Friday, August 31, 2012

Innovation - The Most Abused Word In Tech Circles?

"The iPad is about as innovative as the toaster. You can still read books without an iPad, and you can still toast bread without a toaster. True innovation radically alters the way we interact with the world. It is something like air conditioning, the combustion engine or the telephone, not the smartphone. But in tech, every little thing is called 'innovative'."

Patrick Thibodeau - ComputerWorld

Read Patrick's article on the ComputerWorld blog.

SimHQ Review Trainz Simulator 12 By Aussie Developer N3V Games (aka Auran)

"Trainz Simulator 12 is the latest in the long running railroad simulation series by Australian developer N3V Games. Trainz Simulator 12 is available in several platform specific variations including Mac, iPad, and Android. This review is based on the Windows Trainz Simulator 12 product, and should not be confused with any other platform specific versions. My review sample was delivered via Steam, though boxed DVD and other digital download options are available through various outlets."

adlabs6 - SimHQ

Read the full review by SimHQ.

Trainz 12, as it's known, is a very immersive gaming title. It's had me hooked for well over a year now being one of those rare games that delivers more enjoyment the 'deeper you go'. One of the reasons Trainz is so immersive is the driver experience combining Cab Mode in game, with NaturalPoint's TrackIR 5.

Now, aside from being trained as a fireman and then as a driver by an organisation such as SteamRail Victoria, this is as close to driving a locomotive as most of us will get!

Thursday, August 30, 2012

Facebook Anyone?

If you're a Facebook user and haven't checked out our Facebook page as yet, take a moment to do so! It's got very different content to the blog as we consider both mediums compliment each other. We'd appreciate a like and your comments as well.... Engage with us - That's what it's all about!

Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Chassis Gets A Thumbs Up From OCIA

"As for function, the Armor Revo starts with the best features we liked about the Chaser MK-1 and expands upon it. We get a similar layout and control panel with integrated hard drive dock, fan speed and LED controller, USB 2.0 and 3.0 ports and eSATA and audio jacks. The three included 200mm fans in the front, top and side, and the 140mm fan in the rear, improve upon the case airflow, and removable mesh filters help protect each intake location. The hard drive trays thoughtfully accommodate both 3½" and 2½" drives, and the power supply support can be adjusted to fit any length unit."

Zahn Funk - OCIA

Thermaltake Snow Edition Armor Revo review by OCIA - Introduction & Conclusion.

eTeknix Take A Close Look At Tt's 5G USB3 HDD Dock

"The main area that we have to look at is how the dock performs. Like we would expect, there is going to be a slight amount of loss in performance, but to aid against this, the BlacX 5G comes with full USB3.0 functionality and with performance levels being virtually the same, we can safely say that the dock does not impede the drives performance at all."

Chris Hadley - eTeknix

Thermaltake 5G USB3 Dock review by eTeknix - Introduction & Conclusion.

Wednesday, August 29, 2012

Successful Online Retail - It's All In The Details....

"Luke Ryan had worked in sales and marketing for two years in Sweden when he began forming a plan for a new online retail start up. At the time, he met his business partner Asa Nystrom, who was able to take on the buying role required for the concept... Unfortunately, the downside of putting an online retail store together in a flash is that consumers may not know to look for it. Ryan points out that this has been the case so far with Details by Sven, but with the right marketing mix, this should soon change."

Cambell Phillips - PowerRetail

Read Cambell's full article on how online retail is all in the details using an upstart etailer as his example. We all need to remember that the old saying "build it and they will come" is a long way from the reality of building traffic and enhancing conversion rates - something all online retailers need to maintain focus on, especially the new ones!

Tuesday, August 28, 2012

AphnetWorks Review Tt eSPORTS Theron Mouse

"Whether you're a gamer or not, the Thermaltake Tt eSPORTS Theron is a great ergonomic mouse for gamers and office users alike. Additionally, Thermaltake gives the mouse a nice rubber finish for superior grip and control to give the user accuracy in handling precise movements. Its build quality is quite study, and with the featured braided 1.8m cable, it is bound to live for as long as you would like to keep it on your desk. Putting it through our long and vigorous testing process confirms that it has a very well-thought out design for comfortable usage over extended periods of time."

Preston Yuen - AphnetWorks

Tt eSPORTS Theron mouse review by AphnetWorks - Full article.

Monday, August 27, 2012

SimHQ Examine 'Take On Helicopters - Hind' Expansion Pack

"Take On Helicopters - Hinds could really do with more varied modeling of the Mi-24's weapon systems, improved modeling of the aerodynamic effects of the Mi-24's stub wings, and above all, more mission variety. However, this doesn't keep it from being a wonderful improvement that fills the gap between the Take On Helicopters and the Arma series."

Jonas "Avimimus" Weselake-George - SimHQ

Read Jona's full review on SimHQ. As mentioned within the article, NaturalPoint's TrackIR is supported, as it is within the entire ArmA series of games (ArmA/II/III), along with an extensive array of flight controls.

G.Skill F3-2400C10D-8GTX Trident DDR3-2400 Kit Reviewed By TechwareLabs

"This is a great kit for the enthusiast. The Physical design of this kit allows flexibility between flashy looks and low profile. The RAM itself is speedy and made for high amounts of speedy throughput. Enthusiast level RAM used to cost an arm and a leg, but this kit comes in at just under $100 ($99.99 at time of writing). And to top it all off, a lifetime warranty covers the RAM if something were to happen."

Ben Weber - TechwareLabs

G.Skill F3-2400C10D-8GTX DDR3-2400 memory kit review by TechwareLabs - Introduction & Conclusion.

Oh Cripes..... Am I Really That Old???? Id's Wolf3D turns 20!

