FreeFileSinc: Free Download

Once configured, FreeFileSync will ensure that the same files are located in both directories. For example, you can use FreeFileSync if a good friend passes the USB drive and you want to sync your music folder with your computer. Or you can use FreeFileSync to sync files you’ve edited on your laptop to your desktop PC. Many other uses are possible.


Guide: Software basic for every PC FreeFileSync offers a few additional possibilities, which one does not recognize at first sight. You can also use FreeFileSync to create a backup. Files are only copied from the left to the right, but not in the opposite direction. You can access this function by clicking the gear next to the "Synchronize" button. Select "Mirror" instead of "Automatic". To update the backup later, use the same option, which you can also find here. For professionals who want their backups to be automated, help is available in the "Advanced" menu. The "Create Batch Job" function generates a small program file, which automatically executes the backup job that has just been configured, whenever you start it. Use the Windows Task Scheduler to automatically run the file at specific times.


The 12 Best Apps for Home Control, Streaming and Co.

Smartphones and tablets offer a good overview on their displays, can be operated on a touch screen and easy to connect to computers or network players via WLAN. In addition, they are capable of learning. So what is closer to using them to control networked flat screens, Internet radios, or even household appliances? Not just the manufacturers of entertainment electronics have been offering apps that turn smartphones and tablets into learning universal remote controls for quite some time.


TV sets, Internet and streaming


Apps also control devices for home automation - and so the mobile all-rounder mutate to the command center for the whole home. The light should be switched off at 7:30 am and switched off at 0:00? No problem. The heating is to be turned off in the morning and evening and the blinds are closed at noon and open in the evening? A fingertip on the touch-sensitive screen is sufficient. In addition, it calms down to take a look at the house or into the apartment via a network camera - this is also a routine job for home automation apps. CONNECTED HOME presents the best applications for the networked home.


Picture gallery


Smart TVs and smart TV receivers link the television to the Internet. The cunning TV sets or set-top boxes find themselves via network cable or wireless contact to the home network and Internet. In addition, they receive additional offers from the TV broadcasters, such as the Mediatheken of ARD and ZDF, video-on-demand services such as max cathedrals or electronic magazines on the screen


Also interesting is


Partially fold the video chat via Skype and access to Twitter or Facebook. And, of course, smart TVs play video over the network. The problem is the operation: keyboard and mouse are uncomfortable on the sofa. And a traditional remote control is neither suitable for text input nor for navigation via a website


Music in the whole house


In the gallery, we present the best apps for home networking. With these programs, you can control devices and applications at home using a smartphone or tablet.


Here, smartphones and tablets come into play - and the TV manufacturers like to play with. They usually offer applications for the two popular smartphone and tablet operating systems iOS (Apple) and Android. In addition, there are often different app versions for smartphones and tablets as well as different app versions for the control of different TV series, Blu-ray Disc players or home cinema systems.


For example, the Korean manufacturer LG to control its current TV devices from 2012 offers the app LG Magic for iPhone and Android phones. Older TV models from 2011 can be operated by TV Remote App only with Android smartphones. Both apps control basic functions such as program change or volume. Touchscreens also make text entry easier in TV menus. The smartphone can be used to control a pointer on the TV screen: this makes it easier to navigate through menus or websites on the TV.


Comparison test: Six smart TV portals in the test


Philips is well positioned with the MyRemoteApp for iOS, Android, iPad and Android tablets. It works with all Smart TVs from Philips since 2009 and above with Philips Blu-ray players and audio systems - praiseworthy clear. The MyRemoteApp controls basic functions and allows convenient text input on the smartphone or tablet. However, it is used to play back photos, music, and videos in high-definition mode: It accesses media servers on the home network that are familiar with the UPnP AV network standard. Better still: With Slideshow you can view photos directly from the iPhone on the TV screen - but not with Android phones.


The SmartView app from Samsung runs only on Samsung tablets and the Samsung smartphone Galaxy S II. It works together with Samsung's Smart TVs of the 2011 and 2012 years. The control of the TV devices dominates the app by the way. Your highlight is playing a TV movie on the mobile device (DualView). So if you do not want to watch a thriller late in the evening, take it to your bed with Samsung Galaxy-Tablet.


With its media remote app for iOS and Android, Sony focuses on the remote control of Internet-enabled BRAVIA TV sets and networkable BD players. The app moves a website, which shows the tablet straight, by fingertip on the television - and vice versa. As a result, the TV manufacturer reacts to the current viewer behavior, because smartphone or tablet owners often use their mobile devices parallel to the TV - for additional information or for communication.


Loewe goes one step further with the Assist Media App. The app is only available for the Apple iPad. It controls Loewes TV sets Individual, Connect and Art. The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) of the Assist Media App uses the space of the larger tablet screen. Gracenote, known as a music infotainment, provides detailed information on TV broadcasts. Via iPad, an interesting program can be selected comfortably. The TV recordings can be started or programmed at any time, if a hard disk is installed in the TV or connected via USB. The iPad can access the Loewe portal MediaNet. Maxdome is also on board. Movies can be borrowed on the iPad and viewed on the TV screen.


Loewe is able to record the recording program only within the home network. But the digital TV manufacturer TechniSat has a solution with the MyTechniSat -App in a solution: it allows the remote programming without complicated router settings. Recordings on Internet-enabled receivers and TV sets from the manufacturer can be programmed on the shovel. And the program guide SeeFern Info provides an excellent overview.


Mobile network control


For music playback, the UPnP AV protocol, often certified by the DLNA (Digital Living Network Alliance), ensures easy connection of network players and servers from different manufacturers. The advantage is that a DLNA player easily plays music stored on a Windows or Mac computer or a network hard drive - without any additional software.


A useful app for controlling UPnP AV devices is the PlugPlayer (four euros, only for iOS). The app allows you to select any UPnP media server and player. The PlugPlayer not only plays music, but also transports photos and videos from a network storage device to a playback device.


Home control at the touch of a button


Verifiable: Comparison of audio streaming services


Audio specialist Teufel offers the Raumfeld system its own audio streaming product range: the playback can be controlled by a controller or via Raumfeld app for iOS and Android. As an audio player, there are stereo compact systems such as the Raumfeld One, shelf boxes that connect directly to a network via WLAN, right up to extended hi-fi speakers for demanding hi-fi fans. Raumfeld plays music from DLNA servers such as network hard disks. Different sound zones can be set up for multi-room playback.


Even in the high-end range, apps are common. The noble network players of the Scottish manufacturer Linn can be controlled via iPhone from Kinsky App. Hi-Fi fans even believe that the playback quality of the DS series is better than the high-profile CD players thanks to self-developed streaming technology and the finest digital-to-analog converters.


The Sneaky Music DS, the only digital source product with power amplifiers, is available for € 1,450. In addition, Linn provides music in studiomaster quality up to 192 kHz / 24 Bit via the portal www.linnrecords.com.


IPhone, iPad and iPod touch serve as a music store. Therefore, it is obvious to play the collection wirelessly from the mobile device via loudspeakers. The Apple technology AirPlay sends music from mobile Apple devices directly to AirPlay-capable audio players - that's handy.


More and more manufacturers are offering apps for configuring the home network. This works for example with the Connected Cloud platform of the manufacturer Cisco. The Cisco Linksys EA routers use this software. Apps for iPhone or Android manage the network devices. New devices are integrated into the network in no time: WPS technology (Wi-Fi Protected Setup) eliminates the need to enter a WLAN password. Guests can set up a network access via app - even from the road.


Buying advice: Starter kits for Smart-Home


Via App, individual devices can be prioritized: this gives them access to the full bandwidth before all other network clients - this is practically practical for downloads or online games. And to the offspring can be blocked by app times the access to Facebook & Co., so that it goes with the homework. Other manufacturers have apps like the Gemini IP Camera Viewer, which brings the image of network cameras to the mobile display.


On a network hard disk (NAS), audio, video, photo or other data are stored. The manufacturer Synology has created a versatile platform with its expandable NAS software Disk Manager 4.0. This means that the network storage functions as private cloud services: all data is available on all terminals. Synology apps for iOS, Android and Windows Phone also manage data and disk, control audio and video playback, or access network cameras.


Resourceful home users have an entire app under control. A central device such as the EZcontrol XS1 or the HomeMatic receives the settings via a network connection. The users then control and transmit signals from sensors such as temperature and humidity sensors, motion detectors, IP cameras or smoke detectors via radio or cable dimmers, door lock actuators, blinds or roller shutter actuators.

With the app CasaRemote (HD) for iPhone / iPad, homeowners with installed network cameras always remain in the picture. Radio sockets or sockets can be controlled via gateways. Switching operations are quickly programmed - for example, to switch the light on / off at the desired time.


Four outdoor Navis in the test

The Outdoor Navis in the test


Picture gallery


It does not matter whether it is sporty on a road bike or mountain bike or a comfortable round on the Stadtrad. And because car-navigation-spoiled cyclists even reluctantly ask for directions during their holidays, it makes sense to use a navigation device even when cycling. Of course, outdoor enthusiast two-wheelers can also easily plug their smartphone. They already have GPS and the appropriate map material is easy to find. There are brackets for the bike. But what happens when a violent rainstorm surprises the smartphone cyclist or the fast-paced descent of the expensive iPhone in the gravel field kills the mountain? If your smartphone is dear and expensive, you can leave it at home with adventurous biketours.


