Innehållsförteckning för Vol 7 2023 från Windows User

Do you want to take your Windows computer above the Clouds? Issue seven of Windows User is the perfect publication for you, the user that wants to take their skill set to the next level. Enhance your user experience! Gain insider knowledge! Learning directly from experts in their field! Over the pages of this issue you will discover an essential advanced user guide that will teach you everything you will need to know to make the absolute most of your cloud storage use and ultimately the cloud and Windows 11 itself. If it’s gadgets you’re looking for, our in-depth reviews help you find the very best your money can buy. We cover all the very best releases and apps, across all the major platforms, to ensure that you don’t miss…

CLOUD SALES Businesses need to consider many aspects when it comes to choosing the eCommerce platform that best suits their needs. Out of the many, here are ten excellent examples to investigate. SHOPIFY Hailed as one of the best eCommerce cloud services available, Shopify covers pretty much every aspect of sales for your business. It’s easy to use, has a vast range of services, and can be customised for your company. BIGCOMMERCE Another of the top names in e-Commerce cloud computing is BigCommerce, a company that prides itself on handling huge volumes and more web traffic. With an average uptime of 99.99%, BigCommerce is an ideal solution for those businesses that can see significant growth in their sector for the future. YAHOO AABACO SMALL BUSINESS Using Yahoo! as an e-Commerce…

CLOUDY WITH A CHANCE OF EMAIL The importance of finding a good cloud-based email provider goes without saying. There are plenty of services to research before choosing, which can be time-consuming. Here’s ten to help start you off. GSUITE Google’s Gmail for business is an obvious first choice for most small business users; there’s a good chance you and your workforce already use the personal version. Gmail for business offers 30GB of storage, compatibility with MS Outlook, and a personalised email address for your company. MICROSOFT EXCHANGE ONLINE The competitively priced Microsoft Exchange Online offers the business user premier, disaster recovery solutions, global server coverage, anti-spam and anti-malware filtering, and a range of plans from which to choose. It’s easy to use, familiar with its users, and easy to maintain…

THE PRIVATE CLOUD While public and private clouds share many benefits, opting for a private cloud can yield better results for a business – depending on what the business wants from its cloud service. CONTROL A private cloud setup gives more control to the business over the cloud’s servers and configurations. In a private cloud, the servers are dedicated to the business therefore you can tailor it to your own company specifications. IMPROVED SECURITY Sensitive data such as banking, medical or other confidential material, requires a higher level of security than that of so-called non-sensitive data. Using a private cloud solution means that your company, and your company alone, has access to your data. REDUNDANCY More often than not, a private cloud setup factors in better redundancy than that of…

If you’re interested in making a cloud storage solution at home, or the office, then you’ll need to factor in a few elements first. Some work better than others; some can be quite tedious to set up and get going, whereas others are really very simple. Either way, here are some examples of what you’ll need to begin. COMPUTER A fairly obvious component, in this case. The computer itself doesn’t need to be the most powerful PC available, so don’t go spending thousands on a new PC for a cloud at-home project. Nevertheless, you are going to need a few extra components to make it work better. STORAGE Inside the computer, you’re going to need ample storage for you, and your friends and family if you want, to which content…

NAS BENEFITS NAS technology has come a long way in the last few years. No longer the monolithic boxes dominating the room, in fact, they’re now quite discreet, media-type installations hidden away in the corner of a living room or office. They are remarkably powerful these days too. With specifications that surpass those of a top of the range PC from not so long ago, a modern NAS is a far more capable ‘computer’ than some of the PCs found on desks. This improved processing power allows more services to be run simultaneously, and with support for more users. In terms of service and software, many modern NAS units run a customised version of Linux, which serves as the backbone to their file and media sharing capabilities. There’s also a…

SAFE CLOUDS Ensuring Cyber security is often endeavoured by having multiple layers of security in place. Here then are ten golden rules for cloud security. RULE 1 Always use a cloud service that offers full encryption for your data. Ideally, the cloud service should offer 256-bit AES military-grade encryption across all its communications and storage. This way, it’s going to be exceedingly difficult for a hacker to gain entry through brute force alone. RULE 2 Encrypting your data before uploading it to a cloud service is a highly sensible idea. Providing you take steps to ensure the encryption keys are safe then, should someone ever gain entry to your account, all your data appears as a jumble of characters. RULE 3 If you’re going to use a cloud service to…

Hardware Reviews Pivo Pod Lite Devolo WiFi 6 Repeaters Twelve South Curve Flex Twelve South HiRise 3 Logitech Signature MK650 for Business FRITZ!Box 7590 AX Tempest 512 Mic Edifier WH950 Headphones Groov-e Karaoke Boombox Groov-e Soundbar 20 JOBY Godzilla Medium Kit Cambridge Audio Melomania Touch Rocketbook Pro STM ChargeTree Go Orico USB 4.0 Portable SSD, 1TB Swann AllSecure650 2K Wireless Security Kit Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth Speaker Software Reviews Affinity Designer 2 Affinity Photo 2 Affinity Publisher 2 DxO PhotoLab 6 DxO ViewPoint 4…

If you’re addicted to all things Apple and use an Apple Watch and AirPods alongside your iPhone, this is a comprehensive charging solution. It can charge all three of your devices at once, from a single power outlet. It comes supplied with a USB-C cable, but not the 20W USB-C power adapter you need for fast charging. Your MagSafe iPhone fits magnetically to the front of the HiRise, while your Apple Watch sits atop the device facing the ceiling. This means you can’t see the charging watch’s face if you’re lying in bed and have the HiRise your the bedside table; forget Nightstand Mode. The AirPods (wireless charging cases only) rest on the base. If your iPhone supports wireless-charging but not MagSafe you can charge it on the base instead,…

AVM’s updated flagship router has all the features you’d expect from a top-of-the-range FRITZ!Box, and it’s now WiFi 6 compatible too. The FRITZ!Box 7590 AX is a powerful ADSL modem router that can be used with any DSL- and IP-based Internet connection. It’s extremely fast. Even on conventional phone lines, it can achieve speeds of up to 300 Mbit/s. Obviously, what speed you actually get is dependant on your phone line, its distance from the exchange and the service you pay for with your Internet Service Provider (ISP), but whatever your situation and contract, you can bet the 7590 AX can get the most from it. The FRITZ!Box 7590 AX’s main advantage over its predecessor is that it’s Wi-Fi 6 compatible. As regular readers know, Wi-Fi 6 is the latest…

