[Preview + Feedback] Digit February 2007

[FatBeing]

The magazine's hit the stands in a few places already, so I guess I'm later than usual. Here goes:

Magazine Contents

Digital Passion

Cover Feature: The New Struggle For Freedom
Power 2 The People
Will peer-to-peer sharing die? A look at the world’s favourite activity and why the future might have you seeing more of it

Read Me My Rights
Imagine being charged to copy your music collection from your old hard disk to the new one. What is Digital Rights Management and who does it really protect?

Take a Crack
Change The Default Drive Tools In XP
Windows comes with its own defragmenter and other disk utilities. Can you make XP default to third-party programs with similar functions?

Tomorrow
Along Equal Lines
Before we see human-like intelligence in robots, it’s more likely that we’ll see human-like appearance. The robots of the future will even have rights of their own! Where does all this lead?

Digital Tools

Enhance
Under The Radar
There are a lot of things out there that can make your computing experience just that much easier—a big help, all things considered. Agent 001 went on a hunt for this stuff, and came up smiling

Test Centre
BurNer Kings
You’re nowhere without a DVD drive these days. We’ve rounded up the best and worst out there—both Combo drives (four of them) and eight DVD-Writers. There’s now no reason not to replace your crumbling CD-Writer

Agent 001
Surfing The Airwaves
Now that CAS and DTH has begun to invade our lives, there’s a good chance your old TV-Tuner might not have the right connectors. Here’s the Agent’s handy guide to a new one

Know More About...
Fonts
Did you know there’s a whole science behind fonts and how they render on your screen? Find out about what makes a font work

Digital Business

Tech Careers
Emerging Dimensions
It’s one of those “good lines to get into,” but there’s very little known about it. The market for CAD/CAM professionals is as broad as it gets, and the opportunity is there for the taking. Here’s how to get into this “good line” and stay there

Main Story
The Vista Dilemma
Enterprises had it in November, and it’ll be available to you by the time you see this. But is it worth it? What do you get for your buck? Should you upgrade? All your questions answered!

Smart Business
Mayhem Management
It’s usually what you’ll find in an enterprise, but even your office should experience a sharp decline in chaos by moving to a domain setup—here’s why

Digital Leisure

Main Story
A Few Of Our Favourite Things
Who doesn’t love great product design? We’ve hunted down some of the smartest, coolest, and most droolworthy gadgets of all time!

Game On
Reviewed this month: Gears Of War, Splinter Cell: Double Agent (PC and PS2—they’re actually different games!), and Rainbow Six: Vegas. Verdict: we love taking cover!

______________________________________________

CD/DVD Contents

We've re-jigged the interface based on your feedback, so do let us know how you like it

DVD

Digital Passion
Developer Tools
Microsoft SQL Server 2005 Express Edition
Toad
Adobe Captivate 2
JCreator Pro version 4.00.028
Java Web Services Developer Pack 2.0
eyebol for Delphi
Spices.Net
Advanced Installer 4.6.3

Linux
Flock 0.7.9.1
X-CD-Roast 0.98alpha15
K3b
KAlarm
KThinkBat 0.2.4
Lightbird 0.5
Dolphin File Manager 0.8.1
Kid3 0.8.1

Games
Starseige: Tribes
Splinter Cell Double Agent
1848

Digital Tools
Multimedia
Adobe Photoshop CS3 beta
Project Looking Glass
SUPER v2007 Build 21
ACDSee Photo Editor
SILKYPIX Developer Studio 3.0
Beyond TV 4
MagicScore Maestro v4.130
Windows Media Encoder 9 Series
iTunes 7.0.2

Internet
a-squared Anti-Malware 2.1
Colasoft MAC Scanner 1.1
Download Accelerator Plus 8.1
Youtube Video Downloader 1.1.0
Web Gallary Wizard Pro
Deepnet Explorer v1.5.3 Beta 2
Shareaza 2.2.4.0 beta
Raketu 1.017
Weather 1
Internet History Eraser 6.0

System
Autopatcher
Adobe Acrobat 8 Professional
Nero 7 Premium Reloaded
Norton Ghost 10.0
VMware Player 1.0.3
AutoPatcher XP December 2006 Update
WinTasks 5.0 Professional
WordToys v2.0.0
Microsoft Office Compatibility Pack