Weight and processing


Devices such as the Mios Cycle 305 or Medions GoPal weigh just 150 grams. They are quite slim and look quite appealing. Due to the rubberized surface they are still handy even with wet hands. The other two devices, Garmins Montana 650t and Falk Lux 30, are larger and heavier, but can also be used with wet fingers.


Mounting


The rugged outdoor pilots are also a little squeamish against the rain showers. All devices in the test are waterproof according to IPX7. And even the one or the other of the linings put them away.


Voice navigation only for one device


At Mio, the device sits very close to the handlebar, which is an advantage in mountain biking. For this purpose, the holder is fastened with cable ties. The bracket sits so firmly on the handlebar without any annoying screws. However, new cable binders have to be produced whenever the cyclist turns his mountain bike onto his racing or touring bike.


Falk also worked on a screwless holder. In the so-called "Easy2Fix", a rubberized fabric band is attached to the handlebar or stem, which is not easy at first. And just when the handlebars are installed, the belt has to be bomb-tight, otherwise the device will wobble in rough terrain on the handlebar.


Android Tablets


The small, lightweight GoPal from Medion is similar to a car-navi on a swan neck holder. At first sight, this is somewhat unstable, but it has the advantage that the device can always be placed in the right light via the flexible rod.


Garmins Montana sits securely in the mount, but this is not part of the package and needs to be purchased.


If you are accustomed to navigate in the car by a friendly navi voice on the shortest or fastest way to the destination while avoiding a traffic jam, you will miss the comfort of the outdoor navigation system. Voice navigation is only available with the Lux 30.


In Garmin and Mio, audio signals indicate directional changes. While the GoPal only shows an arrow on the display the way. All the devices tested have a touch-screen, and the menu is quite similar to that of Auto-Navis.


While the road bikers are looking for asphalted roads in a profile, families with children's trailers should be able to choose the cozy tour on cycle paths via a different profile. While this would in principle be feasible, the implementation of the map material failed.


While it is possible, for example in the case of the Lux or the Montana, to set up a sporty driving mode and to include the use of hiking trails, the routes offered are often below expectations.


For all needs the right route


The mountain biker, who does not shy away from steep slopes and rocky mountain paths, needs a compass for orientation in the groundless terrain or information about the nearest bike shop. Practically, the compass and barometer are now the standard equipment of an outdoor navigation system.


The bicycle shop, the nearest pharmacy or restaurant should be listed as a special destination (or POI) as with the car navigation device. Fortunately, there is no outdoor controller ragged. Falks Lux offers an extended travel guide as well as a travel guide for bus and train.


Maps


With the offered map material Medions GoPal and Mios Cyclo mainly rely on freely available OpenStreetMaps. This is an online community dedicated to collecting geodata worldwide to create digital maps in vector format.


Without additional map material, users of the Garmin Montana do not go very far. The offered Topo-Deutschland-Karte (in the Pro version) suggests with about 200 euro to beech. This type of investment can be dispensed with by cyclists when they load the free OpenStreet maps onto their Garmin.


Guide: More functions through firmware tuning


Test winner: Falk Lux 30


Expert opinion


With the Topo-Deutschlandkarte, however, so-called "ActiveRouting" is possible. The card has several preset activity profiles, so the hiker, the tour cyclist or the mountain biker will be offered different tours in the same area.


The Lux 30 is not quite so flat and light as the Cyclo or the GoPal, but the outdoor Navi can be operated with conventional batteries, which can be easily exchanged on longer bike rides


The display is not very big with its three-inch diagonal, but the most important information is always in view and the maps even in sunlight still readable. Turning commands are also available on request by voice. On the device, maps are routinely pre-installed. There are routes and tourist guides. Additional routes can be installed.


If you do not want to have your smartphone on the bike, but looking for both sporty cycling and tour biking, can confidently grab an outdoor navigation. The devices are easy to operate thanks to touch screens and are becoming more and more powerful. However, they are very far apart. The most expensive Montana is recommended for real outdoor freaks, and the Lux is also a good choice for beginners.


Download: Table


Falk Lux 30, Garmin Montana 650t, Mio Cyclo 305, Medion GoPal S3857


Xbox 360, Xbox One, Playstation 3 and PS4 in the Preischeck

A year ago the Xbox One and the Playstation 4 came on the market. The price then was 499 euros for Microsoft’s Xbox One and 399 euros for the PS4 from Sony. How have the prices developed since then? In general, an accurate overview with regard to numerous daily offers, constantly changing bundles with current games or additional controllers is very difficult. We will give you an overview of current prices and their development.


Xbox One Prices at a glance


An alternative is to take a look at the predecessor consoles Xbox 360 and Playstation 3. The favorable price and the very large selection of games ensure that a purchase of these consoles is still worthwhile. Especially because almost all current games do not appear exclusively on the new consoles, but are also released for their predecessors.


Xbox 360 as an alternative


Xbox One or PS4? Feature Comparison


Playstation 4 prices at a glance


Tip: Just before Christmas, the merchants are trying to bring the consoles back to their customers with especially extensive bundles, a comparison is worth it!


Playstation 3 as an alternative


Launched is Microsoft's new console at 499 euros. This price remained constant until the first price slump came in April 2017. At this time, the Xbox One was available for around 450 euros. Since then the price for the console has been decreasing slowly but steadily. Currently it costs 399 euros. Time-limited bundle offers with up-to-date new game releases or additional controllers are partly cheaper, at the console price, once again cheaper.


Already for around 200 euros, there is the predecessor to buy the Xbox One including FIFA 15 in the Slim version. The console has already been on the market for several years, but current games like FIFA 15, Assassins Creed or GTA 5 are still available for the Xbox 360. If you're looking for a great game choice, and if the Xbox One is still too expensive, you can easily take advantage of the cheaper predecessor.


Also Sony's PS4 has been on the market for about a year. It was launched in 2013 at a price of 399 euros. Only recently, the console is cheaper to have - now even in black or white. Under the Christmas tree the Playstation 4 (black) is currently about 360 euros. Here too, there are bundles with games, camera or controllers that may be worthwhile.


250 euros are currently due for the predecessor of Playstation 4. The PS3 comes with a 320 GB hard drive. As with the Xbox 360, the advantage of the older Sony console is the huge selection of games. The PS3 is also supplied with current game releases so far.


Conclusion

Fujitsus Esprimo P956 E94 + also gets the overall victory in this comparison test because of the better price / performance ratio. Without the small memory configuration error, the performance would be even higher and the distance from the word word Terra PC Business 6000 would have been clearer. This was demonstrated by the most powerful configuration and best features in the test field.


However, his higher power consumption cost him important points. In this discipline the Dell Optiplex 5040, the third-placed Dell, collected the most points. The compact business PC also played a role in performance. Fourth place is the service-friendly HP EliteDesk 800 G2 (P1H14ET), which, in addition to the small SSD and the single-channel RAM, has made especially the relatively high power consumption. For this only an on-site service was included in the price.


Absurd web videos: "Ok Glass, play tennis!" With Roger Federer

The fact that it is at the tennis court with professionals to go fast to the matter, is not new. But how fast it really is, shows this video. In this, we can not only look over the shoulder, but directly from the eyes of Roger Federer. For: Federer is wearing Google Glass.


Roger Federer through Glass


Anonymous and secure surfing: VPN tools and track shredders

Statisticians track each of your movements on the web. This is about surfing and buying habits, media usage, search terms, or behavior in computer games. Some users are annoyed with the idea that someone is constantly looking over their shoulders. Others see this as being easy, among other things because the monitoring does not have any noticeable disadvantages in everyday life. On the contrary, site-based services or services such as Google Now, Siri, or Cortana promise us more convenience with tailor-made information.


Quite simply anonymous with


But do not be fooled. Security experts like Vitaly Shmatikov have shown that a user can only be identified (deanonymized) with user profiles, assuming appropriate skill. He himself has demonstrated this with anonymous film assessments at Netflix. It also revealed very private details such as a preference for homoerotic films.


Number plate on the web


Users who leave user profiles behind several services are particularly vulnerable. Deanonymization works by linking data from different sources and drawing the right conclusions.


Stop Tracker


Be that as it may - the sensitivities are different in terms of data protection. The one rejects records as unethical, the other publishes worry-freely private pictures illustrated with photos in social networks.


Use Anonymous Mode


No matter how you think about privacy. You should at least make an informed decision when it comes to sharing data and think about what data you leave to whom. Businesses like Google or Facebook are powerful because you have a lot of websites and users on the web, apps and like buttons. Do not you believe? Install the Lightbeam plugin in the Firefox browser. It shows you graphically or in tabular form, who can listen to everything when visiting a website. Impressed? Now, check out the tools - PET (Privacy Enhancing Tools, programs that improve data protection) - with which you can get control of your data traces.


The easiest way to escape data collectors is to avoid their services. There are search engines without tracking such as Duckduckgo.com. Google's search engine Startpage.com provides search queries to Google and protects your user data. How to get Google results without sacrificing your identity.