This home karaoke machine is surprisingly comprehensive for such an affordable device. It’s bundled with two mics so it’s ideal for duets, there’s flashing coloured LED lights for that on-stage feel and it connects to your phone or tablet through Bluetooth so you can sing along to your favourite songs. Top tip; there are plenty of songs on YouTube with vocals removed and lyrics on display. It supports the CD+G format, so a karaoke CD can output lyrics to your television for you to follow as you sing, and you can play CD-R/RW disks on it too. Talking of CDs, there’s a ten-track karaoke disc bundled, offering tracks such as Dancing Queen, Living on a Prayer and Valerie. You wouldn’t expect audiophile quality playback and studio-quality mics from a karaoke…

The Melomania Touch is Cambridge Audio’s second true wireless earbuds release, following the respected, well received Melomania 1. The new buds have been redesigned from the ground up, and have little in common with their predecessor. Featuring 7mm Graphene drivers for enhanced bass, the Melomania Touch offers a nine-hour continual play, with a 50-hour battery life when you throw in the case. It has a Unique High Performance Audio Mode for hi-fi quality sound and a Transparency Mode to let in ambient sounds, but no noise-cancelling feature to keep them out. It comes with six sets of silicon earbud in small, medium and large sizes, and three pairs of fins to keep them in your ear, again in small, medium and large. A USB-A to C cable is included for…

How’s that for an arty drive case? This portable SSD has a real cubist vibe to it, and it’s made using a high-end IML (in mould labelling) process so the colours won’t fade over time. It’s the 1TB version we’re looking at here, but it’s also available at all the usual sizes from 256GB to 2TB. As you’d expect for a modern storage drive, it features an on-board USB-C port. It includes both USB-C to USB-C and USB-C to USB-A cables so you can plug it into either. In use, it’s very fast. The SSD itself offers speeds of up to 20Gbps, and data transfer is based around the USB3.2 GEN2X2 chip, giving it reading speed up to 2060MB/s in perfect conditions. In our tests, using a USB-A port in…

This very focussed photo editing application does one job, and does it well. Available as a stand-alone app or as a plug-in for Photoshop, PS Elements or Lightroom Classic, DxO Labs’ ViewPoint 4 is designed to correct issues with a photograph’s perspective. However good your lens, imperfections due to distortion might creep into your pictures. With ViewPoint 4, you can fix barrel, pincushion and fish-eye distortion with a single click. For stronger changes, the app’s powerful perspective tools can give you exactly the effect you want. A matter of perspective… It’s an in-depth, capable app, but also fairly easy to use. A toolbar across the top is mainly for guides, resizing, flipping and rotating. The clever stuff is in a right-hand sidebar. It’s there you use the dedicated tools for…

These Affinity Version 2 apps are really knocking it out of the park. Publisher 2 is no exception. For the first time, it’s available on the iPad as well as the Mac, bringing it into line with Affinity’s Photo and Designer apps. The original Affinity Publisher was highly respected, and the new release makes significant advances on it with some great new features. Like all the Affinity apps, Publisher 2 is very affordable. On both the iPad and Mac you pay a single fee and buy the apps outright – there’s no monthly subscription. Best of all, there’s a universal licence that gets you all three Affinity apps on the Mac, Windows and iPad. It’s amazing value for money. Interesting interactive interface The interface is as instinctive and intuitive as…

SQL SQL stands for Structured Query Language. SQL is a standard language for accessing and manipulating databases. Although SQL is an ANSI (American National Standards Institute) standard, there are different versions of the SQL language. However, to be compliant, they all support at least the major commands such as Select, Update and Delete in a similar manner. JAVASCRIPT JavaScript (often shortened to JS) is a lightweight, interpreted, object-oriented language with first class functions. JavaScript runs on the client side of the web, that can be used to design or program how the web pages behave on the occurrence of an event. JavaScript is an easy to learn and also powerful scripting language, widely used for controlling web page behaviour. JAVA Java is the foundation for virtually every type of networked…

C EVERYTHING Due to both the complexity of the language and its power and performance, C++ is often used to develop games, programs, device drivers, and even entire operating systems. Dating back to 1979, the start of the golden era of home computing, C++, or rather C with Classes, was the brainchild of Danish computer scientist Bjarne Stroustrup, while working on his Ph.D. thesis. Stroustrup’s plan was to further the original C language, which had been widely used since the early seventies. C++ proved to be popular among the developers of the 80s, since it was a much easier environment with which to get to grips, and, more importantly, it was 99% compatible with the original C language. This meant that, beyond the mainstream computing labs, regular people who didn’t…

PYTHON POWER Ever since the earliest home computers were available, enthusiasts, users and professionals have toiled away until the wee hours, slaving over an overheating heap of circuitry to create something akin to magic. These pioneers of programming carved their way into a new frontier, forging small routines that enabled the letter ‘A’ to scroll across the screen. It may not sound terribly exciting to a generation that’s used to ultra high-definition graphics and open world, multiplayer online gaming. However, forty-something years ago it was blindingly brilliant. Naturally these bedroom coders helped form the foundations for every piece of digital technology we use today. Some went on to become chief developers for top software companies, whereas others pushed the available hardware to its limits and founded the billion pound gaming…

WHAT WE’RE USING Thankfully, Python is a multi-platform programming language available for Windows, macOS, Linux, Raspberry Pi and more. If you have one of those systems, then you can easily start using Python. ☐ COMPUTER Obviously you’re going to need a computer in order to learn how to program in Python and to test your code. You can use Windows (from XP onward) on either a 32 or 64-bit processor, an Apple Mac or Linux installed PC. ☐ AN IDE An IDE (Integrated Developer Environment) is used to enter and execute Python code. It enables you to inspect your program code and the values within the code, as well as offering advanced features. There are many different IDEs available, so find the one that works for you and gives the…