Digital Business
Productivity Tools
Aloaha PDF Crypter 2.2.5
SANmelody
LyX 1.4.3
Prop Web 5.0
EzPhone Recorder 1.1
AMF Daily Planner & PIM 9.3
Achieve Planner 1.4.1.1
WinOrganizer 3.3

Mobile Apps
NetSupport Manager for Pocket PC Version 10.00
Foxit Reader
MyPhoneExplorer 1.5.7
Hier - Free Mobile MSN Messenger
USB-ToolBox 2
Nokia Video Converter 1.0
PowerDay Pro
Portable Scribus
XYplorer
Plato Video To PSP Converter 3.35

Digital Leisure
Small Games
Jewels of Cleopatra
Pizza Frenzy
Secret Maryo Chronicles v0.99.2
Bengal: Game of Gods
Death From Above
Tank Wars
SpongeBob SquarePants Obstacle Odyssey

Movies
The Dentist
The Secret Life of Adolf Hitler

CD

Digital Passion
Developer Tools
Absolute Database
Toad Data Modeler
MDB_Repair
AEdiX Suite 3.0.5 beta
WinSCP
BigSpeed Voice Chat SDK 1.0
Google Web Toolkit 1.3.1
Advanced Effect Maker 2.0
No-IP DUC (Dynamic DNS Update Client)

Linux
EasyTag
Celestia 1.4.1
Mailfilter 0.8.0
Liquid war 5.6.3
WinRAR 3.62
Hullform
Vexira MailArmor
rsync 2.5.0
XChat 2.8.0

Digital Tools
Essentials
Avast Home Edition 4.7
Avast Update
Digit Software Archive 2006 Beta
Foxit Reader 2.0 Build 0930
Irfan View 3.99
K-Lite Mega Codec Pack 1.63
Opera 9.10
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
Spybot Search and Detection updates
VLC Media Player 0.8.6
Winamp 5.32
WinRAR 3.62
ZoneAlarm 6.5.737

Multimedia
Saint Paint Studio 12.2
ZORTAM MP3 MEDIA STUDIO 6.50
Crystal XP
MusicMatch Jukebox 10.00.4015b
Super Video Converter
TwistedBrush 11.7
Wizardbrush 6.6.1.8
Ultra Analog VA-1
ImTOO Ripper Pack Platinum v4.0

Internet
Feed Editor 4.1
AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5
FlashGet 1.8.0.1002
WebScout 2.12
Cute FTP Home 8.0.3
Connection Keeper7
Google Web Accelerator
NET Traffic Meter 2.0.1831
Flock 0.7.9.1

System
Software Virtualization Solution 2 SP1
Spyware Terminator 1.7.0.899
Hot CPU testerPro
Complex Evolution 3.2.7 Build 256
Passware Kit Enterprise 7.11
NetSupport Manager v10.00
Advanced WindowsCare Personal 2.3.0.726
InkSaver 2.0
IP Messenger for Win ver2.06
SpyEraser 1.0

Digital Business
Productivity Tools
Scribus 1.3.3.6
WordPerfect MAIL
iMagic Inventory Software
Volutive 1.2.5
LaTeX Editor 0.46 Beta
VoiceGuide for TAPI 5.2.5049
CaseMap 6
True BoxShot 1.5

Mobile Apps
Bluetooth Messenger
Mobile Fighter 1.1.0
MOBILE COBRA STRIKE
MOBILE SOCCER
Blackberry Email Relay 1.5.1
Opera 9.10 USB
PopMan 1.2.2
Mobility Email
PixaMSN v0.6

Digital Leisure
Games
ONAGUNTA (Built by Digit Reader M. Srinidhi from Hyderabad)
Neighbors From Hell 2
Arcade Lines
Heavy Weapon
Snowy: Lunch Rush
Cable Capers 2
Canyon Glider
Hostile Skies
UFO Joe

Videos
The Hitcher
Smokin' Aces
Premonition


Fast Track To Blogging

[Arsenal_Gunners]

to MAG contents(only agent 001 looks good) but the CD/DVD is looking nice.What's in the fast track?
You guys really got to make the articles "more home user" targeted.
__________
One more thing,is the patron code included in the mag.You said it will be started on 14th.

[soham]

The magazine contents seems really poor. Just DVD writers for reviews, that too 8!. The CD/DVD contents look better.
WHy dont you review 2-3 products from each category every month rather than reviewing 60 at a time and not reviewing the product again for one complete year.
Just after you reviewed graphics card, Nvidia 8800GTX was launched. Now we have to wait for a year for its full review.

