creatively for maximum enjoyment. The ’12 Tone Analysis’ system in VAIO Music Box can categorise an entire music collection on the hard disk into 24 ‘moods’, giving you a soundtrack for every part of the day without you having to lift a finger.

VAIO Movie Story uses even more complex methods alongside 12 Tone Analysis to produce high quality home movies with a professional look. It matches your choice of theme and soundtrack with your video clips and photos, then adds special effects, smooth cinematic transitions and perfectly synchronised music. You can add as much or as little as you like using simple, powerful editing features and your own intuition.

Video chat is a reality rather than an aspiration thanks to the MOTION EYE camera seamlessly integrated into the screen surround. You can also shoot stills at the touch of a button using an original VAIO Camera Capture utility. The software then lets you choose from a library of photo ‘frames’ to add style, impact or just a touch of fun.

The flagship VGN-CS11Z/R even has an integral Blu-ray Disc™ drive so you can enjoy the latest HD movie releases on the super-sharp, vividly coloured ‘X-black LCD’ enhanced screen.So if you are tired of the dull side of technology, change. Explore a more colourful alternative with this most fashionable expression of the VAIO brand yet.