FREE AND OPEN Linux is a fantastic fit for those who want something different; the efficiency of the system, the availability of applications and its stability, are just a few reasons why. The first thing we need to address is that there is no basic operating system called Linux. Fundamentally, Linux is the operating system kernel, the core component of an OS. When talking about Linux we are, in fact, referring to one of the many distributions, or distros, that use the Linux kernel. No doubt you’ve heard of at least one of the current popular distros: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, openSUSE, Debian, Raspbian… the list goes on. Each one of these distros offers the user something a little different. While each has the Linux kernel at its core, they…

DVD BOOTABLE MEDIA We’re using a Windows 10 PC here to transfer the ISO to a DVD. As long as you’re using a version of Windows from 7 onward, the process is extremely easy. STEP 1 First locate the ISO image of Linux you’ve already downloaded. In Windows 7, 8.1 and 10 computers, you’ll usually find this in the Downloads folder unless, when saving it, you’ve specified a different location. STEP 2 Next, insert a recordable DVD disc into your computer’s optical drive. After a few seconds, while the disc is read, Windows will display a pop-up message asking you what to do with the newly inserted disc, ignore this as we’re going to use the built-in image burning function. STEP 3 Right-click the Linux ISO and from the menu…

COUNTERS Creating code that counts in increasing or decreasing number sets is great for demonstrating loops. With that in mind, let’s look at the If statement a little more, alongside more variables, and introduce the Else, Timeout and eof (End of File) commands. STEP 1 creating a new batch file called count.bat. Enter the following, save it and run: STEP 2 The count. bat code starts at number one and counts, scrolling down the screen, until it reaches 100. The Timeout command leaves a one second gap between numbers and the Else statement continues until the counter variable equals 100 before going to the eof (End Of File), thus closing the loop. STEP 3 The count.bat is a rough way of demonstrating a loop; a better approach would be to…

3.14159265358979… There’s a Raspberry in Antarctica, where it’s as cold as -42C (-45F) The Pi 4 is between three to four times more powerful than the Pi 3 Model B+ During the eruption of the Kilauea volcano in Hawaii in 2018, a Raspberry Pi was used as a seismometer It’s estimated that over 250,000 young people every week are learning how to code with a Pi It is estimated that there are over 50,000 code clubs across the world using the Raspberry Pi There are over 2,500 Raspberry Pi Certified Educators It was originally going to be called Raspberry Py, as it was only designed to run Python It was originally designed for school children to learn electronics and coding The Pi 4 is powerful enough to run Windows 10…

SETTING UP WITH NOOBS NOOBS (New Out Of Box Software) is a program used to make setting up a Raspberry Pi simple. You can buy SD Cards with NOOBS preinstalled, but here we’ll look at how to format your SD Card and install NOOBS using a Windows computer. STEP 1 We’re going to use a utility called SD Card Formatter to erase the SD Card with correct formatting. You can download this app from https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter/eula_windows/index.html. Click the Accept button to start the download of the latest version of the software. Extract the software, and double-click the executable to install and run the app. STEP 2 We’re going to use an 8GB SD Card to install the operating system on our Raspberry Pi. The card needs to be formatted, which will…

Hardware STM ChargeTree Swing I1601P AOC 16 LCD Monitor AirLit Smart Fan HaloLock Adjustable Wireless Charging Stand Cubbit Cell Groov-e Jazz Buds ESR Gear HaloLock Kickstand Software DxO PhotoLab 5 DxO FilmPack 6 AKVIS Magnifier AI 11 HUMANITY app Motif Photo Canvas Service Cloud Battery Games SpongeBob Patty Pursuit Double Dragon Trilogy Pokemon UNITE Zombie Night Terror…

British start-up GeoSmartPro specialises in smart-home gadgets. Its latest release is AirLit, an iPhone app-controlled smart fan that’s packed with extra features. As a fan, it’s 44cm high with its telescopic stand retracted, or 100cm with it extended. The fan itself is 45cm wide. An eight-hour battery in the stand means you can use it all day without mains power, or you can plug it into a mains adapter using a USB-C cable. You can control the fan using your iPhone and the GeoSmartPro app. Use your phone to switch it on (obviously), set its wind speed to one of four levels and more. On the lowest setting it’s very quiet, and even when pumping out as much air as possible, it’s not all that loud as fans go. LED…

This disc-shaped MagSafe charger connects to the mains through USB-C (adapter not included), and fastens to your iPhone using the magnets built in to the last two models. It’s a small, pocket-sized device that’s pretty handy when you’re out and about, as long as you’ve access to a USB-C mains adapter. It’s well built, with an aluminium body and stand, and a black or white charging surface. With the leg folded away it can function as a flat charging mat, and when used as a stand you can prop up your iPhone in landscape orientation (but not portrait) and watch a movie or a YouTube video. As a product, the HaloLock Kickstand falls between two stools; as a permanent stand, there are more versatile devices out there, and for travellers,…

GOOD FOR BUSINESS Cloud-based tools and services that are best suited for SMB/SMEs are quite varied, depending on the type of business you run. Here then are ten examples of what’s on offer. COMMUNICATIONS Voice over IP (VoIP), video conferencing, email marketing and social media engagement, are an essential part of the modern business. You’re no longer limited to word of mouth within the town in which you operate, with cloud communications services you’re a part of the global market. E-COMMERCE A web-based storefront is a powerful element of the modern business, but it needs to be flexible enough to work for you and what you’re selling. Cloud computing services that cater for e-Commerce solutions are ideal in helping you win more custom and gain ground in an ever-competitive market.…

CLOUD FINANCIALS A typical cloud accounting service offers invoicing, banking, purchasing, expenses, and tax management, with the ability to integrate add-ons such as PayPal. CLEARBOOKS ClearBooks is an excellent start when researching cloud accounting for your business. With it, you can create customisable invoices, set automatic payment reminders, and schedule recurring invoices. It’s also excellent for keeping up with your tax returns and managing your banking. XERO Xero allows online invoicing, a mobile app, stock management, payroll management and bank reconciliation. It can handle multiple currencies, has a significant level of security, and customisable reporting. In short, it’s considered one of the best online accounting solutions available. FRESHBOOKS According to FreshBooks, you can save 192 hours a year just by using its software. Hailed as one of the easiest to…