[Arsenal_Gunners]

In my (not humble) opinion,I think most of the people are not interested in those 007 style gadgets you mentioned in leisure section.

[soham]

Yeah, drolling over a 5 lakh Alienware mALX. However newbies would like that, i suppose.

[aditya.shevade]

Looks good. One suggestion, please write weather a S/W is free or trial version, in front of it's name. And what about the fast track?

[Arsenal_Gunners]

Whats in the DIY section?

[hsnayvid]

hmmmmmnnnn...
feb is here and i'm still waiting for my january issue!

[Ron]

Is there book by Vishal?

[Ankur Gupta]

The magazine contents seems decent but CD/DVD is ordinary as usual.

[$atya]

but .....whats in d FAST TRACK ??
__________
where can i get the AUTOPATCHER'S starting from Aug 05 to Jan 07 ?? Anyone ?????? If anyone knows .....mail me at sat_2rock09@yahoo.co.in

[Tapomay]

After a long time, there are few installable apps. in the discs. Thanks for those. But as you know we want more useful stuffs. BTW what's in 'Fast Track' this month?

[kumarmohit]

Waiting for Opera 9.10 USB, Project Looking Glass & some other stuff. Please mention the Mobile Apps platform in the Disc menu as it gets difficult to decide what platform certain mobile app will run @ like Pocket PC, Win mobile, J2ME or Symbian's various versions.

Also in the disc menu please provide actual screen-shot and avoid using logos of software or developing company.

[kaustav_geek]

Fastrack to Blogging??? weird man..
Anyway the magazine contents of jan were far better.. This issue's mag doesn't have any geekish DIY articles as promised.. cd/dvd contents are fine as usual.
Please include some multimedia tuts..ala GIMP and BLENDER.. and also some hardware DIY.. something out-off-the-box and some more..the next time eh.. you get the drift..
Much love and kisses(rants if the next issue doen't live up to the expectations)

HI,

It seems by refering last so many Digit issue that now a days Digit is more & more shifting towards so called useless articles.

We readers are not only eager to know on any IT front what is happening,which new gadgets have entered, but we want to learn things which can help readers to solve there daily problems, gain additional knowledge to survive in todays environment.


So please don't say stories about anything, we are grown up at least!

Dear Readers,

Now a days there are so many IT magazines like Digit,CHIP,PC WORLD etc. So don't become subscriber of any such magazine. What you can do is, check website of these IT magazine for which articles they gave this month,and then decide which magazine articles (even dvd/cd also) are really interests you. After that you may pick your interested mag if any from news stand.YOU MAY DECIDE TO DROP ANY ISSUE IF YOU PREFER & SAVE MONEY.

PLEASE GIVE YOUR FEEDBACK IN THE MATTER.

THANKS.

[Arsenal_Gunners]

^^Wise guy.I agree with each and every thing you said especially about useless articles instead of daily problem solving.

BTW.THERE IS NO MODEL ON THE COVER

[pyn.techhelp]

like hsnayvid, i too haven't recived my jan issue.i mailed them about it on 28 of jan.they immediately replied.the following.but no more response till now.


\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\\
Dear Sir/Madam,

Thank you for writing to the Jasubhai Digital Media Customer Service
Team.
We have received your query and will respond to you shortly

Best regards,
Jasubhai Digital Media Customer Service
D-222/2, Om Sagar Building,
MIDC, TTC Industrial Area,
Thane-Belapur Road,
Nerul,
Navi Mumbai 400 706
Telephone: 27629319/22
help@jasubhai.com''''''\\\\\\\\\\



it seems the courier guys are taking too long to deliver.

[Tech Geek]

Not satisfied
Fast track to blogging???

[Pathik]

no major linux distro ... i m not takin this months digit..

[digitprasad]

The magazine contents seems really poor.

Cd and DVD content , very poor, nothing special.


Dont waste money buying this issue.

[kaustav_geek]

Originally Posted by dfordigit

Digit is more & more shifting towards so called useless articles.

The articles aren't all useless.. Please name some if you please can..Besides if you have access to the net.. go on.. research there.. I assure u that u'll get info faster there, than in digit.. Digit is just a publication's take on tech...Its wat they think is usefull.. And I support them..

We readers are not only eager to know on any IT front what is happening,which new gadgets have entered, but we want to learn things which can help readers to solve there daily problems, gain additional knowledge to survive in todays environment.