Lesetipp: The best Google alternatives


There are also plenty of e-mail providers who promise their users anonymity. But sometimes you can or do not want to do without certain services such as Youtube or Facebook. Then you have to use other means.


An important identifier for each user is their Internet Protocol (IP) address. Your IP address and the MAC address (Media Access Control) of your network hardware are almost the autocards you carry with you on the Internet. Even if IP addresses for the normal user are always given again, a website operator can read from the address, in which region of the earth your computer is. For example, the country locks in Youtube and other services work. The MAC address of your hardware is unique across the world.


A web proxy or a virtual private network (VPN) service such as SpyOFF can obscure both. A site owner sees the address of the proxy or VPN server to which you are connected, but not that of your computer. As a result, these services are often used to avoid, for example, the Youtube and other US service locks.


From the use of one of the many free web proxies - just type proxy servers into any search engine - you can only advise against it. In most cases, you do not know which operators are actually behind these proxies and what interests they have. Just ask yourself how the proxy provider finances his offer. For paid VPN services, you do not have to ask this question.


With a VPN connection (also known as a tunnel), you can obfuscate your IP address and location. Nevertheless, you still get cookies and download web bugs and other tracker. This can be prevented with the right browser and the right add-ons. We choose Firefox because the manufacturer Mozilla is independent of companies like Google, Microsoft or Facebook. The prerequisite for anonymous browsing is, of course, that there are no add-ons installed in the browser that record your surfing behavior. You should also protect your PC with security software from adware.


For Firefox, there are some very good add-ons to protect privacy. Lightbeam we have already presented. Ghostery acts similarly. It shows the tracker found on a website. You can then block them specifically. Essential are the add-ons NoScript and Adblock Plus. Adblock Plus blocks advertising, and NoScript can selectively disable scripts from third-party vendors. Mostly you can use NoScript to disable all the annoying scripts and still keep the site functioning.


Flash cookies


All browsers now offer an anonymous surfing mode, incognito mode (Chrome), InPrivate Browsing (Edge), or Private Window. These modes are not intended to make you anonymous on the Web. They mainly serve to remove traces of a surf session on the local PC. Firefox goes a step further. Open a private window, Firefox uses a black list of the Disconnect.me tool to block web tracers. Under Extras / Settings / Data protection / Change blocking list, you can set whether you want to use the detailed list or the default list of moderate lists. If the "strict" list is used, some websites may not work.


Note: If you are using anonymous mode in your browser, your Internet service provider (ISP) can still track which pages you are calling. You can only protect yourself against a VPN connection before your ISP. Then it sees only the connection to the VPN provider. Everything else is encrypted.


Browser Dwindling


Another advantage of Firefox's private window is that at the end of a surfing session all the annoying cookies and locally stored files of the browser are deleted. The next time the browser is started, the tracker has disappeared. This does not necessarily apply to data that contains add-ons and plugins - a reason to make sure which plugins you install.


Even with private windows, you should configure the cookie settings correctly under Tools / Settings / Privacy. Accept third-party cookies should never stand. For Keep until select Firefox is closed. Also, clear the history when Firefox is closed. Under Settings, set a check mark in front of all elements. Now, Firefox will "forget" a lot of your surfing session - just like the sites you visited. By the way, the free tool CCleaner with the extension CCEnhancer helps you clean up the browser data.


Outside of the browser control are cookies which are deposited by the Adobe Flash Player. These must be switched off via the global settings of the player. To do so, open any site with Flash content. Click a video with the right mouse button and select Global Settings. Select the Prevent sites from storing information on this computer. Now you should not get any Flash cookies.


Really anonymous


Your browser tells a visited site from which other site you were referred (Referrer). If you want to hide this information, tell Firefox to suppress the referrer. Enter about: config in the address line. Now look for the term referer (so written!). Now you can set the value of network.http.sendRefererHeader to 0. But beware: Many sites do not work without referrers, so this option is not recommended. Instead try to set network.http.referer.XOriginPolicy to 1. Then the referrers are not passed on only if the site with the link and the called site come from different domains. If you switch to a different web provider, it does not get anything from the previous site.


You can also fake a wrong browser to the calling site. This is also about about: config, but for simplicity, you should use the Firefox Addon User Agent Switcher. With a wrong user agent, site operators do not notice which browser you are on the road - which can lead to incompatibility and misrepresented sites.


If you use a VPN network and use the tools presented here, you will miss most tracking attempts. But it is even better: technically savvy users set up their own proxy server to filter the sent data. Here is the free tool Privoxy, which runs on the same computer as your browser. This allows you to block advertising and tracking elements and determine what your browser is doing in the Web.


If you need anonymity at the intelligence level, you should use the gate network - a free VPN connection. Each request from your browser returns a random random path through a global network of gate machines. If it finally arrives at the target server - such as pc-magazin.de - you can probably no longer be tracked by outsiders. "Probably" means that there might be secret services like the NSA, who penetrate vulnerabilities in the gate network to de-user users. The technical possibilities available (for example the control of a large number of gate nodes) are a major topic of discussion among security specialists.


Through the Tor browser bundle (www.torproject.org/projects/torbrowser.html) you can always enter the Tor network at any time. Unfortunately, Tor is also a playground for criminals with many doubtful sites. Therefore, we recommend that you do not use the client on a productive system to prevent infection with malware. Use your own platform instead. Here is the free Tails system, a Debian-based Linux system designed for anonymity. It runs without installation as a live DVD on your computer and comes with a pre-configured Tor client.


MSI AG2712: All-in-One-PC for gamers

The graphics card DirectX-11-GPU GeForce GTX 670MX is built into the gaming PC, which is designed to provide powerful performance even in demanding 3D games. The AG2712 is also equipped with a third-generation Core i7 processor.


With a matte 27-inch display and a resolution of 1,920x1,080 pixels, the model is also optionally available with a ten-point touch screen; Windows 8 provides for easy navigation. The official price is not yet known, but rumors will result in about 2,000 euros. You will find MSI at CeBIT 2013 in Hall 15, Stand F15.


Starcraft 2: Legacy of the Void in Test - Worthy Final of an Epic '

Legacy of the Void in the Test: With Starcraft 2, Blizzard succeeded to a successive 1998 already immensely popular strategy game, which was staged in three parts. After the Games “Wings of Liberty” (2010) and “Heart of the Swarm” (2013), the final “Legacy of the Void” celebrated its release on November 10, 2017 – we will test whether the last act in Starcraft 2 To be convinced.


Starcraft 2 – Legacy of the Void Review: Story


The story in Legacy of the Void focuses on the breed of the technologically advanced Protoss, who want to recapture their homeworld Aiur from the hostile Zerg. In addition, the sweeping action of Wings of Liberty and Heart of the Swarm has to be brought to an end.


Starcraft 2 - Legacy of the Void Review: Gameplay


This succeeds - almost already Blizzard-typical - terrific. The story does not hold back with unexpected turns and nasty surprises and creates an oppressive atmosphere in the face of the impending apocalypse, which ends in a grand finale. Moreover, in an epilogue, the strings of action of the Terrans and Zergs are also brought to a satisfactory conclusion.


Starcraft 2 - Legacy of the Void in Review: Graphics


The gameplay within the campaign also meets Blizzard's own requirements. The mission design is vastly diverse and can never be bored - which is also due to the increased difficulty.


Starcraft 2 - Legacy of the Void in Review: Multiplayer


The Legacy of the Void campaign is a bit more challenging than the normal difficulty level. The two higher grades, on the other hand, are only recommended for full pros and masochists.


The most powerful and useful weapon in the fight against the threatening end of all worlds is the mother ship "Spear of Adun", which serves us as a command center and support in the ongoing mission. With powerful skills, the ship can save many a hopeless situation. These skills can be freely selected and configured before the start of the mission, as well as the units with which we want to fill our army.


During the game, you can see Legacy of the Void, the slightly dusty graphics engine. Textures are not very detailed - a flaw, but with so many units, only on closer inspection.


Blizzard is well known for the enormous detail of his render videos. It is a pity, however, that Legacy of the Void can only have a single such scene at the beginning - the presentation happens in the following with in-game intersections, still images and in text form


In the multiplayer mode, it becomes clear that Legacy of the Void is another or the last part of a series. With new units and changed starting conditions, the multiplayer mode will be even faster than already - beginners are expected to be quickly overburdened.


The new Archon mode, in which two or more players together control a people, could counteract this. This allows for a certain division of the work, which makes the game somewhat more straightforward without depriving it of its dynamic.


If you are looking for a sample for a successful ending of a game trilogy, look for Legacy of the Void. Cleverly, the standalone extension links all the loose ends of the Starcraft 2 universe and is also staged as great.


Really to complain about is only the beginner fast-challenging multiplayer mode, which could frustrate many new players quickly. Apart from that, fans of real-time strategy can look forward to a very good final of an epic.


Starcraft 2 - Legacy of the Void in Review: Conclusion


Windows 10 & Co .: Customize user account control

Windows 10 Notebook


The user account control (UAC) displays the desktop and displays a message box when installing with admin rights: "Do you want to allow the following program to make changes to this computer?" Many users want to customize this protection feature .