GOING GREEN Fewer machines, efficient climate control, reuse of generated heat, and many more environmental benefits can be delivered from cloud computing. Here are ten cloud providers who are ‘going green’. EVRY CLOUD SERVICES Based across Scandinavia, this cloud hosting company offers many excellent services through its green datacentres. Powered by hydropower and operating in accordance with ISO 14001 Environmental Standard Guidelines, this Nordic datacentre is one of the greenest in the world. NETAPP Headquartered in California and ranked in the Fortune 500, NetApp was founded in 1992 and is a cloud data services and data management company. It recently purchased the Icelandic cloud data company GreenQloud, and as such inherited GreenQloud’s excellent environmental processes. Further to this, NetApp conforms to ISO 14001:2015, is Energy Star recognised, and holds LEEED…

THE HYBRID CLOUD An ideal hybrid cloud setup allows a business to move its workloads between in-house, private and public clouds seamlessly; giving the business a host of extra benefits. WORKLOAD FLEXIBILITY Without a doubt, the greatest benefit a hybrid setup offers is the flexibility of an in-house server setup while being able to move into private and public cloud setups. Information, according to its sensitivity, for example, can be arranged between the three models ensuring greater security. BIG DATA A business that uses Big Data – a term that describes voluminous amounts of data mined for information collectively – can utilise a hybrid cloud approach to store the vast data collection locally, while simultaneously running cloud-based analytics in the cloud. ABSOLUTE CUSTOMISATION The hybrid cloud approach also ensures that…

DESKTOP ANYWHERE What are the advantages of setting up or using a cloud-based virtual desktop, then? As it happens, here are ten examples of where a VDI will help you out. RUN LEGACY PROGRAMS One of the advantages of running a virtual desktop in the cloud, is the ability to execute old programs and apps in the operating system environment for which they were designed. For example, running a DOS 6.22, or Windows 95 virtual desktop in the cloud allows you to play all those DOS classic games and programs. VIRUS TESTING If you think a downloaded file from a website may contain a virus, you can safely experiment with it in a virtual desktop in the cloud. This way your actual PC isn’t going to be infected, and, thanks…

CREATING YOUR CLOUD We’ve pre-fitted the two IronWolf drives, and run through the initial setup process. Note: changes to NAS firmware and the OS can result in different screens from shown below. STEP 1 First we need to install the Cloud Station Server from the Package Center, located on the DSM desktop. In the Package Center, you’ll find the Cloud Station Server app in the Business section. Click on Install and agree to allow the new app to install on your Synology NAS. STEP 2 Open the Control Panel from the DSM desktop, and scroll down the side panel until you come to QuickConnect. Click the QuickConnect link, and in the right-hand main pane, tick the Enable QuickConnect box. You’ll need to enter your email and sign up for a…

There’s no doubt cloud computing is changing the way we work, live, entertain ourselves, and so on, so it’s logical to assume it’s going to help us, as a society, move forward in terms of education. According to Eduserv, over 35% of UK universities have adopted a cloud approach to education, and that’s set to increase significantly over the coming years. The education in the cloud concept takes on many forms. Cloud technologies are used in a variety of ways throughout the education sector; from enrolling students, to providing course materials, aiding teachers in the delivery of their lessons, and even teaching entire lessons remotely over the cloud. There’s a lot the education sector can get from using cloud resources, so it seems strange that it’s taken so long to…

This inexpensive gadget designed for phone and tablet selfies is clearly aimed at teenaged social media content creators. a range of colours, Pivo Pod is a palm-sized, drum-shaped device with a vice-style clamp on the top to hold your smartphone in portrait and landscape orientation. When in place, the Pivo Pod can rotate the phone through 360 degrees, but there’s no native way of tilting it backward or forward. Pivo Pod connects to your Apple device using Bluetooth, and is controlled with free apps. There’s a standard tripod screw hole on the base, so you can fit it to a regular photography tripod if you wish. As well as making it easy to raise or lower the camera perspective, a decent tripod lets you tilt it too, giving back a…

This is awesome. While a fixed-position notebook raiser holds your MacBook at a set height, the Curve Flex goes a step further and lets you adjust it. It can lift the top of your screen up to 22 inches, and set your keyboard angle to between zero and 45 degrees. Available in matte black or white, it also folds flat so you can take it with you when on the move. It even comes with a neoprene sleeve for transportation, which has a little pocket to hold the supplied Allen key used to tighten it up if things get loose over time. It’s easy to set up. Put it on your desk, place your hand on the base and pull it up to the height you want. It’s a little…

512 Audio’s latest microphone is a decent price. It’s certainly not cheap and nasty, but nor is it a pro-level beast with a price tag to match. Instead, it’s a decent mid-range device that’s perfect for broadcasters, vidcasters and podcasters who want a quality mic but don’t need something the BBC might use while interviewing a politician near a busy motorway. Tempest is a true large-diaphragm studio microphone with the convenience of modern USB-C connectivity. It has a 34mm gold-plated condenser capsule and 24-bit/48kHz resolution. It has a single cardioid recording pattern, and doesn’t process the signal itself. This, of course, gives you the flexibility of doing your own processing at a software level. Not as straightforward as a mic with Digital Signal Processing (DSP), but you can get some…

How cheap can a Bluetooth speaker set be, without sounding horrible? This one is less than 30 quid, and it certainly doesn’t sound horrible. Not stellar either, but definitely not horrible. goov-e’s Soundbar 20 has two 5W drivers. It plays your tunes through Bluetooth 5.0 or a 3.5mm AUX cable, and it’s powered through USB or a ten-hour battery that takes a couple of hours to recharge. For that disco feeling, there are coloured LEDs around the speakers that flash when music is playing. You can turn them off if you’re using the soundbar under your TV or computer. Inevitably for the price, Soundbar 20 lacks the high-end audio you’d prefer for music. Its bass is solid, but the high ends sound a little tinny and the sound stage is…