So please don't say stories about anything, we are grown up at least!

I don't fully agree. Daily problem solving isn't at all the general concern for most users...the monthly tips and tricks do a great job.. The concern is that the articles digit has been publishing from past few months(barring jan) have been slightly inclined towards the business segment. The home users have also had their share of articles.. But it was hard to find those articles..those DIYs and workshops which aren't quite common and are quite offbeat.. A la jan's cooling article.

Its not that digit hasn't been satisfying us.. But this issue fails to deliver from the point of veiw of the sheer number of workshops.. Please digit.. include hands-on and workshops on something like some custom image creation or converting a GFx's passivd cooling to active..and the like.

Much love..

[FatBeing]

First, thanks for the faith. We will be doing more geeky DIY articles, but the P2P/DRM issue is something that needed addressing given the way things are going these days.

For those interested, there's a little workshop on how to build a USB charger for your cell phone as well.

We like to do things that are uniquely Digit, so even if the DIYs don't come as often, we'll make sure they're worth the wait.

kaustav: What exactly do you mean by custom image creation?
And to convert your passive cooling to active, just buy a 60 mm fan and super glue/screw it to your existing heatsink.

[Pathik]

hey awsum DIY man... sounds too good..

[kaustav_geek]

Gr8..

Originally Posted by fatbeing

kaustav: What exactly do you mean by custom image creation?
And to convert your passive cooling to active, just buy a 60 mm fan and super glue/screw it to your existing heatsink.

Thanks for the info but I've already done that(active heatsink) on my own.I just posted it as an example..

I'm really sorry abt not being clear in my words::By custome image creation I mean that you could create a phoshoped image(manipulated i.e) using GIMP giving it a new meaning (A la sci fi or anything els) in a tutorial. This could be done using the hidden as well common features of GIMP.It needs some focuss being an excellent OSS product.

Moreover you could include more hands-on on LAN setup,multiplaya gaming,VMware's applications, LINUX codes(commands and special features)

Ps:: Do all linux distros feature similar command structures??? I mean How is Ubuntu different from Dyne?? I'm not asking it from the application point of veiw , rather i wana know that do they offer the same basic LINUX functionality,in terms of power,control,command structures???

PS2::You can safely do away with the TECH-tabloid, in its place some handy kow more abt or some DIYs will do more justice.

[rajasekharan]

i am buying all mags (digit ,chip,pcworld ,Linuxforyou )as usual . just lower the price guys

[FatBeing]

kaustav:
We have covered GIMP in a previous issue, though this was before I joined. We'll consider the idea, though once you've had an intro, what you achieve with GIMP is really about your own creativity.

And yes, at heart, every Linux distro has a very similar, if not the same, heart.

[kaustav_geek]

Well.. yeah You've done but its very basic.. Most of the people know atleast that much..... OK lets say you introduce a photoshoping contest every issue??? That'l fuel creativity??? I'm sure.

I'm some articles in the past have been gr8:: the architechture of AMD K8 and Intel's Core...DDR2... Direct X 10.. and the like... Its these articles that we are more interested in... Kindly feature more artciles of these sorts rather than articles on business segment apps... Please.

[koolbluez]

yeah... price kam karo... yaar... and make it easier on the mind.
Frankly speakin... the condition of DIGIT(the mag) these days... boring @ many places... makin me hesitate buyin it.. and promptin me shift my loyality to CHIP.
Need to glossy up the mag & make it more layman-friendly.

[spironox]

Originally Posted by digitprasad

The magazine contents seems really poor.

Cd and DVD content , very poor, nothing special.


Dont waste money buying this issue.

uhhhh seems digit is degrading or what !!! mod have look what the people are saying..... digit ....wake up .....renew things up make things look/work/feel better

[kaustav_geek]

Originally Posted by koolbluez

yeah... price kam karo... yaar... and make it easier on the mind.
Frankly speakin... the condition of DIGIT(the mag) these days... boring @ many places... makin me hesitate buyin it.. and promptin me shift my loyality to CHIP.
Need to glossy up the mag & make it more layman-friendly.

I agree with the "price kam karo" but i can't digest the layman friendly point...Are you a layman in the first place?? I hope not... Speak for yourself mate... If you are so keen on digit's improvement .. pin point the exact improvements you want... Help in the right spirit please???

Thanx