You can find the configuration of the user account control in Windows 8.1 via the icon of the maintenance center in the taskbar and the selection of the menu item Change settings of the user account control. In Windows 10, use the wscui.cpl tool directly from the search box. This command also works in Windows 8.1


On PCs with Windows 8.1 / 10 Pro, the behavior of user account control can also be configured using a group policy. You can find the necessary settings via Computer Configuration / Windows Settings / Security Settings / Local Policies / Security Options


Lesetipp: Windows 10 - FAQ for translators


In the basic edition of Windows 8.1 and Windows 10, you can make the settings through the registry database. To do so, tap regedit on the Home screen or the Start menu. Then, first export the registry database (file / export) to a secure location for security. By double-clicking on it, you can then undo the changes described below in an emergency.


Then open the path HKLM \ SOFTWARE \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Policies \ System. There are three binary values ​​that you can customize


If you set ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin to 0, suppress the query for administrator rights on the machine. Setting 5 has the same setting as if you set the slider to the "Only when apps are making changes to the computer" setting in the Pro edition of Windows 8.1 / 10.


Together with the value 1 for PromptOnSecure Desktop, the value 5 for ConsentPromptBehaviorAdmin is the same as the default value of user account control. If you set the value to 2, Windows is the same as the "Always alert in the following situations," the highest security setting.


Lesetipp: Windows 10 - Remove Autostart services


ConsentPromptBehaviorUser controls the user control of the default users (0 deactivated, 3 switched on), also regarding administrator rights query. PromptOnSecureDesktop suppresses the darkening of the desktop (switch from 1 to 0) when Windows 8.1 asks for administrator rights. This setting has the advantage that the PC is protected against attacks and displays the message field but no longer prevents access to the rest of the screen.


Server bottleneck: E-mails from GMail to GMX do not arrive

The mail traffic between Gmail and GMX had several problems in the past days. Thus, numerous GMail users report that mails to GMX addresses do not increase or arrive after a long wait.


The attempt to send mail from GMail to Gmail usually ended with the error message "451 - Requested Action aborted, Transaction limit reached". The message suggested that the GMX mail server did not accept the program.


Error codes from series 400 are of a temporary nature. Therefore, the mail program still attempts to deliver the e-mails. Only after a few days the delivery attempt breaks off and finally fails.


According to user reports, previously rejected emails could be easily sent via the webmailer. However, the workaround did not work for everyone - some GMail users could not send e-mails to GMX via the webmailer.


The problem has now been repaired. According to Sebastian Schulte, press-author of GMX, there was on the side of GMail a bottleneck, which however now was eliminated. In addition, the mails are not lost, but would only be delayed. The system is currently working on broadcasts.


Part 3: Graphics cards: Playing cards

Albatron’s graphics card Gigi FX5600 EQ is characterized by a lavish equipment and accessory package. In total the Taiwanese manufacturer of its card donated 256 MB of DDR-RAM. In addition, there is also an S-video cable, a cinch cable and an adapter to convert the TV signal between S-Video and Composite to the standard connections.


There is WinDVD and a full version of the game. In older boxes is the ego Shooter Serious Sam, in the more recent packs there is the platform hoppers Duke Nukem Manhattan Project. Despite the good package price for the real bargain price of a good 125 euros, interested people should rather think about another card. Performance is the FX5600EQ behind the nVidia-based models with GeForceFX 5200 the Ultra version, despite the higher price. For current titles the performance is still enough, but far from the window can lean the buyer of this card. High resolutions and a high level of detail can not be combined with next year's games. This may not be of interest to casual gamers, but those who spend more time in their hobbies will not be able to afford the Gigi.


Overall rating: 65 points Price / performance: good Price: approx. 125 Euro


Http://www.albatron.com.tw


XMX Gaming Computer Core i5-4670 tested

With gaming PCs, it is still the case that the performance counts. Therefore, the Intel Core i5-4670K works in the 1000-euro gaming computer of XMX also with strongly increased clock frequency. The QuadCore CPU is actually designed for 3.4 GHz, only the Turbo boost can speed the frequency to 3.8 GHz. In the XMX-PC, the clock multiplier set at 44 for the factory is set to 44.


This type of overclocking is only possible with the K-processors with "open" multiplier. However, we have driven our tests at 4.2 GHz because the CPU runs at 4.4 GHz despite the water cooling seems to be at the limit. Games would still be possible, the Cinebench rendering bench, which drives all cores to 100 percent, sent the PC in the test lab several times into a Bluescreen. But also with 4.2 GHz, the processor is still fast-paced for a quad-core CPU without hyperthreading.


In the Cinebench rendering benchmark we measure a good 7.05 points. An MSI N760 TF 2GD5 / OC with GeForce GTX-760 GPU provides good Framerats also in demanding 3D-Games. The card is one of the top mid-range and is fast enough for many games for a smooth gameplay with full HD and high details. We measure 5477 points in the 3DMark FireStrike and we measure 17696 counters in the Cloud Gate run.


With 4423 points in the PCMark 7, the system performance of the 8Mbyte of RAM equipped XMX is good. Mass storage does not serve SSD, for an HDD is the WDC Caviar Blue with 148 MByte / s while reading extremely fast. An optical drive is a DVD burner, Windows 8.1 is pre-installed.


XYSTEC 5x USB 3.0 charging hub & docking station tested

Because of their small dimensions modern notebooks hardly have any external connections. In mobile use this may be acceptable, but stationary is a major drawback. The docking station from XYSTEC is connected to the computer via USB and then offers five USB 3.0 ports, a 10/100 Mbit Ethernet connection, as well as a microSD and SD card slot.


This means you always have access to printers, external storage devices, webcams, the LAN network and other devices, and you can do this without having to re-plug. The docking station, which costs only EUR 59.90 at Pearl instead of 89.90 euros, has its own power supply and is therefore also suitable to charge devices such as smartphones, tablets or digital cameras via USB via BC-1.2 charging protocol Br>

Conclusion


With this docking station you can extend the connectivity possibilities of your notebook and you can load up many devices in the shortest time.


Paypal fraud: double credit - Instructions on the net is punishable

The ex-hacker and security researcher Razvan Cernaianu explains on his blog, how one can double with Paypal its credit. According to Paypal, it is not a bug or hack, but simply criminal prosecution.


Double credit: This says Paypal


We would like to draw your attention to the fact that we have not tested the procedure. In addition, you should be careful not to misunderstand and use the article as a guide. After all, Paypal will investigate the misuse and display it.


Cernaianu cites three paypal accounts. One of them is the classical one, two more are faked: with virtual credit cards. Then a transfer from the real account with an amount of 500 euros to one of the faked accounts. From this book you now book the 500 euros as a gift to the third account. Now, according to Cernaianu, PayPal is requesting a return booking on the grounds that the desired product, which one had ordered, was not delivered.


Lesetipp: Online payment services in comparison


Since the faked account is only linked to a virtual credit card, Paypal can not claim money and can return the money at its own expense. In addition, there is the money from the third account, which can be transferred back.


When Cernaianu reported the error to Paypal, he received an astonishing response: it was not a bug in the system but a mistake in fraud protection.


Paypal has now also officially voiced the security gap. According to the company, the company is aware of the situation, but the Cernaianu report shows how fraud is carried out and a criminal offense is committed and not a weak spot in the Paypal system. In addition, the company is using many security measures to prevent such fraud. In addition, Paypal emphasizes that law enforcement officers around the world will be involved in criminal offenses and will fight against abuse.


Haufe TVöD Office Standard in the test

TVöD Office Standard


Conclusion


The contents of Haufe TVöD Office Standard are comprehensively written to the point, clearly arranged and carefully linked. Relevant cross-references lead directly from the start window to current news, topic focal points, the TVöD commentary or various legal sources. In addition, you can search for keywords by means of full-text search, which are highlighted in the annotated results list.


Home TVODD Office Standard: Details


A further plus is the numerous work aids, which can be transferred as tables, forms or pattern texts with mouse click in office applications.


In terms of content, the reference work goes far beyond pure TVE. This also covers related topics from payroll accounting or human resources. These include holidays, parental or nursing care. The TVöD Office Standard is constantly updated so that users are automatically protected against theft.


The company's TVöD Office Standard provides fast, accurate information. The useful working aids, the additional training courses and the easy transfer of templates and texts underline the high practical value of the online service. A helpful tool for administrative practices that leaves nothing to be desired.


Tablets under 200 Euro at a glance

Asus Nexus 7


The tablet from Asus and Google not only benefits from a constantly updated operating system: The Nexus 7 is small, handy, high-resolution and enjoyable. However, USB and HDMI are painfully missed.


Internet: www.asus.de


Price: 199, - Euro


Price / Performance: good


Overall rating: 68 points satisfactory


Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Download

With Paragon’s Free Recovery Edition, which is somewhat scaled down in its range of functions, you can create complete backups of complete partitions, which you store as an image file, for example, on an external hard disk or on a DVD. The backup of your operating systems, including all data and installed applications, is used, for example, to restore the system without needing to reinstall it, or to move it to other hard disks or computers with complete systems.