Would you use something like this? Or would it end up in a drawer after a month or so, untouched and unloved? It’s a decent enough product. In the box, you get a vegan leather scratch-resistant hardcover, a pack of 20 reusable pages, a Pilot FriXion pen and a microfibre cloth. Use the pen to write on the waterproof, tear-resistant paper and you can wipe it clean with the cloth afterwards. The paper can be used again and again, and you can buy extra packs offering templates for to-dos, planners, meetings and more from the Rocketbook website too. Cloud connection When you’ve made your notes, you can scan them with an iPhone app, and store them on the cloud. There are seven icons at the foot of the page; you…

It’s interesting what you find bundled with tech products these days. This two-camera wireless security system comes with a USB mouse and a HDMI cable. Why? Because you must connect the supplied NVR (Network Video Recorder) unit to a TV or monitor to set it up. This isn’t as scary as it sounds. It’s a simple job, and after a few easy steps, your security hub is soon up and running. This particular pack offers two wireless cameras, replete with brackets that let you screw them to a wall or a flat surface. Naturally, there’s a useful iOS app you can use to monitor your cameras in real-time, and receive alerts when they detects heat or motion if you wish. Candid cameras The cameras, being wireless, are powered by removable…

Serif’s Affinity series of apps has really shaken up the design world, and their second versions look set to continue the trend. And it’s no wonder. They’re approaching their industry-leading Adobe rivals in power and versatility, and are available for a much lower price. They’re a once-only purchase with no subscription fees, and if you buy a Universal Licence, you can get all three Affinity v2 apps for Macs, Windows and iPads for a bargain once-only payment. Unfortunately, there’s no upgrade discount for existing users. Affinity Designer 2 is Serif’s answer to the much more expensive Adobe Illustrator, with a little Photoshop thrown in. It’s raster and vector drawing we’re dealing with here. This second release, a very considerable update, offers significant upgrades to the well received original. A feature…

As regular readers know, French company DxO’s PhotoLab is a powerful alternative to Adobe’s Photoshop, with the emphasis firmly and unapologetically on photo editing. This new edition is the sixth major release in five years, and offers discounts for those upgrading from a previous version. We’re covering the ELITE app here, but there’s also a cheaper ESSENTIAL version for those who don’t need the high-end options offered by this premium suite. A new feature in the ELITE edition lets you simulate papers and inks when soft proofing, further expanding the performance of DxO Wide Gamut. The app’s noise reduction and detail recovery capabilities take a step forward with DeepPrime XD, which is now available for Fujifilm X-Trans cameras along with the rest of the roster. Other ELITE-only features include the…

“It’s up to you how far to take your coding adventure!” MORE THAN CODE For those of you old enough to remember the ‘80s, the golden era of home computing, the world of computing was a very different scene to how it is today. 8-bit computers that you could purchase as a whole, as opposed to being in kit form and you having to solder the parts together, were the stu? of dreams; and getting your hands on one was sheer bliss contained within a large plastic box. However, it wasn’t so much the new technology that computers then offered, more over it was the fact that for the first time ever, you could control what was being viewed on the ‘television’. Instead of simply playing one of the thousands…

Coding can be one of those experiences that sounds fantastic, but is often confusing to tackle. After all, there’s a plethora of languages to choose from, countless apps that will enable you to code in a specific, or range, of languages and an equally huge amount of third-party software to consider. In addition, by accessing the Internet, you will discover that there are countless coding tutorials available for the language in which you’ve decided you want to program, alongside even more examples of code. It’s all a little too much at first. The trick is to slow down and, to begin with, not look too deeply into coding. Like all good projects, you need a solid foundation on which to build your skillset and to have all the necessary tools…

Python’s ability to create highly readable code, within a small set of instructions, has a considerable impact on our modern digital world. From being an ideal first programmers’ choice through to being able to create interactive stories and games; from scientific applications through to artificial Intelligence and web-based applications, the only limit to Python is the imagination of the person coding in it. It’s Python’s malleable design that makes it an ideal language for many different situations and roles. Even certain aspects of the coding world that require more efficient ode still use Python. For example, NASA utilises Python both as a stand-alone language and as a bridge between other programming languages. This way, NASA scientists and engineers are able to get to the data they need without having to…

PYTHON POWER Python is a high-level, general-purpose programming language that was designed by Guido van Rossum in the late ‘80s, as a successor to the ABC Programming Language, and became available to use in 1990. The Python Software Foundation, a non-profit organisation devoted to both furthering and improving Python, currently develops the language. The foundation’s purpose is to “promote, protect, and advance the Python programming language, and to support and facilitate the growth of a diverse and international community of Python programmers.” The structure of Python code has been designed to flow easily, allowing those who are just beginning to code to follow it without too much difficulty. et, despite its ease of use, Python is regularly used throughout a number of industries in real-world scenarios. Big Data and AI…

LINUX MINT – LINUXMINT.COM By far the most popular Linux distro (distribution) is Linux Mint. Mint began life back in 2006, as an alternative to the then, most popular distro, Ubuntu. Although based on Ubuntu’s Long Term Support build, Linux Mint took a different direction of offer the user a better overall experience. Linux Mint has three main desktop versions available with each new version of the core OS it releases. This may sound confusing at first, but it’s quite simple. Currently, Linux Mint uses the Cinnamon Desktop Environment as its flagship model, although MATE and Xfce models are also available. Cinnamon is a graphically rich desktop environment, while MATE uses less fancy graphics but is more stable on a wider variety of desktop systems and finally Xfce is an…

UEFI BIOS The Unified Extensible Firmware Interface (UEFI) is used to identify hardware and protect a PC during its boot-up process. It replaces the traditional BIOS, but can cause issues when installing Linux. STEP 1 Insert your DVD or USB flash drive into your PC and, if you haven’t already, shutdown Windows. In this instance, we’re using the USB boot media but the process is virtually identical. Start the PC and when prompted press the appropriate keys to enter the BIOS or SETUP; these could be, for example, F2, Del or even F12. STEP 2 There are different versions of a UEFI BIOS, so covering them all would be impossible. What you’re looking for is a section that details the Boot Sequence or Boot Mode. Here you’ll have the option…