"Oh hell, can it really be 20 years? Twenty years since Id Software effectively kickstarted the first-person shooter genre? Yes it can, because, to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Wolfenstein 3D, Bethesda has made it freely available as a browser game."

Keith Stuart - Guardian

Do you remember Wolf3D???? Read more about the anniversary and free browser game.

Wednesday, August 22, 2012

SimHQ Gets A Development Update On "Wings Over Flanders Fields" WWI Combat Flight Sim

"There he was, smoking at first, then on fire, high above me. As he lost height, the fire got worse, bits of his kite started tearing off and he started coming at me by design or by chance, I don't know. The fire was by now engulfing his bus and I thought that he would surely take me with him in a fiery collision, but somehow he missed me by the smallest possible of margins, and I just sat there for what seemed like a very long time, unable to move."

...This, to me, is the essence of what first class simulation is about. It makes you start thinking about the pilots in the real war, realizing with renewed acuity how they must have seen, for real, such horrifying sights over and over again, perhaps within a very short time-span, wearing on their courage and the quality of most young men; their total and absolute conviction that they are immortal and invulnerable, giving them bad dreams when in fitful sleep and in waking nightmares in the skies by day they wonder; when will my luck run out, when will the dice come down against me.

Jens "McGonigle" Lindblad - SimHQ

Read the full WOFF development update on SimHQ. If combat flight sims are your thing, check out our essentials for virtual aces - flight controls & TrackIR head trackers.

Live it.... Don't EVER just PLAY it!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

iRacing Overtaking Discipline - Enhance Your Experience!

"I want to spend some time talking about overtaking discipline, and what I believe are the essentials to preserving your (and others’) safety rating and ultimately having an enjoyable iRacing experience."

Nathan Aljoe - inRacing

Read Nathan's overtaking discipline article on inRacing.

If you're into motor racing games, do be sure to take a look at our extensive range of Playseat cockpits and motorsports controllers for the PC, Playstation 2/3 & Xbox360.

Monday, August 20, 2012

Communications Council Releases Social Media Guidelines

"Following the recent ruling which sees advertisers responsible for user-generated content on Facebook, the Communications Council has unveiled its Social Media Code of Conduct to address an increasingly murky social marketing landscape."

Wenlei Ma - AdNews

Read Wenlei's full report on AdNews.

War Thunder Open Beta - Here's An MMO With A Difference!

Every now and again, a game developer really thinks outside the square.... And here is a great example!


You can find out more about the public beta for this exciting WWII online aerial combat game here. Like any game these days, you need the right kit to dominate in online play - look no further than our extensive range of flight controls.

Thursday, August 16, 2012

CombatAce Check Out NaturalPoint's TrackIR 5

"There's nothing else I can say except that TrackIR 5 is a MUST HAVE for anyone who is a serious gamer. The amazing thing about reviewing the TrackIR 5 is that I have no negative opinions on it. No negatives about the software either. I can't even think of a "wish list" item for Naturalpoint to add to a software upgrade. Not even the price is a con. It's cheaper than the TrackIR 4 was when it was first released. This is a first folks. I rate the Naturalpoint TrackIR 5, 10 out of 10 points."

Ruggbutt - CombatAce

NaturalPoint TrackIR 5 review by CombatAce - Full article.

Thermaltake Water 2.0 Performer & Pro Reviewed By OCIA

"Thermaltake's Water 2.0 liquid cooling kit was able to upstage one of the top ranked air coolers in the Noctua NH-D14 SE2011. That's impressive enough in itself but even Tt's budget-minded Performer was able to do so - very impressive."

Shawn Knight - OCIA.net

Thermaltake Water 2.0 review by OCIA.net - Introduction & Conclusion.

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

Tt eSPORTS Dracco Signature Headphones Deboxing Video From GGF


Tt eSPORTS Dracco headphone series now in stock @ Mittoni, your digital lifestyle distributor!

Thermaltake Armor Revo Snow Edition Chassis Review On NinjaLane

"The Armor Revo Snow Edition is a nice example of Thermaltake's ability to provide a full featured case that stands out from the crowd without getting gaudy. Working with the chassis was easy and the spacious interior never felt cramped."

Dennis Garcia - NinjaLane

Thermaltake Armor Revo full tower chassis review by NinjaLane - Introduction & Conclusion.

A-10's Gather For Hawgsmoke 2012 @ Davis-Monthan AFB


"Hawgsmoke is a biennial worldwide A-10 bombing, missile, and tactical gunnery competition. Hosted by the winners of the previous competition, Hawgsmoke is an intense competition and an opportunity to share in the camaraderie and fellowship of the world’s premier Close Air Support fighter, as well as legacy of its pilots and support crews."

Check out the full details on the Hawgsmoke 2012 website. If you love the A10, like we do, then you'd be very interested in this fine piece of kit from Thrustmaster. Don't EVER just play it..... LIVE IT!

Thursday, August 2, 2012

Windows 8 Has Reached The RTM Milestone.... Release Date Oct 26th!

"I am excited to announce that Windows 8 has been released to manufacturing (RTM)! This means we’ve completed the product development and testing of the product and have started handing off the final code to our OEM partners. They can now begin preparing new Windows 8 PCs and devices they’ll introduce starting with General Availability."

Brandon LeBlanc - Microsoft

Read Brandon's post on Blogging Windows. Those keen to purchase can pick up a copy on October 26th. Not long now!

Wednesday, August 1, 2012

How Much Influence Should Players Have On Game Development?

"Gaming fans have always been one of the most vibrant and vocal communities around, and they have never been afraid to voice their opinions about a game. But are developers listening - and should they be?"

Simon Hill - DigitalTrends

An interesting discussion! Read Simon's full article on DigitalTrends.