In addition, you create new partitions with Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition and edit or delete existing ones. With the recovery CD created with Paragon Backup & Recovery Free Edition, you can start your computer and create backups in an emergency.


Other features are


Backup container: Store your backup copy into a specially secured container on the hard drive.


Various backup media: Backup to external storage, CD / DVD / Blu-ray disks, network, or backup containers.


Rescue Media Configurator: Help program to create bootable rescue media to start the system.


Note: Free registration required.


Fujifilm X20 in the test

At the sight of the Fujifilm X20, wistful memories awaken. Because it looks very similar to the small Leica CL from 1973 and is with its 350 grams really good in the hand. The structure of the camera surface and the resulting feel of the camera are, as in the case of the leathered camera housings – just great.


View through the viewfinder


In vain, the Fujifilm X20 looks for a button or button to make the camera ready for use. The short version of the story: The Fujifilm X20 is turned on and off with a twist on the lens. The two adjusting wheels on the camera top rest snug and strong, the best protection against unintentional adjustment. The keys have clearly defined pressure points and the marking of the operating elements is clear. The completely metal-made digital camera looks very sturdy, built for the harsh photoalltag. Just the buttons on the back and the cover of the plug connections seem a bit simple.


Pretty bright


The main setting wheel on the top of the Fujifilm X20 offers eleven different shooting modes. Below you find the two settings C1 and C2 for your own setting combinations as well as the settings P (automatic program), S (automatic shutter), A (time automatic) and M (manual mode). To the right of the main setting wheel is the own setting wheel for exposure corrections. At a glance the control takes place and the position of the wheel always shows the current setting.


Test Conclusion


The main menu of the Fujifilm X20 offers a variety of setting options, but is kept in an elegant way: some buttons have functions, pressing these buttons causes the respective setting to be displayed directly, and the Q button on the right lower camera immediately brings a graphic Overview of important menu items. This sounds more complicated than it is, for all upcoming tasks there is always also a simple solution. Nevertheless, one is well advised to deal extensively with the extensive menu of the Fujifilm X20. This is the only way to open up the many possibilities.


Compact cameras with viewfinder have become rare. For all fans, Fujifilm offers the X20 a very special treat: the 12-millimeter viewfinder also gives spectacle wearers a good insight. If the eye approaches the viewfinder, the display is switched off and the exposure values ​​are reflected when the shutter is pressed.


Below the viewfinder image, the Fujifilm X20 then displays current settings such as exposure time, aperture and ISO number. The display is green, if everything fits, red signals correction need. That the viewfinder shows only about 8 5% of the picture field, can be easily sickened. On the other hand, Fujifilm has saved on the display. It is 2.7 inches tall and has a resolution of about 153,000 RGB pixels, which is more of a lower average. For this, it forms sharply and colors are presented well. Even from extreme viewing angles, color and brightness do not change.


Buying advice: Top 5 of the editors - the best mirrorless


With a sliding knob, the built-in flash comes a bit tired from the case. If you can not handle the power of the small flash, you can connect an external, stronger flash unit. The combination of two autofocus systems - a contrast autofocus system and an additional phase autofocus sensor on the image sensor - ensures fast and reliable focusing: measured values ​​of 0.23s in the wide angle and 0.39s in the telephoto.

The 4x zoom of the Fujifilm X20 covers the focal range between 28 and 112 millimeters (KB). The initial opening is great with f2,0 in the wide angle, with f2.8 in the tele still good. For the high light intensity it would have been nice if Fujifilm had donated the X20 a built-in neutral density filter, so that the complete aperture series can also be used in bright daylight. For example, a neutral density filter is required to unscrew.


The 12-megapixel sensor of the Fujifilm X20 in 2/3-inch format uses the technology of the Fujifilm X-Pro 1 (test). The special arrangement of the color points makes the low-pass filter superfluous and should lead to a higher screen accuracy. And in fact, the 1.888 LP / BH at wide angle for a 12-megapixel sensor is extremely much, but the sharpness drop to the corners with more than 650 LP / BH in the wide angle and more than 250 LP / BH in the tele very much high. This is obviously re-sharpened in the middle, the RAW images are more balanced.


How to find the right digital camera


The Fujifilm X20 is a great compact camera with very good equipment and picture quality, which justify the price of 550 euros. Kauftipp Edelkompakte.


Fujifilm X20


Sony Alpa 3000: Operation - Sony Alpa 3000: Operation

The clear menu of the Sony Alpha 3000 with striking icons. To change custom settings, however, you must work through the individual tabs of the menu.


Sony Alpa 3000: Operation


Provider portrait: Strato

Strato is a good example of how the hosting market has changed over the years, as the Berliners are always at the forefront of new ideas and trends. From the outset, Strato has taken other paths than many competitors, thus preserving its flexibility despite the increasing size of the company.


Not just classic hosting


Long before the big hype around Cloud Computing, Strato for example in shared hosting already no longer rely on individual servers, which were gradually populated with customer accounts. Rather, Strato has been working with large Sun clusters from the outset to make shared hosting much more flexible and scalable.


Server-Cloud


Following the trends, the portfolio also included products which, at first sight, are no longer typical Webhosting, but which can be professionally implemented with the existing know-how and open new and creative opportunities for hosting customers.


Also interesting is


For example, Strato has been using an on-line storage system with Hidrive, which goes far beyond simply storing data in the cloud. And the latest Cloud product from Strato is the cloud server, which provides tremendous flexibility, especially for professional hosting customers.


Certified data centers


In addition, of course, all the classic hosting products can be found in the offer, from the homepage building kit, domain and e-mail accounts, via shared hosting and vServer to professional hosting offers from Strato Pro with fully virtualized, managed and dedicated servers as well The highly configurable multi-server.


Strato has not invented the server cloud, some other hosters offer similar. But the Berliners have been well-placed to build an attractive and highly flexible offer, which is available at a very low price.


The idea of ​​the server cloud: configure virtualized servers exactly according to their own requirements with regard to CPU performance, memory and hard disk space - with hourly billing and immediate availability. Such servers are therefore more than just a classic web server.


On the contrary, staging servers can be deployed, which are only paid for the period in which you really work. Updates or software changes can be tested very easily and, above all, without risk for the runtime environment with an exact server copy.


And any kind of projects with fluctuating resource requirements can be run at low cost. Power units such as 100 GB of hard disk space, a virtual CPU hour or 1 GB of RAM per hour, each with a "credit", are paid.


Same is basically a cent, but is also much cheaper to get quantity discounts. The server cloud is thus always cheaper when used intensively.


The two data centers of Strato in Karlsruhe and Berlin are also TÜV certified according to the standards of the ISO-27001 standard, which also have to fulfill the data centers of banks and insurance companies, for example. For a large host, it is almost natural that the data centers are operated with regenerative energy.


And also the customer service of the web host is certified - by the way self-operated, not outsourced to external call centers. The quality of the customer service department is also regularly checked by the TÜV-MS service.


Security Awareness for more security

Equally important is the human factor. An important, often underestimated, role is played by the issue of security awareness, by raising the awareness of IT security among employees.


Technologies, processes, rules


Experience has shown that technical solutions alone have only a limited success in improving information security. In addition, there are many areas where it is not possible or not economically feasible to use technical solutions to protect information - for example, in the process of emptying work equipment.

Security Awareness Methods


For this reason, comprehensive holistic information security programs have three different aspects: technologies, processes and organizational arrangements. The success of all three aspects depends strongly on the knowledge and behavior of the employees. Technologies can be virtually worthless if the employees do not use them or do not use them correctly. Processes and organizational regulations only apply if employees know, understand and apply them.


A question of communication


These findings are also reflected in international standards such as ISO 27001 "Information Security Management Systems". The "implementation of programs for training and awareness-raising" is called for as a relevant aspect for a successful certification.


The most important success factors


For these reasons, it is sensible and necessary to train employees in the handling of information comprehensively and to educate them about potential dangers for information security in their daily work. This results in a significantly improved security level and a higher level of security investment.


There are numerous ways to alert employees to information security issues. Which methods are ultimately selected depends on the culture of the company, the existing infrastructure for the transfer of knowledge, as well as the financial resources.


IT Security: "BYOD" presents IT departments with challenges


However, companies should always pay attention not only to selecting a single method: firstly, there are different types of learning among the employees who prefer different methods; on the other hand, a combination of different methods leads to a higher, lasting learning success

As a rule, the participants in a security awareness program will be more or less evenly distributed among the different learning types. For people who prefer to learn more specifically and experimentally, abstract or reflexive methods are less suitable.


This is particularly true for a complex issue such as information security. For an effective knowledge transfer, it is therefore advisable to combine as many methods as possible and to have something available in the program for each type of learning.


In order to successfully implement a security awareness program, the company needs support from the company as well as a program tailored to the needs of its employees. Such a program should include appropriate methods for all target groups identified within the enterprise.


This means that the same learning contents are varied for different target groups, but also that learning contents can vary from group to group. In addition to the goal-oriented preparation of learning contents, their correct communication is also important. Here, the different types of learning should be dealt with, where training should include visual, auditory, haptic and cognitive elements.