ASK AROUND The kit list required to set up a Raspberry Pi is pretty basic: keyboard, mouse, HDMI monitor, SD Card and an optional case. Many of these items you’ll already have, but don’t rush out and buy those you don’t. Ask around to see if anybody you know has spares. STEP 1 The most important thing you need is an SD Card. These are the storage cards commonly found in digital cameras. All modern Raspberry Pi boards, including the Raspberry Pi 3 and Pi Zero, use Micro SD cards but the older boards may use a larger SD Card. STEP 2 The SD Card plugs into the SD Card socket. On the Raspberry Pi 4, 3, and Pi Zero, you push the card in and pull it out. On…

In 2016, the Raspberry Pi Foundation started work on an x86 version of its popular Raspbian operating system. By the end of the following year, there was a link on the Downloads page and non-Pi owners could now install and use Raspbian in almost the exact same way as if they were in front of a Raspberry Pi. Since then, the Raspberry Pi Desktop, or as it’s correctly called: Debian Stretch with Raspberry Pi Desktop, has followed the same release path as its Pi-based sibling. However, there are some differences you need to be aware of prior to throwing your Pi away and opting for this version instead. The Raspberry Pi Desktop (x86 version) allows you to view the same desktop and pre-installed software as the Full Desktop version available…

This second-generation STM ChargeTree makes a few minor, but welcome, changes from the original model. Like the original ChargeTree it’s available in black or white, and it once more charges a Qi-compatible iPhone, AirPods (with a wireless charging case), and an Apple Watch - all at the same time, using only one power socket. You just need a USB-C mains adapter of at least 20W. It’s not supplied, but they’re not hard to come by. As before, you charge your iPhone by resting it on the backward-leaning mat at the front of the ChargeTree Swing. It’s comfortably cushioned, and there’s an optional rubber raiser to fit over the foot if you have a smaller iPhone that needs the extra height. Also as before, your earbuds sit on a charging pad…

To no one’s great surprise, third-party manufacturers have been quick to release MagSafe-compatible gear for the newest smartphones, you’re spoiled for choice when it comes to chargers, cases and more that fit to your phone magnetically; for pop-on, pop-off convenience. This adjustable wireless charging stand is just such a product. With four pivot joints on a 20cm stand, you can bend the HaloLock into any position you choose. It’s ideal for your desk, where you can place your iPhone, to glance at incoming notifications as it charges. You can rotate it into portrait or landscape mode, and powerful built-in magnets securely hold it in place, even when it vibrates. It connects to your mains power using a bundled USB-C to USB-C cable, but the power adapter is not included. Unfortunately,…

Where do you keep your computer’s data files? You could use an external hard drive, but then you can’t access your files over the Internet, and if you’re burgled and it gets stolen with your computer, you’ve lost your data. You could use a NAS drive, but these are notoriously user-unfriendly, and again, if it gets stolen with your Mac, you’ve lost your data. What about the cloud? There’s no danger of having your files stolen with your equipment there, but you have to pay a monthly fee for whatever storage space you need. Or you could use Cubbit Cell, a new kind of cloud storage. Cubbit Cell is a storage drive that connects to your router. A product rather than a service, it demands no fees beyond the price…

WORKING TOGETHER There are countless cloud collaboration services available, which can be quite bewildering. Here are ten proven business solutions to help you fine-tune your choice of provider. DROPBOX BUSINESS One of the more popular cloud collaborations services available for businesses is from Dropbox. With companies such as National Geographic, University of Cambridge, AA and more, the service is designed to scale and grow as your collaboration with others does. CITRIX SHAREFILE Citrix has a long history of working with collaboration services. The company’s newest cloud-based resource is ShareFile, which provides a simple, secure way to collaborate with teams from around the world. HUDDLE Huddle offers a secure cloud collaboration service for customers such as the Department for Work and Pensions, the NHS, and the U.S. Department of Homeland Security.…

DATA CLOUDS Cloud storage can greatly improve a business’s operation by offering unlimited access to its data, from anywhere and at any time. There are countless services available, so here are ten for your consideration. DROPBOX The business side of Dropbox is one of the top, cloud storage choices for the SMB user. It’s priced competitively, offers storage, centralised administration and better management of your online documents. SUGARSYNC SugarSync has been a great value cloud storage provider for many years. The company offers a range of flexible features and solutions for the end-user, along with the usual collaboration, syncing across devices and operating systems, and disaster recovery. BOX Box offers the SMB user a great cloud storage platform. Collaboration, file sharing, security, content management and mobility are all catered for…

THE PUBLIC CLOUD So, what are the benefits of using Public cloud computing over traditional setups, private or hybrid clouds? Let’s have a look at what the public cloud model has to offer the SMB user. PAY AS YOU GO One of the main benefits of the public cloud is that it’s decidedly cheaper to set up than dedicated, in-house hardware, software and everything else. Public cloud servers and space is rented, and therefore you’ll only pay for what you use. Plus the initial investment is very low, even zero in some examples. CHEAPER ENERGY COSTS To expand the Pay as You Go benefit, if you’re considering a traditionally installed server, with other hardware, then you’ll also need to factor in climate control and upkeep for that server, and possibly…

YOUR VERY OWN CLOUD In such circumstances, having your own cloud is preferable to that of using one of the current solutions. A home user, for example, can set up their own cloud with the computer hardware they already own; making it available for friends and family to access, or just for their own private use. Likewise, a business can opt for their own cloud, again using available computer hardware connected to the company’s router and providing as much storage as needed for home workers, or those on the road. Taking a few points into consideration here, let’s see what advantages and disadvantages a DIY cloud can offer both the home and SMB user: SECURITY A DIY cloud may not have the backing of the likes of Google; however, it…

DESKTOP AS A SERVICE For business, many of the benefits of virtualisation in the cloud cross over with those of the home user; however, for a business, those benefits can yield great advantages over the competition. REMOTE WORKING Remote workers can help make substantial savings across the entire business. You don’t need to provide office space, or the power costs therein, and you can reduce software and hardware costs. Aside from these savings, your workers can access their desktops from anywhere in the world. EASIER SUPPORT Using a virtual desktop hosting service ensures that you receive the highest possible support, 24/7, without the need to have an extensive in-house IT team. Any issues with the virtual desktop setups are quickly resolved, and broken images easily replaced with a previous snapshot.…

