Latest in Technology - E-Toilet

Perhaps, for geeks like us, this is something that you really don’t wanna miss. The e-Toilet, which was unveiled by Bill Gates, if you really can’t let go of surfing the net, even just to spend few minutes in the toilet, this is a must-have. The eToilet lets you surf the net, play music from Zune and it also monitors your personal hygiene by shutting down the lid automatically if left open.

The eToilet includes a 21-inch flat-screen monitor built into the toilet lid itself that swings out on a swivel arm when you are….. in position. Many of its functions are activated by touch, and the eToilet contains a proximity sensor that will protect the screen from spray during use or flushing.

Additionally, the eToilet’s composition gauge will offer web-based dietary recommendations and guidelines based on the physical makeup of the material that is input into the device, and it has a delay mechanism to prevent flushing while someone is in the shower. However, arguably the most intriguing feature of the eToilet is the integration of Microsoft’s patented eLoo technology that allows for the activation of remote call features.

It’ll be out in the market next month, which will retail between $499 to $599. I’m just simply very thankful to Microsoft for taking its best effort to get geeks like us glued to the computer and Internet.

Free Games for You

A list of free games to keep you occupied until Christmas

The month of December always lightens the bank account, and many PC gamers may feel withdrawal symptoms as they wait for the month-end present harvest. In an effort to stave away the gaming blues, we’ve rounded up a list of free games.

Synaesthete (https://typo3.digipen.edu/index.php?id=986)

Synaesthete puts you in control of Zaikman, who has to navigate the game world – the collective unconscious – and zap monsters using his affinity with the musical soundtrack and a number of power-ups. The game features original compositions of music ranging from ambient trance to regular trance. The entire game world is a visualisation which pulses and animates to the beat of the music.

FreeCiv (http://freeciv.wikia.com/wiki/Main_Page)

One for the strategy buffs, FreeCiv is pretty much a recreation of the original Sid Meier classics, Civilization 1 and 2. The game is open source, and is constantly being tweaked, refined, and updated. There are numerous player created rule sets that can be used, and up to 30 players are supported over TCP/IP.

UFO: Alien Invasion (http://ufoai.sourceforge.net/?page=Home)

The year is 2084 and of course, the human race must defend itself against a terrifying alien enemy. Inspired by the X-COM, UFO: AI is a squad based tactical strategy game. The game has two main modes of gameplay, a base management and research mode, and a tactical combat mode. The game was developed on the Quake 2 engine and has some snazzy 3D graphics. The game supports up to 6 players over TCP/IP.

Scorched 3D (http://www.scorched3d.co.uk/)

This is the modernisation of a classic DOS game - Scorched Earth. That game was so classic, it was yelling at those darn Worms to get off its scorched lawn. Scorched 3D is a turn-based artillery combat game in which players must manage their ammunition, weaponry and economy during a battle of wits and skill in which there can only be one victor. The game supports multiplayer over TCP/IP, with a number of Internet servers up and running.

Nifflas' Games (http://nifflas.ni2.se/index.php?main=02Knytt)

Not a game, but a game developer, with three really cool 2D side-scrolling platform games available to play - Knytt, Knytt Stories, and Within a Deep Forest. All the games feature colourful and detailed pixelart, clever animations and intriguing storylines. Definitely worth checking out.

Alien Arena  (http://icculus.org/alienarena/rpa/)

One for the FPS fans, this is a retro Sci-Fi deathmatch arena game that feels like the lovechild of Quake 3 and Unreal Tournament. The game also boasts some pretty impressive visuals considering it is an open source project. There is a single player campaign, but the multiplayer is the real attraction. Unfortunately there are no dedicated South African servers, but it could make for a refreshing change at LANs.

Secret Maryo Chronicles (http://www.secretmaryo.org/)

A platform game that runs and jumps, barely avoids some sort of copyright infringement, and defeats an assortment of enemies . Developed in the spirit of another popular platform game, Secret Maryo should satiate a craving for retro platform action, with a modern flavour. The game comes with a full featured level editor for those who feel the need to fiddle.

Planeshift (http://www.planeshift.it/)

This is a truly free MMORPG. This means that there will never be any surprise premium content, or gameplay limitations. All the servers and bandwidth needs are sponsored. The developers are going for a strong emphasis on the role playing element of the game, encouraging players to really 'act out' their decided character traits. The game is currently in the open public testing phase, so it will undoubtedly be a bit buggy. But it is still worth checking out for the MMORPG lovers on a budget.

Source: MyBroadband.co.za

MARIO

Mario has been all time favorite game for many people. We have seen this game in number of forms and avatars. Checkout free Mega Mario computer game in which you help Mario free his brother Luigi. It has usual color splash with exciting background music.

This version has little more blood red splash while you kill crawling creatures or get killed (this option can be turned OFF). It has number of levels to keep you hooked for long time while you find your way and collect coins. Download Mega Mario game (Windows & Linux), it is a portable game, just download and start playing (no install!)

Source: ToThePC

New Internet Scam Alert

US health officials on Thursday warned of an Internet scam doing the rounds which says all adults are required to register a personal swine flu vaccination profile with the federal authorities.

The bogus message says that although vaccination against pandemic (A)H1N1 flu is not obligatory, anyone aged 18 or older whether they have had the vaccine or not, is required to create a "personal H1N1 (swine flu) vaccination profile" with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).

If recipients of the scam email try to comply with the message and click on a link it says will take them to the CDC website, they could be at risk of "having malicious code installed on their system," the CDC warned.

"The CDC has NOT implemented a state vaccination program requiring registration on www.cdc.gov," the federal health agency said in a statement.

When the United States launched a swine flu vaccination campaign in October, high demand was met by low supply, and many people were turned away empty-handed from free vaccination clinics.

The head of the CDC, Thomas Frieden, said this week that there are now around 70 million (A)H1N1 vaccine doses available.

Source: MyBroadBand.co.za