How to organize smartphones and tablets from employees


Conclusion


For the successful implementation of a security awareness concept, it is therefore important to ensure that the employees are well-understood and valued. Only if these points are observed, it is possible to achieve the ideal course of the communication as shown in the "communication line" according to Bieger. It is strived that as many people as possible get the levels "do" and "keep" on the communication line, thus resulting in a permanent change of behavior.


The following aspects are essential for the success of security awareness programs


The aim of creating security awareness is to raise the awareness and interest of employees on the subject of information security. In addition, basic and practical knowledge is to be conveyed in a comprehensible manner. The overarching goal is to achieve a sustainable change in the behavior of employees to provide more information security.


Nikon 1 J3 in the test

The Nikon 1 J3 toppts its 10-megapixel predecessor Nikon 1 J2 (test) by a higher-resolution sensor with 14 megapixels, which is also known from the Nikon 1 V2 with electronic viewfinder. In the J3, however, the manufacturer left the TFT monitor as a motif searcher. The J3 is available in the kit with the image-stabilized 1-Nikkor 3.5-5.6 / 10-30 mm.


Note: The detailed test results for the Nikon 1 J3 can be found in the tab "Data sheet". For a detailed review, please read our comparison test "Nikon 1 J3 vs Nikon 1 S1."


Nikon 1 J3


Gfu study on smart TV usage: YouTube and media library top performers

Flat-screen TVs are almost the standard equipment for the Germans: around 84 per cent of households report in a representative study commissioned by the Gesellschaft für Entertainment- und Kommunikationselektronik (gfu) to own a flat-screen TV. In the spring this figure was still 77 percent. A third (33 percent) of respondents in the spring said they had a device with a diagonal of 42 inches (106 cm) or more. In the meantime, there are 37 per cent who are 42-inch in size.


Fun with smart TV


This year, more than half of the TV sets sold in the United States will be a smart TV. In almost one third of American households, such a model already exists. However, 17 percent say they do not know whether they own a smart TV or device without smart features.


Picture gallery


Comment: Do smart TVs compromise privacy?


Of the smart TV owners say about 41 percent say that their device is not connected to the Internet. This decision is obviously taken very consciously by the majority: around 62 percent of "non-followers" say they do not want Internet services on the TV. An overly complicated connection would amount to 16 per cent. Security concerns have ten per cent, around six per cent have no or no sufficiently fast internet access. The rejection of the internet features on the TV increases with age. People over 60 want to have almost 84 per cent of the internet on the TV, the younger to 40 give it to 55 per cent.


If the smart TV is connected to the network, the functions are usually also called. 49 per cent switch the Internet often or very often, 24 per cent occasionally. Never used is smart TV only by six percent. Top-of-the-line applications are television-type applications. For example, YouTube videos in large format look at almost 38 percent, the media channels of the channels call 34 percent. Photos from digital photo albums look at 28 percent on the TV screen. 20 percent use video or on demand frequently as well as additional information via HbbTV. Social media such as Facebook and Twitter are 14 percent, video telephony via Skype 13 percent.


Retro Gaming: How games become a timeless classic

Vintage clothes, shellac plates, old metal signs – in many living and consumer areas, from clothing to music to foodstuffs, things are once again very popular, are celebrated uncritically, sometimes transfigured in a romantic way and are regarded as tastes of a supposedly good old time. This works, among other things, because lovers of these objects believe in them to find values ​​that no longer seem to exist today.


Retro Gaming: How to make a game a classic?


Old clothes look diffuse and stylish, shellac plates have their own sound, and historical metal plates are so much more high-quality and more stable than the current plastic stuff. Video and computer gamers are also susceptible to such retro-transfiguration: keyword retrogaming. If you follow the discussions on old console games in relevant Internet forums and on YouTube, you will find that they can be divided into two categories: those about games, which today are no longer comprehensible, why they have found anybody at all Those who are still as much fun as they were 15 or 20 years ago.


When looking at old consoles games, today we often see mainly pixel graphics and fiep sound. For the most part, we are longing for two-dimensional pixel figures that bounce through eight-colored landscapes and usually do not experience the end of the game, because life energy is much too soon. This alone does not make a game a good game. Successful titles from the 80s and 90s were characterized by more than just the graphic and sound elements characteristic of this era, as well as a relentless difficulty.


There would be accessibility first: console games at that time were often difficult to master, but good titles in most cases are all the more easy to learn. The first parts of Mega Man or Castlevania came with two buttons and a control cross, a tutorial was not available, why also? The games were self-explanatory. Whoever wanted to master the game, on the other hand, had to go deeper into the mechanics of the game - memorize the motifs of opponents and find out how certain abysses were the easiest to overcome Code>

In the level design of large console classics, there is another great strength: it smoothed smoothly - as if every pixel was exactly where it was supposed to go. There were platforms in Super Mario Bros. 3, if you could reach them - whether the players did it, then depended on their hand-eye coordination. In contrast to the numerous unlicensed NES games, there were always unreachable platforms and power-ups in impossible places, just to annoy the player. In good games, Leveldesign, on the other hand, never happened to chance, but thought through.


In order for games to be so fluidly playable, developers needed the time to develop genres. A game must be mature to become a classic and to be played with fun years later. Jump'n'Runs have never been better than Super Mario Bros. 3, apart from further developments in graphics and sound, but have reached at most the same or an almost high level. The same is true for Adventures on the PC: Games such as Day of the Tentacle or Monkey Island 3 have reached a level that makes them a timeless classic in terms of game design, usability and comic graphics.


Lesetipp: the United States's best game cosplays in the gallery


A former representative such as Maniac Mansion, on the other hand, broke ground on his appearance in 1987, but today is rather tough food. Control is cumbersome and the player can maneuver through wrong decisions in dead-ends. There seems to be only one exception to this rule: games, the concept of which is so simple and fascinating from the outset, that a further file is practically no longer necessary. This includes, for example, Tetris.


The game brought it worldwide popularity, especially through its game-boy version, and is still as playable as 1989 - similar phenomena are solitaire or Minesweeper - both are popular because they are easily accessible and famous because they are free to everyone today Windows version. In addition, these games lure with quick rewards, a few rows in Tetris are quickly dismantled, players are totally absorbed in it, deepen themselves in it and develop an urge to continue. The fortune-teller, Mihaly Csikszentmihalyi, calls this the "flow" - a complete concentration on one's own actions, as far as the drifting out of actual events in the real world.


If game developers are now looking to recreate the charm of old games, pixel graphics and chiptunes soundtrack are not enough for a pleasant retro feel. Especially from the scene of the indie developers come numerous roughly resolved pixel games, which try to simulate the gameplay of old NES, Super-Nintendo or Mega Drive classic. This project is rarely successful. The platformer Shovel Knight is popular with critics and players alike. The developers also do not rely on groundbreaking innovations, but on proven ones.


This is exactly what threatens to become a problem in the AAA sector. Numerous game makers and publishers are concentrating year by year just on developing and improving well-known brands in homeopathic doses. Innovations are becoming less frequent. Even though indie developers are starting to follow this trend, the game market might look dull and boring in the foreseeable future. Which games in 20 years as classic will be valid today is not foreseeable.


However, what still leads to a title being remembered at the time is a perfect jump mechanism, a meditative game experience or a story that encourages us to think. Although it seems as if the game market is currently dominated by a flood of sequels, there are still such games. They are no longer called Castlevania or Probotecor; they are no longer necessarily the shooter or action platformer, but titles like Journey or Kentucky Route Zero, which choose an artistic way of showing and inspire the player's imagination

This and other articles about "Rewind Retro: New Thoughts on Old Games" can be found in the issue 6 of the WASD, the magazine for games culture


Brother MFC-J4625DW test

Do not be fooled by the simple exterior. The versatile rectangular printer housing has a lot of connectivity, whether it is wireless or wired to the PC or mobile phone, an A3 printer with a duplex function (up to A4), a card reader and a fax.


Testimonial


In design mode, approximately 30 printed A4 pages (depending on the content) are placed in the tray after one minute. The paper cassette holds 150 sheets of plain paper. A3 paper or other media can be used to print or create enlargement copies using the additional paper tray on the back. With high-quality photo printing, however, the Brother takes a lot of time. But you are rewarded with a very good result.


This also applies to all printing or copying tasks. All functions can be easily controlled both on the device via the touch screen and via the device software. Thanks to an additional black cartridge you have a lot of time to buy the black after the purchase. The other three color cartridges can also be replaced separately and simply behind a front flap. A text page costs 1.4 cents, a photo (10 x 15 cm) 29 cents.


The Brother MFC J4625DW is an all-in-one suitable for the small office at home or workplace. Among other things, A3-size papers are also printed.


Battlefield 4: Gameplay video, PS4 - release date leaked? - Update

The release date of Battlefield 4 is supposed to be in the autumn for PC, PS3 and Xbox 360 – the PS4 version later. Now the official Xbox blog has announced that Battlefield 4 for the first platforms on 29 October 2013 appear. The information was removed a short time later. As a rule, this means that employees have missed the deadlines of official data or have otherwise disregarded other reasons.