CREATING YOUR CLOUD The Buffalo TeraStation we’re using is updated to the latest firmware and has cycled through the initial set up process. Note: Changes to models can alter the screenshots and steps below. STEP 1 Log in to the Buffalo TeraStation admin page. When loaded, click on the File Sharing link in the left-hand sidebar, followed by the link button to the far right of the Web Access entry. Enable HTTPS/SSL Encryption, enable Access via BuffaloNAS.com, click the Generate Random Key button, and enter a name for the cloud server in the BuffaloNAS.com Name box STEP 2 Once you’ve named the cloud server, click OK to save the details. Still in the File Sharing section, click on the Folder Setup link button, located at the top of the screen.…

RISE OF THE MACHINES Big Data, AI, Machine Learning, cavernous datacentres and quantum computing are all terms bandied about when it comes to discussing the future of the cloud. In truth, no one really knows which direction cloud technologies will take over the next five to ten years. However, it’s generally agreed that the aforementioned terms will play a big role in defining what the future of the cloud will look like. Cloud technologies are still in their infancy, in technical terms at least. As consumers, we’ve only just started to use the cloud for everyday tasks. Equate to physical technology, and we’ve just reached the point in the early ‘80s when the home computer became accessible and popular. While it’s a little disconcerting to think that we’re putting our…

In a nutshell, the difference between a Wi-Fi extender and a Wi-Fi repeater is that an extender connects directly to your router, maybe through homeplugs, and offers a separate wireless access point. A repeater, on the other hand, latches on to the outer reaches of your existing Wi-Fi network, and rebroadcasts it, giving you extra range. These two devolo products are repeaters. The devices offer two form factors. The 5400 looks like a router, with a separate mains outlet plug and two Ethernet ports for cabled connections. The 3000 model plugs directly into the mains socket and a single Ethernet port. Unfortunately, it doesn’t offer a through-port for you to plug in another electrical device. They’re extremely easy to set up; using WPS, just press a button on your router…

Keyboards and controllers can be a significant investment, especially if you’re a small business owner who needs to buy in bulk. Logitech’s Signature MK650 Combo for Business offers a (relatively) low cost option instead. Available in black or white, the combination pack contains an K650 keyboard and an M650 mouse. Designed for maximum compatibility, the keyboard is printed with both Mac and Windows key layouts. It has a full set of function keys along the top, and a built-in keypad too. It feels comfortable to type on, and as it has a palm rest, it’s easy on the wrists. The mouse is equally comfortable to use. It has a tracking DPI of 400-4000, which is ideal for general use. There’s a scroll wheel with a middle button, and two side…

Philips’ 27B1U7903 4K satisfies on pretty-much every level. It’s wonderful for design. Colours are clear and bright. There’s 1.07 billion of them on offer, and they’re brilliantly reproduced. Viewing angles are excellent, with almost no colour shifting at narrow angles. The screen is backlit by MiniLEDs. There’s 2,304 individual local dimming zones, compared to 576 on most 27-inch monitors. This really helps with the contrast, making blacks darker, whites brighter and the entire spectrum more vivid. For professional and prosumer users, it’s perfect. It does a decent job with movies and games too. These should be regarded as secondary uses, of course. If you’re looking for a monitor specifically for movies and games, there are more appropriate options. But its 4K, 3840x2160 resolution, 163 pixel-per-inch density and 60Hz refresh rate…

The GorillaPod range of tripods has an enviable reputation for versatility and strength, and this new model, the PodZilla, is no exception. As well as using it as a tripod, you can hold its legs together to turn it into a selfie stick, wrap them around a branch or railing to hold your iPhone steady in unusual places, bend one leg a little more than the others to accommodate uneven surfaces and more. There’s a standard head mount screw, so you can use it with a regular camera, and a housing to hold a mobile phone. This housing can also support LEDs, microphones and other JOBY products alongside your phone, but these are not supplied. The PodZilla comes in four exciting colours. Or maybe three exciting colours and grey. The…

The ChargeTree, STM’s multi-device charger for Apple fans, reaches perfection with the ChargeTree Go. Like previous versions, it can charge an Apple Watch, an iPhone with Qi charging (iPhone 8 or later) and earbuds that offer wireless charging such as Apple’s own second-generation or later AirPods, all at once. But unlike previous versions, this ChargeTree folds down flat for travel use. You get a drawstring bag to carry it in too, which is large enough to also hold the 20W plug (not supplied) and the USB-C to USB-C cable (supplied). It has charge status lights to show you that your devices have been positioned correctly and are charging, but these go out after a brief while, so you can use it on your bedside table without having LEDs keeping you…

The Marshall Emberton II Bluetooth portable speaker makes several improvements over the previous model. It can now run for 30 hours on a single charge, is dust and water resistant and it’s now made of 50% recycled plastic from used electronics, water bottles and automotive light covers. It’s 100% PVC-free too. The speaker charges from flat to full in three hours, and it uses Bluetooth 5.1 technology for easy set-up and great connectivity. One thing that hasn’t changed is its awesome rock-star aesthetics. It looks every inch a Marshall, and will be instantly familiar to anyone who’s been to a gig and seen the band’s amps stacked high on the stage. You can now stack your the portable speakers too for an even bigger sound. Get those fists in the…

Of the three feature-rich and competitively-priced design packages in the Affinity range, it’s Affinity Photo that impressed us most. A powerful image editor, it rivals Adobe Photoshop for versatility but costs a single, affordable fee with no monthly subscriptions. Affinity Photo 2 is a major overhaul, with a new user interface, non-destructive RAW editing, live masks and more. There’s no upgrade discount for existing users, but a free 30-day trial is available so you can try before you buy. Custom settings can be imported from the original Affinity Photo, so if you’ve set up custom brushes, adjustments and more, you won’t have to do it all again when you upgrade. Like the other Affinity apps released as Version 2, Photos 2 benefits from a greatly revised user interface. The workspaces,…

If you want to learn to code, this is the publication for you. With every issue our team of experts brings you the best tips, tricks and tutorials for creating code, regardless of your level of experience. In this first issue we take a look at the various languages you can use to code. Which one is right for you? Our easy-to-follow tutorials show how to code on various platforms too, such as Linux, Windows and Raspberry Pi. If it’s apps and gear you’re looking for, our in-depth reviews help you find the very best your money can buy. We cover all the very best of tech across all major platforms, so you’re bound to find something you like. It’s all in this very first issue of Coding User.…