Battlefield 4 presented: original news from March 27, 2013


An October release also seems plausible because EA traditionally celebrates a shooter release that month. Most recently Medal of Honor: Warfighter (25 October 2012). Its predecessor appeared two years earlier on October 14, 2010. In between, Battlefield 3 appeared (October 27, 2011). EA announced at the time that both shooter brands should change year by year.


Picture gallery


After it was suggested, Electronic Arts and DICE have now presented Battlefield 4 at the GDC 2013. In a 17 minute gameplay video (see below), the makers let us take a look at the successor of Battlefield 3, which comes for Playstation 4 and with the Frostbite Engine 3 offers a completely new version of the graphics engine. Previously, we were talking about Frostbite 2.5. Battlefield 4 will be released in the fall of 2013 (probably October) for PC, Playstation 3 and Xbox 360. The release date for Playstation 4 should be later.


Battlefield 4: Official 17 Minutes "Fishing in Baku" Gameplay Reveal


In the 17 minute strong video to Battlefield 4 the makers present scenes from the campaign. The video is entitled "Fishing in Baku" and shows an evacuation in Shanghai. However, the contract is problematic. The graphics engine transforms this impressively and atmospherically close. We see a lot of action on very large and detailed designed outdoor spaces. There are impressive scenes in the sunlight and at night.


The main character in Battlefield 4 is called Recker. At the beginning of the video, we see him and his comrades partly injured and all enclosed in a sinking vehicle. Even at the beginning, EA allows a look at extended lighting and water effects, which are significantly superior to the predecessor. Then we'll see a video in the video, which explains in sections the processes up to the video input scene.


This is how Recker moves through a building that is obviously taken from combat operations in search of his colleagues. When he finds them, first action scenes begin, in which Battlefield 3 players regain familiar elements. Houses and small buildings can be impressively destroyed, swirl dust and the sound as well as the atmosphere leave little to be desired. A little while later, after a little time jump, the team is in the forest. Particle and light effects are partly reminiscent of Crysis 3.


After a few minutes, we see the soldiers on a large terrain, amid destroyed ruins and fighting with enemy units. Recker can get into some of the military vehicles and guns can also be used genre-compliant. In the different gameplays, we quickly see that DICE has easily dripped the ANT animation as well as Destruction Destruction technology. The strong effects of light, smoke and weather do the rest, and hope for a technical game highlight for the end of 2013.


In a final scene, we are in the middle of the night, the team escaping by car in front of their opponents, across the streets of a destroyed Shanghai. After a helicopter attack the team comes to its starting position at the beginning of the video. The movers do not tell us how to proceed from here. Those who are interested must wait until autumn. Previously, a beta test (probably multiplayer mode) takes place, in addition to certain Medal of Honor: Warfighter buyers are rumored to also participate in premium players of Battlefield 3. We'll keep you up to date. The video follows here.


Sony NEX-5N - RAW test

Sony has installed the company-owned 16 megapixel sensor in the APS-C format (23.5 x 15.6 mm) and has implemented a serial mode in which the NEX-5N with a high throughput of 10 B / s three images in Sequence. Also noteworthy is the extensive range of accessories.


Picture gallery


In addition to various lenses, viewfinders (including XGA OLED display FDA-EV1S, 2.3 million pixels) and flash units, there is an adapter with an integrated translucent mirror (LA-EA2), through which A-mount lenses can be connected so that The autofocus works. For ground-level or overhead recording, the user can flip the 3-inch monitor (307 200 RGB pixels) 80 degrees up or 45 degrees down. For the first time, a NEX is a touch screen - a welcome addition to the well-known controls, which, due to the few direct accesses, do not provide an optimal operating comfort. However, the tempo of the 25-point contrast autofocus has not yet gotten under control: In the test, the shutter lag (including AF) was 0.64 to 0.7 s.


Image Quality The Sony NEX-5N delivers much higher resolution in RAW format, significantly better kurtosis and slightly better noise, but loses on the other hand against JPEG with dead-leaves and slightly with the dynamics. The resolution is 1611 LP / BH (ISO 100) and does not drop even with sensitivities up to ISO 12 800. The loss of texture is so small that it usually does not interfere with the image impression (kurtosis 0.0 to 0.2). A visual noise of 0.4 to 1.4 VN to ISO 3200 is also one of the positive features of the NEX-5N. The dynamics, on the other hand, are top only for the lower sensitivities. With their dead-leaves, they can not collect any bonus points: 870 LP / BH at ISO 100, and only 295 LP / BH at 12 800 are average and point to lower contrast.

Download: Table


Conclusion It is the smallest and lightest in this test field, has an ambitious, if not yet perfect Full HD video function and a picture quality with which it surpasses many classic SLRs. RAW makes perfect sense, anticipates the conversion process carefully to the individual image. Buytipp Systemkamera!


The JPEG-based test of the Sony NEX-5N can be found here.


Www.sony.de


Sony NEX-5N RAW


PS4 Xbox One: sales figures 2013 - Sony overtakes Microsoft

There is news about sales of PS4 and Xbox One: Sony’s new Playstation 4 sells better than expected. According to the plan, five million units should be sold by the end of the financial year in March. This target is expected to be significantly exceeded as 4.2 million units have already been sold since the launch in November to December 28, as the Group reported at the Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas Br>

Lesetipp: Xbox One or PS4? - Features in the duel


Also Microsoft has now revealed its sales figures: Three million Xbox One were sold in 2013. In contrast to Sony's significantly cheaper Playstation 4, the Xbox One is equipped with a camera, which allows the game control by movement. For Sony, the camera has to be bought separately.


On the CES, Sony has also introduced Playstation Now: the streaming service for games of the previous Playstation generations.


Acer Aspire R15 in the test

If the display rotates 360 degrees, the Acer Aspire R15 can be used as a large tablet.


Conclusion


At first glance, the 20 millimeter thin Acer Aspire R15 looks like a more sophisticated 15.6 inch notebook. The top of the housing and the area around the keyboard are made of brushed aluminum, but the floor is made of a glass fiber plastic mixture. This makes the R15 feel sturdy and valuable. The rather massive hinges of the touch display (Full HD) allow the flip-flop of the mirrored IPS display to stand-by or 360 degrees into tablet mode. Although the R15 works like a tablet, weighing 2.2 kilograms, you do not want to keep it in your hands. Toll: In addition to a USB 3.1 port (Type C), Acer is building a WLAN ac module with multi-user MIMO technology for higher transmission rates. Windows 10 Home is installed on a Liteon SSD.


Additional Information: Acer Aspire R15


A 1-TB hard drive also provides storage space. The combined power of an Intel Core i5-6200U, 8 GB DDR4 RAM and a Nvidia GeForce 940MX lead to 1,478 points in the 3DMark Fire Strike as well as 6,213 points in the Cloud Gate test. For simpler games, that is enough. In the PCMark 8, it achieves a satisfying 2,544 points, which is enough for standard office software. In the Cinebench R11.5 it can make for it with 3.24 CPU points and in the reading test of the HD Tune Pro with 469.3 MByte / s again soil well. The 49-Wh battery delivers only energy for 233 minutes in the run-time test of the PC Mark 8 - a little bit. Bottom line, the Aspire R15 offers the price of 1,000 euros but still very good value for money.


The high-quality, well-equipped and very affordable XL convertible notebook keeps the mobility somewhat on the line. However, the Acer Aspire R15 might be successful as a niche extinguisher.


World Cup promotion: Technisat offers discount on TV

Behind the key words FAN premium and FAN package concealed for Technisat customers, there is a good price reduction. Anyone who buys a TechniLine ISIO exclusive or a TechniPlus ISIO between April 1 and July 13 will save up to 400 euros.


Customers who buy a TechniLine ISIO exclusive in the size 40 inches (102 centimeters diagonal) will receive a discount of 400 euros. At 32 inches (80 centimeters) it is 200 euros. The participating merchants will immediately charge the respective amount for the purchase of the Smart TVs


If you purchase a TechniPlus ISIO, you get an extended warranty of five years via online registration as well as the 500 gigabyte hard drive StreamStore 24, for which Technisat calls a price of 100 euros. The TV can be used to record the current TV program.


You can find all information about the action under www.technisat.de/fanpaket.


MAC addresses?

In connection with encryption modes and WLAN passwords, the question is often asked about the restriction of WLAN to devices with specific MAC addresses. The safety gain by this measure is not very large, but the comfort disadvantage is noticeable. Any serious attacker would monitor network traffic for a while to find the MAC addresses of active devices.


Lesetipp: antivirus test 2017


If devices such as smartphones become inactive because they are out of range or sleep, the attacker can hijack their MAC address. MAC locks make it difficult for attackers to work, they do not prevent burglaries.


Photoscape: Download - free and english download

Photoscape is an all-round tool for managing, viewing and editing your photos. With Photoscape you get a quick overview of your pictures and can optimize them if necessary. Cutting, lightening, darkening, sharpening or softening is an easy obstacle for less experienced users. In addition, the tool also provides a GIF animator.


This is by the manufacturer the changelog of the update on Photoscape 3.7


Office packages: basic needs

The programmer is very intuitive. A tour to work with Works and the help is available immediately. However, you can not read the Help & Ideas Help and the Getting Started Guide first without Acrobat Reader. The reader must get the reader from the Adobe homepage.


Word processing and spreadsheets are similar to Word and Excel, but offer less functionality. The spreadsheet calculates the functionality of a scientific pocket calculator. Importing and exporting to Word and Excel has been improved, but for formats, there are still minor errors when images are in the document. All documents are converted (even after saving) to the Works file format.


Www.microsoft.com


Xbox One Bundle at bargain price

Xbox One Bundle in the Christmas Offers Week at Amazon on December 7, 2017.


In the second week of Christmas offers from Amazon, the online retailer once again offers a game console for the special price: Only on December 7, 2017 there is the Xbox One with 500 GB of memory bundled with the games Forza Horizon 2 and Call of Duty: Black Ops III (in the standard edition in the Steelbook) and Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare (in the Day Zero Edition) plus 1-year subscription for Microsoft Office 365 Personal for PC or Mac at a price of 344 Euro


If you do not want to do without the Office 365 subscription, the Xbox One console with 500 GB and the three games gets 11 Euro cheaper for 333 Euro.


For comparison, the single Xbox One 500 GB without game bundle sells Amazon currently for 349 euros. If you add the individual prizes of the games (Forza: about 45 euros, Black Ops 3: just 60 euros, Advanced Warfare: 49 euros), you get a total sum of around 500 euros. With the Xbox-One package of the limited-time action, you can save up to 170 euros.


The Office 365 Personal Annual subscription is available on Amazon single for 47 euros. So it's worth the extra charge for the more expensive Xbox One package.


AV Receiver: Purchase advice and market overview 2017

AV receiver purchase advice


Look at the retailer


In forums and even with dealers, you always come across how much budget you should count on which part of your hi-fi or home cinema system - from the AV receiver to the cables. Believe me, these rules are all pretty extensible and, in practice, too general to be right. The fact is, one should not mix to extreme equipment classes. An entry-level AV receiver with high-end loudspeakers does not make sense and vice versa. This also applies to the accessories, such as the cables. As a rule, product ribbons are not very good, and cheap branded goods are the right measure in most cases.


Lesetipp


As far as the AV receivers themselves is concerned, the test in video 10/2015 once again proved that one does not suffer with the current devices of the big brands no fault. They differ primarily in character and play qualitatively at the same price class on a similar level. What distinguishes them, however, are the different skills and above all the operating concepts.


Large subwoofer helps


Lesetipp: Onkyo TX-NR646 tested - AVR with Dolby Atmos and DTS: X


Especially the latter makes the visit of a specialist with all persons to the duty, which the plant later also to use, in order to try menus, remote control and app. This is useful, even if it costs a few more euros than with the mail order. Because nothing is as expensive as a fault!


Then you should consider beforehand exactly which loudspeaker configuration comes into question, and this can only be tested at the specialist trade practically in the demonstration. Do I want a really thick sound with large boxes, because I can then also play original cinema level and would like? Or should it be a dignified designer solution? Am I a sound or rather a quiet listener? Does immersive me immersive audio, 3D audio, with treble loudspeakers under the ceiling? Or do I spare it? Only the receiver with the appropriate decoders and a sufficient number of power amplifiers on board would be suitable.


The same applies to the number of rooms to be sounded. If it's all about the living room or cinema, it works with all devices. If the music and perhaps even video is to be used in the kitchen or the bedroom, you need an AV receiver that manages these zones and provides outputs and controls for the additional zones.

A lot of schindluder is driven with the advertising with the performances of AV receivers. The are unfortunately all very relative. And the performance in Watts deceives the layman more than really comes out, because volume works logarithmically, performance linear. Only twice the power results in a gain of almost 3 decibels.


An amplifier with 110 watts is in practice just as loud as one with 120. Only if the 220 watts delivered, just 3dB more would come out. Also the possible total power, that is, when all power amplifiers have a lot to do, limit the manufacturers for cost and thermal reasons. Take a look at the power rating on the rated power! More than given, can not get back together.


One or two active subwoofers are used correctly, much more than the thicker amplifiers in the receiver. The more you distribute the load on the subwoofer (configure speakers to "Small"), the less the receiver power amplifiers need, and the speakers may be smaller. What also affects the purchasing decision now is the streaming capabilities of the receiver. If you already use a streaming service such as Spotify or Google Play, it is quite useful if the AV receiver supports it directly.


If it does not, you have to use another client, for example, in a tablet, and then stream the audio signal via Bluetooth or WiFi. Almost all receivers today also have a DLNA-enabled Mediaplayer on board, which generally sounds better than external music sources. If you would like to indulge in your music, you should rip your collection into a loss-free file format or buy the downloads, for example in HiRes-FLAC. Do not buy blindly on points, make a checklist and visit your dealer.


You can find more information about this topic here!


[Workshop] Perfect powerpoint graphics - in six steps

Sometimes you do not want to use a graphic completely, but only a certain part of it.


Step 1: Trim graphics directly into PowerPoint


However, you do not have to perform the necessary cutting in a graphics program, but you can cut the interfering parts of the graphics directly in PowerPoint. For example, you can separate unneeded image borders or give different proportions to an image.


Step 2: Undo the cut again


To do this, click on the graphic to display its handles, then click the Crop button on the Image Tools / Format tab. PowerPoint is now in Crop mode, which can be seen on the mouse pointer and the modified image marker.


Step 3: Use PowerPoints new image format templates


Slide the handles toward the center of the screen while holding down the mute button to remove the unwanted image parts. To finish the cut mode, simply click on the slide outside the graphic.


Step 4: This will change the shape of a graphic


When trimming, only the visible area of ​​the graphic is changed, the graphics remain unchanged. Therefore you can correct or even reverse the cutting at any time. To do this, right-click the graphic to display its context menu.


Select "Size and Position". PowerPoint then displays the dialog box of the same name. Now set all the fields of the "Crop From" group to 0 to restore the graphic completely.


This variety of graphics effects, which PowerPoint has to offer, is very impressive, but it can also have an impact at the same time. You'll have endless options for image design, but you'll run the risk of getting bogged down when you create your graphics, and investing too much time to get you started with other tasks.

It is much more effective to use the new image format templates from PowerPoint. These are pre-built patterns that combine a certain set of graphical effects and transfer them to a graphic at the click of a mouse.


Of course you can also use image formats as a starting point for your own creations, which you can then "individualize" with a few additional effects.


To do this, select the graphic and display the "Image Tools / Format" tab. Open the catalog of the group "Picture format templates" and move with the mouse over the different symbols.


PowerPoint assigns directly to the selected graphics the respective image format template, whereby you have to wait for the optical feedback depending on the speed of your computer for a more or less brief moment


The image formats presented in the last step provide an image not only with a frame and a shadow, but also give it a special shape. You can always solve this requirement and give the graphic a different shape. To do this, select the desired graphic and open the "Image form" button on the "Image Tools / Format" tab.


If you know the selection well-known, this has its good reason. This is the same form catalog, which you can also use the "Insert / Form" button. Of course, not all forms are alike, but you should also try out forms that appear to be useless at first glance.


Also interesting is


A particularly large proportion of the image processing functions contained in PowerPoint 2007 is hidden in the "Image effects" button. You can find this button under the "Image Tools / Format" tab and in the "Image format templates" group.


Most presentations contain not just one, but several graphics, so you'll often be faced with the task of editing different graphics in the same way. If you restrict yourself to the use of the image format templates, this is not a big problem.


Step 5: Apply the "Image Effects" function correctly


But what do you do if you want individual image effects, whose production involves a lot of effort? The solution is astonishingly simple. Select the graphic whose formatting you want to apply.


Go to the "Start" tab and click on the button with the brush in the "Clipboard" group. Next to the mouse pointer appears a small brush. All you need to do is click on the image you want.


If you want to transfer a format to several graphics, double-click the brush button. It snaps in, so the mouse brush does not automatically disappear when you click a graphic. To exit the copy mode, click the button again.


Step 6: Transfer image effects to different graphics


Designs


Picture gallery


The designs of PowerPoint 2007 are a further development of the earlier color schemes, with which one could change the coloring of all the slides of a presentation in one fell swoop. Designs rely on this concept and extend it to fonts and effects. Specifically, there are ten so-called design colors, two different fonts, and twenty predefined effect combinations.


For a quick overview, please visit our
series

Shadows "can be represented in three different variants: inside or outside of the frame as well as in a perspective form, which gives the impression that the graphic is hovering over the page

Mirroring "gives the impression that the graphics are on a reflective background or just above the surface.


Luminaires "provides the frame of a graphic with fluorescent light, and you can adjust the luminosity and transparency freely.


The "soft edges" function brightens the edges of a graphic. This creates the effect of creating a smooth transition to the environment.


Bevel "adds the border (or frame) of a graphic with a stamped profile.


3D rotation "rotates and tilts the graphic to achieve a spatial effect.


General effects ": For all of the above mentioned effects, you can also adjust the texture of the surface of the image, for example matt and metallic, as well as the choice of lighting Light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diodes, light-emitting diodes