01000011 01101111 01100100 01100101 Essentially all forms of coding are made up of ones and zeros, on or off states. This works for a modern computer and even the oldest known computational device. ~87 BC It’s difficult to pinpoint an exact start of when humans began to ‘program’ a device. However, it’s widely accepted that the Antikythera Mechanism is possibly the first ‘oded’ artefact. It’s dated to about 87 BC and is an ancient Greek analogue computer and orrery used to predict astronomical positions. ~850 AD The Banū Mūsā brothers, three Persian scholars who worked in the House of Wisdom in Baghdad, published the Book of Ingenious Devices in around 850 AD. Among the inventions listed was a mechanical musical instrument, a hydro-powered organ that played interchangeable cylinders automatically. 1800…

C++ SETUPS As most, if not all, operating systems have C++ at their code, it stands to reason that you can learn to program in C++ no matter what OS you’re currently using. ☐ COMPUTER Unless you fancy writing out your C++ code by hand on a sheet of paper (which is something many older coders used to do), then a computer is an absolute must have component. PC users can have any recent Linux distro or Windows OS, Mac users the latest macOS. ☐ AN IDE An IDE is used to enter and execute your C++ code. Many IDEs come with extensions and plugins that help make it work better, or add an extra level of functionality. Often, an IDE will provide enhancements depending on the core OS being…

Python creator Guido Van Rossum named Python after reading scripts from Monty Python’s Flying Circus. Alexa, Amazon’s Virtual Personal Assistant, uses Python to help with speech recognition. As of the end of 2018, Python was the most discussed language on the Internet. PYTHON AND LINUX SKILLS ARE THE THIRD MOST POPULAR I.T. SKILLS IN THE UK. Data analysis and Machine Learning are the two most used Python examples. Disney Pixar uses Python in its Renderman software to operate between other graphics packages. 16,000 There are over 16,000 Python jobs posted every six months in the UK. PYTHON SKILL-BASED POSITIONS ARE THE 16th MOST SOUGHT-AFTER JOBS IN THE UK. Python Data Science is thought to become the most sought-after job in the coming years. Google is the top company for hiring Python developers,…

MINTY INGREDIENTS Here’s what you’ll need to install and run Linux Mint as we work through this book. You have several choices available, so take your time and see which works best for you. SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS The minimum system requirements for Linux Mint are as follows: Obviously the better the system you have, the better and quicker the experience will be. USB INSTALLATION You can install Linux Mint onto your computer via USB or DVD. We’ll look into each a little later on, but if you’re already familiar with the process (or you’re thinking of USB and just gathering the hardware you’ll need), then you’re going to need a minimum 4GB USB flash drive/stick to contain the Linux Mint ISO. DVD INSTALLATION DVD installation of Linux Mint simply requires a…

SEARCHING FOR FILES Here’s an interesting little batch file that you can easily extend for your own use. It asks the user for a file type to search for and displays the results. STEP 1 We are introducing a couple of new commands into the mix here but we think they’re really useful. Create a new batch file called seek.bat and in it put: STEP 2 The new command in this instance is color (Americanised spelling). Color, as you already assume, changes the colour of the command prompt display. The color attributes are specified by two hex digits, the first corresponds to the background colour of the Command console and the second to the foreground, and can be any of the following values: STEP 3 Now let’s extend the seek.bat…

THE POWER OF PI With many different versions across four generations of models, the Raspberry Pi is certainly a busy little board. But while each Pi offers something slightly different, for the newcomer it’s a confusing medley of hardware specifications and model numbers. Which, Pi, then is best for you? Naturally, that questions depends greatly on what it is you want to do with your Raspberry Pi. If you have a particular project in mind, such as a home media centre server, then you’d probably opt for the more powerful and hardware-capable model of Raspberry Pi. If you want to setup a wireless security camera project, using the Raspberry Pi as the core hardware, then perhaps the Pi Zero W would be a better fit. To begin with, let’s have…

GETTING TO KNOW NOOBS The easiest way to get up and running is to use NOOBS, a software program created by the Raspberry Pi Foundation. You can buy a NOOBS SD Card from Raspberry Pi but it’s easy to make your own with an old unused SD Card (8GB recommended). STEP 1 We’re going to use a utility called SD Card Formatter 5 to erase the SD Card with correct formatting. You can download this app from https://www.sdcard.org/downloads/formatter_41. Click Download SD Formatter for Mac and Accept. Click the SDFormatter.pkg file in your Downloads folder and follow the instructions to install the app. STEP 2 Use an SD Card of at least 8GB capacity to install the operating system on your Raspberry Pi. The card needs to be formatted, which will erase all…

10 THINGS TO DO WITH X86 RASPBERRY PI OS There’s just as much you can do with this version of Raspberry Pi OS as with the dedicated Pi version. Here’s ten great projects, and things to do with Debian Buster with Raspberry Pi Desktop. CODING This version of Raspbian apes the Full Desktop version for the Raspberry Pi, so that means it comes with all the necessary programming languages out of the box. Learn Python, C++, use the HAT emulator, and even learn JAVA. It’s all there under the Programming menu option. HARDWARE Hook up a Pi Zero without an SD installed, and select GPIO Expansion Board from the options, and you will be able to talk to the Zero’s 40-pin GPIO via the likes of Python or Scratch. By…

The problem with working away from home on your notebook is you’ve probably got no access to a second monitor. Sure, there’s your iPad using the Sidecar feature, but do you miss the high-definition, 16-inch behemoth you have on your desk? This portable screen from AOC is designed to fill precisely that gap. The I1601P (why must monitor manufacturers use such boring names?) is 15.6 inches corner to corner and has a resolution of 1920x1080 (1080p). Not a match for your 3072-by-1920 16-inch Retina MacBook Pro, but it’s a decent screen in its own right. One area where it can’t compete with Apple’s screens is the colour gamut. Whereas the current range of Mac notebooks all support millions, and possibly a billion, colours, the AOC external screen can only manage…